Akko Fairy vs. Jwick Semi-Silent Linear
An in-depth look at the Akko Fairy and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Akko Fairy and Jwick Semi-Silent Linear offer unique features that cater to different preferences and needs. The Akko Fairy is praised for its factory-applied lubrication that guarantees a smooth typing experience, making it ideal for office settings where a quiet environment is essential. With a medium weight that strikes a perfect balance between resistance and comfort, the Fairy switch minimizes fatigue during extended use, making it a popular choice for daily professional tasks. On the other hand, the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear stands out for its innovative design, offering a whisper-quiet topping-out sound while maintaining a satisfying clacky bottom-out sound. Its silky smooth typing feel and unique sound profile set it apart from traditional linear switches. 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Total travel
3.70 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
Stainless steel
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Akko Fairy and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear, the key difference lies in their top housing material. The Fairy uses nylon, which creates a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature, absorbing more sound. On the other hand, the Semi-Silent Linear utilizes polycarbonate for its top housing, resulting in a sharper and crisper sound profile with a more resonant quality. While both materials offer unique sound characteristics, the polycarbonate top housing of the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear may be preferred for its clear and vibrant sound, especially when combined with RGB lighting.
In terms of the bottom housing material, both the Akko Fairy and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear feature nylon housings. This classic switch housing material enhances the sound profile by absorbing more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound when typing. The nylon bottom housings of both switches contribute to a duller and rounder sound profile, providing a consistent typing experience across different switches. Therefore, if you appreciate the sound profile created by nylon housing, both the Fairy and the Semi-Silent Linear are likely to offer similar results in this aspect.
Overall, while the Akko Fairy and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear differ in their top housing materials, their shared use of nylon for the bottom housing ensures a consistent typing experience in terms of sound profile. The choice between nylon and polycarbonate top housing ultimately comes down to personal preference in sound characteristics, with nylon offering a deeper and fuller sound, while polycarbonate provides a sharper and crisper sound profile. Regardless of the housing material used, both switches offer unique sound profiles that can enhance the typing experience for users looking for different auditory feedback while typing.
Weight
The Akko Fairy linear switch has an actuation force of 50 grams, making it slightly lighter than the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switch, which does not have a specified actuation force. When it comes to bottom out force, the Fairy requires 60 grams of force, while the Semi-Silent Linear needs 62 grams. Both switches fall under the medium weight category, providing a balance between a light touch and a more substantial typing experience. Choosing between the two would depend on personal preference, with the Fairy offering a slightly lighter typing experience and the Semi-Silent Linear providing a slightly heavier feel. Overall, both switches would offer similar results in terms of actuation and bottom out force, making them suitable choices for different typing preferences.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Akko Fairy linear switch and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear linear switch, it is clear that the Fairy has a shorter travel distance of 3.3 mm compared to the Semi-Silent Linear's 3.7 mm. The Fairy offers a quicker response time, which is favored by gamers looking for increased speed. On the other hand, the Semi-Silent Linear provides a slightly deeper feel due to its longer travel distance. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances that are becoming increasingly popular in keyboard switches. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference for either a quicker, more responsive feel or a slightly deeper 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 Jwick Semi-Silent Linear has an MSRP of $6.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Semi-Silent Linear for $5.27.
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, both the Akko Fairy and Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switches offer a subdued and neutral sound profile, making them suitable for environments where noise level is a concern. The Fairy switch provides a muted sound that minimizes the typical noise associated with mechanical keyboards, while the Semi-Silent Linear switch offers a whisper-quiet topping-out sound with a clacky bottom-out sound. Ultimately, the choice between the two would come down to personal preference and the specific sound characteristics desired by the user.
When it comes to feel, both switches offer a smooth and refined typing experience. The Fairy switch is described as polished, offering reduced friction and smooth key travel, resulting in a sleek typing sensation. On the other hand, the Semi-Silent Linear switch is noted for its buttery feel, providing a seamless and effortless typing experience. Both switches fall into the mild category, offering a gentle typing experience that is approachable to most users. The decision between the two would depend on whether the user prefers a polished feel or a buttery feel while typing.
In conclusion, both the Akko Fairy and Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switches are excellent choices for individuals seeking a quieter and more comfortable typing experience. While the Fairy switch leans towards a more muted sound profile and polished feel, the Semi-Silent Linear switch offers a unique semi-silent sound profile and a buttery typing sensation. Ultimately, users can expect similar results in terms of sound and feel, with the main differences lying in the specific nuances of each switch's sound and tactile feedback. Regardless of choice, both switches excel in providing a pleasant typing experience for professional or personal use.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a switch that is ideal for office settings and provides a smooth typing experience with a balanced weight, then the Akko Fairy linear switch would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch that offers a semi-silent typing experience with a silky smooth feel and a unique sound profile, then the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear linear switch would be more suitable for your needs. Both switches have their own strengths and characteristics that cater to different preferences and typing styles, so it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and requirements when choosing between the two.
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