Akko Penguin vs. KTT Strawberry
An in-depth look at the Akko Penguin and the KTT Strawberry switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Akko Penguin and KTT Strawberry stand out as popular choices for enthusiasts seeking a premium typing experience. The Akko Penguin is a tactile switch designed for those who prioritize a silent and satisfying typing experience, making it ideal for office environments where noise reduction is a priority. On the other hand, the KTT Strawberry offers a smooth and comfortable linear feel, with a sleek pink and clear housing that adds a touch of flair to any keyboard. While the Penguin excels in providing a rounded tactile bump and medium weight for prolonged typing sessions, the Strawberry offers a low-pitched, buttery smooth actuation that ensures a consistent and responsive performance. 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
43g
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Akko Penguin and the KTT Strawberry, it is evident that they both use different materials for their top and bottom housings. The Penguin utilizes nylon for both the top and bottom housing, resulting in a softer and fuller sound profile. On the other hand, the Strawberry employs polycarbonate for both the top and bottom housing, creating a sharper and crisper sound profile. While both materials offer unique sound profiles, nylon absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound, while polycarbonate's stiffness leads to a clearer and more resonant sound.
Despite the differences in their housing materials, both the Akko Penguin and the KTT Strawberry aim to enhance the typing experience through the unique characteristics of their respective materials. The nylon top and bottom housing of the Penguin provide a deeper and fuller sound profile, contributing to a more tactile typing experience. In contrast, the polycarbonate top and bottom housing of the Strawberry produce a sharper and higher-pitched sound, adding a level of crispness to each keystroke. While the sound profiles may differ, both switches offer a satisfying typing experience tailored to individual preferences.
Overall, the choice between the Akko Penguin and the KTT Strawberry ultimately comes down to personal preference in terms of sound profile and typing feel. The split between the top and bottom housings in each switch allows for a more nuanced typing experience, with the bottom housing impacting the bottom-out sound and feel and the top housing influencing the sound upon key release. Whether one prefers the softer and fuller sound of nylon in the Penguin or the sharper and crisper sound of polycarbonate in the Strawberry, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different typing styles and preferences. Ultimately, the decision between the two will depend on the individual's preference for sound profile and overall typing experience.
Weight
Both the Akko Penguin tactile switch and the KTT Strawberry linear switch have an actuation force of 43 grams, making them equally light in terms of triggering a keystroke. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Akko Penguin requires 60 grams, while the KTT Strawberry needs 62 grams, making the Strawberry slightly heavier in terms of pressing all the way down. For users who prefer a lighter touch to type for longer periods, the Akko Penguin may be the better choice. On the other hand, those who prefer a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel may lean towards the KTT Strawberry. Overall, the slight difference in bottom out force may not be significant for many users, as both switches offer a similar actuation force and overall comfortable typing experience.
Travel distance
Comparing the travel distance of the Akko Penguin tactile switch and the KTT Strawberry linear switch, the Penguin has a shorter travel distance of 3.3 mm, while the Strawberry has a longer travel distance of 4 mm. The Penguin's 3.3 mm travel distance makes it ideal for those looking for a faster response time, such as gamers. On the other hand, the Strawberry's 4 mm travel distance provides a deeper key press that some users may find more satisfying. Both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with the Penguin being on the shorter end and the Strawberry being on the longer end. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference for either a shorter, more responsive key press or a deeper, more pronounced typing experience.
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 KTT Strawberry comes in at $4.91 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 Akko Penguin tactile switch offers a muted and neutral experience, producing softer and quieter keystrokes compared to regular switches. This makes them an excellent choice for environments where noise reduction is important, such as shared workspaces or offices. In contrast, the KTT Strawberry linear switch is described as low-pitched, providing a more bass-heavy and mellow tone. Both switches offer unique sound profiles that cater to different preferences, with the Penguin focusing on minimizing noise while the Strawberry offers a distinct low-pitched sound.
In terms of feel, the Akko Penguin tactile switch is described as polished, mild, feathery, and subtle, offering a smooth and gentle typing experience with a light actuation force that reduces finger fatigue. The switch strikes a balance between comfort and responsiveness, making it suitable for extended typing sessions. On the other hand, the KTT Strawberry linear switch is described as frictionless, silky, buttery, and polished, providing an exceptionally smooth and effortless typing experience with minimal resistance or friction. Both switches offer a luxurious typing feel, with the Penguin focusing on lightness and comfort, while the Strawberry emphasizes smoothness and fluidity.
In conclusion, the Akko Penguin tactile switch and the KTT Strawberry linear switch offer unique subjective qualities that cater to different preferences. The Penguin excels in providing a quiet and comfortable typing experience, making it ideal for office use or environments where noise reduction is important. On the other hand, the Strawberry stands out for its smooth and luxurious feel, offering a satisfying typing experience with minimal resistance. Both switches offer distinct sound and feel profiles that will enhance your typing experience, ensuring that you get a premium and enjoyable mechanical keyboard experience with either choice.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Akko Penguin tactile switch and KTT Strawberry linear switch, consider your environment and preferences. If you value a silent typing experience and a rounded tactile bump for feedback, the Akko Penguin switch is the way to go, especially in office settings where noise reduction is important. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth actuation with low-pitched switch sounds and a frictionless typing feel, the KTT Strawberry switch is a great option for a comfortable and reliable typing experience. Ultimately, choosing between these switches depends on your personal preferences and typing needs, so consider the qualities that matter most to you before making your decision.
Mentioned in this article
