Kailh NovelKeys Cream vs. Akko V3 Silver Pro
An in-depth look at the Kailh NovelKeys Cream and the Akko V3 Silver Pro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When looking for a mechanical keyboard switch, the choice between the Kailh NovelKeys Cream and the Akko V3 Silver Pro can be a tough decision. The NovelKeys Cream offers a heftier and deeper typing experience, making it perfect for those who enjoy a more substantial feel while typing. On the other hand, the Akko V3 Silver Pro is specifically designed for gamers, with effortless keystrokes and a pleasing bassy sound. The V3 Silver Pro also boasts light actuation force and shortened travel distance, ideal for competitive gaming where every millisecond matters. 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
55g
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
70g
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
13.8mm spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Kailh NovelKeys Cream and the Akko V3 Silver Pro switches offer distinct sound profiles due to their different material compositions. The Cream's POM top housing produces a deeper and more muted sound, while the Silver Pro's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper and higher-pitched sound. This contrast in sound profile is attributed to the stiffness of polycarbonate, which enhances clarity and resonance in the Silver Pro switch. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches intended for RGB lighting applications, adding a visual element to the auditory experience.
On the other hand, the bottom housing materials of the NovelKeys Cream and the Akko V3 Silver Pro switches contribute to the overall sound profile in different ways. The Cream's POM bottom housing maintains the pleasing and unique sound profile for a deeper and more muted typing experience. In contrast, the Silver Pro's nylon bottom housing offers a softer material that absorbs more sound, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. This difference in material properties affects the overall sound and feel of typing on each switch, with the bottom housing influencing the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing impacts the sound when releasing a key.
In summary, the housing materials of the Kailh NovelKeys Cream and the Akko V3 Silver Pro switches play a significant role in determining the sound profile and typing experience of each switch. While the Cream utilizes POM for both top and bottom housings to create a unique and pleasing sound, the Silver Pro combines polycarbonate and nylon to achieve a sharper, higher-pitched sound with a deeper and fuller bottom-out sound. The distinct characteristics of each housing material highlight the importance of material selection in customizing the sound and feel of mechanical keyboards.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Kailh NovelKeys Cream linear switch and the Akko V3 Silver Pro linear switch, it is evident that the NovelKeys Cream has a heavier feel compared to the lighter Akko V3 Silver Pro. The NovelKeys Cream requires an actuation force of 55 grams and a bottom out force of 70 grams, making it a medium-heavy switch. On the other hand, the V3 Silver Pro has a lighter actuation force of 40 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, which is considered to be a light switch. The NovelKeys Cream will provide a more substantial typing experience due to its heavier forces, while the Akko V3 Silver Pro is more suitable for those who prefer a lighter touch for longer typing or gaming sessions. However, if both switches had the same actuation and bottom out forces, users would experience similar results regardless of the switch chosen. Ultimately, the weight of a switch is an important factor to consider based on personal preference and individual typing needs.
Travel distance
The Kailh NovelKeys Cream linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Akko V3 Silver Pro linear switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm. This means that the NovelKeys Cream has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the V3 Silver Pro. In terms of typing experience, the shorter travel distance of the V3 Silver Pro may appeal to those looking for a faster response time, especially gamers. On the other hand, the longer travel distance of the NovelKeys Cream may provide a more satisfying depth to the key press for users who prefer a more pronounced feel. Both switches offer unique benefits depending on personal preference, with the NovelKeys Cream offering a longer travel distance and the V3 Silver Pro providing a shorter travel distance for different typing experiences.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Kailh NovelKeys Cream has an MSRP of $6.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the NovelKeys Cream for $6.25.
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 Kailh NovelKeys Cream switch offers a low-pitched and resonant sound profile, creating a deep and immersive typing experience. In contrast, the Akko V3 Silver Pro switch produces a high-pitched and crisp sound, catering to those who prefer sharper auditory feedback. The choice between these two switches would ultimately depend on personal preference, with the Cream switch providing a bass-heavy and mellow tone, while the V3 Silver Pro switch offering a sharper and more distinguished sound.
In terms of feel, the NovelKeys Cream switch is described as buttery, textured, and invigorating, providing a smooth, fluid keystroke experience with pronounced feedback. On the other hand, the Akko V3 Silver Pro switch is known for being easy-to-press, creamy, feathery, polished, and silky, offering a light actuation force and a smooth, buttery typing sensation. Both switches aim to enhance the typing experience by reducing finger fatigue and providing a comfortable and responsive feel, with the Cream switch focusing more on feedback and the V3 Silver Pro switch emphasizing effortless typing with minimal resistance.
In conclusion, the Kailh NovelKeys Cream and Akko V3 Silver Pro switches offer distinct sound and feel qualities that cater to different preferences. The Cream switch excels in providing a deep, resonant sound with a buttery and invigorating typing feel, while the V3 Silver Pro switch prioritizes a light actuation force and a creamy, silky typing experience. Depending on whether you prefer a bass-heavy, textured typing experience or a sharp, easy-to-press feel, you can achieve similar results in terms of sound and feel with these two switches, ultimately enhancing your overall typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are someone who prefers a medium-heavy typing experience with a deep sound profile, you may want to choose the Kailh NovelKeys Cream linear switch. On the other hand, if you are a gamer looking for a light and responsive typing feel with a pleasing bassy sound, the Akko V3 Silver Pro linear switch would be more suitable for you. Consider your preferences for bottom out force, sound profile, and typing feel when selecting between these two switches. Ultimately, your decision should be based on what best fits your typing style and usage scenarios.
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