| Switch Type: | Linear |
| Mount Type: | PCB Mount |
| Travel Distance: | 2.0mm Actuation | 3.8mm Total |
| Force: | 37g Operating |
| Stem Length (mm): | 13.22 |
| Price: | $11.99 (45 pieces) on Akko |
The Akko Stellar Rose is another lightly weighted linear budget switch from Akko. This one in particular is manufactured by HMX.
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
This is yet another budget linear switch from Akko. Although, this time this is Akko claims this is “Akko’s first deep clack switches”. I still don’t know what that means, but these are surprisingly more of a consistent performer compared to other switches they’ve made in the past. It’s a noticeable improvement too.
Smoothness: 10/10
On-centre keypresses are extremely smooth. I’d go as far as to say that they’re the smoothest I’ve tested yet!
Off-centre keypresses are also extremely smooth with barely any scratchiness; there was a touch of binding at very slow keypresses from a couple of switches, but they’re so slight I’m not even going to count them.
Overall, after having reviewed 108 switches (including this one), I’ve only ever given a 10 to another switch – the Durock POM, so this means a lot. In fact, these are smoother than most hall-effect switches I’ve tried.
Akko Stellar Rose switch disassembled.
Weighting: 4/10
According to Akko, these switches have an actuation force of 37g at 2mm and a bottom-out distance of 3.8mm.
In the real world, they have almost the same specs as the Akko Dracula, with these only being 2 grams heavier. In fact, when I tested them side-by-side, they felt almost the same as the Dracula too. I also want to point out that the Gateron Clear was noticeably lighter than the Stellar Rose.
Additionally, they’re very consistent as per many of Akko’s switches. I’d even go as far as to say that these are the most consistent switches they have made!
Overall, while they’re extremely consistent, they still have a light weighting that I don’t prefer. It would be an instant buy from me if they ever make a heavier version of these.
Sound: 6/10
If quietness is what you’re looking for, then this is probably the right switch for you. These are amongst the quietest non-silenced linear switches I’ve tested thus far.
Additionally, these are marketed as “Akko’s first deep clack switches”. So, perhaps the term deep clack is supposed to mean that they’re quiet and clacky?
Overall, I like clacky sounding switches, but these are just a little too quiet for my tastes.
The Akko Stellar Rose stem length is 13.22mm.
Typing Performance: 4/10
As you may have gathered above, I’m not the biggest fan of lightly weighted switches such as these. And whilst these have been impressively consistent throughout my test period (which I always appreciate), they’ve also been the leading cause of my typos due to their light weighting.
Apart from that, they’ve been extremely smooth with no break-in period and essentially zero binding in both fast and slow typing speeds. I’m not sure if this is due to HMX being the manufacturer for these switches, but whatever it is, it’s working to perfection.
Overall, they aren’t for me. But I can easily recommend these to folks still typing on Cherry MX Reds or any of its clones – these are a step above those and for a reasonable price.
Gaming Performance: 5/10
Unlike typing, I was slightly more comfortable using these for gaming.
Their performance in both fast and slow-paced games were nothing short of impressive! Their smoothness and consistency are TOP-NOTCH, amongst one of the very best in the industry. These really should be the next standard – and I mean that.
Despite that, I personally wouldn’t use these given its light weighting. I just know I wouldn’t be 100% comfortable with them. If only Akko made a heavier version…
Overall, even though I liked them, I wouldn’t use them for gaming in the long-term. But, there aren’t many switches out there that can match the smoothness and consistency of these for a decent price.
Final Score = 29/50 (58%)