Dareu Mahjong vs. Akko V3 Silver Pro
An in-depth look at the Dareu Mahjong and the Akko V3 Silver Pro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Dareu Mahjong and Akko V3 Silver Pro are two popular options worth considering. The Mahjong switches from Dareu offer a unique green and white color scheme, giving them a distinctive appearance. Known for their lively and poppy sound signature, these switches provide an effortless typing experience categorized as 'Bouncy', 'Mild', 'Neutral', and 'Polished'. On the other hand, the Akko V3 Silver Pro switches are designed with gamers in mind, offering smooth keystrokes and a pleasing bassy sound. With light actuation force and shortened travel distance, these switches are perfect for situations where speed is critical. Categorized as 'Easy-to-press', 'Creamy', 'Feathery', 'High-pitched', 'Polished', and 'Silky', the V3 Silver Pro switches have their own set of advantages. 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
40g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
POK
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Spring
13.8mm spring
Housing materials
The Dareu Mahjong and Akko V3 Silver Pro both offer unique housing materials for their switches. The Mahjong utilizes POK material for its top housing, providing a smooth and durable experience with a slightly higher coefficient of friction compared to LY. On the other hand, the V3 Silver Pro employs polycarbonate for its top housing, delivering a sharper and crisper sound profile due to its stiffness. While the Mahjong's nylon bottom housing contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, the V3 Silver Pro's nylon bottom housing offers a similar experience, highlighting the classic qualities of nylon in switch housings.
In terms of aesthetics, the housing materials of the Dareu Mahjong and Akko V3 Silver Pro differ in their appearance and how they interact with RGB lighting. The Mahjong's POK top housing, while smooth and durable, may not offer the same level of translucency as the V3 Silver Pro's polycarbonate top housing. As a result, if RGB lighting is a priority, the V3 Silver Pro may be more suitable due to the advantageous properties of polycarbonate. Both switches feature nylon bottom housing, which contributes to a deeper sound profile and absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics, enhancing the overall typing experience with a duller and rounder sound.
Ultimately, the housing materials of the Dareu Mahjong and Akko V3 Silver Pro play a significant role in the overall typing experience and sound profile of the switches. While the Mahjong's POK top housing offers smoothness and durability, the V3 Silver Pro's polycarbonate top housing provides a sharper and crisper sound profile, especially beneficial for those who value aesthetics and RGB lighting. Both switches share the classic qualities of nylon bottom housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. Whether one prefers a smoother, clacky feel or a sharper, resonant sound, each switch offers a unique typing experience based on its housing materials.
Weight
In comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Dareu Mahjong linear switch and the Akko V3 Silver Pro linear switch, it is evident that they both have different characteristics. The Mahjong has a slightly higher actuation force of 45 grams compared to the V3 Silver Pro's 40 grams. However, the bottom out force of the V3 Silver Pro is 45 grams, while the Mahjong's bottom out force is unknown. This means that the V3 Silver Pro is lighter to press all the way down, providing a smoother typing experience.
When considering weight, the V3 Silver Pro might be preferable for those who prefer a lighter and smoother typing feel, making it suitable for extended typing sessions or long gaming sessions. On the other hand, the Mahjong might be more suitable for those who prefer a stronger push feel, providing a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and typing style.
Travel distance
The Dareu Mahjong linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Akko V3 Silver Pro linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.3 mm. Both of these switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, making them suitable for gamers looking for quick response times. However, the slight difference in travel distance may be noticeable to some users, with the Mahjong offering a slightly deeper press compared to the V3 Silver Pro. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preference, with the Mahjong being the slightly longer option and the V3 Silver Pro offering a slightly shorter keystroke experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Dareu Mahjong has an MSRP of $8.89 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Mahjong for $5.79.
The Akko V3 Silver 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 Silver 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 Dareu Mahjong linear switch is more neutral, offering a moderate sound profile suitable for various purposes. On the other hand, the Akko V3 Silver Pro linear switch is described as high-pitched, providing a sharp and crisp sound when pressed. If you prefer a more lively and poppy sound, the Mahjong might be the better choice, whereas if you lean towards a sharper and crisper sound, the V3 Silver Pro would be a great option, especially for gaming scenarios.
In terms of feel, the Dareu Mahjong linear switch offers a bouncy and mild typing experience with a polished finish, resulting in a smooth and refined typing sensation. On the other hand, the Akko V3 Silver Pro linear switch is easy-to-press, creamy, feathery, and silky, providing a smooth and buttery typing experience with reduced finger fatigue. The V3 Silver Pro's light actuation force and reduced key travel distance make it ideal for effortless and comfortable typing, especially during extended gaming sessions.
Overall, if you are looking for a linear switch with a neutral sound profile, a bouncy and polished typing feel, the Dareu Mahjong would be a suitable choice. However, if you prefer a high-pitched sound, an easy-to-press and creamy typing experience with reduced finger fatigue, the Akko V3 Silver Pro is a great option. Both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences, so ultimately, the decision would come down to personal preference and intended use. Whether you choose the Mahjong or the V3 Silver Pro, you can expect a quality linear switch that delivers a satisfying typing experience.
Conclusion
To wrap up, if you are someone who values a unique color scheme, lively sound signature, and effortless typing experience, then the Dareu Mahjong linear switch would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you are a gamer looking for switches specifically engineered for gaming with light actuation force and shortened travel distance, then the Akko V3 Silver Pro linear switch would be more suitable for you. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences and intended use case, whether it be for work, gaming, or general typing tasks. Both switches offer their own set of advantages, so it's important to consider what features are most important to you before making a decision.
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