Haimu Neo White vs. Akko Rosewood

Overview

When it comes to choosing mechanical keyboard switches, personal preference plays a significant role, and two excellent options to consider are the Haimu Neo White and the Akko Rosewood, both linear switches that offer unique characteristics. The Neo White switches are noted for their medium weight and slightly reduced total travel, which delivers a distinctive typing feel that is particularly appealing for those looking for a smooth and efficient typing experience. The rare Ly stem contributes to an exceptionally smooth actuation, making every keystroke pleasingly satisfying. In contrast, the Akko Rosewood switches are celebrated for their deep, thocky sound—thanks to a thin layer of factory-applied lubricant—that enhances the auditory experience of typing, making it particularly enjoyable for users who appreciate sound feedback with each keystroke. While both switches cater to linear switch enthusiasts, the choice between the two ultimately boils down to whether you prioritize a smooth typing feel or a rich acoustic experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for you.

By the numbers

Haimu Neo White Linear

Akko Rosewood Linear

$2.70 per 10

$3.89

$3.11 per 10

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Housing materials

The Haimu Neo White and the Akko Rosewood switches exhibit notable differences in their top housing materials, which significantly influence their sound profiles and overall typing experiences. The Neo White utilizes polycarbonate for its top housing, a material known for its rigidity and ability to produce a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile. This quality is largely due to polycarbonate's stiffer nature, which creates a clearer and more resonant sound when the key is released. Furthermore, the translucency of polycarbonate enhances RGB lighting effects, making it a visually appealing choice for gamers and aesthetics enthusiasts alike. In contrast, the Akko Rosewood features a nylon top housing, a traditional switch material recognized for its sound-absorbing properties. The softer nylon leads to a deeper and fuller sound profile, resulting in a more muted acoustic experience that contrasts sharply with the crispness of the Neo White.

Both switches share the same material for their bottom housing, with nylon being employed in both the Neo White and the Rosewood. This commonality means that regardless of the differences in the top housing materials, both switches will provide a similar auditory experience reflecting the characteristics of nylon. The bottom housing's impact on the bottom-out sound and feel contributes significantly to the overall typing experience, imparting a deeper and rounder acoustic quality when keys are depressed. Consequently, the nylon bottom housing serves to unify the sound profile across both switch types, ensuring that users will enjoy the richness and depth typical of nylon, regardless of the different top housing materials.

In summary, the key distinctions between the Haimu Neo White and the Akko Rosewood stem primarily from their top housing materials, with polycarbonate promoting a bright and engaging sound profile, while nylon fosters a warmer and more subdued tone. On the other hand, the shared nylon bottom housing guarantees that both switches will deliver a consistently rich acoustic experience when keys bottom out. Therefore, while one can expect varied auditory experiences when pressing keys down due to the divergent top housing materials, the bottom housing will bridge the gap, allowing for a satisfying and fuller output once the keys are released.

Weight

When comparing the Haimu Neo White linear switch and the Akko Rosewood linear switch, there are notable differences in actuation and bottom out forces. The Neo White's actuation force is unknown, but its bottom out force is measured at 58 grams, indicating a medium force required to fully depress the key. In contrast, the Akko Rosewood has a known actuation force of 40 grams, making it lighter than the Neo White for the initial key actuation. Its bottom out force is also lower at 50 grams, suggesting a softer landing compared to the Neo White. Therefore, if you favor a lighter typing experience that allows for prolonged use, the Akko Rosewood would be a better choice. On the other hand, if you prefer the more substantial feel and feedback of a heavier switch, the Haimu Neo White may be more appealing, despite its unknown actuation force. Overall, the Akko Rosewood is the lighter option, while the Haimu Neo White offers a heavier response.

Travel distance

The Haimu Neo White linear switch and the Akko Rosewood linear switch differ in their travel distances, with the Neo White featuring a shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm compared to the Rosewood's 4 mm. This difference means that the Neo White may offer a more responsive feel, appealing to gamers who favor quicker keystrokes for faster reaction times. In contrast, the Rosewood's longer travel distance provides a deeper key press, which some users might find more satisfying and less abrupt. Ultimately, if you prioritize speed and responsiveness, the Neo White would be the preferable choice, whereas the Rosewood might be better suited for those who enjoy a fuller typing experience.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Haimu Neo White switch delivers a neutral audio profile, characterized by its moderate actuation force and sound output. This balance makes it an excellent choice for a wide range of users, whether you're a beginner or an experienced typist. The neutrality allows the switch to comfortably fit into various environments, from the serene atmosphere of a home office to the more dynamic noise of a shared workspace. In contrast, the Akko Rosewood switch produces a deep, satisfying thocky sound right out of the box, enhanced by a thin layer of factory-applied lubricant. This richer acoustic signature not only adds character to the keystrokes but may also provide a more engaging auditory experience, particularly for those who appreciate a pronounced sound when typing.

When exploring the feel of these switches, the Neo White offers a mild experience, providing a gentle touch that encourages comfortable typing with its medium weight and slightly reduced total travel. This makes it well-suited for prolonged use, as it strikes a balance between responsiveness and comfort. On the other hand, the feel of the Akko Rosewood switch is not detailed, leaving it open to interpretation. However, given that many linear switches tend to have smooth characteristics, it is possible that the Rosewood follows suit, potentially offering an enjoyable typing experience as well.

In conclusion, while the Haimu Neo White switch prides itself on its neutral sound profile and mild feel, making it a versatile option for many users, the Akko Rosewood switch distinguishes itself with a distinctive, thocky sound that may appeal to those seeking a more pronounced acoustic experience. Both switches can deliver enjoyable typing experiences, albeit in different ways—choosing between them will ultimately depend on personal preferences regarding sound and feel, while both serve well in their unique capacities.

Conclusion

In conclusion, choosing between the Haimu Neo White and the Akko Rosewood linear switches largely depends on your personal preferences and typing style. If you enjoy a medium-weight switch that provides a slightly reduced travel distance, the Neo White would be an excellent choice, particularly for users who favor a smooth and satisfying keystroke experience. Its neutral sound profile makes it adaptable for various environments, whether you're typing at home or in a professional setting. Conversely, if you prefer a lighter touch with a bottom-out force of 50 grams, the Akko Rosewood switch stands out with its deep, thocky sound and smooth actuation straight from the box, thanks to the factory lubricant. This switch is perfect for those who appreciate a more pronounced auditory feedback while typing. Ultimately, if a gentle typing experience combined with a versatile sound is what you're after, the Neo White will serve you well. In contrast, if you're after a more dynamic auditory experience with a lighter feel, you should go for the Rosewood. Selecting the right switch is about aligning the switch characteristics with your typing habits and sound preferences, ensuring that your keyboard experience is as enjoyable as possible.

Mentioned in this article

Haimu Neo White Linear

$2.70 per 10

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Akko Rosewood Linear

$3.89

$3.11 per 10

Learn more