Akko Fairy vs. Outemu Silent Green
An in-depth look at the Akko Fairy and the Outemu Silent Green switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Akko Fairy and Outemu Silent Green both offer unique advantages. The Akko Fairy, a linear switch, is praised for its ideal application in office settings due to its refined lubrication for a smooth typing experience. With a medium weight that strikes a perfect balance between resistance and comfort, the Fairy switch is perfect for extended daily professional use, creating a quieter workspace and reducing fatigue. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Green, another linear switch, does not have any defining characteristics listed. While the Fairy switch is categorized as polished, muted, mild, neutral, and subtle, the Silent Green lacks any specific categorizations. Both switches have their own strengths and potential uses, making them appealing for different preferences and 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
45g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
60g
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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
17mm stainless steel spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
Both the Akko Fairy and the Outemu Silent Green use different materials for their top and bottom housing. The Fairy utilizes nylon for both the top and bottom, which creates a deeper and fuller sound profile due to nylon's softer nature. In contrast, the Silent Green has a polycarbonate top housing, leading to a sharper and crisper sound profile, while its bottom housing remains in nylon, providing a similar effect to the Fairy. This split in housing material allows for a unique typing experience with each switch, catering to different preferences in sound and feel.
In terms of sound profile, the Akko Fairy with its nylon top and bottom housing offers a duller and rounder sound, emphasizing a deep and resonant typing experience when pressed. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Green, featuring a polycarbonate top housing and nylon bottom housing, delivers a sharper and higher-pitched sound, creating a more pronounced and clear sound profile. The choice between these two switches would ultimately depend on the user's preference for sound aesthetics, with the Fairy offering a softer typing experience and the Silent Green providing a crisper sound output.
While the materials used in the top and bottom housings of the Akko Fairy and Outemu Silent Green differ, they both showcase how different housing materials can impact sound profiles. Both switches offer unique characteristics based on their housing materials, with the Fairy's nylon providing a fuller sound and the Silent Green's polycarbonate contributing to a clearer sound. Ultimately, the choice between these switches would depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and overall typing experience.
Weight
The Akko Fairy linear switch and the Outemu Silent Green linear switch both have medium actuation forces, with the Fairy requiring 50 grams and the Silent Green needing 45 grams. However, they both have the same bottom out force of 60 grams. This makes the Silent Green switch slightly lighter in actuation force compared to the Fairy. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Silent Green may be the better option, allowing for longer typing or gaming sessions without fatigue. On the other hand, the Fairy may provide a more substantial typing experience due to its slightly heavier actuation force. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for typing feel and weight preferences.
Travel distance
In comparing the travel distance of the Akko Fairy linear switch and the Outemu Silent Green linear switch, we can see that the Fairy has a shorter travel distance of 3.3 mm, while the Silent Green has a longer travel distance of 4 mm. The Fairy's 3.3 mm travel distance falls on the shorter side of the spectrum, making it a preferred choice for those seeking faster response times, especially gamers. On the other hand, the Silent Green's 4 mm travel distance offers a deeper key press, which may be more appealing to those who prefer a more substantial feeling while typing. Both switches have their advantages depending on individual preferences, with the Fairy providing a quicker response and the Silent Green offering a more pronounced key press. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches would depend on whether one prioritizes speed or depth in their typing experience.
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 Silent Green 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
In terms of sound, the Akko Fairy linear switch offers a muted and neutral sound profile, making it a great choice for those looking for a quieter typing experience, especially in office settings. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Green linear switch lacks specific information regarding its sound profile, so it's difficult to make a direct comparison. However, note that the sound of a switch is influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Akko Fairy linear switch is described as polished, mild, and subtle, providing a smooth and refined typing experience with gentle resistance. This makes it comfortable for extended use without causing fatigue, making it suitable for daily professional tasks. Unfortunately, there is no information available about the feel of the Outemu Silent Green linear switch, so it's challenging to contrast it with the Akko Fairy switch in this aspect.
Overall, based on the available information, the Akko Fairy linear switch seems to excel in providing a smooth and quiet typing experience ideal for office environments. However, without specific details on the Outemu Silent Green linear switch, it's challenging to make a direct comparison. If you are looking for a similar experience to the Akko Fairy switch, you might achieve comparable results with the Outemu Silent Green switch due to their linear nature. Ultimately, personal preference plays a significant role in choosing the right switch for your mechanical keyboard.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Akko Fairy linear switch and the Outemu Silent Green linear switch, you should opt for the Fairy if you prioritize a smoother typing experience with factory-applied lubrication, balanced resistance for comfortable use over long periods, and a quieter workspace environment. On the other hand, the Silent Green may be the better choice if you prefer a medium bottom out force without additional descriptors for sound or feel, making it a versatile option for various typing preferences. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your specific needs and preferences in terms of typing experience, noise levels, and comfort.