| Switch Type: | Linear |
| Mount Type: | PCB Mount |
| Travel Distance: | 2.0mm Actuation | 3.5mm Total |
| Force: | 37g Operating |
| Stem Length (mm): | 13.63 |
| Price: | $11.99 (45 pieces) on Akko |
The Akko Mirror is a lightly weighted linear budget switch with a shortened travel. From Akko’s words, “The purpose of designing those switches is to reflect (mirror) the authentic sound of any keyboard as much as possible.” So, yes, this is another sound focused switch.
DISCLAIMER | Please Read:
These switches were sent by Akko for review and testing purposes. I was NOT PAID in any way to write this review. Impartiality will always be a top priority here at KeebWorks; this one included.
TL;DR
Between the Stellar Rose and the Mirror, I’d go for the Stellar Rose for performance. However, if you like a louder sounding linear switch with slightly worse performance and a shorter travel, then the Mirror switch is for you.
Smoothness: 7/10
On-centre keypresses are very smooth with minimal inconsistencies even at very slow keypresses.
Off-centre keypresses have noticeable binding at very slow keypresses, but this becomes less apparent when typing normally.
Overall, compared to the Stellar Rose, the Mirror switch is worse in this category, but it’s still a pretty smooth switch as a whole.
Akko Mirror switch disassembled.
Weighting: 4/10
According to Akko, these switches have an actuation force of 37g at 2mm and a bottom-out distance of 3.5mm.
In the real world, they perform very closely to the Stellar Rose with the exception of a shorter travel.
However, these aren’t as consistent with noticeable binding present from time to time which is a disappointment, but I’ve felt worse and this could easily be me just nitpicking given how super consistent the Stellar Rose was.
Overall, these are essentially a less consistent Stellar Rose with a shorter travel. They still have a light weighting, so they aren’t for me.
Sound: 7/10
Unlike the Stellar Rose, the Mirror switch is louder with a clacky sound signature. However, these are probably going to sound thocky if you have a thocky based build if you believe in Akko’s marketing.
Overall, I should really like these given they’re louder and clackier compared to the Stellar Rose, but I only find the spacebar to sound good. The rest just don’t do it for me.
NOTE: The score was originally a 6 (as seen in the video), but it’s sound signature has grown on me and I decided to bump it up to a 7.
The Akko Mirror stem length is 13.63 mm.
Typing Performance: 4/10
These are essentially the Stellar Rose switches with a shorter travel, so the typing performance is very similar.
I’m not the biggest fan of them as they’re lightly weighted. Although their performance is consistent like with many of Akko’s switches. They aren’t in the same level as the Stellar Rose switch – then again, the Stellar Rose is a step above in consistency even with Akko’s standards.
But what about the shorter total travel? Well, it’s noticeable especially when compared to full-travel switches. I’m not a fan of this as they’re reminiscent of Speed switches. I’m not really sure what compelled Akko to make these a shorter travel switch – If I had to guess, it would be something to do with sound.
Overall, I’m not a fan of them given their light weighting and shorter travel. And unless you wanted less travel and a slightly louder and clackier Stellar Rose, these are just okay.
Gaming Performance: 5/10
Similarly to the Stellar Rose, I was also more comfortable using these for gaming.
However, unlike the Stellar Rose, there were some slight bindings during off-centre keypresses. Thankfully, these were very minor and didn’t affect gameplay much.
The shorter switch travel that annoyed me during typing didn’t bother me at all when gaming. In fact, I didn’t even notice it.
Overall, these are still lightly weighted switches that I’m not a fan of. Between the Stellar Rose and the Mirror, I’d recommend the Stellar Rose as it is a more complete package. I’d really only pick the Mirror if the Stellar Rose is out of stock.
Final Score = 27/50 (54%)