Aflion Foggy Shadow vs. Akko V3 Matcha Green Pro
An in-depth look at the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the Akko V3 Matcha Green Pro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the Akko V3 Matcha Green Pro offer distinct features to cater to different preferences. The Aflion Foggy Shadow, a tactile switch, boasts a light tactile bump and a 63.5g bottom-out force, striking a balance between feedback and actuation force. On the other hand, the Akko V3 Matcha Green Pro, a linear switch, provides a smooth and solid keystroke experience with a sharp bottom-out for clear and tactile feedback. While the Foggy Shadow emphasizes a medium weight and balanced performance, the Matcha Green Pro prioritizes a satisfyingly sharp bottom-out and resonant clacks during use. 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
N/A
Actuation force
55g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
63g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
20mm double-stage spring
Spring
18mm spring
Housing materials
Both the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the Akko V3 Matcha Green Pro feature polycarbonate top housings, which create a sharp, higher-pitched, and crisp sound profile. This is due to the relatively stiffer nature of polycarbonate, leading to a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches intended for RGB lighting. However, the nylon bottom housing of both switches provides a deeper and fuller sound profile, as nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound.
While both switches share similarities in their use of polycarbonate top housings and nylon bottom housings, the distribution of these housing materials may impact the typing experience. The qualities of the bottom housing material are more noticeable when pressing down on a key, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, the top housing material has a greater impact on the sound produced when releasing a key. This distribution allows for a balanced typing experience that combines the sharpness of polycarbonate with the depth of nylon to create a unique sound profile for each switch.
In conclusion, both the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the Akko V3 Matcha Green Pro offer a blend of polycarbonate and nylon housing materials that contribute to their distinct sound profiles. The polycarbonate top housings deliver a clear, resonant sound with a sharp and higher-pitched tone, while the nylon bottom housings provide a deeper and fuller sound experience. The distribution of these housing materials affects the typing feel and sound production, creating a balance between clarity and depth in the overall typing experience of each switch. Ultimately, whether you prefer a sharper sound profile or a fuller sound profile may influence your choice between the two switches.
Weight
The Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch has a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, making it slightly heavier than the Akko V3 Matcha Green Pro linear switch with a bottom out force of 63 grams. However, the actuation force for the Foggy Shadow is None grams, while the V3 Matcha Green Pro has an actuation force of 55 grams. This means that the Foggy Shadow requires no force to actuate a keystroke, while the V3 Matcha Green Pro requires a lighter force. Both switches have a similar bottom out force, providing a similar typing experience in terms of pressure exerted when fully pressing a key. Depending on personal preference, some may prefer the lighter actuation force of the V3 Matcha Green Pro for longer typing sessions, while others may enjoy the medium-heavy bottom out force of the Foggy Shadow for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual typing preferences and habits.
Travel distance
In comparing the travel distance of the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch and the Akko V3 Matcha Green Pro linear switch, we can see that the Foggy Shadow has a shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the V3 Matcha Green Pro has a longer travel distance of 3.8 mm. The Foggy Shadow's shorter travel distance may appeal to those seeking faster response times, such as gamers, while the V3 Matcha Green Pro's longer travel distance may provide a more substantial feel for those who prefer a deeper press. Both switches offer different tactile experiences based on their travel distance, catering to individual preferences for typing or gaming. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches would depend on whether you prioritize speed and responsiveness or a more deliberate keypress feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Aflion Foggy Shadow has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Foggy Shadow for $3.91.
The Akko V3 Matcha Green Pro has an MSRP of $4.66 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the V3 Matcha Green Pro for $2.20.
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 Aflion Foggy Shadow offers a low-pitched and neutral tone, providing a bass-heavy and mellow sound that is suitable for various environments and users. On the other hand, the Akko V3 Matcha Green Pro switches produce a clacky and resonant sound, giving a sharp and immersive auditory experience with crisp and bright tones. Both switches offer distinct sound profiles that cater to different preferences, so users can choose based on their preferred acoustics and typing environment.
Moving on to feel, the Aflion Foggy Shadow does not have specific descriptors provided, suggesting a more standard tactile feel without additional characteristics highlighted. In contrast, the Akko V3 Matcha Green Pro switches are described as bouncy, creamy, polished, and silky, offering a variety of tactile sensations such as spring-like feedback, smooth and buttery typing, refined key travel, and exceptionally smooth keystrokes. This diverse range of tactile qualities in the Akko switches provides users with a customizable typing experience tailored to their preferences.
Overall, the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the Akko V3 Matcha Green Pro switches offer distinct sound and feel characteristics that cater to different preferences in the mechanical keyboard community. While the Foggy Shadow excels in providing a balanced and mellow sound with a light tactile bump, the Matcha Green Pro switches stand out with their clacky and resonant sound profile coupled with a variety of tactile feedback options. Depending on individual preferences for sound and feel, users can choose between these two switches to enhance their typing experience accordingly.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch and the Akko V3 Matcha Green Pro linear switch, it ultimately comes down to personal preference and typing style. If you prefer a light tactile bump with a medium bottom-out force and a low-pitched, neutral sound profile, the Foggy Shadow could be the perfect fit for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy a solid and responsive keystroke with a sharp bottom-out and a clacky, resonant sound profile, the Matcha Green Pro switches may be more up your alley. Consider the feel, sound, and weight of each switch to determine which one aligns best with your typing preferences. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different tastes, so take your time to choose the one that suits your individual needs.
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