Everglide Oreo vs. Akko Penguin
An in-depth look at the Everglide Oreo and the Akko Penguin switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to compare and contrast are the Everglide Oreo and the Akko Penguin. The Everglide Oreo is a tactile switch that offers a delightful typing experience with its crisp and responsive tactile bump at the top and cushioned sensation when bottoming out. This switch strikes a balance between satisfying keystrokes and comfort, along with a subtle, mellow sound profile. On the other hand, the Akko Penguin is also a tactile switch but is known for its silent operation, making it perfect for office environments where noise reduction is crucial. It features a rounded tactile bump for feedback and medium weight for a good balance between responsiveness and ease of use during long typing sessions. 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
43g
Bottom-out force
55g
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
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Everglide Oreo and the Akko Penguin, both keyboards feature a polycarbonate top housing. Polycarbonate is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its stiffness. This material is also commonly used in switches with RGB lighting due to its translucency. On the other hand, the Penguin utilizes a nylon top housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to polycarbonate. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound.
Moving on to the bottom housing, both the Oreo and the Penguin keyboards differ in material. The Oreo features a polycarbonate bottom housing, which shares similar qualities to its top housing counterparts. The stiffness of polycarbonate contributes to a clear and resonant sound profile in both the top and bottom of the switch. In contrast, the Penguin incorporates a nylon bottom housing, emphasizing a deeper and fuller sound profile with a softer plastic that absorbs more sound. This difference in bottom housing material can affect the overall typing experience and sound produced by each keyboard.
Overall, while the Everglide Oreo and the Akko Penguin have different top and bottom housing materials, they both offer unique sound profiles and typing experiences. The polycarbonate housing in the Oreo creates a sharper and crisper sound, while the nylon housing in the Penguin provides a deeper and fuller sound. The impact of the bottom housing material is felt during keypresses, affecting the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing material influences the sound when releasing a key. Both keyboards offer quality housing materials that cater to different preferences in sound profile and typing feedback.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Oreo tactile switch and the Akko Penguin tactile switch, it is clear that the Oreo is slightly lighter overall. The Oreo has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams, while the Penguin has an actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams. Both switches fall into the medium range of force, with the Oreo being on the lighter end and the Penguin being slightly heavier. The actuation force of the Oreo is slightly higher, meaning it will require a bit more pressure to initiate a keystroke compared to the Penguin. However, in terms of bottom out force, the Penguin requires more pressure to fully press the key down. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for typing feel and whether one prefers a lighter or heavier force.
Travel distance
In comparing the travel distance of the Everglide Oreo tactile switch and the Akko Penguin tactile switch, it is evident that the Oreo switch has a longer travel distance of 4 mm compared to the Penguin switch's 3.3 mm. The Oreo offers a more traditional travel distance, providing a deeper press when typing or gaming, making it ideal for those who prefer a hearty feel to their keystrokes. On the other hand, the Penguin switch's shorter travel distance caters to those seeking faster response times, such as gamers looking for quick key presses. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches boils down to personal preference - opting for the Oreo if you prefer a deeper press, and selecting the Penguin for a quicker, more responsive typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Oreo has an MSRP of $6.86 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Oreo for $4.19.
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
When it comes to sound, the Everglide Oreo tactile switch offers a chirpy and unique acoustic signature that sets it apart from other switches, adding a fun element to your typing experience. On the other hand, the Akko Penguin tactile switch provides a muted and quiet sound profile, making it ideal for office environments or shared spaces where noise reduction is a priority. Both switches offer different auditory experiences that cater to individual preferences, whether you prefer a bit of character in your keystrokes or a more discreet typing experience.
In terms of feel, the Everglide Oreo tactile switch provides an accented and stepped tactile sensation, offering a medium level of tactility that strikes a balance between being noticeable without being overwhelming. In contrast, the Akko Penguin tactile switch offers a polished and mild typing experience, with a smooth and refined finish that reduces friction for a sleek key travel. Additionally, the feathery and subtle characteristics of the Penguin switch provide a light and gentle typing feel that is comfortable for extended use without causing finger fatigue. Both switches offer unique tactile feedback that caters to different typing preferences, whether you prefer a more prominent tactile bump or a smoother key press.
Overall, the Everglide Oreo tactile switch and the Akko Penguin tactile switch offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel that cater to different preferences and environments. While the Oreo switch provides a chirpy sound and a balanced tactile feel, the Penguin switch offers a muted sound profile and a polished typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on your personal preferences for sound, feel, and typing style. Regardless of your choice, both switches offer quality tactile feedback that enhances your typing experience.
Conclusion
In closing, when choosing between the Everglide Oreo tactile switch and the Akko Penguin tactile switch, consider your typing preferences and environment. If you prioritize a crisp tactile bump with a medium-light bottom out force and a mellow sound profile, the Everglide Oreos are the way to go. On the other hand, if you need a quiet switch for office use with a rounded tactile bump and a medium bottom out force, the Akko Penguins are your best bet. Ultimately, the decision should come down to whether you value a more pronounced tactility and sound profile (Oreo) or a quieter typing experience with a balance of comfort and responsiveness (Penguin). Choose wisely based on your specific needs and enjoy the satisfying typing experience these switches have to offer.
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