Huano Grape Orange vs. Akko Penguin
An in-depth look at the Huano Grape Orange and the Akko Penguin switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Huano Grape Orange and the Akko Penguin offer distinct experiences tailored to different preferences. The Grape Orange, a linear switch, is celebrated for its extraordinarily light actuation force of just 40 grams, resulting in a smooth and effortless typing experience. This makes it an appealing choice for users seeking minimal resistance during long typing sessions. In contrast, the Akko Penguin features a tactile design that prioritizes both feedback and quiet operation, making it an excellent option for office environments where minimizing noise is crucial. The Penguin’s medium weight and rounded tactile bump provide a satisfying sensation with each keystroke, ensuring a balance between responsiveness and comfort for extended use. While the Grape Orange excels in delivering a seamless and consistent keystroke, the Penguin strikes a harmonious chord between tactility and subtlety. 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
40g
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-stage spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Huano Grape Orange and the Akko Penguin switches present a fascinating comparison, particularly in their respective top housings. The Grape Orange features a polycarbonate top housing, which is recognized for its rigidity and translucency. This material is essential for producing a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, making it ideal for maximizing the sound clarity and resonance in switches, particularly when paired with RGB lighting systems. On the other hand, the Akko Penguin utilizes a nylon top housing, characterized by its softer plastic nature, which results in a deeper and fuller sound. The contrasting materials not only impact the auditory experience but also influence the overall aesthetic, with the polycarbonate providing a clear appearance and the nylon offering a more muted visual appeal.
When analyzing the bottom housings, both the Grape Orange and the Penguin utilize nylon, a classic and well-regarded material in switch design. Nylon's inherent qualities contribute to a deeper and more rounded sound profile, significantly affecting the typing experience. This shared material choice between the two switches means that the bottom-out sound and feel will be similar, regardless of the differing top housings. As both switches employ nylon in their bottom construction, it can be expected that users will experience a consistency in the deeper sound characteristic when the key is fully depressed, enhancing a more cohesive auditory experience.
Overall, the distinct combination of housing materials in the Grape Orange and the Akko Penguin creates a unique balance of auditory qualities. While the Grape Orange's polycarbonate top delivers a sharp and clear sound, the Akko Penguin's nylon top produces a softer tone, illustrating the effect of material choice on sound character. However, the common use of nylon in their bottom housings ensures that regardless of the top housing differences, both switches provide a robust and grounded typing experience. As such, users can expect a blend of sharper sounds on release from the Grape Orange and more muted tones from the Penguin, while still enjoying a unified bottom-out experience thanks to their shared nylon base.
Weight
When comparing the Huano Grape Orange linear switch and the Akko Penguin tactile switch, notable differences in actuation and bottom out forces emerge. The Grape Orange features a lighter actuation force of 40 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, making it ideal for prolonged typing sessions, as it requires less effort to register keystrokes. In contrast, the Akko Penguin has a slightly heavier actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams, catering to those who prefer a more substantial typing experience. Thus, the Grape Orange is the lighter option while the Penguin is the heavier one. This variance in actuation forces may lead to different typing experiences: the lighter Grape Orange allows for quicker, less tiring keystrokes, while the heavier Penguin provides a more deliberate feel that some users may prefer. Overall, if the forces were the same, users would likely find similar results in terms of typing fatigue, but the differences here clearly delineate the intended user preferences for each switch.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Huano Grape Orange linear switch and the Akko Penguin tactile switch, a distinct difference emerges. The Huano Grape Orange has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Akko Penguin measures slightly shorter at 3.3 mm. This makes the Penguin the better choice for those who prioritize quicker response times, as a shorter travel distance can facilitate faster key presses, often favored by gamers. On the other hand, the Grape Orange, with its longer travel distance, may appeal to users who appreciate a more pronounced tactile feedback and a deeper press, offering a more substantial typing experience. For individuals who value responsiveness in their gameplay or typing, opting for the Penguin could provide that advantage, whereas those who prefer a more immersive feel might lean towards the Grape Orange.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Huano Grape Orange has an MSRP of $3.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Grape Orange for $2.79.
The Akko Penguin has an MSRP of $4.22 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Penguin for $3.10.
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 Huano Grape Orange switch is notably quiet, contributing to a more subdued auditory experience compared to traditional mechanical switches. While specific descriptors for the sound of the Grape Orange switch are not provided, it is generally understood to produce a softer sound profile. This contrasts with the Akko Penguin switch, which is explicitly designed for quiet operation; it is categorized as muted, which means it generates a softer and more reserved sound when compared to more clacky switches. Additionally, the Penguin's neutral sound profile makes it versatile for various environments, whether at home or in an office setting.
In terms of feel, the Grape Orange switch offers an exceptionally light and effortless typing experience, thanks to its ultra-low 40g actuation force. This makes it particularly appealing for users engaging in extended typing sessions, as it minimizes finger fatigue. Its key travel is likely smooth, although specific descriptors are missing. On the other hand, the Akko Penguin switch incorporates a rounded tactile bump that adds a satisfying feedback without being overly pronounced. Its polished nature ensures a smooth keypress, while its mild feel means it's approachable for a variety of users. Furthermore, the medium weight of the Penguin switch strikes a balance, making it comfortable for prolonged usage.
In conclusion, while both the Huano Grape Orange linear switch and the Akko Penguin tactile switch cater to specific user preferences, they excel in different areas. The Grape Orange provides an ultra-light and quiet typing experience that favors those who prioritize long typing sessions, while the Penguin combines a tactile sensation with a quieter operation suitable for shared environments. Ultimately, both switches offer a comfortable feel and minimized sound, making them great choices for extended use; however, the choice between them will depend on whether the user prefers a linear switch or the tactile feedback provided by the Penguin.
Conclusion
To conclude, the choice between the Huano Grape Orange linear switch and the Akko Penguin tactile switch ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you prioritize a light and effortless typing experience, particularly for long typing sessions, the Grape Orange is an excellent option due to its ultra-low actuation force of 40 grams, allowing for quick and fatigue-free keystrokes. This makes it particularly well-suited for gamers or individuals who type extensively, as it minimizes finger strain. Conversely, if you find yourself in quieter environments such as an office or shared workspace, the Akko Penguin's muted sound profile and thoughtful tactile feedback may be just what you need. Its medium bottom-out force of 60 grams provides a nice balance between responsiveness and comfort without compromising on noise levels. Moreover, the Penguin's polished and mild sensation offers a subdued yet satisfying feel, making each keystroke pleasurable while maintaining a level of discretion that the Grape Orange doesn't offer. Therefore, consider your typing environment, the type of tasks you’ll be performing, and your personal comfort when deciding between these two switches.