Akko Fairy vs. Huano Grape Orange
An in-depth look at the Akko Fairy and the Huano Grape Orange switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, the Akko Fairy and Huano Grape Orange both present compelling options, yet cater to different typing preferences and environments. The Akko Fairy switches, with their factory-applied lubrication, deliver a refined and muted feel ideal for office settings, offering a balanced actuation force that promotes comfort during long hours of typing without overwhelming noise. In contrast, the Huano Grape Orange switches stand out for their exceptionally light actuation force of just 40g, which allows for an effortless typing experience, making them a fantastic choice for typists who prioritize speed and nimbleness during extended writing sessions. While the Fairy excels in providing a polished and subtle touch suitable for professional environments, the Grape Orange caters to those who crave a light and lively feel. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
17mm stainless steel spring
Spring
22mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Akko Fairy and the Huano Grape Orange, a notable distinction arises with their top housings. The Akko Fairy utilizes nylon for its top housing, contributing to a deeper and fuller sound profile, as the softer plastic absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller resonance. Conversely, the Huano Grape Orange features polycarbonate in its top housing, which produces a sharper and crisper sound profile due to the stiffer nature of the material. This leads to a clearer and more resonant auditory experience, particularly advantageous when utilized with RGB lighting, as polycarbonate's translucency allows the light to shine through vividly.
While the top housings of these switches differ significantly, the bottom housings share a commonality—they are both made from nylon. This uniformity means that when typing on either switch, the bottom housing's characteristics will deliver a deeper and fuller sound due to nylon's ability to absorb sound. This results in a more muted bottom-out sound, which can evoke an overall softer typing experience. In contrast, the contrasting materials of the top housings mean that each switch's release sound will showcase its unique sound profile, with the Fairy favoring a warm and rounded sound, while the Grape Orange offers a sharp and clear auditory feedback.
Ultimately, the interplay between the differing top housing materials and the identical bottom housings creates a nuanced typing experience in both switches. The Akko Fairy's nylon top results in a rounded release sound, while the Huano Grape Orange's polycarbonate top provides a crisp conclusion to each keystroke. When both switches are pressed, the nylon bottom housing provides a consistent base quality, ensuring that regardless of the top housing differences, the fundamental characteristics of a fuller sound from the Fairy and a sharper sound from the Grape Orange remain intact based on their design. This combination highlights how the materials selected for different switch components can significantly affect both the auditory experience and tactile feedback during use.
Weight
The Akko Fairy linear switch and the Huano Grape Orange linear switch differ notably in both their actuation and bottom out forces. The Fairy switch requires a slightly heavier actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Grape Orange's lighter 40 grams, making the Grape Orange more suitable for those who prefer a lighter touch for prolonged typing or gaming sessions. When it comes to bottom out forces, the Fairy also has a heavier rating of 60 grams, while the Grape Orange offers a lighter bottom out force of 50 grams. This means that users who enjoy a more substantial typing experience may gravitate towards the heavier Akko Fairy switches, whereas those seeking a lighter and more effortless keystroke will likely prefer the Huano Grape Orange. Overall, the Grape Orange is the lighter option, making it ideal for extended use, while the heavier Fairy switch caters to users who appreciate a stronger push feel.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Akko Fairy linear switch and the Huano Grape Orange linear switch, it is clear that the Fairy offers a shorter experience with a travel distance of 3.3 mm, while the Grape Orange features a greater travel distance of 3.6 mm. This difference means that the Akko Fairy may provide a more responsive feel, appealing to gamers who favor quick key presses for faster response times. On the other hand, the Huano Grape Orange, with its longer travel distance, can provide a more substantial depth that some users may find more satisfying, albeit potentially leading to a slight delay in response. Thus, if you're looking for brevity and quicker actuation, the Fairy is the better choice, while the Grape Orange may be preferable for those who enjoy a more pronounced keystroke.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
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.
The Huano Grape Orange has an MSRP of $3.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Grape Orange for $2.79.
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 comparing the sound profiles of the Akko Fairy and Huano Grape Orange linear switches, the Fairy switches stand out with their muted and neutral audio characteristics. They deliver a softer, quieter sound that minimizes the typical noise associated with mechanical keyboards, making them an excellent choice for office environments or shared spaces. This cautious auditory profile is complemented by their moderate actuation force, producing a balanced experience suitable for a variety of settings. In contrast, the sound profile for the Grape Orange switch remains unknown, but it is essential to note that the final sound experience may vary due to factors like the type of keyboard and keycaps used.
In terms of tactile feel, the Fairy switches come equipped with a polished and smooth finish, courtesy of their refined factory lubrication. This results in a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and effortless key travel. The mild and subtle resistance of these switches contributes to a comfortable typing experience that is approachable for users, regardless of their skill level. Meanwhile, the feel of the Grape Orange switch is also unknown, but the Fairy’s gentle and refined tactile characteristics suggest that if the Grape Orange switches are likewise well-designed, users could expect a similarly satisfying and smooth experience.
In conclusion, the Akko Fairy linear switch excels in both sound and feel with its muted and mellow audio profile, along with a polished and pleasant typing experience that minimizes fatigue. While the Huano Grape Orange switch offers an ultra-light actuation for effortless typing, the specific details regarding its sound and feel remain unknown. Overall, if you prioritize a smooth and quiet typing experience, the Fairy switches are a solid choice, while the Grape Orange switches may provide a similar lightness if they are designed well.
Conclusion
To conclude, choosing between the Akko Fairy and the Huano Grape Orange linear switches ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you find yourself working in an office environment or need a switch that can accommodate extended typing sessions without causing fatigue, the Akko Fairy is your best bet. Its medium bottom-out force of 60 grams, combined with its factory-applied lubrication, creates a smooth and polished typing experience that is both quieter and more comfortable for long periods. On the other hand, if you prioritize a lighter touch and seek a switch that makes typing feel effortless—perhaps for a lot of gaming or casual typing—the Huano Grape Orange, with its lighter 50 grams of force, will be more suitable. While it also provides a smooth experience, its lower actuation force can be especially appealing for quick key presses, allowing you to tackle tasks with speed. Ultimately, consider your regular usage scenarios and typing style, and you’ll be able to confidently select the switch that enhances your mechanical keyboard experience.
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