Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro vs. Outemu Silent Grey
An in-depth look at the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro and the Outemu Silent Grey switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro and the Outemu Silent Grey are both tactile mechanical keyboard switches that offer unique qualities to enhance your typing experience. The Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro is known for its budget-friendly option with a distinct poppy and clacky sound profile, making it great for those who enjoy an audible feedback while typing. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Grey provides a quiet and highly tactile typing experience, perfect for users who prefer a smooth and silent keystroke. Each switch has its own set of features and benefits, catering to different preferences and needs. 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
50g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
20mm spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro and the Outemu Silent Grey, both switches utilize polycarbonate for their top housing. This material choice creates a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile, ideal for those looking for a more distinct typing experience. The translucency of polycarbonate also allows for RGB lighting to shine through, adding a visually appealing element to the switches. However, the V3 Cream Blue Pro stands out with its nylon bottom housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to the Silent Grey's polycarbonate bottom housing. The nylon material absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound that may appeal to those seeking a quieter typing experience.
While both switches share the use of polycarbonate for their top housing, the different bottom housing materials of the V3 Cream Blue Pro and the Outemu Silent Grey offer unique typing experiences. The softer nylon bottom housing of the V3 Cream Blue Pro contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, creating a more subdued typing experience compared to the crisper sound produced by the polycarbonate top housing. In contrast, the Silent Grey's polycarbonate bottom housing may yield a sharper sound when typing, providing a more tactile feel with each key press. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on the desired sound and typing feel, with the V3 Cream Blue Pro appealing to those looking for a softer, more muffled sound and the Silent Grey offering a crisper, more tactile typing experience.
Both the V3 Cream Blue Pro and the Outemu Silent Grey showcase the importance of housing materials in determining the sound profile and typing experience of a switch. While the polycarbonate top housing of both switches creates a sharper, higher-pitched sound, the nylon bottom housing of the V3 Cream Blue Pro produces a deeper and fuller sound compared to the Silent Grey's polycarbonate bottom housing. These differences in housing materials result in distinct typing experiences, with the V3 Cream Blue Pro offering a softer, muffled sound and the Silent Grey providing a crisper, more tactile feel when typing. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will come down to personal preference for sound and feel, with both options delivering quality performance based on their housing materials.
Weight
The Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro tactile switch has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch, which has an actuation force of 50 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro requires 55 grams while the Outemu Silent Grey needs 65 grams. The V3 Cream Blue Pro can be considered more suitable for those who prefer a lighter touch, ideal for longer typing sessions or gaming, while the Silent Grey provides a more substantial typing experience with its heavier bottom out force. Both switches offer a different typing experience based on the actuation force and bottom out force, so users can choose based on their personal preference for a lighter or heavier touch.
Travel distance
The Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm, making it a shorter option compared to the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch which has a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that the V3 Cream Blue Pro will provide a quicker response time for gamers who prefer shorter travel distances. On the other hand, the Silent Grey offers a deeper key press experience for those who prefer a more tactile feel. Both switches have their own advantages depending on individual preference, with the V3 Cream Blue Pro being the shorter option and the Silent Grey offering a longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on whether you prioritize speed or depth in your typing experience.
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 Outemu Silent Grey comes in at $3.10 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 switches are best known for their distinct poppy and clacky sound profile, providing a lively audible feedback that complements the creamy, tactile sensation they deliver. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Grey switches offer a quiet typing experience with a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke, making them perfect for users who prefer a satisfying and silent typing experience. The sound produced by each switch is subjective and can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard housing and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro switches are characterized by their accented, bouncy, snappy, and polished qualities. These switches offer a medium level of tactility that is not overwhelming yet provides a noticeable feedback, along with a spring-like sensation and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the exact feel of the Outemu Silent Grey switches is not specified in the provided information. However, based on their designation as silent switches with a pronounced bump, it can be inferred that they likely offer a tactile typing experience with a focus on quiet operation.
Overall, the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro switches are recommended for users looking for a budget-friendly option with a lively and audible typing experience, while the Outemu Silent Grey switches are ideal for those who prefer a quiet and highly tactile typing experience. Both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences, so choosing between them would depend on individual preferences in sound and feel. Ultimately, both switches provide quality tactile feedback and smooth key actuation, ensuring a satisfying typing experience for users.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switches, consider the specific qualities that align with your preferences. If you value a budget-friendly option with a distinctive poppy and clacky sound profile, paired with a smooth and tactile typing experience, then the V3 Cream Blue Pro is an excellent choice. On the other hand, if you prioritize a quiet and highly tactile typing experience with a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke, the Silent Grey switches would be ideal for you. Ultimately, your decision should be based on whether you prefer a livelier and audibly satisfying typing experience with the Cream Blue Pro or a quiet and tactile experience with the Silent Grey switches.
Mentioned in this article
