Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro vs. TKC Tangerine
An in-depth look at the Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro and the TKC Tangerine switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro and the TKC Tangerine both offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The V3 Cream Yellow Pro is a budget-friendly option that provides a poppy, clacky sound and a smooth feel, making it ideal for those who enjoy a vibrant auditory experience with a creamy tactile feel. On the other hand, the TKC Tangerine boasts an incredibly smooth feel and a high-pitched clack, thanks to its UHWMPE housings. While the Cream Yellow Pro is characterized as easy-to-press, feathery, bouncy, snappy, and polished, the Tangerine is described as frictionless, buttery, high-pitched, and polished. Each switch has its own advantages, but diving deeper into their specific qualities will help you choose the best one for your typing needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
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
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
UHWMPE
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
UHWMPE
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
20mm spring
Spring
Gold coated spring
Housing materials
The Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro and the TKC Tangerine both feature unique housing materials that contribute to the overall sound profile of the switches. The V3 Cream Yellow Pro utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. This material is especially useful for switches with RGB lighting due to its translucency. On the other hand, the Tangerine switches feature UHWMPE top housings, which offer a very bright sound signature with resonant clacks when typing. While both materials create distinct sound profiles, the polycarbonate in the V3 Cream Yellow Pro leans towards a clearer and resonant sound, while the UHWMPE in the Tangerine provides a bright and lively typing experience.
In terms of the bottom housing, the V3 Cream Yellow Pro features a nylon material that elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon is a classic switch housing material known for absorbing more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the Tangerine switches come with UHWMPE bottom housings, which also contribute to the bright sound signature and resonant clacks when typing. Both materials bring unique qualities to the switches, with nylon providing a softer and fuller sound, while UHWMPE adds brightness and resonance to the typing experience.
Overall, while the V3 Cream Yellow Pro and the TKC Tangerine switches have different top and bottom housing materials, they each offer distinct sound profiles that cater to different preferences. The polycarbonate top housing of the V3 Cream Yellow Pro creates a sharp and clear sound, while the UHWMPE top housing of the Tangerine produces a bright and lively typing experience. Similarly, the nylon bottom housing of the V3 Cream Yellow Pro provides a deeper and fuller sound, contrasting with the UHWMPE bottom housing of the Tangerine, which adds brightness and resonance to the typing sound. Whether you prefer a crisp, clear sound or a bright, resonant typing experience, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences.
Weight
In comparing the Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro linear switch and the TKC Tangerine linear switch, it is evident that the V3 Cream Yellow Pro is lighter in terms of actuation force at 50 grams compared to the Tangerine, which has an unknown actuation force. However, both switches have a similar medium bottom out force, with the V3 Cream Yellow Pro at 60 grams and the Tangerine at 62 grams. This means that while the V3 Cream Yellow Pro may offer a slightly lighter touch for typing, the difference in bottom out force is minimal between the two switches. Ultimately, the choice between the two would depend on personal preference for a lighter actuation force or a slightly heavier bottom out force for a more substantial typing experience.
Travel distance
The Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro linear switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm, making it shorter than the TKC Tangerine linear switch which has a travel distance of 4 mm. The V3 Cream Yellow Pro offers a quicker response time due to its shorter travel distance, which is favored by gamers looking for faster keystrokes. On the other hand, the TKC Tangerine provides a deeper feel with its longer travel distance, appealing to users who prefer a more substantial key press. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for travel distance and desired typing experience.
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 TKC Tangerine comes in at $6.30 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 V3 Cream Yellow Pro is often described as offering a poppy, clacky sound, while the Tangerine is known to produce a high-pitched tone when pressed. The Cream Yellow Pro may provide a more vibrant auditory experience with its distinct sound profile, whereas the Tangerine's high-pitched sound adds a sharp and crisp element to each keystroke. When it comes to feel, the Cream Yellow Pro features an easy-to-press nature, offering a feathery and bouncy feedback with a snappy and polished finish. On the other hand, the Tangerine switch is known for its frictionless, buttery feel, providing a smooth and polished typing experience without any sense of resistance or friction. Both switches aim to enhance the typing experience by offering different tactile qualities that cater to individual preferences.
Taking all the available information into consideration, it is evident that both the Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro and the TKC Tangerine switches have unique qualities to offer. While the Cream Yellow Pro focuses on providing a poppy, clacky sound and an easy-to-press, feathery feel, the Tangerine emphasizes a high-pitched sound and a frictionless, buttery sensation. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on personal preference for sound and feel, with the Cream Yellow Pro catering to those who enjoy a more vibrant auditory experience paired with smooth feedback, and the Tangerine appealing to users who prefer a sharp sound profile and a seamless keystroke sensation. In terms of performance, both switches are designed to enhance the typing experience and provide a satisfying tactile feel, ensuring that users will get similar results in terms of quality and performance.
Conclusion
Bringing it all together, when deciding between the Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro linear switch and the TKC Tangerine linear switch, consider the following guidelines. If you are a budget-conscious enthusiast looking for a vibrant auditory experience with a creamy tactile feel, the Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro switch is an excellent choice. On the other hand, if you seek an incredibly smooth typing experience with a high-pitched clack sound, the TKC Tangerine linear switch is the way to go. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your preference for sound and feel, as both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different typing preferences.
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