Huano Acacia vs. Akko Botany
An in-depth look at the Huano Acacia and the Akko Botany switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Huano Acacia and Akko Botany offer distinct yet appealing typing experiences for different preferences. The Acacia, a linear switch, is celebrated for its medium-light weight, generous factory lubrication, and minimal stem wobble, ensuring a smooth and satisfying typing experience straight out of the box. This switch is ideal for those who prefer a quieter operation without sacrificing performance. In contrast, the Akko Botany, also a linear switch, stands out for its crisp and lively clacky sound, providing a unique auditory feedback that enhances the overall typing experience. While both switches are designed to deliver a smooth keystroke, the Acacia leans towards a more subdued feel, whereas the Botany excels in offering vibrant acoustic characteristics. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
38g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Nylon Pro
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
Stainless steel spring
Housing materials
The housing materials used in the Huano Acacia and Akko Botany switches exhibit significant differences that impact their overall sound profiles. The Acacia features a polycarbonate top housing, which lends itself to creating a sharper and higher-pitched sound due to the material's stiffness. This quality allows for a clearer and more resonant sound experience, making the Acacia particularly appealing for users who appreciate vivid auditory feedback along with RGB lighting effects, thanks to the translucency of polycarbonate. In contrast, the Botany’s nylon top housing results in a much deeper and fuller sound profile. The nylon material, being softer, absorbs more sound and provides a duller, more rounded auditory experience. This fundamental difference underscores the divergent audio characteristics that each switch can offer even before typing begins.
When examining the bottom housing of both switches, the comparison reveals a notable similarity; both the Acacia and Botany utilize nylon as the material for their bottom housings. This shared aspect implies that both switches will exhibit a deeper and fuller sound profile concerning the bottom-out feel due to nylon's cushioning properties. The soft nature of the nylon in the bottom housing results in similar modulation of the sound produced when a key is pressed down fully, contributing to a consistent base sound across both switches. Hence, while the typing experience may vary in the initial impact of the top housing materials, the overall bottom-out sound will share common traits due to the use of nylon.
In summary, the differences between the Huano Acacia and the Akko Botany can primarily be attributed to their top housing materials, with polycarbonate in the Acacia leading to a brighter sound profile while nylon in the Botany contributes to a deeper tone. However, the use of nylon for both models' bottom housings creates a unifying acoustic characteristic, as both switches will share a rounded and soft landing sound when keys are pressed down completely. Thus, while there are contrasting auditory experiences at the top of each switch, the synergy in the bottom housing material ensures that users can expect a degree of similarity during the bottom-out stage.
Weight
When comparing the Huano Acacia linear switch to the Akko Botany linear switch, there are notable differences in both actuation force and bottom out force. The Acacia requires an actuation force of 45 grams and has a bottom out force of 55 grams, categorizing it as medium-light. In contrast, the Botany is lighter with an actuation force of 38 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, making it more suitable for those who prefer a lighter touch during extended typing sessions or gaming marathons. While both switches provide distinct feels under the fingertips, the Acacia's heavier actuation and bottom out forces offer a more substantial typing experience, which may appeal to users seeking a firmer push. Overall, the lighter Akko Botany switch is the more forgiving option for long-term typing, while the heavier Huano Acacia provides a more robust feedback that some users might appreciate.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Huano Acacia linear switch and the Akko Botany linear switch, we find that the Acacia has a distance of 3.5 mm, while the Botany measures slightly longer at 3.6 mm. This means that the Acacia switch offers a shorter travel distance, making it potentially more responsive for gaming enthusiasts who favor quicker key activation. Conversely, the Botany's longer travel distance may appeal to users who appreciate a more pronounced key press, which can feel more substantial and satisfying. Ultimately, those seeking faster response times may prefer the Acacia, while those who prefer a deeper feel might gravitate towards the Botany. Thus, although both switches provide solid options for different preferences, the difference in travel distance can cater to distinct user experiences.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Akko Botany has an MSRP of $3.89 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Botany for $3.11.
The Huano Acacia comes in at $3.39 per 10 switches.
Here at Milktooth, we offer the best prices on switches (on average, 27% lower the competition). In addition, we offer free shipping on orders over $49.00. We also offer free returns and exchanges, so you can shop with guaranteed satisfaction.
That said, while price is an important piece of the puzzle, our opinion is that you should ultimately pick the option that most suits your unique preferences since you’ll be using these switches for years to come. In other words, finding something perfect for you is, in our view, the most important criteria.
Typing experience
In terms of sound, the Huano Acacia linear switch is known for its relatively quiet operation, producing a subtle and smooth typing experience that minimizes distractions often associated with louder switches. In contrast, the Akko Botany linear switch delivers a crisp, lively clacky sound that provides a more auditory feedback during typing. This difference in sound character can create distinct typing atmospheres, with the Acacia being suitable for quieter environments while the Botany may be preferred for those who enjoy a more pronounced auditory experience.
When considering the feel of these switches, the Acacia offers a medium-light weight that results in a comfortable and effortless typing experience, enhanced by generous factory lubrication and minimal stem wobble. This combination contributes to a smooth keystroke that many users find enjoyable. The Botany switches, while also linear, tend to exhibit a different tactile response, emphasizing a lively and reactive feel with each press. This responsiveness can contribute to a more dynamic typing experience that some users may find particularly engaging.
Overall, both the Huano Acacia and Akko Botany linear switches cater to distinct preferences in sound and feel. While the Acacia offers a quiet and smooth typing experience, the Botany stands out with its lively and clacky sound paired with a more engaging tactile feedback. Those new to mechanical keyboards will appreciate the unique qualities each switch brings, allowing them to select based on their auditory and tactile preferences for an enjoyable typing experience.
Conclusion
To conclude, when deciding between the Huano Acacia linear switch and the Akko Botany linear switch, you should consider your typing preferences and overall experience. If you prefer a medium-light switch that offers a balanced force and feels solid with minimal wobble, the Acacia is an excellent choice. Its generous factory lubrication enhances smoothness, making it ideal for extended typing sessions without fatigue. On the other hand, if you desire an exceptionally light switch that is not only easy to press but also has a lively clacky sound, the Botany could be the better fit for you. Its lighter bottom-out force makes it appealing for rapid typing or gaming scenarios where fast key presses are crucial. Ultimately, your choice will depend on whether you prioritize a more stable and traditional typing experience with the Acacia or the rapid, responsive excitement of the Botany.
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