| Switch Type: Tactile | Mount: PCB Mount (5-pin) | Spring: Single Stage | Price: £10 (45pcs) on Akko |
| Top Housing: PC | Bottom Housing: PA66 | Stem: PA12 | Factory Lubed: Yes |
| Actuation Point (mm): | 2.0 ± 0.5 | Actuation Point (mm): | 2.05 |
| Actuation Force (gf): | 45 ± 5 | Actuation Force (gf): | 41.0 |
| Total Travel (mm): | 3.3 ± 0.2 | Total Travel (mm): | 3.08 |
| Peak Tactile Point (mm): | 0.5 | Peak Tactile Point (mm): | 0.11 |
| Peak Tactile Force (gf): | 55 ± 5 | Peak Tactile Force (gf): | 52.4 |
| Reset Point (mm): | 2.2 | Reset Point (mm): | 2.03 |
| Bottom-out Force (gf): | 60 | Bottom-out Force (gf): | 50.5 |
| Stem Length (mm): | 14.23 | ||
DISCLAIMER | Please Read:
These switches were sent by Akko for review and testing purposes. No one paid me to write this review, and impartiality will always be a top priority here at KeebWorks.
TL;DR
The Akko Creamy Blue Pro V5 is neither an upgrade or a downgrade from the Akko V3 Cream Blue. Although, it is worth noting that the V5 has a shorter travel at just over 3mm compared to the 3.4mm of the V3, and a ~7g lighter weighting from the tactile peak to the valley.
The differences are small, but noticeable in day-to-day use. I’d recommend it as an upgrade if you’re coming from the Cherry MX Brown or from any of its early clones.
Smoothness: 9/10
On-centre keypresses are extremely smooth no noticeable scratchiness or inconsistencies even at slow keypresses.
Off-centre keypresses are also very smooth with only very minute inconsistencies at very slow keypresses.
Overall, these are amongst the smoothest tactile switches Akko has ever released. In fact, it’s one of the smoothest switches I’ve ever tested.
Akko Creamy Blue Pro V5 switch disassembled.
Weighting: 8/10
Now, according to Akko these switches have peak tactile force of 55g at 0.5mm, an actuation force of 45g at 2.0mm and a bottom-out force of 60g at 3.3mm.
Akko Creamy Blue Pro V5 force curve.
As you can see from the force curve above, the Akko Creamy Blue Pro V5 is outside spec regarding the peak tactile point. In reality, this happens earlier in the travel at around 0.1mm as opposed to the 0.5mm. Additionally, the switch bottoms-out closer to 50g as opposed to the 60g that Akko claims.
Akko Creamy Blue Pro V5 consistency force curve.
As you can see above, all 3 switches were very consistent. Switch 3 deviated the most compared when compared to the other 2, but the deviation is slight and wouldn’t be noticeable in the real world (unless you’re a machine).
Akko Creamy Blue Pro V5 vs. Akko V3 Cream Blue force curve.
The force curve above shows the comparison between the Akko Creamy Blue Pro V5 and the Akko V3 Cream Blue. The V3 is roughly 7g heavier from the peak tactile point down to the valley downstroke wise. The V3 also has a longer travel.
Akko Creamy Blue Pro V5 vs. Drop + Invyr Holy Panda force curve.
The force curve above shows the comparison between the Akko Creamy Yellow Pro V5 and the Drop + Invyr Holy Panda. The Holy Panda has a longer travel at just over 3.4mm. However more importantly, the Holy Panda has a rounder “D” shape tactile event as opposed to the “P” shape the V5 has – if you’ve never seen a force curve comparison between “D” and “P” shaped tactile bumps, well, you have now 🙂
Overall, even with its light weighting, I found it relatively easy to get used to. Sure, they could be a little heavier to better fit my preferences, but that’s me issue, not the switch. They’re also extremely consistent, as per the usual standard with Akko.
Sound: 7/10
Compared to Yellow counterpart, these sound much better suited to my keyboard. They’re quieter and don’t sound as harsh; they have a cleaner sound signature which I prefer.
Overall, it would’ve been better if they were just as loud as the Yellow counterpart, but I’d much rather have these than the Yellows.
The Akko Creamy Blue Pro V5 stem length is 14.23mm.
Typing Performance: 8/10
The Akko Creamy Blue Pro V5 is lubed from the factory, just like its Yellow counterpart. The lubing application was also done just as well.
However, despite its amazing consistency, its tactility is lacking in my books. I don’t find this switch as appealing compared to the V3 – don’t get me wrong, I still like this switch, I just don’t think it’s the right one for me.
I also prefer heavier switches, but I found these surprisingly great to use on a daily basis. I didn’t find myself making too many typos, and I enjoyed typing on them throughout my testing period despite the lack of tactile strength I usually like.
Overall, I’d probably be out there buying these in bulk if they featured a heavier and sharper tactile event, but I think these are a hit even as they are. They’re very solid switches for typing.
Gaming Performance: 8/10
Unlike with the Yellow counterpart, these did not struggle with slow-paced games. They remained consistent throughout without any sluggishness or hesitations.
This is also true with fast-paced games. Although, I kept wishing they were more tactile as they basically performed like a linear switch in most scenarios – this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but they’re supposed to be a tactile switch, c’mon now!
Overall, they’re a great switch for gaming if you don’t need to rely on tactility for certain games. Although, I wouldn’t be sure if I’d actually pick these over the Yellows – they both perform really well here.
Final Score = 40/50 (80%)
Places to purchase this switch:
Akko | MonsGeek | Thocc Exchange