Gateron Jupiter Banana vs. Akko V3 Lavender Purple Pro
An in-depth look at the Gateron Jupiter Banana and the Akko V3 Lavender Purple Pro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing between two tactile mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Jupiter Banana and the Akko V3 Lavender Purple Pro both offer unique features to enhance your typing experience. The Jupiter Banana is renowned for its high-precision molds and softer backlight effects, providing a consistent feel with the added bonus of two-stage springs for a strong return. On the other hand, the V3 Lavender Purple Pro stands out for its higher-pitched sound profile and satisfying tactile bump, making for a delightful typing experience. While the Jupiter Banana is described as 'Polished', 'High-pitched', 'Creamy', and 'Resonant', the V3 Lavender Purple Pro is known for being 'Accented', 'Bouncy', 'Snappy', and 'Polished'. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will come down to personal preference and typing style; 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
59g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
69g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Spring steel
Spring
20mm
Housing materials
Both the Gateron Jupiter Banana and the Akko V3 Lavender Purple Pro feature polycarbonate top housings, which are known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This material is relatively stiff, leading to a clear and resonant sound. Aesthetically, polycarbonate is translucent, making it ideal for switches that utilize RGB lighting. The use of polycarbonate in the top housing of these switches ensures a vibrant and visually appealing experience, offering a unique touch to the overall design.
When it comes to the bottom housing, both the Jupiter Banana and the Lavender Purple Pro opt for nylon. Nylon is a classic switch housing material that provides a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to harder plastics. Due to its softer nature, nylon absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. The bottom housing plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch, enhancing the overall typing experience by offering a softer and more cushioned touch.
While both switches share similarities in their choice of housing materials, the difference in top and bottom housings can impact the overall typing experience. With the qualities of polycarbonate predominantly found in the top housing and nylon in the bottom housing, users can expect a dynamic sound profile that combines the sharpness and crispness of polycarbonate with the deeper and fuller sound of nylon. This combination ensures a well-rounded typing experience that caters to both the auditory and tactile preferences of users.
Weight
In comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Jupiter Banana tactile switch and the Akko V3 Lavender Purple Pro tactile switch, it is evident that the V3 Lavender Purple Pro is lighter in terms of force required for both actuation and bottom out. The Jupiter Banana has a heavier actuation force of 59 grams and a bottom out force of 69 grams, providing a medium-heavy typing experience. On the other hand, the V3 Lavender Purple Pro has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams, offering a medium-light typing experience. Those who prefer a lighter typing feel for extended periods of typing or gaming may find the V3 Lavender Purple Pro more suitable, whereas those seeking a more substantial typing experience may opt for the Jupiter Banana. Both switches provide similar functionality in terms of actuation and bottom out force, with the V3 Lavender Purple Pro being the lighter option overall.
Travel distance
The Gateron Jupiter Banana tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, making it a shorter option compared to the Akko V3 Lavender Purple Pro tactile switch, which has a travel distance of 3.8 mm. The difference of 0.4 mm may not seem significant, but it can impact the feel and response of the switch. Gamers looking for a faster response time may prefer the shorter travel distance of the Jupiter Banana, while those who enjoy a deeper actuation may lean towards the longer travel distance of the Akko V3 Lavender Purple Pro. Both switches offer a tactile typing experience, but the slight variance in travel distance can cater to different preferences for typing or gaming.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Akko V3 Lavender Purple Pro has an MSRP of $3.11 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the V3 Lavender Purple Pro for $2.20.
The Gateron Jupiter Banana comes in at $2.80 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
In terms of sound, the Gateron Jupiter Banana switch produces a high-pitched and resonant sound profile, offering a sharp and crisp auditory experience when typing. On the other hand, the Akko V3 Lavender Purple Pro switch's sound profile is not specified, so it is challenging to directly compare the two switches in this aspect. However, depending on the other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used, the sound produced by the Lavender Purple Pro switch may complement a different auditory preference compared to the Jupiter Banana switch.
When it comes to feel, the Gateron Jupiter Banana switch is described as having a polished and creamy typing experience, providing smooth and refined key travel with reduced friction. In contrast, the Akko V3 Lavender Purple Pro switch offers an accented, bouncy, snappy, and polished feel, providing a medium tactile feedback with lively key rebound. While both switches offer a tactile typing experience, the specific qualities of each switch may cater to different preferences in terms of key feel and responsiveness.
In conclusion, the Gateron Jupiter Banana and Akko V3 Lavender Purple Pro switches offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Jupiter Banana switch produces a high-pitched and resonant sound with a polished and creamy key feel, while the Lavender Purple Pro switch has an unspecified sound profile but offers an accented, bouncy, snappy, and polished typing experience. Depending on personal preferences for sound pitch, tactile feedback, and key smoothness, users can choose between the two switches to achieve a typing experience that best suits their individual needs.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Gateron Jupiter Banana tactile switch and the Akko V3 Lavender Purple Pro tactile switch, consider your preference for bottom out force as the Jupiter Banana offers a medium-heavy 69g force, while the V3 Lavender Purple Pro provides a medium-light 55g force. If you prioritize a high-precision mold with softer backlight effects and a stronger return, the Jupiter Banana may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you appreciate a higher-pitched sound profile and a satisfying tactile bump for a delightful typing experience, the V3 Lavender Purple Pro could be the better option. Ultimately, your decision should be based on whether you prefer the polished and creamy feel of the Jupiter Banana or the accented, bouncy, snappy, and polished feel of the V3 Lavender Purple Pro. Choose the switch that aligns best with your typing preferences for a more enjoyable mechanical keyboard experience.
Mentioned in this article
