Dareu Aqua vs. Akko Botany
An in-depth look at the Dareu Aqua and the Akko Botany switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, the Dareu Aqua and the Akko Botany offer distinct advantages for different typing preferences. The Dareu Aqua, renowned for its remarkably light actuation force of just 37g, provides an effortless typing experience characterized by a unique blend of chirpy and clacky sound signatures. This makes it an ideal choice for users who prefer a lighter touch while enjoying the satisfying auditory feedback during their typing sessions. On the other hand, the Akko Botany switches deliver a crisp and lively clacky sound straight out of the box, catering to typists who appreciate a more pronounced auditory experience while typing. Both switches offer their unique charm, making them appealing based on individual preferences in sound and feel. However, let’s dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
37g
Actuation force
38g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
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
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel spring
Housing materials
The Dareu Aqua and the Akko Botany both employ different materials for their top housings, which notably influences their sound profiles and tactile experiences. The Aqua features a polycarbonate top housing that is known for producing a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. This stiffer plastic contributes to a sound profile that resonates more clearly, making it an excellent choice for RGB lighting due to its translucency. In contrast, the Botany's top housing is made from nylon, a classic choice that results in a deeper, fuller sound profile. The nylon’s softer texture absorbs more sound, leading to a rounder auditory experience. Thus, while both switches utilize a different material in their top housings, they achieve distinct acoustic effects, catering to diverse preferences in keyboard sound and feel.
When examining the bottom housings, both the Aqua and the Botany utilize nylon, creating a similarity in the overall sound profile produced at the bottom-out phase of the switch. The use of nylon in both cases provides a deeper and fuller sound when typing, as its inherent softness dampens sound more effectively than harder plastics. This means that while the top housings differ in their materials and consequent sound characteristics, the nylon bottom housing creates a consistent acoustic foundation for both switches. The combination of the Aqua's polycarbonate top and nylon bottom creates a balanced yet contrasting experience, while the Botany’s dual nylon structure promotes a more uniform sound.
Overall, the differences in the top housing materials lead to varied sound profiles when the keys are released, emphasizing the unique auditory identity of each switch. In the Aqua, the crispness from the polycarbonate is accentuated during the release, creating a pronounced sound, whereas the Botany maintains a smooth, rounded sound that aligns with its nylon top housing. However, both switches maintain a commonality in their bottom housing composition, resulting in a deep and fuller sound at the actuation point that gives each switch a distinct character while ensuring some elemental cohesiveness in the overall typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the Dareu Aqua linear switch and the Akko Botany linear switch, the differences in actuation and bottom out forces provide insights into their unique typing experiences. The Aqua boasts a lighter actuation force of 37 grams, while the Botany has a slightly heavier actuation force of 38 grams, indicating that the Aqua may be more comfortable for those who prefer a lighter touch, especially during extended typing sessions. However, the bottom out force of the Aqua is unspecified, making it difficult to draw a direct comparison in that aspect. In contrast, the Botany's bottom out force is 45 grams, which adds a more substantial feel when reaching the end of a keystroke. Therefore, while the Aqua offers a potentially easier keystroke with its lighter actuation force, the Botany’s bottom out force contributes to a firmer typing experience, making it suitable for users who enjoy a more pronounced push feel. Overall, the Aqua is better for lightweight preference, while the Botany is heavier and might cater to those looking for additional feedback and resistance.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Dareu Aqua linear switch and the Akko Botany linear switch, it's clear that the Aqua has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Botany offers a shorter distance of 3.6 mm. This difference in travel distance caters to varying user preferences: those who favor a more substantial key press may prefer the Aqua's longer travel distance, which provides a more pronounced tactile experience. On the other hand, the Botany's shorter travel distance aligns with the contemporary trend among gamers, as it allows for quicker key presses and faster response times. Consequently, if you're looking for a more responsive feel, the Akko Botany would be the optimal choice, while the Dareu Aqua would be more suitable for those who appreciate a deeper switch engagement.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Dareu Aqua has an MSRP of $6.59 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Aqua for $3.76.
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.
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
When it comes to sound, the Dareu Aqua linear switch offers a unique auditory experience marked by its combination of chirpy and clacky qualities. The chirpy sound adds a slight squeak that sets it apart, creating an engaging acoustic signature. Alongside this, the clacky aspect delivers an undeniably crisp and percussive response, complementing the lighter touch of the switch. In comparison, the Akko Botany linear switch is noted for its lively clacky sound out of the box, which is prominent and sharp, providing a more traditional linear switch experience. While both switches lean towards the clacky side, the Aqua introduces an additional chirpy element that gives it a character all its own, as sound can also be influenced by external factors such as the keyboard frame and keycap materials.
Moving on to feel, the Dareu Aqua linear switch excels with its super light 37g actuation force, presenting an effortless, easy-to-press experience. It's designed to minimize resistance, allowing for smooth and comfortable typing without causing finger fatigue, making it ideal for long sessions of typing or gaming. Additionally, the Aqua's feathery touch enhances this sensation, further contributing to the comfort of prolonged use. The feel of the Akko Botany linear switch is not specified, leaving room for speculation about its comfort and resistance level. However, those attuned to the general characteristics of linear switches can anticipate that it provides a different, yet potentially enjoyable typing sensation.
In summary, both the Dareu Aqua and Akko Botany linear switches cater to users seeking a clacky tonal experience, with the former offering a distinctive chirp that adds a touch of uniqueness. The Aqua's incredibly light actuation provides a feathery and effortless feel, ideal for extended use, while the feel of the Botany remains unknown. If you lean towards the sound that is both crisp and lively, the Botany may appeal to you, but for those who prefer an engaging auditory experience without compromising on a light, comfortable touch, the Aqua stands out as the more tailored option.
Conclusion
In summary, when choosing between the Dareu Aqua linear switch and the Akko Botany linear switch, your preferences and intended use will guide your decision. If you prefer a lighter touch that allows for effortless typing and gaming, the Aqua's super light 37g actuation force is ideal. Its chirpy and clacky sound signature offers a distinctive auditory feedback that can enhance the typing experience, especially if you enjoy a playful, lively feel. The ease of pressing also reduces finger fatigue, making it suitable for lengthy sessions of typing or gaming. Conversely, if you lean towards a more pronounced tactile experience with a bit more resistance, the Botany’s 45g bottom out force provides a satisfying feedback that balances lightness and control. Moreover, the Botany switch’s crisp and lively sound straight out of the box appeals to those who appreciate an engaging acoustical feedback. Ultimately, your choice should align with whether you prioritize a super light, responsive feel or a slightly more grounded switch that balances ease of use with a pronounced sound experience.
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