Monet's Pond Accessories

Ah, we now get to the other samples sent by Akko. As with the World Tour Tokyo theme, Akko has accompanying accessories in the Monet's Pond theme should you want to add to the experience. There is no keycap set this time, but we still get a wrist rest and desk mat. Packaging adopts more of a blue than the turquoise on the keyboard packaging itself, and we see renders of the design on the products on the box. The box for the wrist rest confirms what is inside with a large print on the back, and a double flap in the middle and two side flaps need to be accounted for before opening the slim box. Once done, the wrist rest is seen inside a plastic wrap to keep it clean and free of dust, and with cardboard all around for added protection. A QC sticker and a silica gel packet are all we see here, which isn't surprising considering it is a wrist rest.


Despite the Monet's Pond theme used for different keyboard form factors, including smaller ones than this 108-key version, the matching wrist rest is currently only available in a single size measuring in at 440 x 80 mm. This means it is a perfect fit for the full-size form factor, and why I chose the 3108v2 to go with the other accessories. Akko says a "milk fiber" is used on top, with thermal printing for the design resulting in a good balance of print quality, vivid colors, longevity, and the ability to wash/wipe as needed. The wrist rest otherwise employs a high-density memory foam construction and has a tacky (not in the negative sense) surface on the bottom for added grip. It is quite comfortable to use, and the height matches the keyboard as well.


The design is basically the same as the space bar keycap, but the colors do not match the rest of the keyboard. The space bar keycap is also different in color, but the smaller size coupled with the fish and other designs do not make it so obvious. With the much larger wrist rest, however, things are not so forgiving. I am not sure why there is the color discrepancy, and it is not even that the wrist rest is supposed to indicate a lower depth of the pond, in which case the base color would be darker. As it turns out, the packaging color is indeed reflective of the product used.


Or is it? Packaging for the desk mat is similar, but with only two side flaps to worry about. Some technical information is also revealed when the box is opened, including the size and material composition. But we see right away that the desk mat color is more in line with the keyboard. The desk mat is available in 900 x 400 mm only, the surface area I expect from a typical desk mat. It is large enough to accommodate a full-size keyboard, wrist rest, mouse, and a few other things if necessary. The design is all the more impressive because of the larger size, and made out of natural rubber with a fabric top that gets a similar print job as the fabric on the wrist rest. The edges are stitched, and the bottom has a non-slip finish courtesy the rubber composition. The stitching on the bottom could be improved, however, with some loose ends that may get frayed over time.


Here is a look at the desk mat with the keyboard, and then the keyboard with the wrist rest. We can confirm that the colors match the theme better with the desk mat, and it is a shame that the encircling Koi fishes in the center of the desk mat are hidden here. Good thing then that you would typically have the keyboard and wrist rest closer to the left, with the mouse on the right. The Akko logo will generally be visible in any configuration, which serves as an advertisement for the brand, too.