Akko V3 Cream Black Pro vs. Gateron Oil King
An in-depth look at the Akko V3 Cream Black Pro and the Gateron Oil King switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two standout options are the Akko V3 Cream Black Pro and the Gateron Oil King, both linear switches. The Akko V3 Cream Black Pro is ideal for budget-minded individuals seeking high-quality switches that provide a unique poppy and clacky sound coupled with exceptional smoothness. On the other hand, the Gateron Oil King is favored for its buttery smoothness and a sound profile reminiscent of snapping a dark chocolate bar. The Akko V3 Cream Black Pro is characterized by its 'creamy', 'high-pitched', 'bouncy', 'snappy', and 'polished' attributes, while the Gateron Oil King is categorized as 'low-pitched', 'creamy', 'silky', 'bassy', 'buttery', and 'polished'. Both switches have their own appeal and strengths, making them suitable for different preferences and needs. 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
55g
Actuation force
55g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
20mm
Spring
Color coated
Housing materials
The Akko V3 Cream Black Pro and the Gateron Oil King both use different materials for their housing, with the V3 Cream Black Pro featuring a polycarbonate top housing and a nylon bottom housing, while the Oil King has a nylon top housing and a proprietary INK blend bottom housing. The polycarbonate top housing of the V3 Cream Black Pro creates a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile due to its stiffness, ideal for those looking for a more clear and resonant typing experience. On the other hand, the Oil King's nylon top housing offers a deeper and fuller sound profile, absorbing more sound and resulting in a duller and rounder typing noise.
In terms of the bottom housing material, both switches have different compositions. The nylon bottom housing of the V3 Cream Black Pro continues the trend of a deeper and fuller sound profile, creating a consistent typing experience throughout the switch. Meanwhile, the Oil King's proprietary INK blend bottom housing provides a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound, adding a touch of clackiness to the typing experience. These differences in bottom housing material can significantly impact the overall sound and feel of the switch, making it important to consider when choosing between the two.
While the housing materials of the Akko V3 Cream Black Pro and the Gateron Oil King differ, they both offer unique sound profiles that cater to different preferences. Whether you prefer the sharper, higher-pitched sound of the polycarbonate top housing in the V3 Cream Black Pro or the deeper, fuller sound of the nylon housing in the Oil King, each switch provides a distinct typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will come down to personal preference in terms of sound, feel, and typing style.
Weight
The Akko V3 Cream Black Pro linear switch and the Gateron Oil King linear switch have similar actuation and bottom out forces, both requiring 55 grams of force to actuate and 65 grams to bottom out. This means that users can expect a consistent typing experience in terms of force feedback with both switches. The medium-heavy weight of these switches may appeal to those who prefer a more substantial typing experience. However, some users may find the weight to be too heavy for extended typing sessions or gaming marathons. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches may come down to personal preference for actuation and bottom out forces. Both switches offer a satisfying typing experience, whether one prefers a lighter touch or a more robust feel.
Travel distance
The Akko V3 Cream Black Pro linear switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm, which is shorter than the Gateron Oil King linear switch's 4 mm travel distance. The V3 Cream Black Pro offers a slightly quicker response time due to its shorter travel distance, making it a popular choice among gamers who prioritize speed. On the other hand, the Oil King switch provides a deeper key press feel with its longer travel distance, catering to users who prefer a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and desired typing feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Akko V3 Cream Black Pro has an MSRP of $3.77 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the V3 Cream Black Pro for $2.70.
The Gateron Oil King comes in at $6.50 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 V3 Cream Black Pro linear switch offers a high-pitched and poppy sound, providing a sharp and crisp tone during key presses. On the other hand, the Gateron Oil King linear switch delivers a low-pitched and bassy sound profile, creating a deeper and richer tone reminiscent of a dark chocolate bar snapping. The choice between these two options would ultimately depend on personal preference for sound characteristics, whether one prefers a sharper high-pitched sound or a mellower low-pitched sound with rich bass tones.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, both the Akko V3 Cream Black Pro and the Gateron Oil King switches provide a creamy and buttery typing experience. This smooth and buttery sensation makes typing feel like gliding your fingers effortlessly across keys, with a seamless and uniform typing sensation. Additionally, both switches offer a polished finish, reducing friction and ensuring smooth key travel. The only slight difference noted is that the Oil King switch is described as silky, enhancing overall typing smoothness with minimized resistance, while the Cream Black Pro switch is also described as bouncy and snappy, providing a spring-like feedback sensation and increased responsiveness during typing. Ultimately, both switches offer a luxurious typing experience with their creamy feel and polished finish.
In conclusion, both the Akko V3 Cream Black Pro linear switch and the Gateron Oil King linear switch provide top-quality sound and feel characteristics, making them excellent choices for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. While the Cream Black Pro switch offers a higher-pitched and more poppy sound profile along with a bouncy and snappy typing feel, the Oil King switch provides a lower-pitched sound with a silky typing experience. Depending on personal preferences for sound and feel, both switches will deliver a premium typing experience, ensuring an enjoyable and satisfying mechanical keyboard usage.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Akko V3 Cream Black Pro linear switch and the Gateron Oil King linear switch, consider the following guidelines. If you are looking for a budget-friendly option with a unique poppy and clacky sound accompanied by smoothness, the V3 Cream Black Pro is a great choice. Additionally, if you prefer a high-pitched sound profile and want a switch that feels creamy, bouncy, snappy, and polished, the V3 Cream Black Pro may be the ideal fit for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy buttery smoothness and a sound profile reminiscent of dark chocolate snapping, the Gateron Oil King linear switch is worth considering. The Oil King offers a low-pitched sound profile and a feel that is creamy, silky, buttery, and polished. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preference for sound, feel, and budget. Choose the switch that aligns best with your typing preferences and enjoy the satisfying experience it brings to your mechanical keyboard setup.
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