Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro vs. Huano Elf
An in-depth look at the Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro and the Huano Elf switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the choice often boils down to personal preference in feel and sound, with the Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro and the Huano Elf standing out as two intriguing options. The V3 Creamy Purple Pro is celebrated for its prominent tactile bump, providing users with a satisfying feedback on each keystroke. Its distinctive loud sound signature leans towards a bassier pitch, making it an engaging choice for those who enjoy audio cues during typing. In contrast, the Huano Elf offers a linear experience, designed with a POK top housing to enhance acoustics. The Elf's deep sound signature coupled with a medium-light tactile feel ensures a smooth and satisfying typing experience, well-suited for those who prefer a quieter yet equally enjoyable engagement with their keyboard. Both switches cater to different preferences, making them appealing choices for various types of users. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
30g
Actuation force
42g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Nylon
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
Stainless steel spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro and the Huano Elf exhibit distinct characteristics that influence the overall typing experience. The V3 Creamy Purple Pro utilizes polycarbonate for its top housing, known for its stiffness, which results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This material choice enhances the clarity of sound produced during typing, especially beneficial for users who prioritize auditory feedback. In contrast, the Huano Elf features POK (polyketone) as its top housing material, which, while also contributing to a clear sound, places an emphasis on smoothness and durability. With a very low friction coefficient, POK provides a distinct typing experience that prioritizes slickness, resulting in a smooth, clacky sound. Despite these differences, both materials can deliver a satisfying typing experience, particularly when RGB lighting is involved, as both polycarbonate and POK can effectively diffuse light, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of illuminated keyboards.
Both switches feature nylon as their bottom housing material, which significantly contributes to the overall sound profile. Nylon's softer nature allows it to absorb sound more effectively, leading to a deeper and fuller sound when typing. Since both the V3 Creamy Purple Pro and the Huano Elf utilize nylon in their bottom housing, they are likely to produce similar acoustic properties in this regard, resulting in a rounded and muted bottom-out sound. This congruity suggests that while users may notice differences in the tactile sensation and sound during the actuation of the keys due to the varying top housing materials, the overall sound experience remains cohesive and enjoyable, thanks to the same nylon base.
The interaction between the different housing materials influences how each switch performs overall. With the V3 Creamy Purple Pro's polycarbonate top housing creating a high-pitched clarity and the Elf's POK top housing contributing to smoothness, these switches present complementary attributes. The nylon bottoms of both switches harmoniously balance these distinctions, establishing a fuller sound signature and enhancing the overall typing experience. This division of sound profiles—where the top housing affects the release sound and the bottom housing influences the bottom-out sound—ensures that despite their differing top materials, both switches can achieve a high level of auditory satisfaction, allowing typists to enjoy the best of both worlds.
Weight
The Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro tactile switch and the Huano Elf linear switch present notable differences in their actuation forces, emphasizing distinct tactile experiences for users. The V3 Creamy Purple Pro features a light actuation force of 30 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, making it suitable for those who prefer a lighter feel, ideal for extended typing sessions or gaming marathons. In contrast, the Huano Elf switch has a heavier actuation force of 42 grams, appealing to users who enjoy a more substantial, tactile feedback without the bottom out force being specified. This means that while the V3 Creamy Purple Pro may provide a quicker, gentler response, the Elf requires more effort to actuate, catering to different tactile preferences. Overall, for those who favor lighter switches, the Akko option is more suitable, while the Huano Elf caters to those desiring a heavier typing action.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro tactile switch and the Huano Elf linear switch, there is a noticeable difference. The V3 Creamy Purple Pro features a travel distance of 3 mm, making it one of the more shallow options available, whereas the Huano Elf has a longer travel distance of 3.6 mm. For gamers or users seeking faster response times, the shorter travel distance of the V3 Creamy Purple Pro may be advantageous. In contrast, those who appreciate a more tactile and deeper keystroke might prefer the Elf's longer travel distance. Ultimately, while both switches serve different preferences in tactile feedback and responsiveness, the Creamy Purple Pro is the shorter switch, and the Elf offers the longer travel experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro has an MSRP of $3.11 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the V3 Creamy Purple Pro for $2.10.
The Huano Elf has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Elf for $3.29.
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 Creamy Purple Pro tactile switch produces a loud sound signature with a bassier pitch, adding a robust auditory feedback to each keystroke that many enthusiasts find engaging. In contrast, the Huano Elf linear switch delivers a deep sound signature that leans toward the medium-light feel, resulting in a quieter typing experience with more smoothness in sound transitions. Both switches, however, can sound different depending on the specific keyboard housing and keycap choices, so personal preference will play an important role in the final auditory experience.
When considering the feel of these switches, the V3 Creamy Purple Pro is characterized by a pronounced tactile bump, providing a clear indication of actuation, which can enhance typing accuracy and engagement for users who enjoy tactile feedback. The Huano Elf, on the other hand, offers a smoother experience typical of linear switches, focusing on a consistent keypress without the tactile interruption, making it an appealing choice for users who prefer uninterrupted keystrokes during gaming or typing.
In summary, the Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro tactile switch and the Huano Elf linear switch cater to different preferences in sound and feel. The Creamy Purple Pro's loud, bassy tone and strong tactile feedback will appeal to those who enjoy pronounced actuation and a stimulating typing experience. Meanwhile, the Elf switch offers a quieter sound profile and a smoother, linear feel that suits those looking for fluidity in their keystrokes. Ultimately, your choice will depend on whether you prefer the tactile feedback of the Creamy Purple Pro or the seamless operation of the Elf.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro tactile switch and the Huano Elf linear switch ultimately depends on your typing preferences and use cases. If you enjoy typing with pronounced feedback and the satisfying "bump" that tactile switches offer, the V3 Creamy Purple Pro is an excellent option for you. Its lighter bottom-out force of 50 grams makes it easy to type quickly while providing a loud, bassy sound signature that can enhance your tactile experience. This switch is particularly suitable for those who find joy in the audible and physical cues while typing, making it ideal for both gaming and productivity tasks where every keystroke matters. On the other hand, if you prefer a smoother, linear feel without the tactile bump, the Huano Elf switch may be more your style. Although specific force measurements might be unavailable, the Elf is known for delivering a medium-light feel and enhanced acoustics, making it a great choice for quieter environments where sound might be a concern. Its deeper sound profile provides an immersive experience, which can be particularly appealing for gaming sessions or if you find yourself typing for long periods and prefer a less tactile interruption in your rhythm. Ultimately, consider what features matter most to you in terms of feedback, sound, and overall typing experience when making your selection.
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