Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro vs. KTT Sea Salt Lemon
An in-depth look at the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Introducing the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro, a tactile switch, and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon, a linear switch. The Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro is perfect for those looking for quality on a budget, offering a poppy and clacky sound profile along with a smooth tactile sensation. On the other hand, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon provides a buttery smooth typing experience with its progressive spring and dry-lube design. While the Cream Blue Pro is known for its bouncy and polished feel, the Sea Salt Lemon is praised for its low-pitched and mild characteristics. Both switches have their own unique features that cater to different preferences, so it ultimately comes down to personal preference. 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
53g
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
No
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
13mm progressive spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon, it is evident that both keyboards utilize polycarbonate for their top housing. This choice results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile for both keyboards. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate allows for the incorporation of RGB lighting, enhancing the visual appeal of the keyboards. While the top housing material is the same for both keyboards, the V3 Cream Blue Pro features a nylon bottom housing, which elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile, whereas the Sea Salt Lemon also uses nylon for its bottom housing, resulting in a similar typing experience.
The difference in housing materials between the V3 Cream Blue Pro and the Sea Salt Lemon lies primarily in the bottom housing, with both keyboards utilizing nylon for this component. Nylon is known for its ability to absorb sound, creating a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to harder plastics. This quality is consistent across both models, enhancing the typing experience by producing a duller and rounder sound. While the use of nylon in the bottom housing is the same for both keyboards, the split in housing materials allows for a nuanced typing experience that highlights the unique qualities of each component.
Overall, the choice of housing materials plays a crucial role in determining the sound and feel of a keyboard. Both the V3 Cream Blue Pro and the Sea Salt Lemon benefit from the stiffer polycarbonate top housing, which contributes to a clear and resonant sound profile. Similarly, the nylon bottom housing in both keyboards enhances the typing experience by absorbing sound and creating a deeper, fuller sound profile. While the housing materials may differ between the top and bottom components of the keyboards, the overall typing experience is likely to be similar due to the shared qualities of the materials used.
Weight
The Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro tactile switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch both have a similar actuation force of 45 grams, making them equally light in terms of the force required to trigger a keystroke. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the V3 Cream Blue Pro is slightly heavier at 55 grams compared to the Sea Salt Lemon at 53 grams. This difference means that the V3 Cream Blue Pro provides a slightly firmer typing experience compared to the Sea Salt Lemon. Some may prefer the V3 Cream Blue Pro for its heavier bottom out force, as it can offer a more substantial typing feel, while others may opt for the Sea Salt Lemon for a lighter touch to prevent fatigue during long typing or gaming sessions. 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 has a travel distance of 3.3 mm, making it shorter than the KTT Sea Salt Lemon which has a travel distance of 4 mm. The V3 Cream Blue Pro offers a quicker response time due to its shorter distance, making it a popular choice among gamers who value speed. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Lemon provides a deeper key press with its longer travel distance, which may be preferred by those who enjoy a more tactile typing experience. Both switches offer unique advantages based on their travel distances, catering to different preferences for keyboard users. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and typing style.
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 KTT Sea Salt Lemon comes in at $2.80 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 known for their distinct poppy and clacky sound profile, giving users a lively and audible feedback that is harmoniously paired with a creamy, tactile sensation. On the other hand, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switches are characterized as low-pitched, offering a more bass-heavy and mellow tone. Both switches provide unique sound profiles that cater to different preferences, with the Cream Blue Pro being more lively and the Sea Salt Lemon offering a smoother, more neutral sound.
When it comes to feel, the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro switches are described as accented, bouncy, snappy, and polished, providing a medium tactile experience with a prominent amount of tactility that is not overwhelming. The keys have a lively feel and smooth key travel, offering users a satisfying typing experience. In contrast, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switches are described as mild, offering a gentle typing experience that falls in a safe middle-ground zone. The progressive spring and dry-lube design of the Sea Salt Lemon switches contribute to a buttery smooth typing experience that is approachable to most users.
Overall, both the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro tactile switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences. The Cream Blue Pro excels in providing a lively and tactile typing experience with a distinct sound profile, while the Sea Salt Lemon offers a smoother and more neutral sound paired with a gentle typing feel. Depending on your preference for sound and feel, both switches offer quality options within the mechanical keyboard world that can enhance your typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a budget-friendly mechanical keyboard switch with a lively and audible feedback paired with a creamy, tactile sensation, the Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro switches are a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a buttery smooth typing experience with a mild and approachable feel, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switches would be more suitable for your preferences. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches boils down to your personal typing preferences and the overall typing experience you are looking to achieve. Choose wisely and enjoy your mechanical keyboard journey!
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