Akko V3 Lavender Purple Pro vs. Akko V3 Piano Pro
An in-depth look at the Akko V3 Lavender Purple Pro and the Akko V3 Piano Pro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Akko V3 Lavender Purple Pro, a tactile switch, and the Akko V3 Piano Pro, a linear switch. The Lavender Purple Pro is adored by keyboard enthusiasts for its higher-pitched sound profile and satisfying tactile bump, providing a delightful typing experience. On the other hand, the Piano Pro is known for its snappy sound signature and smooth actuation, offering a lively and crisp quality to each keystroke. While the Lavender Purple Pro is characterized as 'Accented', 'Bouncy', 'Snappy', and 'Polished', the Piano Pro boasts traits such as 'Bouncy', 'Clacky', 'Creamy', 'Polished', 'Resonant', and 'Silky'. Each switch has its own unique qualities that cater to different preferences and typing styles. 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
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
3.50 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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
20mm
Spring
20mm spring
Housing materials
Despite their differences in material, both the Akko V3 Lavender Purple Pro and the Akko V3 Piano Pro offer unique sound profiles based on their housing materials. The Lavender Purple Pro's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper and crisper sound, while the Piano Pro's nylon top housing provides a deeper and fuller sound. This contrast in sound profile can cater to different preferences, with the polycarbonate offering a more vibrant and resonant tone compared to the nylon's more mellow and rounded sound.
In terms of aesthetics, the polycarbonate top housing of the Lavender Purple Pro allows for RGB lighting to shine through, enhancing the visual appeal of the keyboard. On the other hand, the Piano Pro's nylon top housing may not offer the same translucency for RGB effects but provides a classic and understated look. Both keyboards cater to different styles and preferences, with the Lavender Purple Pro leaning towards a more vibrant and modern aesthetic, while the Piano Pro exudes a timeless and classic design.
When it comes to the bottom housing material, both keyboards feature nylon, which offers a similar deeper and fuller sound profile. The impact of the bottom housing on the overall typing experience is notable, as it influences the bottom-out sound and feel of the switches. While the top housing material plays a role in the sound upon key release, the bottom housing contributes significantly to the overall typing experience in terms of sound and tactile feedback. In this aspect, both the Lavender Purple Pro and the Piano Pro showcase the importance of housing materials in creating a unique typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the Akko V3 Lavender Purple Pro tactile switch and the Akko V3 Piano Pro linear switch, both switches have the same actuation force of 45 grams and bottom out force of 55 grams. This means that users can expect similar typing experiences in terms of force required for key presses on both switches. The actuation force determines the force needed to trigger a keystroke, while bottom out force measures the force required to press a key all the way down. Both switches fall into the category of medium-light switches, making them suitable for individuals looking for a balance between typing comfort and tactile feedback. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches may come down to personal preference in terms of switch type, with the linear switch offering a smooth keystroke without tactile feedback, and the tactile switch providing a bump in response when a key is pressed.
Travel distance
The Akko V3 Lavender Purple Pro tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the Akko V3 Piano Pro linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. In this case, the V3 Piano Pro linear switch has a shorter travel distance compared to the V3 Lavender Purple Pro tactile switch. The difference of 0.3 mm may not seem significant, but it can impact the overall typing experience. Gamers who prefer faster response times may lean towards the V3 Piano Pro with its shorter travel distance, while those who enjoy a deeper key press may opt for the V3 Lavender Purple Pro. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference and typing style.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Akko V3 Lavender Purple Pro has an MSRP of $3.11 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the V3 Lavender Purple Pro for $2.20.
The Akko V3 Piano Pro has an MSRP of $4.22 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the V3 Piano Pro 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 V3 Lavender Purple Pro switch offers a higher-pitched sound profile with a satisfying tactile bump, creating a delightful typing experience. On the other hand, the V3 Piano Pro switch is known for its snappy sound signature, providing a crisp and lively quality to each keystroke. Both switches have unique sound qualities that cater to different preferences, with the Lavender Purple Pro offering a more tactile experience in terms of sound, while the Piano Pro switch delivers a snappy and vibrant auditory feedback.
In terms of feel, the V3 Lavender Purple Pro switch is described as having a bouncy and snappy tactile response, providing a spring-like sensation with a polished and refined finish for smooth key travel. The Piano Pro switch also offers a bouncy feel with a creamy and silky typing experience, thanks to the lubricant applied in the factory and the smooth finish of the switch. Both switches excel in providing a pleasant tactile feedback with unique qualities that enhance the typing experience, making them suitable for different preferences based on individual preferences for key feel.
In conclusion, the Akko V3 Lavender Purple Pro tactile switch and the Akko V3 Piano Pro linear switch both offer distinct sound and feel characteristics that cater to different preferences. While the Lavender Purple Pro switch provides a higher-pitched sound profile with a satisfying tactile bump, the Piano Pro switch delivers a snappy and lively sound signature. In terms of feel, the Lavender Purple Pro switch offers a bouncy and snappy tactile response, while the Piano Pro switch provides a creamy and silky typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preference for sound, feel, and typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a tactile switch that offers a delightful typing experience with a higher-pitched sound profile and a satisfying tactile bump, then the Akko V3 Lavender Purple Pro switches would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a linear switch with a snappy sound signature and smooth actuation, the Akko V3 Piano Pro switches would be more suited to your preferences. Ultimately, your decision should be based on whether you prioritize tactile feedback or a linear typing experience, as both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences.
Mentioned in this article
