Zuoce Lavender vs. Akko V3 Piano Pro
An in-depth look at the Zuoce Lavender and the Akko V3 Piano Pro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Zuoce Lavender and Akko V3 Piano Pro both offer unique features and qualities worth exploring. The Lavender switch is lauded for its exceptional smoothness, providing an effortless typing experience right out of the box. With a crisp and clacky sound signature, each keystroke becomes a distinctly satisfying sensation. On the other hand, the V3 Piano Pro switch stands out for its snappy sound signature, adding a lively and crisp quality to typing. With a smooth actuation and a range of characteristics such as bouncy, creamy, and polished, the Piano Pro offers a versatile and tactile experience. 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
48g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
53g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
Z1 (Ly blend)
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
21mm double-staged spring
Spring
20mm spring
Housing materials
The Zuoce Lavender and the Akko V3 Piano Pro both feature unique housing materials that contribute to the sound profile of the switches. The Lavender utilizes POM for both the top and bottom housing, creating a deeper and more muted sound profile. In contrast, the Piano Pro uses nylon for both the top and bottom housing, resulting in a fuller and rounder sound. While both switches offer a pleasing typing experience due to their respective housing materials, the choice between POM and nylon ultimately comes down to personal preference.
However, when comparing the top and bottom housing materials of the Lavender and the Piano Pro, it is evident that they offer distinct characteristics. The POM top housing of the Lavender creates a sound that is deeper and more muffled, while the nylon top housing of the Piano Pro produces a fuller and richer sound. On the other hand, the POM bottom housing of the Lavender contributes to the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch, while the nylon bottom housing of the Piano Pro absorbs more sound and creates a duller sound profile. These differences highlight how the choice of housing material can significantly impact the overall typing experience.
Despite the differences in housing materials, both the Zuoce Lavender and the Akko V3 Piano Pro deliver a satisfying typing experience with their unique sound profiles. Whether you prefer the deeper and more muted sound of the POM housing in the Lavender or the fuller and rounder sound of the nylon housing in the Piano Pro, both switches offer a high-quality build that enhances the overall typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for sound and feel when typing.
Weight
The Zuoce Lavender linear switch and the Akko V3 Piano Pro linear switch both offer a medium-light actuation force, with the Lavender requiring 48 grams and the V3 Piano Pro needing 45 grams. In terms of bottom out force, the Lavender has 53 grams while the V3 Piano Pro has 55 grams. Both switches provide a similar typing experience in terms of actuation force, but the Lavender is lighter to bottom out on, making it slightly more forgiving for extended typing or gaming sessions. On the other hand, the V3 Piano Pro offers a slightly heavier bottom out force, giving users a more substantial typing feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preference for actuation and bottom out force.
Travel distance
The Zuoce Lavender linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Akko V3 Piano Pro linear switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.5 mm. Both switches fall into the category of shorter travel distances, making them suitable for gamers looking for faster response times. However, the Lavender switch offers a slightly shorter travel distance, which may provide a crisper and more immediate response for those who prefer faster key presses. On the other hand, the V3 Piano Pro switch's slightly longer travel distance may appeal to users who prefer a bit more depth and cushioning when typing. Overall, both switches offer similar benefits in terms of travel distance, so the choice between the two would likely come down to personal preference for key feel and responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Zuoce Lavender has an MSRP of $2.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Lavender for $1.99.
The Akko V3 Piano 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 Piano 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 Zuoce Lavender and Akko V3 Piano Pro switches both fall into the category of producing a sharp and snappy sound when pressed, known as clacky. However, the V3 Piano Pro switch also offers a resonant sound profile, adding a higher-pitched and immersive auditory experience. The Lavender switch's crisp and clacky sound signature offers a distinct and satisfying typing experience, while the Piano Pro switch adds a lively and crisp quality to each keystroke, enhancing the overall auditory charm.
When it comes to feel, the Lavender switch is described as easy-to-press, offering gentle resistance during key presses and requiring minimal force to activate. This results in a low-impact typing feel that reduces finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. On the other hand, the V3 Piano Pro switch is described as bouncy, creamy, polished, and silky, providing a spring-like feedback sensation, a smooth and buttery typing experience, a refined finish for reduced friction, and an exceptionally smooth typing feel, respectively. These qualities contribute to a lively and responsive typing experience with the Piano Pro switch.
In conclusion, while both the Zuoce Lavender and Akko V3 Piano Pro switches offer a clacky sound signature, the Lavender switch focuses more on smoothness and ease of pressing, while the Piano Pro switch provides a versatile typing experience with a range of tactile sensations. Depending on personal preference for sound and feel, both switches offer their own unique qualities that can enhance the typing experience for newcomers to the mechanical keyboard world. Ultimately, choosing between the Lavender and Piano Pro switches will depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and overall typing experience.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Zuoce Lavender linear switch and the Akko V3 Piano Pro linear switch, consider your preferences for sound and feel. If you value exceptional smoothness and a crisp, clacky sound signature, the Lavender switch may be the ideal choice for you. However, if you prefer a switch with a snappy sound and a combination of bouncy, creamy, polished, and silky feel options, the V3 Piano Pro switch could be the better fit. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences, so it ultimately comes down to personal preference and the typing experience you are looking to achieve.
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