Akko Fairy vs. Outemu Brown
An in-depth look at the Akko Fairy and the Outemu Brown switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Akko Fairy linear switch and the Outemu Brown tactile switch offer distinct advantages for different preferences and use cases. The Akko Fairy is best suited for office settings, boasting factory-applied lubrication that ensures smooth typing and a medium weight that strikes a perfect balance between resistance and comfort. This makes it ideal for creating a quiet workspace conducive to daily professional tasks. On the other hand, the Outemu Brown switch lacks specific standout features but falls under the tactile category, providing a subtle feedback that some users prefer for typing accuracy. While these general observations can guide your decision-making process, 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
53g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.20 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
In comparing the housing materials of the Akko Fairy and the Outemu Brown switches, we see a stark difference between the nylon top housing of the Fairy and the polycarbonate top housing of the Brown. While the Fairy's nylon top housing offers a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic absorbing more sound, the Brown's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. The translucency of the polycarbonate is also advantageous for RGB lighting purposes, giving it an edge in visual aesthetics compared to the opaque nylon of the Fairy.
On the other hand, when looking at the bottom housing materials of the two switches, we find that both the Fairy and the Brown use nylon for their bottom housings. This means that they both elicit a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the softer plastic absorbing more sound. The qualities brought by nylon in the bottom housing of these switches contribute to the overall typing experience by creating a duller and rounder sound profile, showcasing the consistency in sound between the two switches despite having different top housing materials.
The impact of having different top and bottom housing materials in a switch is evident in the Akko Fairy and the Outemu Brown. While the bottom housing plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel when typing, the top housing has a greater impact on the sound when releasing a key. This split in qualities between the top and bottom housing materials highlights how the choice of housing material can influence the overall typing experience and sound profile of a switch, emphasizing the importance of considering both aspects when selecting a switch for specific preferences.
Weight
When comparing the Akko Fairy linear switch and the Outemu Brown tactile switch, the actuation force and bottom out force play a significant role in determining the typing experience. The Akko Fairy has a lighter actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Outemu Brown's 53 grams, making it slightly easier to trigger a keystroke. However, in terms of bottom out force, the Akko Fairy requires 60 grams of force while the Outemu Brown needs 65 grams, making it slightly heavier. This means that the Akko Fairy offers a lighter typing experience overall, which may be preferred for longer typing sessions or gaming. On the other hand, the Outemu Brown provides a more substantial typing feel, which may be preferred by those who prefer a stronger push when typing. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Akko Fairy linear switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm, while the Outemu Brown tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. In this case, the Outemu Brown switch has a longer travel distance compared to the Akko Fairy switch. The shorter travel distance of the Akko Fairy switch may appeal to gamers looking for faster response times, while the longer travel distance of the Outemu Brown switch may provide a more substantial keypress feel for those who prefer a greater depth. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and the desired typing or gaming experience, with the shorter travel distance offering quicker response times and the longer travel distance providing a more deliberate keypress sensation.
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 Brown 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 is known for its muted and neutral characteristics, providing a softer and quieter typing experience that is suitable for office environments. On the other hand, the Outemu Brown tactile switch's sound profile is unknown, so it's difficult to directly compare the two in this aspect. However, both switches can potentially offer similar results depending on the keyboard and keycap combination used.
In terms of feel, the Akko Fairy linear switch is praised for its polished, mild, and subtle qualities, offering a smooth and refined typing experience with gentle resistance and reduced friction. This makes it comfortable for extended use and suitable for shared spaces. Unfortunately, the feel of the Outemu Brown tactile switch is not specified, making it challenging to compare directly with the Fairy switch. Nevertheless, if the Brown switch provides a similar middle-ground feel like the Fairy, users may expect a comfortable and approachable typing experience.
Overall, the Akko Fairy linear switch stands out for its refined lubrication, comfortable medium weight, muted sound, and polished feel, making it a great choice for professional settings. While the Outemu Brown tactile switch's characteristics are less known, it may still offer a satisfying typing experience depending on personal preferences and usage scenarios. Ultimately, both switches have the potential to provide a comfortable and pleasant typing experience, and the choice between them may come down to individual preferences in sound and feel.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Akko Fairy linear switch and the Outemu Brown tactile switch, consider your specific needs and preferences. If you value a smoother typing experience with a medium bottom out force and appreciate a quieter workspace, the Akko Fairy switch is a great choice, especially for office settings. On the other hand, if you prefer a tactile feedback with a slightly heavier bottom out force, the Outemu Brown switch might be more suitable for you. Ultimately, the decision should be based on your personal typing style, environment, and comfort level, so choose the switch that best aligns with your preferences and requirements.
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