Outemu Crystal Brown vs. Akko Penguin
An in-depth look at the Outemu Crystal Brown and the Akko Penguin switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Outemu Crystal Brown and Akko Penguin are both popular options for those who prefer a tactile typing experience. The Crystal Brown is known for its versatile performance, while the Akko Penguin is recognized for its silent tactile feedback, making it perfect for office environments where noise reduction is essential. The Crystal Brown offers a tactile typing experience without being too loud, while the Akko Penguin features a rounded tactile bump for satisfying feedback with minimal noise. 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
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Outemu Crystal Brown and the Akko Penguin switches offer unique sound profiles due to their different compositions. The Crystal Brown's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper and crisper sound, while the Penguin's nylon top housing produces a deeper and fuller sound. This contrast in sound profiles can influence the overall typing experience and preference for users. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate allows for RGB lighting effects, adding another layer of customization for enthusiasts.
In terms of the bottom housing, both the Crystal Brown and Penguin switches utilize nylon. This choice of material results in a deeper and fuller sound profile for both switches. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound, leading to a duller and rounder sound compared to harder plastics. This similarity in bottom housing material may result in a similar typing experience in terms of sound, but other factors such as key feel and overall build quality can still vary between the two switches.
When considering the impact of housing materials on switch performance, it is important to note how the qualities of each material are distributed throughout the switch. The bottom housing's impact is more prominent during the keypress, affecting the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing influences the sound when the key is released. Understanding this split in qualities can help users determine their preferences based on typing feel, sound, and overall user experience when using switches with different housing materials like the Crystal Brown and Penguin.
Weight
In comparing the Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch and the Akko Penguin tactile switch, we can see that the Crystal Brown is slightly lighter with an actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Penguin's 43 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Crystal Brown requires 55 grams while the Penguin demands 60 grams, making the Penguin the heavier option. Both switches fall into the medium-light category for actuation force, but the Crystal Brown is lighter in terms of bottom out force. For those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing sessions, the Crystal Brown may be the better choice. However, for users who appreciate the feeling of a more substantial push when typing, the Penguin's slightly heavier bottom out force may be more appealing. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Akko Penguin tactile switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.3 mm. This means that the Crystal Brown offers a slightly longer key press compared to the Penguin switch. The 4.0mm travel distance of the Crystal Brown is more traditional, providing a comfortable amount of depth for typing or gaming. On the other hand, the 3.3mm travel distance of the Penguin switch may appeal to those looking for a quicker response time, such as gamers. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference, with the Crystal Brown offering a longer travel distance for a more substantial key press and the Penguin providing a slightly shorter travel distance for a quicker response.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
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.
The Outemu Crystal Brown comes in at $3.10 per 10 switches.
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 Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch is known for its lack of distinct characteristics. In contrast, the Akko Penguin tactile switch is recognized for its muted sound profile, which is quieter and softer compared to regular mechanical switches. This makes the Penguin switches a suitable choice for office environments or shared spaces where noise reduction is important. Keep in mind that the overall sound produced by a switch is influenced by factors such as the keyboard structure and keycaps used.
Moving on to feel, the Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch doesn't have specific descriptors provided, making it more challenging to compare directly to the Akko Penguin tactile switch. The Penguin switch, on the other hand, is described as polished, mild, feathery, and subtle. This indicates that the Akko Penguin offers a smooth typing experience with reduced friction, gentle keypresses, light actuation force, and a comfortable feel suitable for extended typing sessions.
In conclusion, the Outemu Crystal Brown and Akko Penguin tactile switches offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Crystal Brown may lack distinct characteristics in sound and feel, the Akko Penguin stands out for its quiet and polished typing experience with light actuation force. Depending on individual preferences and typing needs, both switches can provide satisfactory results, with the Crystal Brown offering a more neutral experience and the Penguin catering to those seeking a quieter and smoother typing feel.
Conclusion
In closing, if you are looking for a tactile switch with a medium bottom out force and a more traditional tactile bump for a satisfying typing experience, the Outemu Crystal Brown switch would be a good choice. On the other hand, if you prioritize a silent typing experience for office environments with a slightly heavier bottom out force, the Akko Penguin switch would be more suitable. Consider your preferences for noise level, typing feel, and bottom out force when deciding between these two switches to find the one that best suits your needs. Ultimately, both the Crystal Brown and Penguin switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences, so choose wisely based on your specific requirements.
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