TTC Bluish White vs. Akko Botany
An in-depth look at the TTC Bluish White and the Akko Botany switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the TTC Bluish White and the Akko Botany stand out for their distinct characteristics that cater to different typing experiences. The Bluish White switches are well-regarded for their tactile feel, offering a satisfyingly poppy typing experience accompanied by a snappy sound profile that many users find enjoyable. This switch is ideal for those who appreciate a tactile bump that provides feedback during typing, making it a great choice for both typists and gamers who thrive on precision. In contrast, the Akko Botany switches deliver a smooth, linear experience characterized by a crisp, lively clack, making them perfect for users who prefer a quieter, uninterrupted keystroke without tactile feedback. Whether you lean toward the tactile excitement of the Bluish White or the fluidity of the Botany, each switch offers unique advantages. 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
42g
Actuation force
38g
Bottom-out force
50g
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
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
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel spring
Housing materials
The TTC Bluish White and Akko Botany switches offer distinct sound profiles largely influenced by their top housing materials. The Bluish White utilizes polycarbonate for its top housing, which is characterized by a stiff structure that contributes to a sharper and crisper sound. This material's inherent translucency enhances the visual experience for users who favor RGB lighting, allowing the vibrant colors to shine through effectively. In contrast, the Akko Botany employs a nylon top housing, a material known for its softer nature. This softness absorbs more sound, resulting in a deeper and fuller acoustic experience, giving the Botany a more rounded sound profile upon key releases. The clear distinctions between these two materials mean that users can expect a notable difference in the auditory feedback while typing, with the Bluish White offering a more piercing sound compared to the softer tones of the Botany.
When it comes to the bottom housing, both switches opt for nylon, which provides a consistent element in sound generation. The bottom housing's influence is crucial because it significantly shapes the bottom-out sound and feel when a key is pressed down. Both the TTC Bluish White and the Akko Botany leverage the advantages of nylon's sound-absorbing qualities, creating a deeper and fuller auditory experience upon bottoming out. This shared housing material ensures that, despite differences in top housing composition, users will experience a certain level of sound consistency during the actuation phase as both switches produce rounded, subdued sounds from their nylon bottoms.
In summarizing the overall experience, while users will notice a clear divide between the sharpness of the polycarbonate top housing of the Bluish White and the softness of the nylon top housing in the Botany, they can anticipate similar auditory qualities during the actuation phase due to the nylon bottom housing present in both models. This dual housing setup allows users to enjoy a hybrid of sound characteristics: the crispness of the polycarbonate upon release in the Bluish White versus the rounder tones found in the Botany when typing down. Ultimately, the combination of these divergent and convergent materials provides enthusiasts with diverse yet complementary typing experiences within a single keystroke.
Weight
When comparing the TTC Bluish White tactile switch and the Akko Botany linear switch, the key distinction lies in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Bluish White switch has an actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, while the Botany switch features a slightly lighter actuation force of 38 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams. Although both switches are categorized as light, the Botany switch is the lighter option overall. This difference means that those who prefer a lighter touch may find the Akko Botany more suitable for prolonged typing or gaming sessions. In contrast, the TTC Bluish White provides a marginally heftier feel for those who favor more resistance during key presses. Both switches offer pleasant tactile feedback but cater to slightly different preferences in typing experience.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the TTC Bluish White tactile switch and the Akko Botany linear switch, there is a slight difference: the Bluish White has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Akko Botany measures at 3.6 mm. This makes the Bluish White the shorter option and the Botany the longer one. For users who prioritize responsiveness, the Bluish White's shorter travel distance may provide a quicker key actuation, appealing particularly to gamers seeking faster response times. Conversely, those who prefer a more substantial and satisfying key feel might opt for the Akko Botany due to its slightly longer travel distance, which can offer a more pronounced bottom-out experience. Overall, the choice between these two switches will largely depend on individual preferences for tactile feedback and actuation speed.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Bluish White has an MSRP of $6.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Bluish White for $4.63.
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 comparing the sound profiles of the TTC Bluish White tactile switch and the Akko Botany linear switch, the differences become quite clear. The Bluish White produces a low-pitched, bass-heavy sound that contributes to a satisfying typing experience. This mellow tone is often perceived as more gentle and subtle, making it suitable for quieter environments. In contrast, the Akko Botany linear switch is known for its crisp and lively clacky sound straight out of the box, which can be more pronounced and attention-grabbing. It’s worth noting that the overall sound experience can be influenced by various factors such as the keyboard frame and keycap material used, but generally, those who prefer a more tuneful and percussive typing experience would lean towards the Botany switches.
In terms of the tactile feel, the TTC Bluish White offers a notably buttery and polished typing experience, enhanced by its mild and subtle characteristics. These switches are designed to provide a smooth and effortless keystroke, with a gentle resistance that allows for a fluid typing motion. The stepped nature of the switch adds a sophisticated tactile feedback, creating a distinct sensation without being overly harsh. This combination results in a typing experience that feels refined and approachable for many users. The Akko Botany linear switch, however, lacks detailed feedback on its specific tactile experience, which makes it difficult to ascertain its exact feel relative to the Bluish White. Nevertheless, linear switches typically provide a smooth transition without tactile bumps, emphasizing speed and fluidity in typing.
In conclusion, both the TTC Bluish White tactile switch and the Akko Botany linear switch offer unique sound and feel characteristics that cater to different preferences. The Bluish White excels in delivering a mellow, low-pitched sound and a smooth, refined typing experience with tactile feedback that's subtle yet satisfying. In contrast, the Botany’s clacky sound provides a more lively auditory experience, although its tactile qualities remain less defined. Ultimately, potential users should consider their priorities when choosing between these switches, as their differences can significantly influence the overall typing experience.
Conclusion
To conclude, selecting between the TTC Bluish White tactile switch and the Akko Botany linear switch ultimately depends on your typing preferences and usage scenarios. If you enjoy a tactile feedback that offers both a satisfying pop and mild resistance during key presses, the Bluish White would be ideal for you, especially if you're working in a quieter environment where its low-pitched sound won't disrupt anyone else. The buttery and polished feel of these switches makes for a smooth and enjoyable typing experience, great for long sessions of typing or gaming where precision is key. On the other hand, if you prefer a lively and crisp typing feel with a little more of an upbeat auditory experience, you might lean towards the Botany switch. With its lighter 45 grams of bottom-out force and a more clacky sound profile, it's well-suited for those who love the excitement of audible feedback while typing, making it a fantastic choice for gaming or creative work where a dynamic sound is appreciated. Ultimately, consider your personal tactile and auditory preferences as you choose between these two excellent switches.
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