Everglide Bamboo Green vs. Akko Botany
An in-depth look at the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Akko Botany switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, enthusiasts often find themselves torn between the tactile response of the Everglide Bamboo Green and the smooth performance of the Akko Botany. The Bamboo Green is renowned for its sharp, polished tactility and distinctive clacky sound profile, making it an excellent choice for typists who enjoy that signature feedback with every keystroke. On the other hand, the Akko Botany, celebrated for its lively and crisp acoustics, offers a more seamless linear experience that caters to users seeking fluidity in their typing or gaming sessions. While the Bamboo Green provides a pronounced tactile sensation that can enhance typing accuracy, the Botany's linear simplicity ensures a quieter, uninterrupted flow. Each switch appeals to different preferences, highlighting the importance of personal choice in switch selection; 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
43g
Actuation force
38g
Bottom-out force
62g
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
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Nylon Pro
Top housing material
PBT
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
PBT
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Stainless steel spring
Housing materials
The Everglide Bamboo Green and the Akko Botany switches utilize different housing materials that significantly affect their overall sound profiles and typing experience. The Bamboo Green features a PBT (Polybutylene Terephthalate) top and bottom housing, providing a neutral sound that is neither overly crisp nor dull. This balanced profile contributes to a versatile typing experience, where the sound is steady and reliable. In contrast, the Akko Botany employs nylon for both its top and bottom housings, which is known for its softer characteristics. This results in a deeper and fuller sound profile, with its ability to absorb more sound leading to a rounder acoustic experience. Thus, while both switches offer unique sound qualities, the Bamboo Green leans towards neutrality whereas the Botany emphasizes richness.
Moreover, the differing materials not only create distinctive auditory feedback but also alter the tactile sensation when typing. The PBT plastic of the Bamboo Green tends to provide a firmer feel, maintaining consistent feedback during typing without overly dampening the keystrokes. Conversely, the nylon in the Botany produces a softer landing, potentially resulting in a more cushiony feel on each keystroke. This can be particularly appealing for users who prefer a subtler touch while typing. Consequently, the Bamboo Green may cater more to those who enjoy a pronounced keystroke feedback, whereas the Botany might be better suited to users looking for a more muted and plush typing experience.
Despite these differences, users of both switches can achieve satisfactory results by understanding how the materials affect the switch's performance. The PBT material of the Bamboo Green provides a steady sound profile that remains consistent across both top and bottom housings. Similarly, the nylon used in the Botany will continue to influence the feel and sound, particularly during the bottoming out of the switch. By considering the unique properties of each housing and their respective impacts on typing, users can make informed choices based on their preferred sound and feel, effectively tailoring their typing experience to their specific needs and preferences.
Weight
The Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Akko Botany linear switch present distinct characteristics in terms of their actuation force and bottom out force. The Bamboo Green has a slightly heavier actuation force of 43 grams compared to the lighter 38 grams of the Botany switch, which may appeal to users who prefer a more substantial typing experience. When it comes to bottom out force, the Bamboo Green again scores higher at 62 grams versus the Botany’s 45 grams. This means that the Bamboo Green requires significantly more effort to press all the way down, making it suitable for those who enjoy tactile feedback and a firmer push. Conversely, the Akko Botany, with its lighter actuation and bottom out forces, is ideal for extended typing sessions or gaming, as it reduces the fatigue that can come with heavier switches. In summary, the Bamboo Green is the heavier choice, catering to those who favor a stronger push, while the Botany offers a lighter and more forgiving feel for prolonged use.
Travel distance
The Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Akko Botany linear switch present distinct experiences when it comes to travel distance. The Bamboo Green achieves a travel distance of 4 mm, offering a deeper feel that many users appreciate for its substantial feedback, ideal for those who prefer a more traditional key press. In contrast, the Akko Botany has a shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm, catering to gamers and users who seek quicker response times and a more immediate actuation. Thus, the Bamboo Green is the longer option, while the Botany is the shorter. This difference means that if you're after a more responsive experience, the Botany may serve you better; however, if you enjoy a more pronounced key press, the Bamboo Green would be the favorable choice.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Bamboo Green has an MSRP of $9.67 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Bamboo Green for $7.19.
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 Everglide Bamboo Green switches emit a high-pitched, clacky sound that is often described as resonant and immersive. This sharp and crisp auditory experience makes them particularly appealing for users who prefer a brighter sound profile, as it stands in contrast to richer, bass-heavy switches. Similarly, the Akko Botany linear switches also deliver a lively, clacky sound straight out of the box, which suggests that users will enjoy a comparable auditory experience when typing. Both switch types are capable of creating a similar vibrant soundscape, though the specific characteristics may vary slightly depending on factors like the choice of keyboard and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Bamboo Green switches are characterized by their stepped and accented tactile feedback, providing a medium tactile sensation that’s neither overwhelming nor too subtle. This distinct, sharp tactile bump is not only pronounced but also polished, offering a sleek typing experience with reduced friction. Unfortunately, the specific feel characteristics of the Akko Botany linear switches remain unspecified, making it hard to draw a direct comparison. However, linear switches typically lack a tactile bump and might feel smoother overall, which could offer a different kind of typing experience, depending on personal preference.
In conclusion, while the Everglide Bamboo Green and Akko Botany switches share similarities in terms of sound, providing a bright and clacky typing experience, their tactile feedback presents a different story. The Bamboo Green switches provide a rich sensory experience with defined tactile bumps, while the specifics of the Botany's feel remain unknown, likely offering a smoother experience due to their linear nature. Ultimately, newcomers should consider their sound and feel preferences to select the switch that best aligns with their typing style.
Conclusion
To wrap up, your choice between the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Akko Botany linear switch ultimately depends on your personal preferences for feel and sound profile, as well as your typing style. If you enjoy a tactile feedback experience coupled with a responsive clacky sound, the Bamboo Green is an excellent choice. Its medium bottom-out force of 62 grams offers a satisfying resistance, while the sharp and clear high-pitched sound adds an enjoyable auditory element to your typing experience. This switch is particularly suited for those who appreciate a tactile bump that has a stepped feel, allowing for a distinct separation between pre-travel and post-travel, which adds a level of engagement to your typing. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter touch with less resistance on your keystrokes, the Akko Botany linear switch with its 45 grams bottom-out force will be more to your liking. The Botany's crisp and lively sound is a great fit for users who appreciate smooth, uninterrupted key presses without a tactile bump, making it ideal for gaming and fast typing scenarios. Ultimately, selecting the right switch will hinge on your own typing habits and sound preferences; take the time to consider what aspects matter most to you in a mechanical keyboard experience.
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