KTT Mint vs. Akko V3 Piano Pro
An in-depth look at the KTT Mint and the Akko V3 Piano Pro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the KTT Mint and the Akko V3 Piano Pro mechanical keyboard switches, both linear switches offer a smooth typing experience with distinct characteristics. The Mint is known for its satisfyingly smooth linear feel, providing a light and fleeting typing experience with a poppy thockiness due to its long pole stem. On the other hand, the V3 Piano Pro switches are recognized for their snappy sound signature, adding a lively and crisp quality to each keystroke while maintaining a smooth actuation. The Mint is described as 'Low-pitched', 'Neutral', 'Mild', and 'Polished', while the V3 Piano Pro is categorized as 'Bouncy', 'Clacky', 'Creamy', 'Polished', 'Resonant', and 'Silky'. Each switch has its unique appeal, offering different tactile and auditory sensations. 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
53g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
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
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
15mm spring
Spring
20mm spring
Housing materials
The KTT Mint features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, ideal for users looking for a clear and resonant typing experience. In contrast, the Akko V3 Piano Pro utilizes a nylon top housing, providing a deeper and fuller sound profile that absorbs more sound due to its softer nature. While both materials have their own unique sound characteristics, the polycarbonate housing of the Mint focuses on clarity and resonance, while the nylon housing of the V3 Piano Pro emphasizes depth and fullness.
Moving on to the bottom housing, both the Mint and the V3 Piano Pro utilize nylon, which results in a deeper and fuller sound profile that is duller and rounder than that of harder plastics. The softer nature of nylon allows for more sound absorption, contributing to a more muted and satisfying typing experience. Despite both switches using nylon for their bottom housings, each keyboard will offer a slightly different sound and feel due to other factors such as keycap material and switch design.
In summary, the choice of housing material in a keyboard switch greatly impacts the sound and feel of typing. While the KTT Mint and the Akko V3 Piano Pro both prioritize a rich and full sound profile with their use of nylon in the bottom housing, they differ in the top housing material. The Mint's polycarbonate top housing offers a crisper and sharper sound, ideal for those who prefer clarity in their typing experience, while the V3 Piano Pro's nylon top housing provides a deeper and fuller sound for users looking for a more immersive typing feel. Ultimately, whether one prefers the sound profile of polycarbonate or nylon will depend on their personal preferences and typing style.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Mint linear switch and the Akko V3 Piano Pro linear switch, both switches have the same actuation force of 45 grams, making them equally light in terms of the force needed to trigger a keystroke. However, the Mint has a slightly lower bottom out force of 53 grams compared to the V3 Piano Pro's 55 grams, making the Mint a slightly lighter option when it comes to the force required for full key press. This difference may result in a slightly softer typing experience with the Mint compared to the V3 Piano Pro. Overall, both switches provide a medium-light typing experience, with the Mint being slightly lighter in terms of bottom out force. Whether someone prefers a lighter or heavier switch depends on their personal preference for typing feel and how long they typically spend typing.
Travel distance
The Akko V3 Piano Pro linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the KTT Mint linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. The V3 Piano Pro has a shorter travel distance compared to the Mint, making it a good choice for those looking for faster response times, such as gamers. On the other hand, the Mint offers a slightly longer travel distance, which may appeal to those who prefer a more substantial keypress feel. Both switches fall within the range of modern travel distances, with 4.0mm being a more traditional option and 3.0mm being the most shallow. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference for keypress depth and responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
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.
The KTT Mint comes in at $2.91 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
When it comes to sound, the KTT Mint linear switch offers a low-pitched and neutral typing experience, resulting in a bass-heavy and mellow tone that is suitable for both beginners and advanced users. On the other hand, the Akko V3 Piano Pro linear switch provides a clacky and resonant sound profile, giving off a sharp and snappy sound with a higher-pitched and clean tone. Depending on your choice of board and keycaps, both switches can deliver satisfying auditory feedback, with the Mint focusing on a smoother, more muted sound and the V3 Piano Pro offering a more vibrant and lively typing sound.
In terms of feel, the KTT Mint linear switch provides a mild and polished typing experience, offering a gentle and refined feel that falls within a safe, middle-ground zone. The smooth and sleek finish of the Mint switch ensures reduced friction and smooth key travel, enhancing the overall typing comfort. On the other hand, the Akko V3 Piano Pro linear switch offers a bouncy, creamy, polished, and silky typing sensation, delivering a spring-like feedback with a buttery smoothness that glides effortlessly across the keys. Both switches prioritize a smooth and refined typing feel, with the Mint focusing on a more approachable and gentle experience while the V3 Piano Pro enhances the typing sensation with a lively bounce and silky smoothness.
In conclusion, the KTT Mint linear switch and the Akko V3 Piano Pro linear switch offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Mint switch provides a satisfyingly smooth and neutral typing sound, paired with a mild and polished typing feel for a comfortable experience. On the other hand, the V3 Piano Pro switch produces a clacky and resonant sound signature, complemented by a bouncy, creamy, polished, and silky typing feel that adds liveliness and smoothness to each keystroke. Depending on your preference for sound and feel, both switches offer enjoyable typing experiences that cater to different preferences in the mechanical keyboard community.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the KTT Mint linear switch and the Akko V3 Piano Pro linear switch, consider the following guidelines. If you enjoy a satisfyingly smooth linear switch with a light and fleeting type feel, along with a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, the Mint may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a snappy sound signature and a smooth actuation that adds a lively, crisp quality to each keystroke, along with a clacky and resonant sound profile, the V3 Piano Pro could be more suited to your preferences. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will depend on your personal preference for the typing experience and sound profile that best suits your needs and preferences.
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