Akko V3 Lavender Purple Pro vs. Everglide Sunset Yellow
An in-depth look at the Akko V3 Lavender Purple Pro and the Everglide Sunset Yellow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Akko V3 Lavender Purple Pro and the Everglide Sunset Yellow stand out as unique options to cater to different preferences. The V3 Lavender Purple Pro is a tactile switch that offers a higher-pitched sound profile and a satisfying tactile bump, providing a delightful typing experience for enthusiasts looking for an accented, bouncy, and snappy feel. On the other hand, the Sunset Yellow is a linear switch known for its captivating sound profile reminiscent of mahjong tiles colliding, offering a rich, bassy, and decadent typing experience characterized by qualities like being bassy, creamy, frictionless, polished, and thocky. While the Lavender Purple Pro excels in providing a tactile typing experience, the Sunset Yellow offers a smooth and linear feel. 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
43g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
51g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
3.20 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
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
20mm
Spring
Single-staged lengthened 20mm spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Akko V3 Lavender Purple Pro and the Everglide Sunset Yellow switches offer different sound profiles and aesthetics due to their use of different materials. The V3 Lavender Purple Pro features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile compared to the POM top housing of the Sunset Yellow, which produces a deeper and more muted sound. Despite these differences, both switches offer a unique sound experience based on their top housing material.
In terms of the bottom housing, the V3 Lavender Purple Pro utilizes a nylon material that provides a deeper and fuller sound profile, while the Sunset Yellow also uses POM for its bottom housing, resulting in a similar deep and muted sound experience. The use of nylon in the V3 Lavender Purple Pro allows for a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound compared to the POM material. Although they have different materials for their bottom housing, both switches offer a pleasing and unique sound that enhances the typing experience.
When considering the overall typing experience, the qualities of the housing materials of each switch will impact the sound and feel differently depending on whether it is the top or bottom housing. The bottom housing will have more of an impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on the switch, while the top housing will influence the sound when releasing a key. Despite these differences, both switches offer a distinct sound profile and aesthetic appeal based on their housing materials, providing users with a customizable typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the Akko V3 Lavender Purple Pro tactile switch and the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch, there are some notable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The V3 Lavender Purple Pro has a slightly higher actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Sunset Yellow's 43 grams, making it slightly lighter to press for a keystroke. However, both switches have a similar bottom out force, with the V3 Lavender Purple Pro requiring 55 grams and the Sunset Yellow needing 51 grams. This makes both switches fall into the medium-light category in terms of force required to fully press the key. Some users may prefer the slightly lighter actuation force of the Sunset Yellow for longer typing sessions, while others may appreciate the slightly heavier bottom out force of the V3 Lavender Purple Pro for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.2 mm, making it the shorter option compared to the Akko V3 Lavender Purple Pro tactile switch with a travel distance of 3.8 mm. The Sunset Yellow offers a quicker response time due to its shorter travel distance, which is preferred by gamers looking for fast reactions. On the other hand, the V3 Lavender Purple Pro provides a more substantial depth when typing, making it more suitable for those who prefer a more solid key press. Both switches offer different typing experiences based on their travel distances, allowing users to choose based on their preference for responsiveness or depth.
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 Everglide Sunset Yellow comes in at $3.09 per 10 switches.
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 Akko V3 Lavender Purple Pro switch has a higher-pitched profile with a satisfying tactile bump, providing a delightful typing experience. On the other hand, the Everglide Sunset Yellow switch offers a rich, bassy sound resembling mahjong tiles colliding, creating a luxurious typing sensation. The Sunset Yellow switch is characterized as "bassy" and "thocky," producing a deep and indulgent sound during key presses, while the sound of the Lavender Purple Pro switch is not explicitly mentioned. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on personal preference for sound, as both offer unique auditory experiences that can enhance the typing process.
When it comes to feel, the Akko V3 Lavender Purple Pro switch is described as "accented," "bouncy," "snappy," and "polished," providing a medium level of tactility without being overly tactile, coupled with a lively and responsive typing experience. In contrast, the Everglide Sunset Yellow switch is characterized as "creamy," "frictionless," and "polished," offering a smooth and fluid key travel with minimal resistance, akin to gliding your fingers effortlessly across the keys. Both switches have a refined finish and potentially utilize factory lubing to reduce friction and enhance the typing experience. Whether one prefers a bouncier and more responsive feel or a smoother and frictionless glide would determine the ideal switch for their typing needs.
Overall, the Akko V3 Lavender Purple Pro and Everglide Sunset Yellow switches each offer distinct characteristics in terms of sound and feel. The Lavender Purple Pro switch provides a higher-pitched sound with a tactile bump and a medium level of tactility, while the Sunset Yellow switch offers a rich, bassy sound with smooth and frictionless key travel. Depending on individual preferences for sound profile and typing feel, users can choose between the delightful and accented typing experience of the Lavender Purple Pro switch or the indulgent and creamy sensation of the Sunset Yellow switch. Both switches promise to elevate the typing experience with their unique qualities, ensuring a satisfying and customized typing experience for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering whether to choose the Akko V3 Lavender Purple Pro tactile switch or the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch, you should take into account your preferences for typing experience. If you enjoy a higher-pitched sound profile and a satisfying tactile bump, the V3 Lavender Purple Pro would be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a Creamsicle-colored switch with a rich, bassy sound and a distinct gliding feel, the Sunset Yellow would be more suitable. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your preference for sound, feel, and typing experience.