Akko V3 Lavender Purple Pro vs. HMX Poro
An in-depth look at the Akko V3 Lavender Purple Pro and the HMX Poro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Akko V3 Lavender Purple Pro and the HMX Poro represent two compelling options tailored to different typing preferences. The V3 Lavender Purple Pro is a tactile switch celebrated for its snappy feedback and delightful sound profile, ensuring each keystroke is met with a pronounced tactile bump that enriches the typing experience. Its higher-pitched sound and bouncy feel make it ideal for users who enjoy a more engaging interaction with their keyboard. On the other hand, the HMX Poro linear switch is designed for a smooth and effortless typing experience, featuring meticulously lubricated components that provide a silky glide with an ultra-light actuation force. This makes the Poro particularly appealing to those who favor a quiet, uninterrupted typing flow without the tactile interruptions. While the V3 Lavender offers a playful and tactile engagement, the Poro delivers a seamless and fluid experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Ly
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
22mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Akko V3 Lavender Purple Pro and the HMX Poro, it becomes evident that they utilize different materials for their top housings, leading to distinct sound characteristics. The V3 Lavender Purple Pro employs a polycarbonate top housing, known for its rigidity, which produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This stiffness enables clearer resonance, making it ideal for those who appreciate a more defined auditory experience. In contrast, the HMX Poro features a nylon top housing, characterized by its softer plastic composition. This results in a deeper and fuller sound profile, producing a rounder, more muted auditory experience. Consequently, users may find that the V3 Lavender Purple Pro suits those who prefer a brighter sound, while the HMX Poro appeals to those seeking a warmer auditory feel.
Despite the differences in their top housing materials, both switches share a similarity in their bottom housing composition—nylon. The utilization of nylon in the bottom housing for both the V3 Lavender Purple Pro and the Poro means that the bottom-out sound and overall feel will offer a consistent, rich depth due to nylon's sound-absorbing properties. As both switches have the same bottom housing material, this allows for a degree of uniformity in the tactile experience and tonal quality during key activation, contributing to a broader swath of sound that resonates well across both models. Thus, while the top housing differentiates their sound profiles, the nylon bottom housing creates a commonality in performance.
Ultimately, the combined impact of the two different top materials and the shared nylon bottom contributes to how each switch feels and sounds during use. The V3 Lavender Purple Pro, with its polycarbonate top housing, caters to those who enjoy a more pronounced sound when releasing the keys. Meanwhile, the HMX Poro, with its nylon top, emphasizes a softer and more rounded sound profile. Therefore, even when the materials create distinct audio signatures while typing, the shared nylon bottom in both switches allows for a depth in sound that is pleasantly rounded and consistent, offering users a satisfiable experience regardless of the switch size they choose.
Weight
The Akko V3 Lavender Purple Pro tactile switch and the HMX Poro linear switch both feature an actuation force of 45 grams, making them equally responsive to keystrokes. However, the bottom out forces differ, with the V3 Lavender Purple Pro requiring 55 grams to fully bottom out, while the HMX Poro has a lighter bottom out force of 50 grams. This means that, while both switches offer a similar actuation experience, the V3 Lavender Purple Pro will provide a slightly heavier feel when fully pressed down, resulting in a more pronounced tactile feedback which some users may find more satisfying. In contrast, the HMX Poro's lighter bottom out force may contribute to a more effortless typing experience, making it well-suited for extended use. Therefore, if you prefer a more substantial typing feel, the V3 Lavender Purple Pro may be the better choice, whereas if you favor a lighter touch, then the HMX Poro could be ideal for long typing sessions.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Akko V3 Lavender Purple Pro tactile switch and the HMX Poro linear switch, we see that the V3 Lavender Purple Pro has a travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the Poro switch measures slightly shorter at 3.7 mm. This means that the V3 Lavender offers a slightly more pronounced keystroke, appealing to those who enjoy a substantial depth when typing, whereas the Poro's shorter travel distance provides a marginally quicker response, ideal for gamers seeking speed in their actions. Ultimately, if one prefers a more tactile and deeper feel, the Lavender Purple Pro would be the better choice, whereas the Poro offers a more immediate response due to its shorter travel distance.
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 HMX Poro has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Poro for $2.99.
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 V3 Lavender Purple Pro switches produce a higher-pitched sound profile that is both distinct and satisfying. This sound can contribute to a more engaging typing experience, often accompanied by a subtle tactile bump that adds to its overall auditory appeal. The HMX Poro linear switches, on the other hand, deliver a poppy and clacky sound, which can be quite engaging as well. Their design allows for a slightly more muted feedback compared to tactile switches, yet the sound quality can still provide a joyful auditory experience. It's essential to remember that the final characteristic of each switch is influenced by the keyboard's construction and the type of keycaps used, which could lead to similar acoustic results when paired appropriately.
When discussing the feel of these switches, the V3 Lavender Purple Pro is characterized by its notable tactile feedback, which strikes a balance between not being overly aggressive and providing a satisfying response during typing. Users can expect a lively and bouncy sensation with these switches, making each keypress feel dynamic and engaging. The tactile bump is complemented by a snappy responsiveness due to its dual-staged springs, further enhancing the experience. The HMX Poro linear switches offer a contrasting feel with their exceptionally smooth keystrokes, thanks to meticulous lubrication that ensures effortless gliding. While lacking the tactile bump, the linear design provides a consistent and fluid feedback that many typists appreciate for its simplicity and ease of use.
In conclusion, both the Akko V3 Lavender Purple Pro and the HMX Poro switches cater to different preferences within the mechanical keyboard community. If you enjoy a tactile experience with an engaging sound that strikes a balance between responsiveness and comfort, the Lavender Purple Pro is an excellent choice. Conversely, if you prefer smooth, linear feedback with a poppy sound that allows for rapid keystrokes, the Poro switches are likely to satisfy that desire. Ultimately, your experience with either switch will also depend significantly on the keyboard's overall build quality and the keycap material you choose, which can produce similar acoustic qualities in the right settings.
Conclusion
To summarize, choosing between the Akko V3 Lavender Purple Pro tactile switch and the HMX Poro linear switch largely depends on your personal preference in typing experience and sound profile. If you enjoy a tactile typing experience with a satisfying bump, the V3 Lavender Purple Pro might be your ideal choice. Its medium-light bottom out force of 55 grams provides a responsive feel that is complemented by a more pronounced tactile feedback, making it great for both typing and gaming. This switch’s higher-pitched sound adds an engaging auditory element to your experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a smoother and more effortless keystroke, the HMX Poro linear switch with its lighter bottom out force of 50 grams could be more suitable for you. Its silky smooth feel, combined with a poppy and clacky sound, makes it a fantastic option for fast-paced gaming or for users who want a broken-in feel right from the start. Ultimately, your choice should reflect the type of feedback you find most comfortable and enjoyable for your unique typing or gaming style.
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