Last Updated on September 9, 2023
Are you in the market for new switches for your mechanical keyboard? If so, you may have come across Akko switches and are wondering, “Are Akko switches good?” In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the world of Akko switches, covering their linear and tactile options, their unique features, and which switches might be the best fit for you.
A Brief History of Akko
Akko, a prominent brand in the mechanical keyboard world, has steadily gained recognition for its innovative and unique switches. Founded in 2014, Akko has its roots in China and quickly expanded its reach to international markets. What sets Akko apart is its dedication to crafting switches that cater to a wide range of preferences, from gamers seeking swift keystrokes to typists craving tactile feedback.
Why Choose Akko Switches?
Choosing the right mechanical switch is crucial for your typing or gaming experience. Akko switches offer several advantages:
- Diverse Selection: Akko offers a wide variety of switches, ensuring there’s a switch to match your specific preferences.
- Affordability: Many Akko switches are budget-friendly, making them accessible to a broader audience.
- Innovative Designs: Akko switches are known for their unique characteristics, including distinctive tactile feedback and sound profiles.
- Customization: Akko switches can be easily modded and customized to suit your preferences, from lubing for smoother keystrokes to sound dampening for a quieter typing experience.
In the following sections, we’ll delve into the specific features and performance of Akko switches, both linear and tactile.
Akko Linear Switches
Let’s start by exploring Akko’s linear switches, known for their smooth and consistent keystrokes. Linear switches lack the tactile bump that is characteristic of tactile switches, offering a straight and consistent keypress from start to finish.
1. Akko Jelly Black
- Weight: 50g
- Pre-Travel: 1.9mm
- Price: $12 for 45 switches
The Akko Jelly Black switches are renowned for their weight and thocky feel. With a 50g actuation force and 1.9mm pre-travel distance, they provide a satisfying typing experience. What sets them apart is the dust-proof stem, reducing stem wobble and ensuring a stable keystroke. These switches are impressively smooth even without lubrication, but applying lubricant can further enhance their performance. If you’re seeking a thocky sound profile, the Jelly Blacks are an excellent choice.
2. Akko Silver
- Weight: 43g
- Pre-Travel: 1mm
- Price: $14 for 45 switches
For gamers looking for quick and responsive switches, the Akko Echo Silver is a top contender. With a 43g actuation force and a minimal 1mm pre-travel distance, these switches excel in gaming scenarios. They offer a balance between a tactile feel and smooth keystrokes. Despite their gaming-oriented design, they are versatile enough for general typing tasks and provide a slightly deeper and thockier sound compared to many other switches in this category.
3. Akko Radiant Red
- Weight: 53g
- Pre-Travel: 1.9mm
- Price: $10 for 45 switches
The Akko Radiant Reds are budget-friendly switches that deliver a deeper thocky sound. With a 53g actuation force and 1.9mm pre-travel distance, they strike a balance between weight and travel distance. Although they lack the dust-proof stem found in some Akko switches, the stem wobble is minimal and should not impact your typing experience significantly. These switches are an affordable choice for those who appreciate a thocky typing feel.
4. Akko Matcha Greens
- Weight: 50g
- Pre-Travel: 1.9mm
- Price: $10 for 45 switches
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option with a unique typing experience, the Akko Matcha Greens are worth considering. These switches feature a 50g actuation force and a 1.9mm pre-travel distance. They offer a lighter actuation compared to some other Akko options, yet they maintain a satisfying thocky feel. Like many Akko switches, they are impressively smooth even before lubing, and applying lubricant can further enhance their performance.
5. Akko Jelly Whites
- Weight: 35g
- Pre-Travel: 1.9mm
- Price: $12 for 45 switches
The Akko Jelly Whites may surprise you with their unique characteristics. Despite their light 35g weight, they offer a distinct typing experience. These switches provide a muted bottom-out sound and an interesting feel. They are remarkably smooth even without lubrication. If you prefer a lighter switch and want to avoid the hassle of lubing, the Jelly Whites are a compelling choice.
6. Akko Jelly Pinks
- Weight: 45g
- Pre-Travel: 1.9mm
- Price: $12 for 45 switches
For those who prioritize smoothness, the Akko Jelly Pinks stand out. These switches are exceptionally smooth right out of the box, and lubricating them further enhances their performance. They offer a unique, muted bottom-out sound and are an excellent choice for users who prefer not to lubricate their switches. If smoothness is your top priority, these switches should be on your radar.
7. Akko Rose Reds
- Weight: 43g
- Pre-Travel: 1.9mm
- Price: $10 for 45 switches
Akko Rose Reds deliver a beautiful poppy sound paired with a tactile feel. With a 43g actuation force and 1.9mm pre-travel distance, they are versatile enough for both typing and gaming. These switches strike a balance between smoothness and tactility, making them enjoyable for a wide range of users. Lubing them can enhance their clacky sound, making them a unique choice for those who appreciate a poppy switch.
8. Akko Vintage White
- Weight: 35g
- Pre-Travel: 1.9mm
- Price: $10 for 45 switches
For enthusiasts who seek a poppy switch, the Akko Vintage White is an outstanding choice. These switches produce a distinct poppy sound that pairs well with various keyboard setups. With a 35g actuation force and 1.9mm pre-travel distance, they offer a unique typing experience that leans towards clackiness.
Akko Tactile Switches
Now, let’s shift our focus to Akko’s tactile switches, which are known for delivering a pronounced bump during keypresses. Tactile switches offer a noticeable feedback point during each keystroke, making them a preferred choice for many typists.
1. Akko Ocean Blues
- Weight: 36g
- Tactile Force: 46g
- Pre-Travel: 1.9mm
- Price: $10 for 45 switches
Akko Ocean Blues are an excellent entry point into the world of tactile switches. With a 36g weight and a 46g tactile force, they provide a balanced tactile feel. These switches are known for their smoothness, even before lubing. Applying lubricant can further enhance their performance. What’s worth noting is that Akko switches like Ocean Blues are compatible with many hot-swappable keyboards, adding to their versatility.
2. Akko Lavender Purples
- Weight: 36g
- Tactile Force: 50g
- Pre-Travel: 1.9mm
- Price: $10 for 45 switches
If you’re looking for a tactile switch with a more pronounced bump, the Akko Lavender Purples are an upgraded version of the Ocean Blues. With a 50g tactile force, they deliver a more satisfying tactile feedback. These switches are smooth and offer a deeper sound profile, making them an excellent choice for tactile enthusiasts.
3. Akko Jelly Blues
- Weight: 40g
- Tactile Force: 60g
- Pre-Travel: 0.3mm
- Price: $12 for 45 switches
Akko Jelly Blues are a unique addition to the tactile switch lineup. They feature a lower pre-travel distance of just 0.3mm, making them incredibly responsive right from the start of a keypress. With a 40g weight and a substantial 60g tactile force, these switches offer an intriguing dual-stage tactile bump, resulting in a distinctive feel and sound. If you’re looking for something out of the ordinary in the world of tactile switches, the Jelly Blues are definitely worth considering.
Akko Switch Materials and Build Quality
Housing Materials
The housing of a mechanical switch is typically made from plastic, but the quality of the plastic can vary. Akko switches use high-quality housing materials that contribute to their durability and consistent performance over time. This means that your Akko switches are built to last, even under heavy use.
Stem Materials
The stem is the centerpiece of the switch, responsible for the tactile feel and actuation. Akko uses carefully selected materials for their stems to ensure a satisfying keypress every time. Whether you prefer a smooth linear switch or a tactile one with a pronounced bump, Akko has you covered with their stem designs.
Spring Variations
Springs in mechanical switches determine the actuation force required to press a key. Akko offers a range of actuation forces across their switches, from light and easy to heavy and deliberate. This variety allows you to choose the actuation force that suits your typing or gaming style best.
Akko Switch Modding
Lubing Techniques
One of the advantages of Akko switches is their mod-friendliness. You can easily enhance your switch’s performance by applying lubrication to reduce friction and improve smoothness. Lubing Akko switches, such as the Jelly Pinks or Jelly Blacks, can take their performance to the next level. Proper lubing techniques can be found in detailed guides and tutorials online.
Sound Dampening
If you prefer a quieter typing experience, you can also consider sound dampening modifications. Adding dampening material to your switches can significantly reduce the noise generated during keypresses and key releases. This is especially beneficial in shared workspaces or environments where noise is a concern.
Akko Switch Compatibility
Hot Swap Considerations
Many mechanical keyboard enthusiasts appreciate the convenience of hot-swappable switches, allowing them to change switches without soldering. Akko switches are compatible with several hot-swappable keyboards, but it’s essential to verify compatibility with your specific keyboard model before making the switch.
Keycap Compatibility
Akko switches generally have a standard keycap mount, which means they are compatible with a wide range of keycap sets available in the market. However, if you plan to use unique or non-standard keycaps, it’s advisable to check for compatibility with Akko switches beforehand.
Akko Switch Alternatives
Competing Switch Brands
While Akko switches have gained popularity for their unique characteristics, there are other reputable switch brands worth exploring. Depending on your preferences, you might find switches from brands like Cherry MX, Gateron, Kailh, or NovelKeys that suit your needs. Don’t hesitate to explore different brands to find the switch that resonates with your typing or gaming style.
Customization Options
If you’re looking to take your keyboard customization to the next level, consider building a custom mechanical keyboard. This allows you to select switches, keycaps, and other components precisely to your liking. While this path requires more effort and research, it can result in a truly personalized typing or gaming experience.
Special Notes
Before you make your decision, here are some additional factors to consider:
Compatibility with Keycaps
Akko switches are designed with compatibility in mind. They have longer stems, ensuring compatibility with Cherry profile keycaps without any interference. This is a significant advantage if you’re planning to customize your keyboard with different keycap sets.
Pin Configuration
All Akko switches are three-pin switches. This means they have three pins at the bottom, making them compatible with a wide range of hot-swappable keyboards, especially those equipped with Kailh sockets. This can be a convenient feature if you like to experiment with different switches or want the flexibility to change your switches without soldering.
Are Akko Switches Good?
In the ever-expanding world of mechanical keyboard switches, Akko stands out as a brand that offers a diverse range of options to cater to different typing preferences. Whether you lean towards linear or tactile switches, Akko has something that might align perfectly with your typing style and sound preferences. With smoothness, sound, tactility, and affordability in mind, you can confidently explore the Akko switch lineup to find the perfect fit for your mechanical keyboard.
So, are Akko switches good? The resounding answer is yes, but with a caveat: the ideal Akko switch for you depends on your specific preferences and requirements. Whether you prioritize smoothness, tactile feedback, or a unique typing experience, Akko has a switch that can meet your needs.
In conclusion, Akko switches offer a range of options for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts, whether you prefer linear or tactile switches. With their unique characteristics, smoothness, and compatibility features, they are indeed a good choice for many users. Remember that the “best” switch ultimately depends on your personal typing preferences, so don’t hesitate to explore and experiment to find the perfect Akko switch for your mechanical keyboard.
