Akko Dracula vs. Haimu Orange Sea

Overview

When it comes to choosing mechanical keyboard switches, the Akko Dracula and Haimu Orange Sea both present excellent options for enthusiasts seeking a linear typing experience. The Akko Dracula switch stands out with its innovative use of POK material for the top case and stem, promoting ultra-smooth typing and enhanced durability. Additionally, its extra stem hole design improves airflow, ensuring a more fluid keystroke. On the other hand, the Haimu Orange Sea switches are celebrated for their impeccably smooth feel and neutral sound signature, catering to users who prefer a quiet yet satisfying typing experience. While both switches share the linear characteristic that provides effortless keystrokes, their unique features cater to different preferences. However, let’s dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Akko Dracula Linear

Haimu Orange Sea Linear

$4.00

$3.29 per 10

$2.79 per 10

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Housing materials

The Akko Dracula and Haimu Orange Sea switches showcase notable differences in their top housing materials, which significantly influence the audio and tactile feedback experienced by users. The Dracula features a polyketone (POK) top housing, a material celebrated for its exceptional durability and smoothness, with a coefficient of friction of 0.04. This superior smoothness contributes to a characteristic 'clacky' sound profile, making it ideal for users who prefer a sharper auditory response. In contrast, the Orange Sea utilizes polycarbonate for its top housing. While polycarbonate also provides strength, it is known for creating a higher-pitched and crisper sound due to its stiffness. This distinction renders the Orange Sea a more resonant choice, favoring a vibrant auditory experience that is amplified when used with RGB lighting, thanks to its translucency.

Interestingly, both the Akko Dracula and Haimu Orange Sea share the same material for their bottom housing: nylon. This common choice leads to a deeper and fuller sound profile, attributable to nylon's softer nature, which absorbs more sound than harder plastics. Hence, when typing on either switch, users can expect a rich auditory experience due to the properties of nylon that remain consistent across both models. Despite the differences in their top housings, the sound characteristics imparted by the nylon bottom housing establish a similar foundational feel, enriching the overall tactile experience during use.

In summary, while the Akko Dracula and Haimu Orange Sea differ in their top housing materials—with POK promoting a smoothness and dampened sound contrast to polycarbonate's clarity and brightness—their shared nylon bottom housing ensures a familiar auditory depth in both switches. This interplay of materials means that the switches achieve different sensory responses during actuation while creating a cohesive auditory feel when bottoming out. Users can thus appreciate a harmonious blend of qualities from both the distinctive top and familiar bottom housings, creating a complex yet satisfying switching experience.

Weight

When comparing the Akko Dracula linear switch and the Haimu Orange Sea linear switch, both are characterized by their relatively light forces, making them suitable for long typing sessions or gaming without excessive fatigue. The Dracula has an actuation force of 35 grams, while the Orange Sea requires a slightly heavier 37 grams to activate. Both switches share the same bottom out force of 45 grams, indicating that they offer a similar feel when pressed fully down. This similarity in bottom out forces means that while the actuation forces differ, users would ultimately experience similar resistance at the end of a keypress. For those who prefer a lighter touch, the Dracula switch is the better option, while the Orange Sea, being marginally heavier, may offer a bit more feedback for users who enjoy a more substantial typing experience.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Akko Dracula linear switch and the Haimu Orange Sea linear switch, it's clear that they differ in their measurements. The Akko Dracula boasts a travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the Haimu Orange Sea measures slightly shorter at 3.6 mm. This makes the Orange Sea the shorter option, appealing to gamers and users who prefer faster response times, as shorter distances can enhance performance. On the other hand, the Dracula, with its longer travel distance, may provide a more tactile experience, benefiting those who favor a deeper keystroke. Ultimately, your choice between these two switches will depend on whether you prioritize responsiveness or a more substantial feel when typing or gaming.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Akko Dracula switch is noted for its relatively neutral sound profile, making it an excellent choice for users seeking a balanced auditory experience. The emphasis on enhanced durability through POK material could contribute to a slightly subdued noise level, which aligns well with its intended use in a variety of environments, including offices. In contrast, the Haimu Orange Sea switch is recognized for its impeccably smooth typing feel and neutral sound signature. This similarity in sound profiles indicates that both switches can provide a quiet, unobtrusive experience, although the exact sound may vary depending on additional factors such as the keyboard build and keycap materials.

Regarding feel, the Akko Dracula switch is celebrated for its ultra-smooth typing experience, attributed to the innovative design that includes an extra stem hole for improved airflow. This design feature enhances the overall feel of the switch, allowing for seamless keystrokes and encouraging prolonged typing sessions without fatigue. On the other hand, the Haimu Orange Sea switch also delivers an impressively smooth typing experience. The shared quality of exceptional smoothness means that both switches can appeal to users who prioritize a satisfying tactile experience while typing, creating a pleasant sensation with each keystroke.

In conclusion, both the Akko Dracula and Haimu Orange Sea linear switches offer distinctive yet comparable qualities in sound and feel. With their neutral sound profiles and hallmark smoothness, users can expect a similar typing experience regardless of which switch they choose. For anyone looking for a quieter typing experience with a refined touch, both options stand out as worthy contenders, enabling users to achieve great performance and enjoyment in their mechanical keyboard experience.

Conclusion

To conclude, when deciding between the Akko Dracula linear switch and the Haimu Orange Sea linear switch, your choice largely depends on your specific typing preferences and what you value in a switch. If you seek an ultra-smooth typing experience combined with enhanced durability, the Akko Dracula is your best bet. The innovative POK material and extra stem hole for airflow contribute to its smooth operation, making it particularly appealing if you're an avid typist or gamer who types extensively. On the other hand, if you prefer a neutral sound signature and a consistently smooth feel, the Haimu Orange Sea switch would be more suitable for you. It's a wonderful option if you're concerned about noise levels, whether in a shared workspace or a quiet environment. Both switches feature a light bottom-out force of 45 grams, catering to those who appreciate a lighter touch. Ultimately, consider your priorities in terms of sound, feel, and usage scenario to make the best choice for your mechanical keyboard setup.

Mentioned in this article

Akko Dracula Linear

$4.00

$3.29 per 10

Learn more

Haimu Orange Sea Linear

$2.79 per 10

Learn more