Outemu Spring Breeze vs. Akko Penguin
An in-depth look at the Outemu Spring Breeze and the Akko Penguin switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Spring Breeze and the Akko Penguin stand out as two popular options, each offering unique features to cater to different preferences. The Spring Breeze, a clicky switch, is known for its springy and responsive typing experience. On the other hand, the Akko Penguin, a tactile switch, is recognized for its silent operation, making it a suitable choice for office environments where noise reduction is essential. The Spring Breeze provides a satisfying click with each press, while the Penguin offers a smooth tactile bump for a more subtle feedback. While the Spring Breeze is categorized as lively and vibrant, the Akko Penguin falls under a category of polished, muted, mild, neutral, feathery, and subtle switches. 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
40g
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
1.50 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
Nylon
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 Outemu Spring Breeze and the Akko Penguin both feature top and bottom housings made of nylon, which is known for its ability to create a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature that absorbs more sound. This shared housing material ensures that both switches will produce a similar duller and rounder sound quality when typing.
However, despite both switches utilizing nylon for their housing materials, the Spring Breeze and Penguin may differ in the specific design and construction of their housings. The differences in the top and bottom housings of each switch can impact the overall sound and feel of typing on the keyboard. The qualities of the bottom housing, responsible for the bottom-out sound and feel, may vary between the two switches, leading to potential differences in typing experience.
Overall, while the Outemu Spring Breeze and the Akko Penguin share the same nylon housing material, the specific design and construction of their top and bottom housings may lead to subtle variations in typing sound and feel. It is essential for users to consider these differences when selecting a switch, as they can have a significant impact on the overall typing experience and preference for sound profiles.
Weight
When comparing the Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch and the Akko Penguin tactile switch, it is clear that the Spring Breeze has a lighter actuation force of 40 grams compared to the Penguin's 43 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Spring Breeze requires 55 grams while the Penguin needs 60 grams, making the Spring Breeze the lighter option in both categories. Both switches fall within the medium-light to medium range, providing a comfortable typing experience for users who prefer a lighter touch. Ultimately, if a user enjoys a slightly lighter actuation and bottom out force, the Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch would be the better choice.
Travel distance
The Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch has a travel distance of 4mm, while the Akko Penguin tactile switch has a shorter travel distance of 3.3mm. This means that the Spring Breeze has a longer travel distance compared to the Penguin. The 4mm travel distance of the Spring Breeze is a more traditional distance, offering a deeper key press feel, which may be preferred by some users. On the other hand, the 3.3mm travel distance of the Penguin provides a shorter and potentially faster key press response, making it a popular choice among gamers looking for quick reactions. Both switches offer different experiences in terms of travel distance, catering to the preferences of users who may prioritize depth in their key press or quicker response times. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for travel distance.
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 Spring Breeze 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 Spring Breeze clicky switch is known for producing a traditional clicky sound, giving a satisfying auditory feedback with every keystroke. On the other hand, the Akko Penguin tactile switch offers a muted sound profile, making it a great choice for environments where noise reduction is important. Both switches cater to different preferences in terms of sound, with the Spring Breeze providing a classic mechanical keyboard experience and the Penguin offering a more subtle and quiet typing experience.
In regard to feel, the Spring Breeze switch does not have specific descriptors provided, but typically clicky switches offer a tactile and audible response. The Akko Penguin tactile switch, on the other hand, is described as polished, offering a smooth typing experience. Additionally, it is characterized as mild, feathery, and subtle, indicating that it provides a gentle typing feel with reduced friction and a light actuation force. This makes the Penguin switch comfortable for extended typing sessions and suitable for shared spaces due to its quiet and gentle characteristics.
Overall, the Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch and the Akko Penguin tactile switch offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Spring Breeze provides a traditional clicky sound and tactile response, the Akko Penguin switch focuses on providing a quiet and smooth typing experience with a lighter actuation force. Depending on personal preference and the intended use case, both switches offer unique advantages. Whether you prefer the classic clicky sound or a more subtle and quiet typing experience, both switches cater to different needs and preferences in the mechanical keyboard community.
Conclusion
In closing, when choosing between the Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch and the Akko Penguin tactile switch, it ultimately comes down to your preference for typing experience. If you enjoy a clicky switch with a medium-light bottom out force and are looking for a switch without a specific standout feature, the Spring Breeze may be the way to go. On the other hand, if you prefer a tactile switch with a medium bottom out force that prioritizes a muted sound profile and a polished typing feel, the Akko Penguin is the perfect option, especially for office environments where noise reduction is important. Ultimately, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different typing preferences, so consider your desired typing experience and noise levels before making your decision.
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