Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro vs. Akko Rosewood
An in-depth look at the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro and the Akko Rosewood switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro and the Akko Rosewood offer distinct yet enticing options tailored to different typing preferences. The V3 Cream Blue Pro is celebrated for its tactile feedback and lively auditory experience, featuring a poppy and clacky sound profile that appeals to users who enjoy a vibrant, responsive typing environment. This switch is particularly ideal for gamers and typists who thrive on a bouncy, snappy feel, allowing for both enjoyment and productivity. In contrast, the Akko Rosewood caters to those seeking a smoother, quieter typing experience. With its deep, thocky sound, enhanced by factory-applied lubrication, this linear switch provides a more subdued ambiance, perfect for users who prefer a less distracting environment during work or gaming sessions. Both switches offer unique benefits, making them appealing choices for different scenarios and user preferences. 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
40g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 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
Nylon
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
22mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
The Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro and the Akko Rosewood keyboards utilize different materials for their top housing, which significantly affects their acoustic profiles. The V3 Cream Blue Pro features a polycarbonate top housing that contributes to a sharper and crisper sound profile due to the material's stiffness. This translucency not only enhances the overall aesthetic, especially when RGB lighting is employed, but also allows for more resonant sound production. In contrast, the Rosewood uses a nylon top housing, which embodies a classic switch material known for yielding a deeper, fuller sound. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder acoustic experience compared to the sharper characteristics of polycarbonate.
Both keyboards, however, share the same material for their bottom housing—nylon—which influences the overall sound and feel during key presses. The nylon bottom housing is essential in providing a deeper sound, as it absorbs more noise from the impact of a key press. Users will experience a quality typing sound that’s consistent across both models when it comes to the bottom-out sound, which tends to be deeper and more subdued, creating a comforting and satisfying feedback. The shared nylon bottom housing ensures that regardless of the top housing's material differences, the acoustic response from the bottom remains harmonized, offering a cohesive typing experience.
In summary, while the top housing of the V3 Cream Blue Pro and the Rosewood contributes distinctly to their sound profiles—one being brighter and more resonant, the other offering a warmer and fuller tone—the commonality of nylon in their bottom housing provides a consistent depth in the sound produced. This interplay means that even though the sound on release differs due to the contrasting top materials, both keyboards deliver a satisfying and rich auditory experience when bottoming out on a keystroke. Whether a user prefers the clarity of polycarbonate or the depth of nylon, they can find respective benefits in both models, complemented by the familiar foundation provided by the nylon bottom housing.
Weight
The Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro tactile switch and the Akko Rosewood linear switch exhibit distinct differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The V3 Cream Blue Pro has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams, placing it in the medium-light category. In contrast, the Rosewood switch features a lighter actuation force of 40 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams. This means that the Rosewood switch is the lighter option, making it more suitable for users who prefer prolonged typing sessions with less finger fatigue. Conversely, the V3 Cream Blue Pro provides a more substantial feel with its higher actuation and bottom out forces, appealing to those who enjoy a stronger push sensation while typing. Overall, the differences in actuation and bottom out forces cater to various user preferences, with the V3 Cream Blue Pro being the heavier option and the Rosewood switch offering a lighter touch.
Travel distance
The Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm, while the Akko Rosewood linear switch features a longer travel distance of 4.0 mm. This difference indicates that the V3 Cream Blue Pro is the shorter of the two, making it potentially more suitable for gamers who favor a quicker response time. The shorter travel distance allows for more rapid keystrokes, which is advantageous in fast-paced gaming scenarios. On the other hand, the Rosewood's longer 4.0 mm travel distance may appeal to those who prefer a more profound tactile feedback and a less abrupt transition when keypressing—a characteristic that can enhance typing comfort for some users. Thus, if you lean towards responsiveness and quickness, the V3 Cream Blue Pro is the better choice, while the Rosewood lends itself to users who appreciate a more substantial 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 Akko Rosewood has an MSRP of $3.89 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Rosewood for $3.11.
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 resonate with a distinct poppy and clacky profile, creating an engaging acoustic environment that many typists enjoy. This lively auditory feedback is perfect for those who appreciate a more pronounced sound when typing. In contrast, the Akko Rosewood switches manifest a deep thocky sound, enriched by a thin layer of factory-applied lubricant that contributes to their satisfying auditory experience. This deep tone offers a more muted yet resonant quality, making it ideal for users who prefer a sound profile that is less sharp and more bass-heavy.
In terms of feel, the V3 Cream Blue Pro switches provide an accented tactile feedback, balancing between medium tactility and a non-scratchy sensation, which many find satisfying for typing. These switches are also characterized by their bouncy nature, giving a spring-like response that enhances the overall typing experience. The snappy responsiveness of the V3 Cream Blue Pro is further elevated by polished materials, creating a smooth and refined experience with minimal friction. On the other hand, while there’s no specific description of the feel of the Rosewood switches, their sound suggests a more solid and maybe heavier typing experience, but their exact tactile feedback remains unknown.
In summary, both the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro tactile switch and Akko Rosewood linear switch provide their unique auditory and tactile qualities that cater to different typing preferences. The Cream Blue Pro excels in a lively poppy sound with an accented and bouncy feel, making it a great choice for those who enjoy pronounced feedback. Meanwhile, the Rosewood offers a deeper thocky sound, which may appeal to users looking for smoothness and resonance. Ultimately, your choice will depend on whether you lean towards a more vibrant tactile experience or a deeper auditory characteristic, with both switches facilitating enjoyable typing experiences in their own right.
Conclusion
To conclude, when deciding between the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro tactile switch and the Akko Rosewood linear switch, consider the type of typing experience you desire. If you gravitate towards a switch that delivers a lively, auditory feedback with a tactile bump, the V3 Cream Blue Pro is your best bet. This switch provides a medium-light actuation force of 55 grams, perfect for typists who enjoy a responsive, snappy feel accompanied by a satisfying clacky sound. It combines smoothness with a distinctive tactile sensation, making it an excellent choice for both gaming and typing, especially if you appreciate a bit of noise in your keystrokes. On the other hand, if you're looking for a smoother typing experience with a subtle yet profound sound profile, the Akko Rosewood linear switch would be more suitable. With a lighter actuation force of 50 grams, it offers a relaxed feel, producing a deep, thocky sound that is uniquely satisfying while remaining quieter than the Cream Blue Pro. Ultimately, your choice should reflect whether you want that engaging tactile feedback and sound of the V3 Cream Blue or the understated smoothness and richness of sound from the Rosewood switch.
Mentioned in this article
