Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) vs. Akko Penguin
An in-depth look at the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) and the Akko Penguin switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) and the Akko Penguin mechanical keyboard switches, the Moyu Black stands out for its sharp tactile feel and premium typing experience. With a unique blend of PBT top and bottom housing, these switches offer a strong downstroke tactile bump and an even sharper upstroke bump, creating a hypertactile sensation. The sharp, short, and punchy sound produced during typing, along with the medium-heavy feel and abrupt bottom-out, deliver a distinctive and impactful typing experience. On the other hand, the Akko Penguin switches are notable for being silent tactile switches, making them ideal for office environments where noise reduction is essential. Featuring a rounded tactile bump and medium weight, these switches provide satisfying feedback while maintaining a quiet profile, making them suitable for prolonged typing sessions without causing fatigue. 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
50g
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
PBT
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
PBT
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) and the Akko Penguin both utilize different housing materials for their top and bottom components. While the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) features PBT top and bottom housings, the Akko Penguin incorporates nylon for both top and bottom housings. The PBT material in the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) offers a neutral sound profile, while the nylon material in the Akko Penguin elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic composition. This results in a potentially crisper sound from the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) compared to the duller and rounder sound from the Akko Penguin.
In terms of feel, the bottom housing material plays a more significant role in the overall typing experience. With the PBT bottom housing in the Moyu Black (Dark Jade), users can expect a certain level of impact and sound feedback when pressing down on the keys. Conversely, the nylon bottom housing in the Akko Penguin absorbs more sound, resulting in a softer bottom-out sound and feel. On the other hand, the top housing material influences the sound when the key is released. The PBT top housing of the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) offers a neutral sound profile, contrasting with the deeper and fuller sound produced by the nylon top housing of the Akko Penguin.
While the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) and the Akko Penguin have different housing materials for their top and bottom components, the overall typing experience may not vary drastically. Both switches offer unique sound profiles, with the PBT housing in the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) providing a potentially crisper sound compared to the duller and rounder sound produced by the nylon housing in the Akko Penguin. Ultimately, the choice between these switches may come down to personal preference in terms of sound and feel, as both offer their own distinct characteristics based on the housing materials used.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch and the Akko Penguin tactile switch, it is evident that the Moyu Black is heavier while the Penguin is lighter. The Moyu Black has an actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 67 grams, making it a medium-heavy switch. In contrast, the Akko Penguin has an actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams, putting it in the medium category. The difference in weight between the two switches can greatly impact the typing experience. Those who prefer a lighter touch may opt for the Penguin, which is ideal for longer typing sessions or gaming. On the other hand, individuals looking for a more substantial typing experience may choose the Moyu Black for its heavier actuation and bottom out forces. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on personal preference and desired typing feel.
Travel distance
In comparing the travel distance of the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch and the Akko Penguin tactile switch, it is clear that the Moyu Black has a longer travel distance of 4 mm compared to the Penguin's 3.3 mm. This means that the Moyu Black will provide a slightly deeper key press experience than the Penguin. For those who prefer a more responsive and shallower key press, the Penguin may be the more suitable option. Both switches offer different experiences based on their travel distances, catering to individual preferences for typing or gaming. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on whether you prioritize a deeper or shallower key press feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) has an MSRP of $12.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) for $7.59.
The Akko Penguin has an MSRP of $4.22 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Penguin 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 Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch offers a resonant typing experience, characterized by a higher-pitched sound profile and an immersive auditory sensation. The sharp tactile bump of these switches produces a clean and sharp sound that is satisfyingly sharp, short, snappy, and punchy. On the other hand, the Akko Penguin tactile switch provides a muted typing experience, producing a softer and quieter sound ideal for office environments where noise reduction is essential. The sound profile of the Penguin switch is neutral, offering a moderate actuation force requirement suitable for various typing purposes.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch is described as featuring an accented and sharp tactility, providing a strong and crisp tactile bump that can be distinctly felt with each keypress. The medium-heavy feel of these switches, coupled with an abrupt and accentuated bottom-out, offers a distinctive and impactful typing experience. On the other hand, the Akko Penguin tactile switch offers a polished and mild typing experience, characterized by a smooth and refined finish that results in reduced friction and smooth key travel. The feathery and subtle characteristics of the Penguin switch provide a gentle typing experience suitable for extended typing sessions without causing finger fatigue.
In conclusion, the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) and Akko Penguin tactile switches offer distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Moyu Black provides a resonant and sharp typing experience with a strong tactile bump, while the Akko Penguin offers a muted and polished typing feel with a balanced tactile feedback. Depending on personal preference and typing environment, users can choose between the sharpness and impact of the Moyu Black or the smoothness and mildness of the Akko Penguin for their mechanical keyboard setup.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when deciding between the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch and the Akko Penguin tactile switch, it ultimately comes down to personal preference and the specific needs of your typing experience. If you are looking for a switch with a sharp and intense tactile feel, a unique typing experience, and a resonant sound profile, the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prioritize a quiet typing experience, a rounded tactile bump, and a polished feel with a muted sound profile, the Akko Penguin switch could be the better option. Consider your typing environment, preferences in tactile feedback, and desired level of sound when making your decision. Ultimately, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences and typing styles, so choose the one that best aligns with your individual needs as a newcomer to the world of mechanical keyboard switches.
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