There’s a ton of “budget linear switches” are on the market. But in my experience, finding a GOOD budget linear is tough.
Luckily, the Akko CS Matcha Green switches are A+!
They sound great, feel great, and are easy to mod. The only downfall is they don’t have a dust-proof stem with a box, and there’s a bit of spring ping.
I’m a HUGE fan of the Akko rose red and the Akko Jelly Blacks–so after somebody recommended these matcha greens on my youtube channel…
I decided they were worth a shot!
Read on for my full review! But first, a quick sound test…
Here are some other switch reviews:
- Akko Silver Switches (linear, super fast and “tappy”)
- Akko Vintage White (linear)
- Akko Rose Red (linear)
- Akko Jelly Black (heavier linear)
- Kailh Box vs Gateron (which is better?)
Akko CS Matcha Green: Switch Details
- Akko CS Switch Series – Akko Custom Series (CS) switches are 3-pin custom switches made for DIY enthusiasts to obtain satisfying typing feelings with more affordable options.
- Matcha Green 50gf Linear Switch – The 50gf actuation force for Matcha Green is heavier than Rose Red and is a great option for users who are in favor of smooth linear switches but prefer stronger...
- Built-in LED Slot – Akko CS key switches are equipped with LED slot ready for LED Mod/Assembly, and are SMD compatible (LED underneath the switch), giving you the flexibility to create a custom...
- Type: Linear switch
- Actuation force: 50g
- Total travel distance: 4.0 ± 0.3mm
These switches have standard Cherry MX stems, which makes them easy to take apart, mod and lube.
Key difference: Progressive spring
These switches come with what Akko calls “progressive springs.”
This basically just means that there’s a little MORE spring–in roughly the same length. I.e. probably a little heavier to push in, especially on the top-end.
Btw–don’t let the name “matcha green” fool you into thinking this is a clicky switch. Most “green” switches are clicky, but not these.
Confusing, I know.
Switch Pricing
They aren’t the dirt-cheapest switch you can find, but they’re definitely on the “budget-friendly” side!
You can find them for as low as $0.22 per switch (or 45 switches for $10-13 on Amazon)
Compared that to the Akko Jelly Blacks (If you can even FIND them), at around $0.40 per switch.
And the Gateron Ink V2 Blacks, which are considered some of the best-sounding & feeling linear switches…will set you back a whopping $0.60 per switch!
So yeah, these Akko matcha greens are definitely a great value for the price.
Akko Matcha Green PROS and CONS
Pros: ✅
- affordable, easy to find (not all Akko switches are!
- medium-heavy feel
- sound is smooth and pleasant sounding
- the price is great at only $0.22 per switch
Cons: ❌
- a bit of spring ping
- no dust-proofing
- hollow feeling (might not be a bad thing, depending on your preferences)
Honestly?
If you will at LEAST lube the springs, these switches go from “pretty good” to “REALLY good.”
(by either bag-lubing or hand-lubing. Check out our full switch lubing guide for more).
While beginners might not notice the spring ping, more experienced typists and gamers will probably find it annoying.
The “hollowness” is another interesting thing I noticed with these switches, but it’s not necessarily a bad thing. There’s simply a tiny bit more resonance compared to the Rose Reds or Jelly Blacks.
If you’re coming from Gateron or Cherry switches, they might feel a little “off.” But otherwise, you’d never be able to tell.
I’m personally a fan of the hollow feeling because it gives the switch a slightly “melodic” sound (if that makes ANY sense whatsoever).
My recommended linear switch alternatives:
If you don’t want to bother with lubing, then I would recommend checking out the Akko Jelly Blacks. They come with a dust-proof stem and sound fantastic–for a little bit more money.
- OR–if you’re willing to spend a bit more money, you can’t go wrong with the Gateron Ink Blacks. They have an incredibly smooth and high-quality feel and sound really good too.
- OR–if you absolutely want the most butter-smooth linear switch out there, you might go for the Gateron Milky Yellows. They’re THICK and amazing.
- OR–if you do NOT want to lube switches and would prefer them to be “plug and play” out of the box–I would recommend checking out either the Akko Vintage Whites or Tecsee Carrots
See this comparison post as well: Matcha Green vs Jelly Black.
Akko Matcha Green F.A.Q.
Are Akko Matcha green switches good?
Yes, Akko Matcha Green switches are definitely good! They’re affordable, easy to find, and sound great– especially after you lube them. They have a slight “hollow,” or “resonate” sound, with a satisfying “clack” sound as well.
Are Akko Matcha green linear?
Yes, Akko Matcha Green switches are linear. They’re not clicky, or tactile. This means that they have a smooth keystroke, with no “bump” in the middle. They’re considered “medium-heavy” switches, with an actuation force of around 50 grams.
Are Akko switches scratchy?
Generally speaking, no. Akko switches are generally not very scratchy! (But like all mechanical switches, they definitely benefit from light lubing). However, spring ping is often present in Akko’s switches. This can be remedied by lubing the springs.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a great, affordable linear switch with a smooth sound and feel, Akko’s Matcha Greens are definitely worth checking out!
They come lubed from the factory (although I got mine off of AliExpress and they were NOT pre-lubed), but some people may find the spring ping to be annoying.
You can always remedy that by lubing the springs yourself.
Overall, they’re a fantastic switch and I would highly recommend them!
Related Reading: Kailh Box vs Gateron: Which switch is better?