Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro vs. Dareu Sky V4
An in-depth look at the Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro and the Dareu Sky V4 switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro and the Dareu Sky V4 are both linear mechanical keyboard switches, each offering unique features that cater to different preferences. The Cream Yellow Pro V3 stands out for its budget-friendly price point and combination of poppy, clacky sound and smoothness, providing a satisfying auditory and tactile experience. On the other hand, the Sky V4 excels in utilizing POK material in its top housing, resulting in a deeper sound signature and smooth linear action for a rich typing experience. While the Cream Yellow Pro V3 is known for being easy-to-press, feathery, bouncy, snappy, and polished, the Sky V4 is characterized as thocky, neutral, low-pitched, and bouncy. Ultimately, deciding between these two switches will come down to personal preference and specific typing 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
50g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
POK
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
20mm spring
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro and the Dareu Sky V4, it is evident that both switches feature polycarbonate top housings. Polycarbonate is known for creating a sharp, high-pitched sound profile, making it ideal for switches with RGB lighting. In contrast, the Sky V4 utilizes a POK top housing, which is lauded for its smoothness and durability. While both materials serve their purpose well, polycarbonate emphasizes sound clarity, while POK prioritizes smoothness and longevity.
Moving on to the bottom housings, both the V3 Cream Yellow Pro and the Sky V4 opt for nylon materials. Nylon is favored for its ability to produce a deeper, fuller sound profile due to its softer nature that absorbs more sound than harder plastics. This choice in housing material contributes to the switches' overall sound and feel, enhancing the typing experience for users. Despite using the same material for the bottom housing, the switches may still offer distinct typing experiences based on their design and construction.
Overall, while the Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro and the Dareu Sky V4 share similarities in their choice of housing materials, they each bring their unique qualities to the table. The polycarbonate top housing of the V3 Cream Yellow Pro emphasizes clarity and resonance, while the POK top housing of the Sky V4 prioritizes smoothness and durability. Similarly, both switches utilize nylon for their bottom housings, enhancing the typing experience with deeper and fuller sound profiles. Depending on individual preferences for sound and feel, users may find one switch more appealing than the other based on the distinct characteristics of their housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro linear switch and the Dareu Sky V4 linear switch, there are noticeable differences in actuation force and bottom out force. The V3 Cream Yellow Pro has a slightly heavier actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Sky V4's 45 grams, making the V3 Cream Yellow Pro the heavier option. However, both switches have a medium bottom out force, with the V3 Cream Yellow Pro requiring 60 grams and the Sky V4 requiring 55 grams. This means that while the actuation force may vary slightly between the two switches, the overall typing experience in terms of bottoming out will feel similar. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches comes down to personal preference regarding the desired weight of the key press.
Travel distance
The Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro linear switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm, making it shorter than the Dareu Sky V4 linear switch, which has a travel distance of 3.6 mm. While both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances compared to the traditional 4.0 mm, the Cream Yellow Pro offers slightly less travel distance than the Sky V4. Gamers seeking faster response times may prefer the Cream Yellow Pro due to its shorter travel distance, while those who enjoy a more substantial keypress may lean towards the Sky V4 for its slightly longer travel distance. Overall, the differences in travel distance between the two switches can cater to different preferences for key feel and responsiveness.
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 Dareu Sky V4 has an MSRP of $7.78 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sky V4 for $4.76.
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, clacky sound that provides a vibrant auditory experience. On the other hand, the Dareu Sky V4 linear switch produces a thocky sound with a deep, rich tone that enhances the typing experience. Both switches offer unique sound profiles that cater to different preferences, with the Cream Yellow Pro leaning towards a brighter and more pronounced sound, while the Sky V4 delivers a deeper and more satisfying auditory feedback.
When it comes to feel, the Cream Yellow Pro switch is described as easy-to-press, feathery, bouncy, snappy, and polished. These qualities contribute to a smooth and comfortable typing experience, with minimal finger fatigue and enhanced responsiveness. On the other hand, the Sky V4 switch is characterized as bouncy, providing a spring-like feedback that gives the keys a lively feel. Both switches offer a different tactile experience, with the Cream Yellow Pro focusing on a light and low-impact feel, while the Sky V4 provides a more elastic and rebounding sensation.
Overall, the Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro linear switch and the Dareu Sky V4 linear switch offer distinct sound and feel characteristics that cater to different preferences. The Cream Yellow Pro is known for its poppy, clacky sound and easy-to-press, feathery feel, ideal for those seeking a vibrant auditory experience with a smooth tactile feedback. On the other hand, the Sky V4 stands out with its thocky sound and bouncy feel, providing a deeper sound signature and a lively key response. Depending on your preference for sound and feel, both switches offer a unique typing experience, ensuring that you'll get satisfying results with either choice.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro linear switch and the Dareu Sky V4 linear switch, consider your preferences for typing experience. If you enjoy a poppy, clacky sound paired with a creamy tactile feel, the Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a deeper sound signature with smooth linear action and a bouncy feel, the Dareu Sky V4 could be more suitable. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal typing style and preferences for sound and feel.
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