Akko Dracula vs. Durock Sea Glass

Overview

When choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Akko Dracula and Durock Sea Glass present two appealing options, each with its unique characteristics and benefits. The Akko Dracula switch stands out for its innovative use of POK material in both the top case and stem, which offers ultra-smooth typing and enhanced durability, making it an excellent choice for those who prioritize longevity and a seamless typing experience. Its thoughtful design features an extra stem hole that aids in airflow and smoothness, providing a responsive feel that can be particularly satisfying during long typing sessions. In contrast, the Durock Sea Glass switches charm with their captivating pastel colors and distinct typing sensation. Crafted from a proprietary material blend, they deliver a typing experience characterized by a unique combination of dryness, wispiness, and airiness, all while maintaining impressive smoothness and a surprisingly lightweight feel due to their 62g bottom-out force. Moreover, these switches are known for their hollow sound signature, adding a subtle auditory dimension to your typing experience. While the Akko Dracula excels in durability and fluidity, the Durock Sea Glass offers a colorful, lightweight feel that encourages effortless typing. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for you.

By the numbers

Akko Dracula Linear

Durock Sea Glass Linear

$4.00

$3.29 per 10

$5.80

$4.87 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the Akko Dracula and the Durock Sea Glass switches, the POK material used in the Dracula's top housing stands out for its remarkable durability and low friction coefficient. With a coefficient of friction of 0.04, POK is slightly smoother than LY and significantly more durable than POM, boasting wear resistance 14 times stronger than the latter. Meanwhile, the Durock Sea Glass utilizes a unique blend of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE for its top housing, which also contributes to a pleasant sound profile, albeit with a brighter tonal quality. While both materials aim to enhance the typing experience, the strength and friction properties of POK emphasize smoothness and robustness, whereas the polymer blend in the Sea Glass focuses on delivering a distinctive sound profile.

In examining the bottom housing, both the Akko Dracula and Durock Sea Glass utilize nylon, which is known for its softer texture that produces a deeper and fuller sound. The Dracula's nylon bottom housing absorbs sound effectively, resulting in a more rounded auditory experience, while the Sea Glass’s nylon and UHMWPE combination also offers a similarly pleasant sound without being overly sharp. This shared use of nylon as a base material allows for a comparably smoother auditory feedback when typing, though the Durock’s incorporation of UHMWPE introduces an element of brightness which may appeal to different preferences.

Ultimately, the differences in housing materials between the Akko Dracula and Durock Sea Glass affect their overall sound and feel during use. The Dracula's POK top housing emphasizes durability and smooth action, while the Sea Glass’s polymer blend aims for a bright and pleasant sound profile. Nevertheless, both switches manage to strike balance through their nylon bottom housings, ensuring that users experience a satisfying feel regardless of their choice. Those who appreciate the characteristics of the POK and nylon may find that both switches yield similar tactile experiences despite their distinct material compositions, demonstrating how variations can still lead to comparable results in satisfaction.

Weight

The Akko Dracula linear switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch present distinct characteristics in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Dracula switch features a lighter actuation force of 35 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, making it more suitable for those who prefer a more relaxed typing experience, ideal for extended use during work or gaming sessions. In contrast, the Sea Glass switch has a heavier actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 62 grams, providing a more substantial push feel that some users may find more satisfying. Consequently, if you are looking for a switch that requires less effort to actuate, the Akko Dracula would be the better choice, while those who appreciate a firmer, tactile keystroke might lean towards the Durock Sea Glass switch. Overall, the Dracula switch is lighter, whereas the Sea Glass switch is heavier, highlighting the difference in user preference between the two options.

Travel distance

Both the Akko Dracula linear switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch feature the same travel distance of 3.8 mm, meaning that users will experience a consistent feel when pressing down on either switch. This equality in travel distance indicates that both switches are equally responsive and provide a similar typing experience, allowing for smooth key presses and consistent feedback. Since both switches have identical travel distances, users can expect comparable results in terms of keystroke depth and overall performance when using either option.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to the sound signature of these two linear switches, the Akko Dracula is not explicitly described, leaving its tonal qualities somewhat ambiguous. In contrast, the Durock Sea Glass switches are characterized by their uniquely hollow sound, offering a distinct audio profile that is airy and gentle. This hollow signature adds to the overall typing experience by providing a softer sound that contributes to a less distracting environment. However, it is worth noting that the final sound produced by either switch will also be heavily influenced by the specific keyboard build, including the materials used for the case and the keycaps chosen.

In terms of feel, the Akko Dracula switch boasts ultra-smooth typing, bolstered by its use of POK material and an innovative design with extra airflow for enhanced smoothness. This attention to the internal mechanics ensures a pleasant tactile experience for the user. On the other hand, the Durock Sea Glass switches offer a mild and feathery feel that comes with a low actuation force and minimal resistance. This combination makes them easy to press and ideal for reducing finger fatigue during long typing sessions. The overall experience with the Sea Glass switches is designed to be approachable and comfortable, making them well-suited for various applications, from gaming to professional work.

Considering both sound and feel, the Akko Dracula switch presents a smooth typing experience that may resonate well for users seeking durability and a refined touch. Meanwhile, the Durock Sea Glass switches stand out with their light actuation force and airy sound, catering to individuals who prefer a gentle and effortless typing experience. In summary, while both switches offer a satisfying linear typing experience, the choice ultimately depends on personal preferences for sound and tactile feedback. If you opt for either switch, you can expect smoothness, although the sound and feel will guide your decision based on your typing style and environment.

Conclusion

To conclude, when choosing between the Akko Dracula and Durock Sea Glass linear switches, your decision should be guided by your typing preferences and the setting in which you'll use your keyboard. If you value a lighter keypress and are looking for an ultra-smooth, enjoyable typing experience that minimizes finger fatigue, the Akko Dracula is an excellent choice. Its 45-gram bottom-out force ensures that even extended typing sessions remain comfortable, while its unique POK material enhances durability and provides a gentle yet tactile sound profile. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch that strikes a balance between a bit more resistance and a whimsical aesthetic, the Durock Sea Glass would be ideal. With a 62-gram bottom-out force, it offers a satisfying typing experience described as mild and feathery, which combines a sense of weightlessness with a distinct dryness and hollowness in sound. Ultimately, your decision should hinge on whether you lean towards the effortless, light touch of the Dracula or the refined, more substantial feel of the Sea Glass.

Mentioned in this article

Akko Dracula Linear

$4.00

$3.29 per 10

Learn more

Durock Sea Glass Linear

$5.80

$4.87 per 10

Learn more