Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro vs. KTT Sea Salt Lemon
An in-depth look at the Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon both offer unique characteristics worth considering. The V3 Cream Yellow Pro is budget-friendly and provides a poppy, clacky sound along with a smooth tactile feel, making it an excellent choice for those who appreciate both auditory feedback and smooth keystrokes. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Lemon switches from KTT boast a buttery smooth typing experience thanks to their progressive spring and dry-lube design, ideal for users seeking a more refined and subtle typing feel. 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
50g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
2.00 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
In comparing the housing materials of the Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon, both keyboards feature a polycarbonate top housing. Polycarbonate is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile, as it is a stiff plastic that produces clear and resonant sounds. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches that utilize RGB lighting. This means that both the V3 Cream Yellow Pro and the Sea Salt Lemon will likely offer similar sound profiles and aesthetics due to their shared polycarbonate top housing material.
However, when it comes to the bottom housing material, the V3 Cream Yellow Pro features a nylon bottom housing, while the KTT Sea Salt Lemon also utilizes nylon for its bottom housing. Nylon is known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to polycarbonate. This is because nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. The choice of nylon for the bottom housing in both keyboards means that users can expect a similar typing experience in terms of sound and feel, with a greater emphasis on depth and fullness in the bottom-out sound.
When considering how the top and bottom housing materials interact in a switch, it is important to note that the qualities of each material will affect different aspects of the typing experience. The bottom housing material has a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when a key is pressed, while the top housing material influences the sound when a key is released. With both the V3 Cream Yellow Pro and the Sea Salt Lemon featuring polycarbonate top housings and nylon bottom housings, users can expect a balanced typing experience that combines the crispness of polycarbonate with the depth and fullness of nylon.
Weight
Upon comparing the Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro linear switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch, it is clear that they differ in their actuation and bottom out forces. The V3 Cream Yellow Pro has a slightly heavier actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams, providing a more substantial typing experience. In contrast, the Sea Salt Lemon offers a lighter actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 53 grams, making it more suitable for longer typing sessions. Both switches fall within the medium to medium-light range in terms of force required for keystrokes, offering a balance between comfort and responsiveness. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference, with the V3 Cream Yellow Pro being the heavier option and the Sea Salt Lemon being the lighter option for different typing experiences.
Travel distance
The Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro linear switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm, whereas the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. In this case, the Sea Salt Lemon switch has a longer travel distance compared to the Cream Yellow Pro switch. The difference between the two may not seem significant, but it could impact the feel and response of the switches when typing or gaming. Those who prefer a shorter travel distance may lean towards the Cream Yellow Pro for faster response times, while those who enjoy a deeper key press may opt for the Sea Salt Lemon switch. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference and typing style.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Akko V3 Cream Yellow 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 Yellow 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 Yellow Pro linear switch offers a poppy and clacky sound, providing a vibrant auditory experience that many enjoy. On the other hand, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch is characterized by a low-pitched sound profile, giving it a more bass-heavy and mellow tone. Both switches offer unique sound qualities that cater to different preferences, with the Cream Yellow Pro being more lively and the Sea Salt Lemon having a more subdued tone.
When it comes to the feel of the switches, the Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro is described as easy-to-press and feathery, offering a light actuation force that makes typing effortless and comfortable. Additionally, its bouncy and snappy feedback provides a lively typing experience. In contrast, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switch is characterized as mild, offering a gentle typing experience that falls in a safe middle-ground zone. Overall, the Cream Yellow Pro provides a more dynamic and responsive typing feel compared to the smoother and more subtle Sea Salt Lemon switch.
In conclusion, the Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switches offer distinct sound and feel qualities that cater to different preferences. The Cream Yellow Pro excels in providing a lively auditory experience coupled with a responsive and low-impact typing feel, while the Sea Salt Lemon offers a more subdued sound profile and a gentle typing experience. Depending on your personal preferences for sound and feel, both switches provide excellent options for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Conclusion
Ultimately, when choosing between the Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro linear switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch, you should consider your typing preferences and needs. If you enjoy a poppy, clacky sound paired with a creamy tactile feel, then the V3 Cream Yellow Pro is the way to go. On the other hand, if you prefer a buttery smooth typing experience with a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, the Sea Salt Lemon switch might be more suitable for you. Both switches offer different characteristics that cater to different preferences, so it ultimately comes down to personal preference and what typing experience you value most. Consider the information provided on bottom out force, sound, and feel to make an informed decision that aligns with your keyboard preferences.
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