Are Akko Keycaps Any Good? Read This Before You Buy!

Last Updated on November 20, 2023

Akko is a brand that has been making waves in the mechanical keyboard community in recent years. They have gained recognition for offering keycap sets that strike a balance between affordability and quality. Unlike some keycap sets that rely on group buys, Akko focuses on providing readily available keycaps for enthusiasts who want to upgrade their keyboards without the uncertainty of waiting for a group buy to complete.

In this article, we will take an in-depth look at Akko keycaps, evaluating their packaging, quality, compatibility, profiles, legends, and more. By the end, you’ll have a comprehensive understanding of whether Akko keycaps are a good fit for your mechanical keyboard setup.

Are Akko Keycaps Good?

Akko Keycaps have garnered a positive reputation within the mechanical keyboard community, striking a commendable balance between affordability and quality. One notable advantage lies in their in-stock availability, eliminating the uncertainties associated with group buys and lengthy wait times. The packaging sets Akko apart, featuring a magnetic foldable case and stem-mounted keycaps, enhancing the unboxing experience and ensuring secure transportation.

Crafted from double-shot PBT, these keycaps boast durability and resistance to shine over time. While there may be minor imperfections, such as inconsistencies in legend thickness, the overall quality and value provided at a reasonable price point, around $60 per set, make Akko Keycaps a solid choice for both seasoned enthusiasts and newcomers looking to customize their mechanical keyboards without breaking the bank.

In-Stock Keycap Options: A Game-Changer

Before delving into the specifics of Akko keycaps, it’s essential to understand the broader landscape of in-stock keycap options available in the market. The mechanical keyboard hobby has experienced explosive growth in recent years, resulting in a higher demand for keycap sets. Fortunately, this surge has led to an increase in readily available keycaps, reducing the need for group buys and long wait times.

While Amazon offers a wide range of in-stock keycaps from various brands, some prominent names in the mechanical keyboard world include:

1. MaxKey
2. Ducky
3. EPBT
4. GMK sets

The availability of in-stock options is a welcome change, as it allows enthusiasts to explore various keycap sets without the uncertainties associated with group buys.

Packaging: Setting the Stage

One of the first things you’ll notice about Akko keycaps is their packaging. Akko takes pride in presenting its keycap sets in a manner that exceeds the expectations of many enthusiasts. Let’s dive into the packaging details:

Magnetic Foldable Case

Akko keycaps come in a magnetic foldable case, which adds an element of sophistication and protection to the product. The foldable design ensures that your keycaps are securely stored, reducing the risk of damage during transportation. Compared to some other keycap sets, this packaging choice sets Akko apart and showcases their commitment to user experience.

Keycap Mounting

Keycaps in Akko sets are mounted by the stem, a common method in the mechanical keyboard world. This mounting technique allows for secure keycap placement and easy removal when needed. Each Akko keycap set includes a keycap puller, an essential tool for removing keycaps from the stem mount. While some may find this method slightly more time-consuming than dealing with GMK trays, it ensures a secure fit for your keycaps.

Protective Sleeve

A notable addition to Akko’s packaging is the protective sleeve that the case fits into. This sleeve not only adds an extra layer of protection but also contributes to the overall durability of the packaging. It’s sturdy, snug, and resistant to easy tearing, making it a thoughtful inclusion in the package.

Overall Packaging Verdict

In summary, Akko’s packaging is a standout feature of their keycap sets. The attention to detail, magnetic foldable case, stem-mounted keycaps, and protective sleeve contribute to a premium unboxing experience. While some keycaps may come loose in transit, it’s a minor issue when considering the overall packaging quality.

Quality: The Heart of Akko Keycaps

When it comes to keycaps, quality is paramount. Akko keycaps are made from double-shot PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), a durable and wear-resistant material. This choice ensures that your keycaps will maintain their integrity and resist shine over time, even with extended use.

Color Saturation and Contrast

However, the durability of PBT comes at a slight cost in terms of color saturation and contrast. When compared to ABS keycaps, PBT keycaps may appear slightly less vibrant. This difference in color quality is a trade-off for the longevity that PBT offers. Akko keycaps strike a balance in this regard, providing acceptable color saturation and contrast for the price point.

Warping: Surprisingly Minimal

Warping, a common concern with keycaps, is surprisingly minimal in Akko keycaps. Keycaps, especially larger modifiers like the right shift and enter keys, exhibit very little warping. Even the space bars, known for their susceptibility to warping, are within acceptable tolerances. This ensures that your keycap set will look and feel consistent across your keyboard.

Thickness and Stem Quality

Akko keycaps boast a decent thickness, comparable to keycaps from the renowned GMK brand. The stems of Akko keycaps also have a good thickness, contributing to their overall durability. However, it’s important to note that some stems may have visible gaps. While this hasn’t resulted in significant durability issues during testing, addressing this issue could further enhance the quality and longevity of future Akko keycap sets.

Legends and Profiles: Aesthetic Appeal and Comfort

Aesthetic appeal and comfort are vital factors in keycap design. Let’s explore how Akko keycaps fare in terms of legends and profiles:

Legend Consistency

Akko keycaps feature clean legends, but there are some noticeable inconsistencies in the thickness of the letters, particularly on modifiers. For example, caps lock may appear in a bold font compared to the shift key. The most profound example of this inconsistency is the backspace key, where the letter “k” appears thicker than the other letters. While these discrepancies may catch the eye of perfectionists, they do not significantly detract from the overall aesthetic appeal.

Profile Options: Cherry and ASA

Akko offers keycap sets in many different profiles: for example, Cherry and ASA. Both profiles have their unique characteristics, catering to a variety of user preferences.

Cherry Profile

The Cherry profile keycaps in Akko sets share most quality standards with their ASA counterparts. They exhibit minimal warping, clean legends (with minor inconsistencies), and a satisfactory thickness. The Cherry profile provides a comfortable typing experience and closely resembles the popular GMK profile.

ASA Profile

ASA profile keycaps in Akko sets maintain similar quality standards to the Cherry profile sets. However, the ASA profile introduces some differences, particularly in legends and compatibility. The larger modifiers in ASA profile sets use symbols instead of text, and text-based legends may have slight inconsistencies. Despite these differences, ASA profile keycaps do a commendable job at their price point, offering an alternative profile experience.

Profile Comparison: ASA vs. Cherry

Comparing ASA and Cherry profiles, you’ll find that ASA keycaps are shorter in height. This difference in height may be appreciated by users who prefer a lower-profile typing experience. However, it’s essential to note that ASA profile keycaps lack the novelty elements found in some GMK sets, such as novelties and custom designs.

Compatibility: Adapting to Your Keyboard

Keycap compatibility is a critical consideration for enthusiasts with various keyboard layouts. Akko keycap sets offer decent compatibility, covering standard sizes ranging from 60% to 100%. While they may not match the extensive compatibility of custom kits from group buys, they do provide a good range of options for most users.

Layout Coverage

Akko keycap sets are designed to accommodate various keyboard layouts, ensuring that your keycaps will fit your keyboard of choice. They offer coverage for standard layouts, including 60%, tenkeyless (TKL), and full-size (100%) keyboards. This flexibility makes Akko keycaps a practical choice for those with different keyboard configurations.

Split Space Bars: A Missing Element

One potential area for improvement in Akko keycap sets is the inclusion of split space bars. While this may be a preference for some users, the absence of split space bars in the sets limits the customization options. It’s worth noting that other keycap sets from brands like Ducky and Matrix may also primarily support standard layouts, thus reducing the keyboards to which you can apply those keycaps successfully.

Price and Value Proposition

At the heart of the matter is the price of Akko keycaps and whether they offer good value for money. Priced at around $60 per set, Akko keycaps position themselves as a budget-friendly option in the mechanical keyboard world. Considering the packaging quality, durability, and profile options, let’s analyze whether the price aligns with the value provided.

A Budget-Friendly Choice

For many enthusiasts, the $60 price point for Akko keycaps is an attractive proposition. It allows you to give your mechanical keyboard a fresh look and feel without breaking the bank. While there are minor imperfections in terms of stem gaps and legend consistency, these issues do not overshadow the overall value and functionality of Akko keycaps.

A Competitive Landscape

When comparing Akko keycaps to other budget-friendly options, they hold their own in terms of quality and compatibility. They are approximately 85% of the way to the quality of more premium sets like EPPT and Max Key. In comparison to GMK, a well-respected name in the mechanical keyboard community, Akko keycaps offer about 70% of the quality.

Final Verdict: A Solid Choice

In conclusion, Akko keycaps are a commendable choice for enthusiasts seeking a balance between affordability and quality. They excel in packaging, durability, and profile options, making them an appealing option for those looking to enhance their typing experience. Despite minor flaws in stem gaps and legend consistency, Akko keycaps provide excellent value for money at their $60 price point.

Whether you’re a mechanical keyboard veteran or a newcomer to the hobby, Akko keycaps offer a practical way to customize your keyboard without breaking the bank. Their availability for in-stock purchasing is a significant advantage in a market that has seen increased demand for high-quality keycap sets.

Thank you for reading this comprehensive review of Akko keycaps. If you have any further questions or need additional information about these keycaps, please refer to the description below for additional resources. Happy typing!

In summary, Akko keycaps offer a budget-friendly option for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts, balancing affordability with quality. With their attention to packaging, double-shot PBT material, and compatibility for various layouts, they provide excellent value for their price point. While some minor flaws exist, Akko keycaps are a practical choice for those looking to customize their keyboards without breaking the bank.