Akko Dracula vs. Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red
An in-depth look at the Akko Dracula and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, enthusiasts often find themselves choosing between various options that cater to their unique preferences. The Akko Dracula switch stands out with its innovative design utilizing POK material for the top case and stem, providing an ultra-smooth typing experience coupled with enhanced durability. This switch's extra stem hole also facilitates improved airflow, making it an attractive option for those seeking a responsive and long-lasting switch. In contrast, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red offers a budget-friendly linear switching experience that balances responsiveness and ease of use, with a medium-light actuation force that appeals to casual and competitive typists alike. Additionally, its frosted light diffuser enhances RGB lighting effects, ensuring a vibrant visual appeal on your keyboard. While both switches promise smooth operation, their unique characteristics cater to different users. 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
35g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POK
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
POK
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
20.5mm lengthened stainless steel spring
Housing materials
When examining the housing materials of the Akko Dracula and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red switches, a discerning eye is drawn to the distinctive differences in their top housing. The Akko Dracula features a top housing made from POK (polyketone), which boasts a very low coefficient of friction at 0.04, yielding one of the smoothest keypress experiences. Its exceptional strength and wear resistance, significantly outpacing POM, also enhance its durability. In contrast, the G Pro 3.0 Red utilizes polycarbonate for its top housing, which, while slightly stiffer, produces a sharper and more resonant sound. This material choice contributes to a crisp audio profile that makes it particularly ideal for setups that incorporate RGB lighting. While both materials serve their purpose, the Akko Dracula’s POK excels in smooth functionality, while the Gateron enhances auditory clarity.
Delving into the bottom housing, both switches utilize nylon, a classic choice for mechanical keyboard switches, providing similarities in sound profiles. With nylon being a relatively soft plastic, both the Dracula and G Pro 3.0 Red employ this material to absorb sound effectively, leading to a deeper, fuller auditory experience. This shared bottom housing material guarantees that users will encounter a rounded bottom-out sound and feel when typing, providing a significant consistency between both switches. The use of nylon strikes a perfect balance between durability and auditory quality, ensuring that despite the differences in top housing materials, the two switches share a common ground in their bottom sound characteristics.
In summary, although the Akko Dracula and Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red switches diverge in their top housing materials—POK versus polycarbonate—both switches find commonality in their nylon bottom housing. The POK material enhances the smoothness and durability of the Dracula’s top housing, creating a delightful keypress experience, while the polycarbonate top results in a sharper sound profile for the G Pro 3.0 Red. Nevertheless, due to both switches employing nylon for their bottoms, users can anticipate a similar deep and full sound profile at the bottom-out. Ultimately, the combination of each housing material contributes to the overall sound and feel of the switches, revealing how distinctive choices in top materials can still produce comparable results in certain aspects.
Weight
When comparing the Akko Dracula linear switch to the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red linear switch, we can see distinct differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Akko Dracula has a lighter actuation force of 35 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, making it ideal for users who prefer a softer keypress for extended typing sessions or long gaming marathons. In contrast, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red switch features a heavier actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, providing a more substantial typing experience that some users may prefer for its tactile feedback. Overall, the Akko Dracula switch is the lighter option, while the G Pro 3.0 Red switch is the heavier, catering to different user preferences in terms of comfort and feedback during use.
Travel distance
The Akko Dracula linear switch features a travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that the G Pro 3.0 Red has a longer travel distance compared to the Dracula switch, providing a deeper feel when pressing a key. Gamers who prefer quicker response times might lean towards the shorter travel distance of the Dracula switch, as it allows for a more responsive typing experience. On the other hand, those who appreciate a bit more depth in their keystrokes may find the G Pro 3.0 Red more satisfying. While both switches are linear and provide smooth key presses, the difference in travel distance might influence personal preference, with 3.8 mm being slightly shorter than the more traditional 4 mm.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Akko Dracula has an MSRP of $4.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Dracula for $3.29.
The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red has an MSRP of $2.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the G Pro 3.0 Red for $2.77.
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
When it comes to sound, the Akko Dracula switch does not have a detailed description, leaving its auditory characteristics somewhat of a mystery. On the other hand, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red provides a neutral sound profile, making it a versatile choice for a wide range of users, from beginners to advanced typists. This moderate sound level means that it can be used comfortably in both home and office settings without being overly intrusive. The auditory experience is largely influenced by the type of keyboard and keycaps used, but for users prioritizing a balanced sound, the G Pro 3.0 Red excels in achieving a satisfactory auditory experience.
In terms of feel, the Akko Dracula switch is also left undescribed, making it difficult to compare with certainty. In contrast, the G Pro 3.0 Red is characterized by a creamy, mild, polished, and silky typing experience. This combination suggests a switch that feels smooth and gentle when typing, allowing for effortless key travel that many find appealing. The careful design and material choices in the G Pro Red contribute to its enjoyable tactile feedback, ensuring a typing experience that is both accessible and pleasing. Such qualities are particularly advantageous for those who may be new to mechanical keyboards.
In summary, while the Akko Dracula linear switch's sound and feel remain undisclosed, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red offers a moderately neutral auditory experience coupled with a delightful smoothness in typing feel. If you're drawn to consistent, easy-to-use switches, the G Pro 3.0 Red may be the more favorable option for those new to mechanical keyboards. Without concrete details about the Dracula's qualities, potential users may need to explore it further to uncover its true characteristics and see if it can rival the proven performance of the Gateron switch.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Akko Dracula and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red linear switches ultimately depends on your specific typing preferences and needs. If you prioritize an exceptionally smooth and refined typing experience along with enhanced durability, the Akko Dracula switch is your best bet. Its innovative design with POK material and an additional stem hole enhances both performance and longevity, making it an excellent option for those who appreciate smoothness and reliability during long typing sessions. On the other hand, if you're looking for a budget-friendly linear switch that balances responsiveness with effortless keypresses, the G Pro 3.0 Red is an excellent choice. Its creamy typing feel and vibrant RGB compatibility make it suitable for a variety of environments, whether you're gaming, working, or simply enjoying a casual typing experience. Additionally, with a slightly higher bottom-out force, the G Pro Red offers a firmer feel, which may appeal to those who prefer a bit more tactile feedback. Ultimately, both switches provide unique benefits, so your decision should be guided by your personal taste in typing feel, sound preference, and intended use.
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