Akko Dracula vs. TTC Silent Red

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboards, the choice of switch can make a significant difference in your typing experience, and two popular options worth considering are the Akko Dracula and the TTC Silent Red, both of which are linear switches. The Akko Dracula is celebrated for its innovative use of POK material in the top case and stem, allowing for an ultra-smooth typing experience coupled with enhanced durability. Its unique design features an extra stem hole that promotes improved airflow and smoothness, making it an excellent choice for those who value tactile fluidity in their keystrokes. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Red excels in providing a whisper-quiet typing environment, ideal for office settings or shared living spaces. Their muted sound profile ensures minimal distractions, while the smooth, consistent feel combined with a padded bottom-out delivers exceptional comfort. Choosing between these switches largely depends on your preference for smoothness and durability versus quiet operation. 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

TTC Silent Red Linear

$4.00

$3.29 per 10

$5.28

$4.38 per 10

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Housing materials

The Akko Dracula and the TTC Silent Red switches exhibit a noteworthy contrast in their top housing materials, highlighting distinct characteristics that influence the overall typing experience. The Dracula features a POK (polyketone) top housing, known for its low friction coefficient of 0.04, which delivers a particularly smooth keypress feel. In addition to smoothness, the durability of POK is exceptional; it boasts a wear resistance that is 14 times stronger than POM, making it a reliable choice for heavy usage. Conversely, the Silent Red employs a polycarbonate top housing that contributes to a sharper and crisper sound profile. This stiffer plastic allows for a clearer and more resonant auditory response when typing, enhancing the overall sound experience, particularly in lighting settings due to its translucency that permits RGB effects to shine through. Thus, while the Dracula provides smoothness and durability, the Silent Red emphasizes sound clarity and aesthetic appeal.

Both switches share a common denominator in their bottom housing component, as both the Akko Dracula and the TTC Silent Red utilize nylon for this part. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs sound more effectively, contributing to a deeper and fuller sound profile that is consistent across both models. This shared nylon bottom housing distinguishes the auditory experience of each switch, ensuring that the bottom-out sound resonates deeply, regardless of the differences found in their top housings. The softer nature of nylon allows for a rounder sound, promoting a pleasurable typing experience that can be appreciated universally by typists who prefer a less harsh acoustic output.

In synthesis, while the Akko Dracula and TTC Silent Red switches feature varying materials in their top housings—POK and polycarbonate, respectively—both benefit from the same nylon bottom housing that shapes their sound profile. This structural differentiation yields distinct qualities: the Dracula is engineered for smoother operation and robust durability, while the Silent Red is tailored for clarity and resonance. However, due to the shared nylon material in the bottom housing, users can still experience a rich auditory feedback characterized by a deep sound, providing a cohesive typing feel across both switches. This balance of top and bottom materials delivers a well-rounded experience, where each switch appeals to different preferences while retaining core similarities in their overall sound profile.

Weight

When comparing the Akko Dracula linear switch and the TTC Silent Red linear switch, significant differences emerge in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Akko Dracula features a lighter actuation force of 35 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, making it more suitable for users who prefer a softer touch and longer typing sessions, such as during work or extended gaming. In contrast, the TTC Silent Red operates with a heavier actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, which offers a more substantial typing experience that might be favored by those who enjoy a firmer feel when typing. Consequently, while both switches fulfill the role of linear switches, the Dracula is geared towards lighter use, appealing to those who prioritize comfort, whereas the Silent Red caters to users looking for a medium-heavy feel. Thus, if you prefer lighter switches for prolonged periods, the Akko Dracula would be the better choice, while those wanting a bit more resistance and a tactile experience might lean toward the TTC Silent Red.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Akko Dracula linear switch and the TTC Silent Red linear switch, the Akko Dracula measures 3.8 mm, while the TTC Silent Red has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.7 mm. This makes the Dracula the longer of the two switches by just 0.1 mm. For users seeking quicker response times, the shorter travel distance of the Silent Red may provide a more immediate tactile feedback, making it a preferred choice for gamers. However, those who favor a more substantial feel when pressing down on keys might find the additional depth of the Akko Dracula more satisfying. Ultimately, both switches cater to varying preferences based on travel distance and responsiveness, allowing users to select their ideal switch based on their typing or gaming needs.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound quality, the Akko Dracula linear switch does not have a specific sound profile mentioned, but its construction may lead to a sound that is harmonious with its smooth operation. Meanwhile, the TTC Silent Red is well-regarded for its muted sound profile, producing a significantly softer noise that minimizes the typical clack of mechanical keyboards. This makes the Silent Red particularly well-suited for office environments or shared spaces where noise levels need to be kept to a minimum. Thus, while the Dracula's sound is less defined, its performance implies a potentially quieter operation that can be equally subdued, especially depending on the overall keyboard setup.

In terms of feel, the Akko Dracula switch prides itself on achieving ultra-smooth typing experiences due to its unique use of POK material and an extra stem hole designed for improved airflow. This innovation promotes a more streamlined keystroke, delivering an enjoyable typing experience. Contrastingly, the Silent Red offers a buttery, mild, and polished feel. This combination creates a gentle yet responsive typing sensation, ensuring that users experience a refined key travel without any abrupt feedback. Overall, while the precise feel of the Dracula switch is not detailed, its construction hints at a very smooth typing experience, likely comparable to the seamless action of the Silent Red.

In conclusion, both the Akko Dracula and TTC Silent Red linear switches prioritize smoothness, but they cater to slightly different preferences. The Silent Red's clear muted sound profile and polished feel make it a strong choice for those needing a quiet operation, while the Dracula's focus on enhanced airflow and durability suggests a pleasantly smooth experience as well. If you are deciding between these switches, consider your environment and personal preferences for sound and tactile feedback—both can provide smooth typing experiences, but each has its unique characteristics that may appeal to different users.

Conclusion

To conclude, when deciding between the Akko Dracula linear switch and the TTC Silent Red linear switch, your choice will largely depend on your typing preferences and specific usage environment. If you prefer a lighter touch while typing and value an ultra-smooth experience, the Akko Dracula is an excellent choice thanks to its innovative POK material and enhanced airflow design, which contribute to both its durability and fluid keystroke. This switch is ideal for gaming or casual typing, where you may want a responsive feel without much effort. On the other hand, if you require a switch that prioritizes a quieter operation, especially in shared environments like offices or living spaces, the TTC Silent Red is the way to go. With its medium-heavy bottom-out force, it provides a cushioned and buttery-smooth typing experience, ensuring that your keystrokes go virtually unnoticed while still delivering a polished feel. Ultimately, the decision rests on whether you value the lightness and smoothness of the Akko Dracula or the quiet and comfortable performance of the TTC Silent Red, tailoring your keyboard experience to fit your personal needs and surroundings.

Mentioned in this article

Akko Dracula Linear

$4.00

$3.29 per 10

Learn more

TTC Silent Red Linear

$5.28

$4.38 per 10

Learn more