Everglide Lightning Silver V3 vs. Akko V3 Piano Pro
An in-depth look at the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 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 Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the Akko V3 Piano Pro, both of which are linear switches. The Lightning Silver V3 is renowned for its clacky and high-pitched sound profile, providing a unique and satisfying typing experience. In contrast, the V3 Piano Pro stands out for its snappy sound signature and smooth actuation, offering a blend of liveliness and tactile feedback. While the Lightning Silver V3 boasts a light diffuser for enhanced RGB illumination, the V3 Piano Pro impresses with its variety of sound qualities. 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
48g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
1.50 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
3.40 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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Lengthened gold-plated spring
Spring
20mm spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the Akko V3 Piano Pro, both switches feature unique top and bottom housings that contribute to their overall sound profile. The Lightning Silver V3 utilizes a polycarbonate top and bottom housing, which creates a sharp, higher-pitched, and crisp sound profile due to its stiffness. On the other hand, the Akko V3 Piano Pro utilizes a nylon top and bottom housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile as the softer plastic absorbs more sound. While both switches offer distinct sound characteristics, the choice between polycarbonate and nylon housing materials ultimately comes down to personal preference for sound and feel.
Despite their differences in housing materials, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the Akko V3 Piano Pro both offer unique advantages based on their top and bottom housings. The polycarbonate top housing of the Lightning Silver V3 allows for a clear and resonant sound profile, particularly ideal for switches intended to be used with RGB lighting. In contrast, the nylon top housing of the Akko V3 Piano Pro provides a rounder and duller sound profile, offering a different typing experience compared to switches with polycarbonate housings. Both switches showcase how the choice of housing material can significantly impact the overall sound and feel of a mechanical keyboard switch.
When considering the impact of housing materials on a keyboard switch, it's important to note how the qualities of the top and bottom housings contribute to the overall typing experience. The bottom housing of a switch, whether polycarbonate or nylon, significantly influences the bottom-out sound and feel when a key is pressed. In contrast, the top housing plays a more prominent role in the sound produced when releasing a key. By understanding how these housing materials affect the sound profile and feel of a switch, enthusiasts can make an informed decision based on their preferences for sound, typing experience, and aesthetic appeal.
Weight
The Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch has a slightly higher actuation force of 48 grams compared to the Akko V3 Piano Pro linear switch with an actuation force of 45 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Lightning Silver V3 requires 60 grams while the V3 Piano Pro only needs 55 grams. This means that the Lightning Silver V3 is heavier in terms of both actuation and bottom out force. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Akko V3 Piano Pro would be the better choice due to its lower actuation and bottom out forces. On the other hand, if a more substantial typing experience is desired, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 would be the preferred option. Both switches offer a medium to medium-light feel, providing a balanced typing experience suitable for various preferences.
Travel distance
The Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Akko V3 Piano Pro linear switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.5 mm. Both switches fall within the shorter range of travel distances, which is preferred by gamers for faster response times. The slight difference of 0.1 mm between the two may not be noticeable to most users, but those who prefer a slightly deeper keypress may find the Akko V3 Piano Pro to be a better fit for their typing style. Ultimately, both switches offer a similar experience in terms of travel distance, with the Lightning Silver V3 being slightly shorter and the V3 Piano Pro being slightly longer.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Lightning Silver V3 has an MSRP of $5.55 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Lightning Silver V3 for $4.10.
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
In terms of sound, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch is known for its clacky and high-pitched sound signature, giving a sharp and crisp sound when pressed that can be perceived as bright and percussive. On the other hand, the Akko V3 Piano Pro linear switch boasts a snappy sound signature, with a clean and sharp resonant quality that provides an immersive auditory experience during typing. Both switches offer unique auditory charms, with the Lightning Silver V3 emphasizing a clacky and high-pitched tone, while the V3 Piano Pro delivers a clacky and resonant sound profile. The actual sound produced by these switches will also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 switch is described as silky, offering an exceptionally smooth typing experience with minimized resistance when pressing and releasing keys. In contrast, the Akko V3 Piano Pro switch provides a bouncy and creamy feel, giving a spring-like feedback sensation with smooth and buttery typing experience. Additionally, the Piano Pro switch is noted for its polished finish, which enhances smooth key travel with reduced friction. Both switches prioritize delivering a pleasant tactile experience, with the Lightning Silver V3 focusing on a silky smooth feel and the V3 Piano Pro offering a bouncy, creamy, and polished sensation.
In conclusion, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch and the Akko V3 Piano Pro linear switch showcase distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Lightning Silver V3 stands out for its clacky and high-pitched sound signature, alongside a silky smooth typing experience. Meanwhile, the V3 Piano Pro impresses with its snappy and resonant sound profile, coupled with a bouncy, creamy, and polished tactile feel. Depending on personal preferences for sound and feel, both switches offer unique characteristics that can cater to different typing styles and preferences, ensuring a satisfying typing experience for users.
Conclusion
Ultimately, when choosing between the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch and the Akko V3 Piano Pro linear switch, it's important to consider the unique characteristics of each. If you prioritize a clacky and high-pitched sound signature with a silky typing experience, then the Lightning Silver V3 may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a snappy sound with a smooth actuation and lively tactile feedback, the V3 Piano Pro could be more suitable. Both switches offer their own advantages in terms of sound and feel, so it ultimately comes down to personal preference and what typing experience you are looking for in your mechanical keyboard.
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