Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro vs. KTT Sea Salt Lemon
An in-depth look at the Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering the right mechanical keyboard switch for your typing experience, the choice often comes down to tactile versus linear options, each offering unique characteristics that cater to different preferences. The Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro stands out with its pronounced tactile bump and a lively sound signature, providing a satisfying, tactile feedback that enthusiasts often look for in a typing experience. Its bassy audio profile, combined with its polished and bouncy feel, can make typing feel invigorating and engaging. In contrast, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon provides a completely different experience with its smooth, linear action. Thanks to a progressive spring design and KTT's dry-lube treatment, these switches deliver a buttery, neutral typing experience devoid of any tactile feedback, making them ideal for users who prefer seamless keystrokes. Both switches have their distinct advantages based on user preferences, whether one seeks the upbeat feel of a tactile switch or the fluidity of a linear variant. 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
30g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Nylon
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
The Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon both employ polycarbonate for their top housings, a choice that brings remarkable sonic qualities to both switches. Polycarbonate is favored for its stiffness and translucency, leading to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile that enhances the overall typing experience. This consistency indicates that users of both switches can expect a similar auditory response, especially when using RGB lighting, given polycarbonate's ability to refract light effectively. Thus, the synergy of light and sound in both switches is likely to create impressive visual and auditory feedback, especially for those who prioritize aesthetics in their mechanical keyboards.
Contrasting with their similar top housings, the Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro and KTT Sea Salt Lemon diverge in their choice of bottom housing materials—both utilize nylon. The unique properties of nylon contribute to a deeper and fuller sound profile, as this softer plastic absorbs more sound waves, resulting in a more muted and rounded auditory experience. In both switches, the nylon bottom housing plays a critical role in shaping the bottom-out sound and feel, giving users a pleasurable tactile sensation when each key is fully depressed. Unlike the polycarbonate top housing, which contributes to the sound upon release, the nylon bottom housing ensures that the overall auditory signature leans toward a rounded and rich tone.
Together, the combination of polycarbonate top housings and nylon bottom housings in the V3 Creamy Purple Pro and KTT Sea Salt Lemon illustrates how the two switches leverage their materials to create distinct typing experiences. While users can expect similar sharpness and clarity from the polycarbonate tops, the fuller sound intrinsic to the nylon bottoms will introduce a noticeable contrast in auditory character as they type. The interplay of these materials ultimately defines the unique identities of each switch, making them appealing to different user preferences. Hence, even though the top and bottom housings contribute various elements to the sound profile, they collectively create seamless auditory transitions, ensuring enjoyable typing across both models.
Weight
The Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro tactile switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch differ notably in their actuation and bottom out forces. The V3 Creamy Purple Pro features a light actuation force of 30 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, making it ideal for users who prefer a lighter feel for extended typing sessions or gaming. In contrast, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon has a medium-light actuation force of 45 grams and a slightly heavier bottom out force of 53 grams. This means that while both switches are relatively easy to press, the Creamy Purple Pro is designed for those who appreciate a softer keystroke, whereas the Sea Salt Lemon provides a more substantial push, appealing to users who enjoy a firmer typing experience. Ultimately, the V3 Creamy Purple Pro is the lighter option, while the KTT Sea Salt Lemon, although still user-friendly, is the heavier switch when considering both actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro tactile switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch, a clear difference emerges. The V3 Creamy Purple Pro features a travel distance of 3 mm, making it a shallower option and suitable for those who prefer faster response times, such as gamers. In contrast, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon has a travel distance of 4 mm, which aligns with more traditional standards and offers a deeper keypress that some users might find more satisfying. Therefore, if you seek quicker responsiveness, the V3 Creamy Purple Pro would be the better choice, while the KTT Sea Salt Lemon might appeal to those who enjoy a more pronounced and deeper keystroke. In summary, the V3 Creamy Purple Pro has the shorter travel distance at 3 mm, and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon has the longer travel distance at 4 mm.
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 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 Creamy Purple Pro switch produces a distinctively loud signature with a bassier profile, accentuating its tactile nature. This results in a more pronounced audio feedback that can evoke a satisfying auditory experience for those who enjoy loud typing environments. In contrast, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switch leans toward a low-pitched and neutral sound. The low-pitched characteristics provide a mellow and subtle tone, making it less intrusive and more versatile for various settings, whether at home or in an office. Ultimately, while the Creamy Purple Pro provides a pronounced sound experience, the Sea Salt Lemon offers a quieter, more understated option that many users might prefer.
When discussing feel, the V3 Creamy Purple Pro is characterized by its polished texture, delivering a smooth typing experience thanks to minimized friction. Additionally, the switch features a bouncy quality that amplifies the feedback during key presses, creating a lively experience. Its invigorating attributes ensure clear tactile feedback without being overbearing, making it engaging for users who appreciate a solid typing sensation. Conversely, the Sea Salt Lemon, being a linear switch, promises a buttery smooth typing experience facilitated by a progressive spring and KTT's dry-lube design. However, the specific tactile qualities of the Sea Salt Lemon remain less defined compared to the pronounced and layered tactile response of the Creamy Purple Pro.
In summary, if you're considering the Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro and KTT Sea Salt Lemon switches, each offers distinct auditory and tactile characteristics that cater to different preferences. The Creamy Purple Pro stands out with its loud, bass-heavy sound and engaging tactile feedback, making it ideal for enthusiasts who enjoy a rich typing experience. Meanwhile, the Sea Salt Lemon offers a smoother, quieter typing experience with its linear design, suitable for those who prefer subtlety and consistency in their keypresses. Your choice between these two switches ultimately depends on whether you prioritize sound and feedback or smoothness and quiet operation.
Conclusion
To conclude, the choice between the Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro tactile switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch ultimately depends on your typing preferences and what you value in a switch. If you enjoy a pronounced tactile bump and a lively typing experience, the V3 Creamy Purple Pro is an excellent option. Its lighter bottom-out force of 50 grams makes it accessible for prolonged typing sessions, while the invigorating feedback can enhance your connection to each keystroke. The robust sound profile adds an engaging auditory element, perfect for those who appreciate a more expressive typing experience. On the other hand, if you prioritize a smooth, fluid keystroke and a more subdued sound, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon may be the better choice. With a slightly heavier bottom-out force of 53 grams, this switch offers a balanced yet effortless action, thanks to the progressive spring and dry-lube design. Its neutral tone ensures that it’s suitable for both professional and casual environments without disturbing others nearby. In summary, consider opting for the V3 Creamy Purple Pro for a tactile and vibrant experience, while the KTT Sea Salt Lemon is ideal if you seek a refined, smooth linear switch that allows for a muted sound and comfortable feedback.
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