Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro vs. Outemu Silent White
An in-depth look at the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro and the Outemu Silent White switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro and the Outemu Silent White stand out as distinctive choices. The Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro is praised for its budget-friendly yet high-quality tactile experience, offering a satisfying poppy and clacky sound profile along with a smooth tactile sensation. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent White is a linear switch that hasn't gained as much recognition but provides a quieter typing experience without sacrificing key actuation feel. Each switch has its unique qualities that cater 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
45g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Total travel
3.30 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
PCB (5-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 White, both switches feature a polycarbonate top housing. This material is known to create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its stiffness and clear properties. Additionally, polycarbonate is ideal for switches that plan to utilize RGB lighting, as its translucency allows for the illumination to shine through. Therefore, in terms of sound characteristics and aesthetics, both switches will provide similar results with their polycarbonate top housings.
On the other hand, the V3 Cream Blue Pro and the Silent White differ in their bottom housing materials. The V3 Cream Blue Pro utilizes a nylon bottom housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound profile as nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound. This results in a duller and rounder sound when typing on switches that use nylon as the bottom housing material. Similarly, the Silent White also features a nylon bottom housing, offering the same deep and full sound profile due to the characteristics of the material.
Overall, the combination of polycarbonate top housing and nylon bottom housing in the V3 Cream Blue Pro and the Silent White respectively create a unique typing experience. While the top housing impacts the sound when releasing a key, the bottom housing plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel. Therefore, users can expect a balance of sharp and crisp sounds from the polycarbonate top housing, coupled with the deeper and fuller tones produced by the nylon bottom housing in both switches.
Weight
The Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro tactile switch and the Outemu Silent White linear switch both have an actuation force of 45 grams, making them equally light in terms of triggering a keystroke. However, when it comes to bottoming out, the V3 Cream Blue Pro requires 55 grams of force, while the Silent White needs 60 grams. This makes the V3 Cream Blue Pro slightly lighter overall, as it requires less force to fully press the key. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the V3 Cream Blue Pro may be the better choice, allowing for longer periods of comfortable typing. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent White provides a bit more resistance, giving a more substantial push feel during typing. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference regarding typing feel and force requirements.
Travel distance
Both the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro tactile switch and the Outemu Silent White linear switch have a travel distance of 3.3 mm, making them equal in this aspect. This means that when pressing down on a key, users will experience the same amount of travel distance with either switch. This can result in a consistent typing experience across both switches, with no noticeable difference in travel distance between the two. As a result, users can expect a similar tactile feel and overall typing experience when using either the V3 Cream Blue Pro or the Silent White switch.
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 White 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
When it comes to sound, the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro switches are best known for their distinctive poppy and clacky sound profile, which offers a lively and audible feedback that many users find satisfying. On the other hand, the sound profile of the Outemu Silent White switches is not known at this time. It's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard chassis and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the V3 Cream Blue Pro is characterized by its accented, bouncy, snappy, and polished feel. These qualities provide a medium tactile experience that is not overwhelming yet still offers a prominent amount of tactility, along with a spring-like feedback and smooth key travel. Unfortunately, the specific feel of the Outemu Silent White switches is unknown.
In conclusion, the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro switches offer a unique sound profile and a well-balanced tactile experience that many users enjoy. While the subjective qualities of the Outemu Silent White switches are not currently available, based on the known information about the V3 Cream Blue Pro switches, it's safe to say that both switches will provide similar quality results within their respective categories. Ultimately, the choice between the two will come down to personal preference in sound and feel.
Conclusion
Bringing it all together, you should choose the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro tactile switch if you value a budget-friendly option that provides a unique poppy and clacky sound profile with a smooth and tactile sensation. These switches are ideal for users who enjoy a lively auditory feedback coupled with a creamy tactile feel. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent White linear switch would be your go-to choice if you prefer a medium-bottom out force and a silent typing experience. Ultimately, your decision should be based on whether you prioritize sound and tactile feedback (Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro) or a quieter typing experience (Outemu Silent White). Choose wisely based on your personal preferences to enhance your overall typing experience.
Mentioned in this article
