Akko Fairy vs. Cherry Nixie
An in-depth look at the Akko Fairy and the Cherry Nixie switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Akko Fairy and the Cherry Nixie are two popular choices when it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, each offering unique features that cater to different preferences and needs. The Fairy's factory-applied lubrication ensures a smooth typing experience, making it an ideal choice for office settings where a quiet workspace is essential. Its medium weight strikes a balance between satisfying key presses and long-term comfort, perfect for extended use during daily professional tasks. On the other hand, the Cherry Nixie is celebrated for its substantial heft and textured typing experience, blending tradition with modern innovation through updated materials and springs. While the Fairy is categorized as polished, muted, and subtle, the Nixie is known for its textured, thocky, and low-pitched 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
63.5g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
80g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
17mm stainless steel spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Akko Fairy and Cherry Nixie, both featuring nylon top and bottom housings, are quite similar. Nylon is known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic composition, which absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics. This results in a duller and rounder sound when typing on switches made with nylon housings. Whether it's the Fairy or the Nixie, users can expect a similar typing experience in terms of sound and feel due to the shared nylon material used in their housing.
While both the Akko Fairy and Cherry Nixie share nylon housing materials, the impact of these materials differs depending on whether they are in the top or bottom housing of the switch. The bottom housing plays a more significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel when the switch is pressed down, while the top housing affects the sound produced when releasing a key. Despite this difference in impact, the overall typing experience remains consistent between the two switches due to the shared nylon composition in their housing materials. This highlights how housing materials can influence different aspects of the typing experience.
Overall, the nylon housing materials in both the Akko Fairy and Cherry Nixie switches provide a similar typing experience characterized by a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound when typing. While the bottom and top housings may have varying impacts on the sound and feel of the switches, the shared nylon material ensures a consistent typing experience between the Fairy and Nixie switches. Whether it's for gaming or typing, users can expect a satisfying sound and feel when using switches with nylon housings.
Weight
The Akko Fairy linear switch has a lighter actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Cherry Nixie linear switch, which has a heavier actuation force of 63.5 grams. When it comes to bottom out force, the Fairy switch requires 60 grams of force, while the Nixie switch needs 80 grams. This means that the Akko Fairy switch provides a lighter typing experience overall, making it more suitable for extended typing sessions or gaming where fatigue may be a concern. On the other hand, the Cherry Nixie switch offers a more substantial and tactile typing experience due to its heavier actuation and bottom out forces. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on the user's preference for a lighter or heavier typing feel.
Travel distance
The Akko Fairy linear switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm, making it shorter than the Cherry Nixie linear switch, which has a travel distance of 4 mm. The Fairy offers a slightly quicker keypress response due to its shorter travel distance, making it a popular choice among gamers looking for faster reaction times. On the other hand, the Nixie provides a bit more depth to the keystroke, which some users may prefer for a more tactile typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for travel distance and keypress feel. Both switches offer high-quality performance, with the Fairy being slightly shorter and the Nixie providing a bit more key travel.
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 Cherry Nixie has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Nixie for $4.19.
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 Fairy linear switch offers a muted and neutral typing experience, perfect for maintaining a quiet work environment without sacrificing tactile feedback. On the other hand, the Cherry Nixie linear switch provides a thocky and low-pitched sound profile, delivering a deep and satisfying typing experience that may appeal to those seeking a more pronounced auditory response. Depending on personal preference and the acoustic properties of the keyboard setup, users may find the Fairy switch to be more suitable for office settings while the Nixie switch adds a unique flair to their typing experience.
Moving on to the feel, the Akko Fairy linear switch boasts a polished, mild, and subtle typing experience, characterized by smooth key travel and gentle resistance. This makes it a comfortable option for extended typing sessions, aligning well with the demands of daily professional tasks. In contrast, the Cherry Nixie linear switch is described as textured, potentially offering users a more tactile typing experience with noticeable friction when pressed. Choosing between these switches would depend on whether a user prefers a smoother, refined feel or a more textured and tactile typing sensation.
In conclusion, the Akko Fairy linear switch and the Cherry Nixie linear switch offer distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Fairy switch excels in providing a quieter, comfortable typing experience ideal for office use, while the Nixie switch delivers a more pronounced and textured typing feel with a unique auditory response. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preference for sound, feel, and the specific typing environment in which they will be used. Nonetheless, both switches are designed to provide a satisfying and responsive typing experience for users seeking linear switches with different characteristics.
Conclusion
In summary, when deciding between the Akko Fairy linear switch and the Cherry Nixie linear switch, consider the environment in which you will be using the keyboard. If you value a smoother and quieter typing experience, especially in an office setting, the Akko Fairy switch with its medium weight and muted sound profile would be a great choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a more substantial heft and textured typing experience with a deep, satisfying sound, the Cherry Nixie switch would be the way to go. Ultimately, your personal preference for typing feel and sound will dictate which switch is the best fit for you. Consider your typing style, work environment, and desired level of feedback to make the right choice between these two popular linear switches.
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