Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro vs. Cherry MX Silent Red
An in-depth look at the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro and the Cherry MX Silent Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When looking at the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro and the Cherry MX Silent Red mechanical keyboard switches, there are clear distinctions to be made between the two. The Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro offers a tactile experience with its distinct poppy and clacky sound profile, making it a great choice for those who enjoy a lively, audible feedback paired with a creamy, tactile sensation. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Silent Red provides a linear typing experience with a significantly quieter sound profile, perfect for those in noise-sensitive environments. While the Cream Blue Pro excels in providing a bouncy and snappy typing experience, the Silent Red shines in its muted and low-pitched sound profile. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
pom
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
20mm spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro and the Cherry MX Silent Red, we can see that both switches utilize nylon as their bottom housing material. This means that both switches will elicit a deeper and fuller sound profile due to nylon's softer nature and sound-absorbing properties. However, the V3 Cream Blue Pro stands out with its polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile compared to the MX Silent Red's nylon top housing. This difference in top housing material will result in a more resonant and clear sound when pressing down on the V3 Cream Blue Pro switch.
On the other hand, the MX Silent Red switch's nylon top housing provides a more muted and rounder sound profile, which can appeal to users looking for a quieter typing experience. While both switches share a similar bottom housing material in nylon, the V3 Cream Blue Pro's polycarbonate top housing offers a distinct sound characteristic that sets it apart from the Cherry MX Silent Red. The use of polycarbonate in the top housing of the V3 Cream Blue Pro also makes it ideal for RGB lighting, as it is translucent and allows for the illumination to shine through, providing an added aesthetic appeal.
Overall, the choice between the V3 Cream Blue Pro and the Cherry MX Silent Red will ultimately come down to personal preference in sound profile and typing experience. The V3 Cream Blue Pro's polycarbonate top housing will appeal to those seeking a sharper and crisper sound, especially when paired with RGB lighting, while the Cherry MX Silent Red's nylon top housing offers a quieter and more muffled sound profile. Both switches, however, share a common ground in their use of nylon for the bottom housing, providing a deeper and fuller sound experience for users.
Weight
When comparing the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro tactile switch to the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch, it is clear that the actuation force is the same at 45 grams for both switches. However, the bottom out force differs, with the V3 Cream Blue Pro requiring 55 grams and the MX Silent Red force being unknown. In terms of weight, the V3 Cream Blue Pro is considered medium-light, while the MX Silent Red's weight is unavailable. The actuation force is essential for triggering keystrokes, while the bottom out force measures the amount of pressure needed to press a key fully. Some may prefer the lighter actuation force for extended typing sessions or gaming, while others may prefer the heavier bottom out force for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm, while the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm. In this case, the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro has a shorter travel distance compared to the Cherry MX Silent Red. The shorter travel distance of the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro may appeal to gamers looking for faster response times, while the longer travel distance of the Cherry MX Silent Red may provide a more substantial keypress feel for some users. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for travel distance and keypress feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro has an MSRP of $2.88 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the V3 Cream Blue Pro for $2.00.
The Cherry MX Silent Red has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the MX Silent Red for $4.15.
Here at Milktooth, we offer the best prices on switches (on average, 27% lower the competition). In addition, we offer free shipping on orders over $49.00. We also offer free returns and exchanges, so you can shop with guaranteed satisfaction.
That said, while price is an important piece of the puzzle, our opinion is that you should ultimately pick the option that most suits your unique preferences since you’ll be using these switches for years to come. In other words, finding something perfect for you is, in our view, the most important criteria.
Typing experience
In terms of sound, the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro is known for its distinct poppy and clacky sound profile, offering an audible feedback that is lively and harmoniously paired with a creamy, tactile sensation. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Silent Red provides a muted, thocky, and low-pitched sound experience, making it significantly quieter and ideal for noise-sensitive environments. The sound produced by a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used, so it's important to consider the overall setup when assessing sound quality.
When it comes to the feel of the switches, the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro is praised for its accented, bouncy, snappy, and polished tactile sensations. These switches provide a medium level of tactility that is not overwhelming, yet delivers a satisfying feedback with a smooth and refined finish. In contrast, the Cherry MX Silent Red is characterized as having a textured feel, which may provide a different typing experience compared to the smoother and more polished V3 Cream Blue Pro switches. Feel is a highly subjective aspect of mechanical keyboards, so it's essential to try out different switches to find the one that best suits your preferences.
Overall, the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro and Cherry MX Silent Red switches offer unique sound and feel characteristics that cater to different preferences. While the V3 Cream Blue Pro provides a lively and tactile feedback with a distinctive sound profile, the MX Silent Red offers a quieter typing experience with a slightly different tactile feel. Both switches have their strengths, and the choice between them ultimately depends on individual preferences for sound and feel. Ultimately, you can achieve similar results in terms of sound and feel with either switch by considering factors such as keycap material, typing style, and overall keyboard setup to tailor the experience to your liking.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro tactile switch and the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch, consider your priorities. If you value a budget-friendly option with a poppy sound profile and creamy tactile sensation, the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro is a great choice. On the other hand, if you prioritize a quieter typing experience in a noise-sensitive environment, the Cherry MX Silent Red is the way to go. Ultimately, your decision should be based on whether you prefer the audible feedback and smoothness of the Cream Blue Pro or the silent operation of the MX Silent Red. Choose the switch that aligns with your preferences and enjoy a satisfying typing experience.
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