Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro vs. Haimu Neo White
An in-depth look at the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro and the Haimu Neo White switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro and the Haimu Neo White are two popular mechanical keyboard switches, each offering unique characteristics that cater to different preferences. The V3 Cream Blue Pro is a tactile switch known for its distinct poppy and clacky sound profile, providing users with a lively, audible feedback paired with a creamy, tactile sensation. On the other hand, the Haimu Neo White is a linear switch with a medium weight and smooth actuation, offering a satisfying typing experience with reduced total travel. While the V3 Cream Blue Pro is ideal for those who enjoy a tactile feedback and audible sound, the Neo White is suited for users looking for a smoother typing experience. 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
58g
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
20mm spring
Spring
Double-staged spring
Housing materials
Both the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro and the Haimu Neo White keyboards feature polycarbonate top housings, offering a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Polycarbonate is known for its stiffness, which leads to a clearer and more resonant sound. Additionally, its translucency makes it ideal for use with RGB lighting. It is clear that both keyboards share similar qualities in terms of their top housing material, ensuring a consistent performance in sound quality.
In contrast, the V3 Cream Blue Pro utilizes a nylon bottom housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound than harder plastics, creating a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the Haimu Neo White also incorporates a nylon bottom housing, providing a similar typing experience with a focus on enhanced sound quality. Despite their differences in design and aesthetics, both keyboards offer a comfortable typing experience thanks to their choice of materials for the bottom housing.
Overall, while both the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro and the Haimu Neo White keyboards may vary in their housing materials, they ultimately deliver a comparable typing experience. The split between the qualities brought by the top and bottom housings ensures that users can feel and hear the distinctive characteristics of each material. Whether it's the impact on the bottom-out sound and feel from the bottom housing or the sound when releasing a key from the top housing, both keyboards offer a harmonious blend of materials to cater to different preferences in sound profiles.
Weight
In comparing the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro tactile switch and the Haimu Neo White linear switch, it is clear that the V3 Cream Blue Pro has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Neo White's unknown actuation force. The V3 Cream Blue Pro also has a lighter bottom out force of 55 grams compared to the Neo White's 58 grams, making the V3 Cream Blue Pro the overall lighter switch. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may find the V3 Cream Blue Pro to be more suitable for longer typing sessions or gaming. On the other hand, the Neo White offers a slightly heavier typing experience with its 58-gram bottom out force, providing a more substantial push feel for those who prefer a stronger typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm, which is shorter than the Haimu Neo White linear switch with a travel distance of 3.6 mm. The V3 Cream Blue Pro will provide a quicker response time due to its shorter travel distance, making it a preferred choice for gamers looking for speed. On the other hand, the Neo White linear switch offers a slightly longer travel distance, which can provide a more satisfying typing experience for those who prefer a deeper key press. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preference for travel distance and typing 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 Haimu Neo White comes in at $2.70 per 10 switches.
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 switch offers a distinct poppy and clacky sound profile that is accompanied by a commendable level of smoothness, providing users with a lively and audible feedback. On the other hand, the Haimu Neo White switch is described as having a neutral sound profile, making it suitable for a variety of typing environments. Keep in mind that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps being used.
When it comes to feel, the V3 Cream Blue Pro switch is described as accented, bouncy, snappy, and polished, providing a medium tactile sensation that is not overwhelming but still offers a prominent amount of tactility. The keys feel bouncy and snappy, giving users a lively typing experience with smooth key travel. In contrast, the Neo White switch is labeled as mild, offering a more gentle typing experience that falls in a safe middle-ground zone in terms of sound and feel.
Overall, the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro switch is best suited for users who enjoy a tactile feedback with a distinctive sound profile, while the Haimu Neo White switch is ideal for those looking for a more neutral typing experience with slightly reduced total travel. Both switches offer their own unique characteristics, so choosing between them ultimately comes down to personal preference and typing style. Whether opting for the Cream Blue Pro or the Neo White, users can expect a high-quality typing experience with either switch.
Conclusion
Therefore, when deciding between the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro tactile switch and the Haimu Neo White linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and needs. If you are looking for a budget-friendly option with a distinct poppy and clacky sound profile accompanied by a creamy, tactile sensation, then the V3 Cream Blue Pro would be an excellent choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth actuation and a medium weight switch with a slightly reduced total travel, then the Neo White might be the better option. Additionally, if you are looking for a switch with a moderate sound profile and a more gentle typing experience, the Neo White could also be a suitable choice. Ultimately, consider your typing style, preference for sound profile, and desired tactile feedback when making your decision between these two switches.
Mentioned in this article
