If you’re deciding between the Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro and the Gateron Milky Yellow Pro V2, that makes perfect sense. Both are strong-value budget linears, but they deliver a different keypress experience. In many builds, the Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro feels tighter and more direct, with more definition in the stroke. The Gateron Milky Yellow Pro V2 usually feels smoother and softer, with a rounder, milder sound profile.

In this comparison, we focus on what you actually notice in real use: press feel, bottom-out, return, sound, and modding response.

Quick answer (if you want to choose fast)

Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro usually feels tighter and more direct with a clearer return; Gateron Milky Yellow Pro V2 usually feels smoother with a softer bottom-out impact and a rounder, gentler sound.

1. Construction & material behavior in practice

  • Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro – Commonly perceived as a “tighter” budget linear: controlled travel, clearly defined keystrokes, and a snappy return. In many setups, this creates a slightly brighter, more defined keypress profile.
  • Gateron Milky Yellow Pro V2 – Known for an easy-going, milky-smooth travel. The milky housing + POM stem combo is often associated with softer impact feel and a rounder sound character, especially pleasant for long sessions.

2. Technical specifications

Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro

  • Type: Linear
  • Actuation: approx. 45g (can vary by batch/variant)
  • Bottom-out: approx. 50–55g (can vary by batch/variant)
  • Pre-travel: approx. 2.0mm
  • Total travel: approx. 4.0mm
  • Mount: 5-pin (PCB)
  • Lubing: Factory lubed (light; batch-dependent)

Gateron Milky Yellow Pro V2

  • Type: Linear
  • Operating force: 50±15 gf
  • Pre-travel: 2.0 ± 0.6 mm
  • Total travel: 4.0 mm (max.)
  • Mount: 5-pin (PCB)
  • Materials: Milky Nylon housing, POM stem
  • Lubing: Pre-lubed (factory)

3. Press feel, bottom-out, and return

Switch Press feel Bottom-out Return Travel character
Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro Tighter, more direct More defined Snappy and clear Controlled, “tighter” budget feel
Gateron Milky Yellow Pro V2 Smoother, milder Softer / more forgiving Rounder, less “hard” Milky-smooth and easy-going

4. Sound profile: crisp/defined vs milky/rounded

  • Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro: often slightly brighter with more edge definition in the keystroke (sometimes a bit “clackier,” depending on build).
  • Gateron Milky Yellow Pro V2: usually softer and rounder, with a more muted “milky” character.
  • Important: case, plate, keycap thickness, and foam still determine a large part of final sound.

5. Typical community pattern (incl. Reddit)

In budget linear discussions, this trend appears often:

  • About Akko V3: “surprisingly tight for the price,” “snappy return,” “more definition in the press.”
  • About Milky Yellow Pro V2: “comfort switch,” “smooth out of the box,” “easy to type on for long sessions.”
  • General conclusion: Akko for tighter/direct feel; Milky for softer/rounder feel.

Context still matters: the same switch behaves differently in aluminum vs polycarbonate, or with thin vs thick PBT keycaps.

6. Gaming vs typing: where do you notice it most?

  • Gaming: Akko V3 often feels more direct and faster in repeated input thanks to its snappier return.
  • Long typing sessions: Milky Yellow Pro V2 often feels less fatiguing due to softer impact character.
  • All-round use: choose based on impact + sound: defined/tight (Akko) or soft/round (Milky).

7. Modding potential (lube, film, spring swap)

  • Akko V3: light lubing can refine travel and consistency; spring swaps can further tune the profile toward precision.
  • Milky Yellow Pro V2: already strong in stock form, but extra stem/spring lube can improve smoothness and reduce ping.
  • Films: mostly useful if you want to minimize housing play and tighten sound focus.

8. When should you choose which?

  • Choose Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro if you want a tighter, more direct budget linear with clearer return and more definition in press and bottom-out.
  • Choose Gateron Milky Yellow Pro V2 if you want a softer, milky-smooth linear that stays comfortable over long sessions.

9. Where to buy

Conclusion

Both switches offer strong value, but with a different press profile. Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro leans tighter/direct with extra definition. Gateron Milky Yellow Pro V2 leans smooth/comfort with softer impact and rounder sound. So choose based on what you want to feel on every keypress: snappy control or milky flow.