Written by Elizabeth · Published August 29, 2024
Reviewed & Updated by Olivia · Updated on July 26, 2026
Disclosure: This guide contains affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend switches we would put in our own boards.
Akko has become one of the best value brands in switches, and its linear lineup is where it shines. Linear switches press straight down with no bump, which makes them smooth and a favorite for gaming and fast typing. But Akko sells a lot of them, split across the budget CS series and the pre-lubed V3 Pro series, and they do not all feel the same. Below are the best Akko linear switches in 2026, ranked and sorted so you can pick the right one for your build.
⚡ Quick take
For most people the V3 Cream Yellow Pro is the best all-round Akko linear: smooth, pre-lubed, and easy to love out of the box. Gamers who want speed should get the V3 Silver Pro, and anyone on a budget is well served by the CS Jelly Black. New to switch types? Read our tactile vs linear guide first.
How we picked
We judged each Akko linear on smoothness, sound, spring weight, whether it comes factory pre-lubed, and value. The V3 Pro switches ship pre-lubed and feel more refined, while the CS series is cheaper and still solid for the money. Every pick below has a clear best use and an honest downside, because no single switch suits everyone.
Akko linear switches compared
| Switch | Series | Weight (approx) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| V3 Cream Yellow Pro | V3 Pro | ~50 g | Best overall |
| V3 Piano Pro | V3 Pro | ~63 g | Best sound |
| CS Jelly Black | CS | ~50 g | Best budget |
| V3 Cream Black Pro | V3 Pro | ~60 g | Best heavier linear |
| V3 Silver Pro | V3 Pro | ~43 g | Best for gaming and speed |
| V3 Matcha Green Pro | V3 Pro | ~50 g | Best balanced feel |
| Akko x TTC Demon | Collab | ~42 g | Best light and smooth |
| V3 Penguin (Silent) | V3 Pro | ~45 g | Best silent linear |
| Rosewood | Themed | ~43 g | Light budget classic |
| POM Pink | Themed | ~45 g | Creamy, muted feel |
| CS Crystal | CS | ~43 g | Budget RGB shine-through |
| CS Wine Red | CS | ~50 g | Budget all-rounder |
The best Akko linear switches
1. Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro, the best all-rounder
Why it is here. A medium-weight linear around 50 g that comes factory pre-lubed and feels smooth and deep straight out of the box. It is the switch most people should buy first, with a rounded, satisfying sound. Best for: an easy, do-it-all linear for typing and gaming.
Watch out: the mid weight feels a touch heavy if you prefer a fast, feather-light switch for competitive play.
2. Akko V3 Piano Pro, the best sound
Why it is here. Tuned for a deep, musical sound, the Piano Pro is pre-lubed and smooth with a fuller thock than most Akko linears. It is the pick if you care most about how a board sounds. Best for: sound-focused builds.
Watch out: it is heavier and pricier than the CS series, so it is overkill if you just want a cheap, light linear.
3. Akko CS Jelly Black, the best budget pick
Why it is here. A budget linear around 50 g that is smoother than its price suggests and a favorite for first builds. Great value if you are filling a whole board. Best for: cheap builds that still want a pleasant feel.
Watch out: it is not pre-lubed, so it is a step less refined than the V3 Pro switches. A quick lube closes most of the gap.
4. Akko V3 Cream Black Pro, the best heavier linear
Why it is here. A pre-lubed linear around 60 g with a firmer, more deliberate press and a deep sound. Typists who bottom out hard tend to love it. Best for: heavy-handed typists who want control.
Watch out: the heavier spring tires out light typists and is not ideal for fast gaming.
5. Akko V3 Silver Pro, the best for gaming
Why it is here. A light, short-travel speed linear around 43 g that actuates fast, which competitive gamers value. Pre-lubed and smooth for a speed switch. Best for: fast gaming and quick reactions.
Watch out: the short travel and light spring cause accidental presses for some, especially while typing.
6. Akko V3 Matcha Green Pro, the balanced choice
Why it is here. A smooth mid-weight linear around 50 g with a balanced feel and a pleasant, slightly muted sound. A great alternative if you want the Cream Yellow feel with a different tone. Best for: a balanced daily-driver linear.
Watch out: it is close enough to the Cream Yellow Pro that you rarely need both.
7. Akko x TTC Demon, the light and smooth pick
Why it is here. A collaboration with TTC that produces a very smooth, light linear around 42 g. If you like a fast, effortless keystroke, this is one of the smoothest light Akko options. Best for: light-touch typists and gamers.
Watch out: the light weight is not for heavy typists, and stock can be harder to find.
8. Akko V3 Penguin, the best silent linear
Why it is here. A silent linear that muffles the bottom-out for quiet offices, shared rooms, or late-night typing, while keeping a smooth press. Best for: quiet spaces where a normal switch would be too loud.
Watch out: the silencing pads make the bottom-out feel slightly mushy, so it is less crisp than a standard linear.
9. Akko Rosewood, a light budget classic
Why it is here. A light linear around 43 g from Akko’s themed lineup, smooth and easy to type on at a low price. A solid, no-drama budget option. Best for: a cheap, light everyday linear.
Watch out: it is an older line, so availability can be hit or miss.
10. Akko POM Pink, creamy and muted
Why it is here. POM parts give this linear a soft, creamy feel and a muted, rounded sound that some people prefer over a sharper switch. Best for: a softer, quieter linear character.
Watch out: the muted sound and soft feel are subjective, so try to hear it before buying a full set.
11. Akko CS Crystal, budget RGB shine-through
Why it is here. A clear-housing budget linear that lets RGB shine through brightly, so it is a natural pick for a colorful, backlit build. Light and easy to press. Best for: RGB-focused budget builds.
Watch out: the feel is basic next to the V3 Pro switches, and it is not pre-lubed.
12. Akko CS Wine Red, the budget all-rounder
Why it is here. A dependable budget linear around 50 g that handles both typing and gaming without fuss. A safe, cheap choice if you just want a solid linear. Best for: a low-cost, general-purpose linear.
Watch out: it is unremarkable next to the premium picks and has no factory lube.
CS series vs V3 Pro: which should you buy?
Akko splits its linears into two families. The CS series is the budget line: good switches with no factory lube, best for cheap builds or if you plan to lube them yourself. The V3 Pro series costs more but ships pre-lubed and feels noticeably smoother and deeper out of the box. If you want the best experience with no extra work, buy V3 Pro. If you are filling a big board on a budget, the CS series is the smart value, and our switch lubing guide will get them most of the way to V3 Pro smoothness.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Akko linear switch?
For most people the V3 Cream Yellow Pro is the best Akko linear overall. It is pre-lubed, smooth, and has a deep, pleasant sound out of the box. Gamers who want a lighter, faster switch should look at the V3 Silver Pro, and budget builders are well served by the CS Jelly Black.
Are Akko linear switches good?
Yes. Akko linears offer some of the best value in switches, especially the pre-lubed V3 Pro line, which feels smooth and refined for the price. The cheaper CS series is also solid, though it benefits from a lube job. They are a common recommendation for people getting into the hobby.
What is the difference between Akko CS and V3 Pro switches?
The CS series is budget-priced and not factory lubed, while the V3 Pro series costs more, ships pre-lubed, and feels smoother and deeper straight away. Buy V3 Pro for the best out-of-box feel, or CS if you want to save money and do not mind lubing them yourself.
Which Akko linear switch is best for gaming?
The V3 Silver Pro is the best Akko linear for gaming. It is a light, short-travel speed switch that actuates quickly, which helps in fast games. If you find it too light and prone to accidental presses, the V3 Cream Yellow Pro is a slightly heavier all-rounder that still games well.
Do Akko switches fit any keyboard?
Yes. Akko switches use the standard MX stem and pins, so they drop into any hot-swap or solderable board that takes MX-style switches. Check whether your board is 3-pin or 5-pin, though most modern hot-swap boards accept both.
Verdict: which Akko linear should you buy?
If you want one easy answer, buy the V3 Cream Yellow Pro. It is smooth, pre-lubed, and suits almost any build. Gamers should get the V3 Silver Pro for speed, budget builders should grab the CS Jelly Black, and anyone chasing a deep sound should try the V3 Piano Pro.
Whatever you pick, Akko linears are among the best value switches you can buy, and a lube job plus a well-built board will make any of them sing. If you are still weighing linear against tactile, our tactile vs linear guide and our best linear switches roundup will help, and you can pair these switches with a board from our best Akko keyboards guide.
We update this roundup as Akko releases new switches and community favorites shift, so the picks stay current.