Akko Fairy vs. Outemu Black
An in-depth look at the Akko Fairy and the Outemu Black switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options to consider are the Akko Fairy and the Outemu Black, both linear switches. The Akko Fairy switch is praised for its smooth typing experience, thanks to its factory-applied lubrication that ensures a refined feel with just the right amount of resistance. Ideal for office settings, the Fairy switch offers a quiet and comfortable typing experience, making it perfect for daily professional tasks. On the other hand, the Outemu Black switch lacks specific standout features but provides a straightforward linear typing experience. While the Fairy switch offers a polished, muted, and mild typing experience, the Black switch falls under a neutral and subtle category. When deciding between these two switches, it ultimately comes down to personal preference and specific needs. 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
65g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
82g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.50 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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
17mm stainless steel spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
Overall, the housing materials of the Akko Fairy and the Outemu Black switches exhibit different characteristics when it comes to sound profiles. The Fairy's nylon housing creates a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. In contrast, the Black's polycarbonate housing produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile because of its stiffer plastic composition that leads to a more clear and resonant sound. While both housing materials are classic choices, they offer distinct auditory experiences for users.
Although the nylon bottom housing of both the Fairy and Black switches contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, their different top housing materials create varying sound characteristics. The Fairy's nylon top housing enhances the typing experience with a duller and rounder sound, while the Black's polycarbonate top housing delivers a sharper and crisper sound. Additionally, the polycarbonate top housing of the Black switch allows for RGB lighting effects due to its translucency, offering users a visually appealing option for their keyboards. Despite the similarities in bottom housing material, the different top housing materials play a significant role in defining the overall sound profile of each switch.
In conclusion, the top and bottom housing materials of switches play a crucial role in the overall typing experience. While the Akko Fairy and Outemu Black switches share a common bottom housing material, their different top housing materials result in distinct sound profiles. The nylon housing of the Fairy offers a deeper and fuller sound, while the polycarbonate housing of the Black creates a sharper and crisper sound. Both materials have their advantages, with nylon providing a classic typing experience and polycarbonate allowing for RGB lighting effects. Ultimately, the choice between the two housing materials depends on individual preferences for sound and aesthetics.
Weight
The Akko Fairy linear switch and the Outemu Black linear switch have distinct differences in actuation and bottom out forces. The Fairy switch has a lighter actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Black switch's heavier 65 grams. Similarly, the Fairy switch has a lighter bottom out force of 60 grams, while the Black switch requires 82 grams to bottom out. The Fairy switch provides a smoother and easier keystroke due to its lighter forces, making it ideal for extended typing or gaming sessions. In contrast, the Black switch offers a more substantial typing experience with its heavier forces, catering to users who prefer a stronger push feel. Overall, the choice between the two switches ultimately depends on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Akko Fairy linear switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm, while the Outemu Black linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. The Fairy offers a shorter travel distance compared to the Black, making it ideal for those seeking a quick and responsive keystroke. Gamers, in particular, may appreciate the shorter travel distance of the Fairy for faster response times during gameplay. On the other hand, the Black switch provides a longer travel distance, which can offer a more satisfying depth to the keystroke for those who prefer a more pronounced feel when pressing down on a key. Both switches have their own advantages depending on individual preferences, with the Fairy being shorter and the Black being longer in terms of travel distance.
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 Outemu Black comes in at $3.10 per 10 switches.
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, making it perfect for office environments where a quieter keyboard is desired. On the other hand, the sound profile of the Outemu Black linear switch is unknown, so it's difficult to compare in this aspect. Keep in mind that the sound produced by a switch is influenced by various factors, such as the keyboard's construction and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Akko Fairy linear switch is praised for its polished, mild, and subtle characteristics, providing a smooth and refined keystroke that's comfortable for long typing sessions. In contrast, the feel of the Outemu Black linear switch is unspecified, making it hard to draw a direct comparison. If the Black switch offers similar properties to the Fairy switch, users can expect a pleasant typing experience with a moderate actuation force and gentle resistance.
In conclusion, the Akko Fairy linear switch stands out for its quiet and comfortable typing experience, ideal for office use due to its lubrication and balanced weight. While the sound and feel qualities of the Outemu Black linear switch remain unknown, if it shares similarities with the Fairy switch, users can anticipate a satisfying typing experience that strikes a balance between smooth key travel and gentle resistance. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will come down to personal preference and the specific requirements of the user's typing environment.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Akko Fairy linear switch and the Outemu Black linear switch, consider the environment in which you'll be using them. If you're working in an office setting or need a switch that offers a smooth and comfortable typing experience for extended periods, the Akko Fairy switch with its medium bottom out force and factory lubrication would be a great choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a heavier switch with a bottom out force of 82 grams and do not mind a lack of specific sound and feel descriptions, the Outemu Black switch might be more suitable for you. Ultimately, your preference for typing feel, noise level, and intended usage will guide you towards the switch that best fits your needs.
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