Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro vs. HMX Vintage Citrus
An in-depth look at the Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro and the HMX Vintage Citrus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch, the Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro and the HMX Vintage Citrus are two distinct options that cater to different preferences and usage scenarios. The Creamy Purple Pro is a tactile switch renowned for its pronounced tactile bump and a louder, bass-heavy sound signature, making it an appealing choice for typists who enjoy the feedback and auditory response with each keystroke. On the other hand, the Vintage Citrus is a linear switch specifically designed for gamers, featuring an exceptionally low actuation force of just 1mm that facilitates rapid inputs, along with a bright, clacky sound profile and an incredibly smooth feel during typing. While the Creamy Purple Pro excites with its tactile feedback and auditory cues, the Vintage Citrus prioritizes speed and smoothness for competitive play. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
30g
Actuation force
48g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.00 mm
Total travel
3.00 mm
Total travel
3.00 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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
20mm spring
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Housing materials
The Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro and the HMX Vintage Citrus feature distinct housing materials that shape their overall sound profiles and aesthetic qualities. The V3 Creamy Purple Pro utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, thanks to its stiffer structure. Polycarbonate’s translucency benefits RGB lighting aesthetics as well, allowing vibrant colors to shine through more effectively. In contrast, the HMX Vintage Citrus features a nylon top housing, celebrated for its classic properties. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs sound more efficiently, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. This difference in materials impacts not only the auditory experience but also the visual appeal when backlighting is employed.
However, both switches employ nylon for their bottom housings. In the case of the V3 Creamy Purple Pro, the nylon bottom housing similarly contributes to the fuller sound profile that characterizes both models, emphasizing a more rounded auditory experience when bottoming out. The HMX Vintage Citrus’s nylon bottom housing also reinforces this property, ensuring a consistent sound experience across both switches when pressed down. Here, the characteristics of nylon become particularly significant, as they dictate the feel and sound during key presses, making the typing experience on both switches richer and more engaging.
When comparing the two switches, the interplay between the top and bottom housing materials creates a unique experience with each. The V3 Creamy Purple Pro benefits from the stark clarity of its polycarbonate top while maintaining fullness through its nylon bottom, yielding a balanced sound profile with pronounced highs and muted lows. On the other hand, the HMX Vintage Citrus’s entirely nylon construction results in a more uniform sound signature, prioritizing a deeper, rounder auditory experience. Ultimately, while both models utilize nylon in their bottom housings thus ensuring depth in sound, the distinct top housing materials create variations that cater to different auditory preferences, showcasing how switching materials can lead to divergent but equally appealing experiences.
Weight
When comparing the Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro tactile switch and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch, there are noticeable differences in both actuation and bottom out force. The V3 Creamy Purple Pro has a lighter actuation force of 30 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, making it an ideal choice for users who prefer a less strenuous typing experience during long work sessions or gaming marathons. In contrast, the Vintage Citrus switch features a medium-light actuation force of 48 grams and a slightly heavier bottom out force of 53 grams. This means that while the Vintage Citrus requires more force to actuate and bottom out, it may provide a more substantial feel for those who favor a heftier switch. Overall, the V3 Creamy Purple Pro is the lighter option, while the HMX Vintage Citrus is the heavier choice, catering to different preferences in typing feel and experience.
Travel distance
The Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro tactile switch and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch both feature a travel distance of 3 mm, making them equal in this aspect of performance. This similarity means that users can expect a comparable feel when pressing down on keys fitted with either switch, as the distance from the top to the bottom remains the same for both. As a result, those who prefer the characteristics of one switch over the other in terms of tactile feedback or smoothness won't notice a difference in the travel distance itself, providing a consistent user experience across both options.
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 HMX Vintage Citrus has an MSRP of $3.49 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Vintage Citrus for $2.79.
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 is renowned for its loud auditory signature, characterized by a bassier pitch that delivers a satisfying thud with each keystroke. This robust sound can enhance the typing experience by providing a gratifying feedback loop that many users enjoy, particularly in a gaming or typing context. By contrast, the HMX Vintage Citrus switch produces a bright, clacky sound profile that is designed to stand out, making it an ideal choice for gamers looking for rapid and crisp auditory feedback. This clacking sound can invigorate gameplay and offers a distinct acoustic character that differs sharply from the deeper resonance of the V3 Creamy Purple Pro.
When it comes to feel, the V3 Creamy Purple Pro is distinguished by its significant tactile bump, which provides a pronounced and invigorating tactile feedback that many typists and gamers appreciate for enhanced accuracy in their keystrokes. The tactile nature helps partition the typing action, giving a clear indication of actuation. Conversely, the HMX Vintage Citrus switch shines in its smoothness; with a low actuation force of just 1mm, it allows for effortless pressing and rapid keystrokes, minimizing resistance and making it perfect for fast-paced gaming. The Vintage Citrus switch may lack the tactile feedback of the Creamy Purple Pro, but its smooth push provides an appealing alternative for those who prioritize speed over tactile sensation.
In conclusion, the Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro and HMX Vintage Citrus switches cater to different preferences within the mechanical keyboard community. The V3 Creamy Purple Pro offers a tactile experience with a deep sound signature, while the Vintage Citrus prioritizes speed and a sharper sound profile. Depending on your focus—whether it be a satisfying tactile experience or rapid-fire inputs—you'll find that both switches deliver unique and engaging outcomes. When selecting between the two, consider what qualities matter most in your keyboard experience to ensure you choose the switch that best fits your style.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro tactile switch and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch ultimately depends on your typing and gaming preferences. If you enjoy a pronounced tactile bump and a bassier sound signature, the V3 Creamy Purple Pro, with its light actuation force of 50 grams, would be ideal for both typing and enjoying that satisfying feedback, especially if you appreciate the tactile sensation while typing or gaming. The louder sound profile can further enhance your experience if you're someone who enjoys a more auditory keypress engagement. On the other hand, if your focus is primarily on gaming and you prioritize speed and rapid inputs, the HMX Vintage Citrus switch would be the better choice. With an impressive actuation distance of just 1mm and a medium-light bottom out force of 53 grams, this switch supports quick actions without compromising on a smooth feel. Additionally, its bright and clacky sound makes it an appealing option for those who want a lively typing experience. Ultimately, consider what aspects are more crucial for your needs—feedback and sound versus speed and smoothness—and choose accordingly to enhance your mechanical keyboard experience.
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