Everglide Crystal Violet vs. Akko Fairy
An in-depth look at the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Akko Fairy switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Akko Fairy offer distinct features that cater to different preferences. The Crystal Violet is lauded for its tactile feedback, offering a gentle and comfortable typing experience with a light operating force of 45g. Known for its 'Creamy', 'Low-pitched', and 'Neutral' sound profile, this switch is ideal for those seeking a relaxed feel during extended typing sessions. On the other hand, the Akko Fairy is a linear switch designed for office settings, featuring factory-applied lubrication for a smooth press and medium weight for satisfying feedback without causing fatigue. Categorized as 'Polished', 'Muted', and 'Subtle', the Fairy switches provide a quieter workspace experience. However, let's delve deeper beyond these generalities to help you decide which switch best suits your typing style and preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
ABS
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
ABS
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
17mm stainless steel spring
Housing materials
The Everglide Crystal Violet features ABS material for both its top and bottom housing, resulting in a relatively low-pitched sound profile when typing. This is due to ABS being a rare plastic to be used in switch housings, absorbing less sound compared to softer plastics like nylon. In contrast, the Akko Fairy utilizes nylon for both its top and bottom housing, offering a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. Nylon's softer nature absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound compared to ABS.
While both the Crystal Violet and Fairy use different housing materials for their top and bottom, the split qualities affect the overall sound and feel of the switch. The ABS bottom housing in the Crystal Violet influences the bottom-out sound and feel, contributing to the low-pitched profile of the switch. Conversely, the nylon bottom housing in the Fairy enhances the depth and fullness of the sound when typing. The impact of the housing material on the switch's sound is noticeable when releasing a key, with the top housing playing a significant role in the sound profile.
In terms of similarities, both the Crystal Violet and Fairy offer distinct sound profiles based on their housing materials. While the Crystal Violet's ABS housing creates a lower pitch, the Fairy's nylon housing delivers a deeper and fuller sound. Despite the differences in material, both switches provide unique typing experiences that cater to different preferences. Whether you prefer the low-pitched sound of ABS or the rounder sound of nylon, both the Crystal Violet and Fairy offer quality housing materials that enhance the overall typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Akko Fairy linear switch, it is clear that the Crystal Violet is lighter in terms of both actuation and bottom out force. The Crystal Violet has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams, while the Fairy has an actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams. Both switches fall into the medium category in terms of force. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Crystal Violet, as it requires less force for both actuation and bottoming out. However, for those who enjoy a more solid and substantial feel when typing, the Fairy may be the better option due to its slightly heavier force requirements. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference and typing style.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Akko Fairy linear switch, it is clear that the Crystal Violet has a longer travel distance of 4 mm compared to the Fairy's 3.3 mm travel distance. The Crystal Violet offers a deeper key press experience, which may be preferred by those who enjoy a more pronounced tactile feedback. On the other hand, the Fairy provides a shorter travel distance, which can result in quicker response times and is often favored by gamers. Both switches cater to different preferences, with the Crystal Violet offering a more traditional feel and the Fairy providing a more modern and speedy typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on individual preferences for key press depth and responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Crystal Violet has an MSRP of $7.08 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Crystal Violet for $4.19.
The Akko Fairy has an MSRP of $4.22 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Fairy for $3.10.
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 Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch offers a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, providing a mellow and non-intrusive auditory experience. On the other hand, the Akko Fairy linear switch produces a muted and neutral sound, catering to a quieter workspace environment. Both switches fall under the category of neutral sounds, making them suitable for various settings. The specific sound produced by each switch will also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Crystal Violet offers a creamy and mild typing experience, with a stepped tactile feel that provides a smooth and buttery sensation to the user's fingertips. Conversely, the Fairy switch boasts a polished and mild feel, with a subtle resistance that offers a gentle typing experience ideal for extended use. Both switches present characteristics that cater to users seeking a comfortable and approachable typing feel, ensuring a satisfying typing experience throughout extended use.
In conclusion, the Everglide Crystal Violet and Akko Fairy switches both offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Crystal Violet provides a light operating force and a tactile typing experience with a mellow sound profile, the Akko Fairy offers refined lubrication for a smooth linear typing experience with a muted sound profile. Depending on the user's preference for a tactile or linear switch and the desired sound and feel, both switches provide excellent options for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. Ultimately, both switches offer reliable performance and comfort, ensuring an enjoyable typing experience for users.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are someone who values a light and stepped tactile typing experience with a mellow sound profile, then the Everglide Crystal Violet switch with its 55g bottom out force may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for a smooth and comfortable linear switch with a slightly higher 60g bottom out force, the Akko Fairy switch might better suit your needs, especially in office settings where quiet typing is preferred. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your preference for tactile feedback and sound profile, as both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different typing preferences.
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