Cherry Nixie vs. Akko V3 Piano Pro
An in-depth look at the Cherry Nixie and the Akko V3 Piano Pro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Cherry Nixie and the Akko V3 Piano Pro both stand out for their unique characteristics. The Cherry Nixie is renowned for its substantial heft and textured typing experience, thanks to its updated materials and springs from Cherry's recent MX2A update. On the other hand, the Akko V3 Piano Pro features a distinctive snappy sound signature and smooth actuation, providing a lively and crisp quality to each keystroke. While the Cherry Nixie is categorized as textured, thocky, and low-pitched, the Akko V3 Piano Pro is labeled as bouncy, clacky, creamy, polished, resonant, and silky. Each switch offers its own set of advantages, making them appealing options for different preferences. 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
63.5g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
80g
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
Nylon
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
20mm spring
Housing materials
Both the Cherry Nixie and the Akko V3 Piano Pro utilize nylon as the material for their top and bottom switch housings. This choice of material is known to create a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing on the switches. The softer nature of nylon allows it to absorb more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound compared to harder plastics. This similarity in housing material suggests that users can expect a similar typing experience in terms of sound and feel when using either of these keyboards.
Despite both keyboards featuring nylon housing for their switches, the Cherry Nixie and Akko V3 Piano Pro may still exhibit slightly different sound characteristics due to other design factors. The qualities each housing material brings to the overall sound profile may be emphasized differently in each keyboard. For instance, the bottom housing of a switch tends to have more impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing influences the sound when a key is released. Therefore, while the nylon housing material may create a similar base sound profile, subtle differences in typing experience may still be present between the two keyboards.
In conclusion, the housing materials of the Cherry Nixie and Akko V3 Piano Pro play a significant role in shaping the sound profile of the switches. Both keyboards use nylon for their top and bottom switch housings, which results in a deeper and fuller sound experience when typing. While these similarities in material choice suggest comparable sound characteristics, differences in overall design could lead to subtle variations in typing feel and sound output between the two keyboards. Ultimately, users may need to consider these nuances along with other factors when deciding between the Cherry Nixie and the Akko V3 Piano Pro.
Weight
The Cherry Nixie linear switch has a heavier actuation force of 63.5 grams compared to the Akko V3 Piano Pro linear switch, which has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams. Similarly, the Cherry Nixie has a heavier bottom out force of 80 grams, while the Akko V3 Piano Pro has a lighter bottom out force of 55 grams. The Nixie provides a more substantial typing experience with its heavier forces, making it suitable for those who prefer a stronger push feel. On the other hand, the V3 Piano Pro offers a lighter typing experience, perfect for longer typing sessions or gaming sessions where fatigue may be a concern. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for typing force and typing experience.
Travel distance
The Cherry Nixie linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Akko V3 Piano Pro linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. In this case, the V3 Piano Pro has a shorter travel distance compared to the Nixie. The Nixie's 4 mm travel distance is more traditional, offering a deeper key press feel, while the V3 Piano Pro's 3.5 mm travel distance is shallower, providing a faster response time that gamers may prefer. Both switches offer different experiences based on their travel distance, with the Nixie being on the longer end and the V3 Piano Pro on the shorter end. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on individual preferences for key press depth and responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Cherry Nixie has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Nixie for $4.15.
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 Cherry Nixie linear switch is known for its thocky and low-pitched sound profile, offering a deep and satisfying auditory experience with a bass-heavy tone. On the other hand, the Akko V3 Piano Pro linear switch provides a clacky and resonant sound, giving off a sharp and lively sound with a higher-pitched clean and sharp profile. Both switches offer unique sound characteristics that can enhance the overall typing experience, catering to different preferences in sound aesthetics.
Moving on to the feel, the Cherry Nixie switch is recognized for its textured typing experience, providing a noticeable friction when pressed which can appeal to users who prefer a bit of resistance in their keystrokes. In contrast, the Akko V3 Piano Pro switch offers a bouncy and creamy sensation, giving a spring-like feedback with smooth and buttery typing experience. Additionally, the Piano Pro switch is described as polished and silky, offering a refined finish with minimal resistance and smooth key travel. Both switches present distinct tactile qualities that can affect the typing feel and satisfaction for users.
Taking all the available information into consideration, it's evident that the Cherry Nixie linear switch and the Akko V3 Piano Pro linear switch offer contrasting subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Nixie provides a thocky and low-pitched sound with a textured typing experience, the Piano Pro delivers a clacky and resonant sound alongside a bouncy and creamy feel. Depending on personal preferences, users can choose between the robust and traditional feel of the Nixie or the lively and smooth typing experience of the Piano Pro. Ultimately, both switches have their unique features that can cater to different typing styles and preferences, ensuring an enjoyable and customized mechanical keyboard experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering whether to choose the Cherry Nixie linear switch or the Akko V3 Piano Pro linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences in terms of typing experience. If you prefer a heavier bottom out force and a more traditional, substantial typing feel with a textured feedback, the Cherry Nixie switch would be the way to go. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force, a snappy sound signature, and a smooth, bouncy, and creamy typing sensation, then the Akko V3 Piano Pro switch would be more suitable for you. Both switches have their unique qualities, so consider what aspects are most important to you when making your decision.
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