Durock Sea Glass vs. Akko V3 Silver Pro
An in-depth look at the Durock Sea Glass and the Akko V3 Silver Pro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Durock Sea Glass and Akko V3 Silver Pro both offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences. The Durock Sea Glass stands out with its captivating pastel colors and distinct dry, wispy typing experience. Despite its 62g bottom-out force, these switches feel weightless and emit a uniquely hollow sound. On the other hand, the Akko V3 Silver Pro switches are designed specifically for gamers, offering effortless keystrokes with a pleasing bassy sound. With a light actuation force and shortened travel distance, these switches excel in scenarios where speed is essential. 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
40g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
P3+
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
13.8mm spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Durock Sea Glass and the Akko V3 Silver Pro switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences in sound profiles. The Sea Glass's Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend top housing provide a pleasant and bright sound profile that is not particularly sharp. In contrast, the V3 Silver Pro's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper and crisper sound profile, making it ideal for those who enjoy a high-pitched sound. While the Sea Glass's bottom housing shares the same unique blend as the top, offering a pleasant and bright sound profile, the V3 Silver Pro's nylon bottom housing elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic composition.
Although the top and bottom housing materials of the Sea Glass and the V3 Silver Pro switches differ in composition, they both play crucial roles in shaping the overall sound and feel of the switches. The blend of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE in the Sea Glass's top and bottom housing provides a consistent and pleasant sound profile that leans towards the brighter side. On the other hand, the V3 Silver Pro's polycarbonate top housing delivers a sharper and crisper sound, while the nylon bottom housing contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile. These differences in housing materials allow users to choose switches based on their preferred sound characteristics, whether it be a brighter and sharper tone or a deeper and fuller sound.
Ultimately, the choice between the Durock Sea Glass and the Akko V3 Silver Pro switches will depend on individual preferences for sound profiles. The Sea Glass's unique Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend housing provides a pleasant and bright sound experience, while the V3 Silver Pro's polycarbonate and nylon housing offer sharper and deeper tones, respectively. If a user values a consistent and bright sound profile, the Sea Glass may be the ideal choice. In contrast, those who prefer a sharper and crisper sound may lean towards the V3 Silver Pro. Both switches offer distinct qualities that cater to different preferences, allowing users to customize their typing experience based on their desired sound signature.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Sea Glass linear switch and the Akko V3 Silver Pro linear switch, it is clear that the Sea Glass requires a slightly heavier force for both actuation and bottom out compared to the Silver Pro. The Sea Glass has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 62 grams, while the Silver Pro has an actuation force of 40 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams. This means that the Sea Glass provides a more substantial typing experience with a bit more resistance, ideal for those who prefer a stronger push feel. On the other hand, the Silver Pro offers a lighter touch, making it a great choice for users looking for a smoother and lighter typing experience, suitable for longer typing sessions or intense gaming sessions. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Durock Sea Glass linear switch and the Akko V3 Silver Pro linear switch, it becomes evident that the Sea Glass has a longer travel distance of 3.8 mm compared to the V3 Silver Pro with a travel distance of 3.3 mm. These differences may seem slight, but they can have a significant impact on the typing experience. Gamers looking for faster response times may prefer the shorter travel distance of the V3 Silver Pro, while those who appreciate a more substantial keypress may opt for the Sea Glass. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences regarding typing feel and responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Sea Glass has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sea Glass for $4.87.
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.
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
In terms of sound, the Durock Sea Glass switch is known for its uniquely hollow sound signature, which adds a touch of airiness and dryness to the typing experience. On the other hand, the Akko V3 Silver Pro switch produces a pleasing bassy sound that is described as high-pitched, providing a sharp and crisp sound when pressed. Depending on personal preference, users can choose between the distinct sound profiles offered by these switches.
Moving on to feel, the Sea Glass switch is noted for its frictionless and feathery qualities, offering a smooth and effortless typing experience with minimal resistance. Additionally, its mild characteristics make it approachable to most users. Conversely, the Akko V3 Silver Pro switch is also easy-to-press and feathery, reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. Moreover, its creamy and polished attributes contribute to a smooth and refined typing experience, enhancing the overall feel of the switches.
Overall, while both the Durock Sea Glass linear switch and the Akko V3 Silver Pro linear switch offer smooth and effortless typing experiences, they present different sound profiles and tactile qualities. Users looking for a hollow and airy sound signature with a frictionless feel may prefer the Sea Glass switch, while those seeking a pleasing bassy sound with a creamy and polished typing experience may lean towards the V3 Silver Pro switch. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and typing experience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when considering whether to choose the Durock Sea Glass linear switch or the Akko V3 Silver Pro linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and intended use. If you prioritize a unique and weightless typing experience with a distinct dryness and wispiness, along with a hollow sound signature, the Sea Glass switch may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you are a gamer seeking switches engineered for speed and responsiveness, with a light actuation force and a pleasing bassy sound, the V3 Silver Pro switch could be the better option. Both switches offer smooth typing experiences, with the Sea Glass providing a frictionless feel and the V3 Silver Pro offering a creamy and polished sensation. Ultimately, consider your typing style, preferences, and usage scenarios to determine which switch suits you best.
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