Outemu Silent Grey vs. Akko V3 Silver Pro
An in-depth look at the Outemu Silent Grey and the Akko V3 Silver Pro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Silent Grey and Akko V3 Silver Pro stand out as popular options with distinct characteristics. The Outemu Silent Grey is a tactile switch known for providing a quiet and satisfying typing experience with its pronounced bump and smooth keystroke. On the other hand, the Akko V3 Silver Pro is a linear switch designed for gamers, offering effortless keystrokes and a pleasing bassy sound. While the Silent Grey excels in tactile feedback and silence, the V3 Silver Pro boasts light actuation force and shortened travel distance, making it ideal for competitive gaming. 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
50g
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Pre-travel
1.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
13.8mm spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Outemu Silent Grey and the Akko V3 Silver Pro, it is clear that both switches utilize polycarbonate for their top housings. Polycarbonate is known for creating a sharp, higher-pitched sound profile due to its stiffness, making it ideal for switches that are intended to produce clear and resonant sound. Additionally, its translucency allows for the incorporation of RGB lighting, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the switches. As a result, users can expect similar sound and visual effects from both the Silent Grey and the V3 Silver Pro when it comes to their top housings.
However, the key point of differentiation lies in the bottom housing material used in each switch. The Silent Grey features a nylon bottom housing, which is known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is because nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound compared to the sharper sound produced by polycarbonate. On the other hand, the V3 Silver Pro also utilizes a nylon bottom housing, showcasing a similar emphasis on creating a rich sound experience through the use of a softer plastic material. Despite the differences in top housing materials, the nylon bottom housings of both switches contribute to delivering a unique typing experience characterized by a deeper and fuller sound profile.
Ultimately, the combination of polycarbonate top housings and nylon bottom housings in both the Outemu Silent Grey and the Akko V3 Silver Pro ensures a balanced and harmonious typing experience. While the materials used in the top housings create a sharp and clear sound profile, the bottom housings with their softer nylon material serve to enhance the depth and richness of the sound produced. This division of qualities between the top and bottom housings highlights the importance of balancing stiffness and absorption in switch design to achieve the desired sound and tactile feedback for users. Whether it is the Silent Grey or the V3 Silver Pro, users can expect a well-rounded typing experience that combines the best of both polycarbonate and nylon housing materials.
Weight
In comparing the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch and the Akko V3 Silver Pro linear switch, it is evident that the Silent Grey has a heavier actuation and bottom out force compared to the V3 Silver Pro. The Silent Grey requires 50 grams of force for actuation and 65 grams for bottoming out, providing a medium-heavy typing experience. On the other hand, the V3 Silver Pro only needs 40 grams to actuate and 45 grams to bottom out, making it a lighter option. Those who prefer a more substantial typing experience may lean towards the Silent Grey, while those who enjoy a lighter touch may prefer the V3 Silver Pro. Both switches, however, offer a different typing experience based on their actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch has a longer travel distance of 4 mm compared to the Akko V3 Silver Pro linear switch, which has a shorter travel distance of 3.3 mm. The Silent Grey's 4 mm travel distance offers a deeper press, making it ideal for those who prefer a more substantial key feel. On the other hand, the V3 Silver Pro's 3.3 mm travel distance provides a quicker response time, which is favored by gamers looking for faster keystroke inputs. Both switches offer different experiences based on their travel distances, but ultimately the choice between the two comes down to personal preference for either depth or speed.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
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.
The Outemu Silent Grey 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 Silent Grey switch is known for its quiet and subtle typing experience, making it ideal for environments where noise may be a concern. On the other hand, the Akko V3 Silver Pro switch is characterized by a high-pitched sound profile that provides a sharp and crisp auditory feedback with each keystroke, which can be pleasing for gaming enthusiasts who enjoy a more pronounced sound. Both switches offer unique sound profiles that cater to different preferences, so the choice between them ultimately comes down to personal preference and the overall sound profile desired for your typing experience.
In terms of feel, the Outemu Silent Grey switch is recognized for its tactile bump and smooth keystroke, providing a satisfying typing experience for those who enjoy a pronounced tactile feedback. On the contrary, the Akko V3 Silver Pro switch is designed with a light actuation force and shortened travel distance, offering an easy-to-press and effortless typing experience that is particularly beneficial for gaming scenarios where quick and precise inputs are crucial. The V3 Silver Pro switch also boasts additional descriptors such as creamy, feathery, polished, and silky, enhancing the overall typing feel with a smooth and refined sensation. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preference for typing feel, with the Silent Grey offering a more tactile experience and the V3 Silver Pro providing a smoother and lighter touch.
In conclusion, the Outemu Silent Grey switch excels in providing a quiet and tactile typing experience, while the Akko V3 Silver Pro switch offers a light and smooth typing feel with a high-pitched sound profile. Both switches have their unique qualities that cater to different preferences and use cases, so it is important to consider factors such as sound profile, typing feel, and intended usage when choosing between them. With the information provided, users can expect to achieve similar results in terms of overall typing experience as both switches provide unique characteristics that enhance the typing feel in their own ways.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch and the Akko V3 Silver Pro linear switch, consider the type of experience you are looking for. If you prioritize a quiet and highly tactile typing experience with a medium-heavy bottom out force, the Silent Grey switch is the way to go. On the other hand, if you are a gamer seeking light and easy-to-press switches with a pleasing bassy sound, the V3 Silver Pro switch is the better choice. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your preference for touch and sound, as well as the specific use case for your mechanical keyboard. Choose wisely to enhance your typing or gaming experience.
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