Akko Botany vs. Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro
An in-depth look at the Akko Botany and the Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to enhancing your typing experience, choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch is crucial, and the Akko Botany and the Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro both offer unique advantages for users. The Botany switch is celebrated for its lively and crisp clacky sound right out of the box, making it an appealing choice for those who appreciate an auditory feedback that energizes their typing experience. In contrast, the V3 Cream Yellow Pro stands out as a budget-friendly option, providing a delightful blend of poppy auditory feedback and a smooth, tactile feel, perfect for users who enjoy a feathery touch alongside their keypresses. While both switches cater to linear preferences, their distinct sound profiles and tactile feedback set them apart, guiding users towards different keyboard experiences. 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
38g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
Nylon Pro
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel spring
Spring
20mm spring
Housing materials
When comparing the Akko Botany and the Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro, an interesting divergence in their top housing materials emerges. The Botany utilizes nylon for its top housing, which is noted for producing a deeper, fuller sound profile as a result of its softer texture. This softness allows the nylon to absorb sound, leading to a more muted auditory experience that many typists appreciate for its rounded and warm qualities. In contrast, the V3 Cream Yellow Pro employs polycarbonate for its top housing, a material known for its rigidity. This stiffness results in a sharper and crisper sound profile, enhancing clarity and resonance, particularly suitable for users who prefer a more pronounced auditory feedback. Thus, while both switches have their merits, the choice of top housing significantly influences the user experience, with the Botany leaning towards warmth and the V3 focusing on clarity.
Examining the bottom housing of both switches reveals a notable similarity; they both utilize nylon. This consensus means that both switches elicit a deeper and fuller sound profile when bottoming out, as nylon's sound-absorbing properties will create that rounder sound typical of softer plastics. This characteristic is crucial as the bottom housing impacts the feel and sound when a key is pressed down fully, providing satisfying feedback regardless of the switch's distinct top housing. Therefore, both the Botany and the V3 Cream Yellow Pro will deliver a common tactile experience at the moment of key actuations, ensuring a familiar feeling of depth and satisfaction.
Ultimately, the different top housing materials of the Akko Botany and the Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro set them apart, while the uniformity in their bottom housings bridges some of the gap between the two. Users can expect a unique auditory experience during key releases with the Botany providing a softer, more muted sound, compared to the crisper, sharper tones from the V3 Cream Yellow Pro. However, both switches will retain that rich, fuller sound while bottoming out, thanks to their shared nylon bottom housing. This interplay of materials allows users to choose based on their preferred auditory experience during typing, with the Botany appealing to those who favor warmth and the V3 Cream Yellow Pro catering to those who appreciate crispness.
Weight
The Akko Botany linear switch and the Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro linear switch present a clear contrast in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Botany switch is lighter, with an actuation force of 38 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, making it ideal for extended typing sessions or gaming, as it reduces fatigue. In contrast, the V3 Cream Yellow Pro requires a stronger push with an actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams, catering to those who prefer a more substantial tactile experience. While the actuation and bottom out forces of both switches differ, the heavier V3 Cream Yellow Pro may provide a more pronounced feedback upon key presses, appealing to users who favor a firmer response. In summary, if you seek a softer touch for prolonged use, the Akko Botany is the better option, whereas the Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro offers a heftier feel for a more robust typing experience.
Travel distance
The Akko Botany linear switch features a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.3 mm. This means that the Botany switch offers a deeper experience with a longer travel distance, which some users may appreciate for its more tactile feedback and robust feel. In contrast, the V3 Cream Yellow Pro, with its shorter travel distance, may provide a more responsive experience, making it potentially more suitable for gamers who favor quick key actuation. Those who prefer a tactile, deeper press may find the Botany switch appealing, while users looking for faster responses might opt for the Cream Yellow Pro due to its quicker actuation. Overall, the choice between the two will depend on individual preferences for switch feel and responsiveness.
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 Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro has an MSRP of $2.88 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the V3 Cream Yellow Pro for $2.00.
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
The Akko Botany linear switch is renowned for its clear, lively clacky sound that makes for an engaging auditory experience right out of the box. This crisp sound profile is particularly appealing for those who appreciate a more pronounced acoustic feedback when typing. On the other hand, the Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro also offers a poppy, clacky sound combined with a degree of smoothness that creates a vibrant auditory experience. Both switches deliver a satisfying sound quality, which may vary slightly depending on your keyboard's construction, keycap material, and other factors, but users can expect a lively sound from either option.
When it comes to feel, the Botany switch's characteristics are not fully detailed, but the V3 Cream Yellow Pro presents an impressive array of descriptors. It is recognized for being easy-to-press, allowing for minimal effort during key presses, which can lead to less finger fatigue during long typing sessions. The feathery and bouncy qualities provide a delightful, responsive feedback, while the snappy and polished traits enhance the typing experience with quick activation and reduced friction. Thus, the V3 Cream Yellow Pro offers a well-rounded tactile sensation that caters to both gamers and typists seeking a lively yet comfortable experience.
In conclusion, while the Botany switch is celebrated for its crisp sound, the V3 Cream Yellow Pro excels in both auditory and tactile qualities, making it a strong contender for those looking for a vibrant keyboard experience. Although specific details about the feel of the Botany switches are absent, the descriptive attributes of the V3 Cream Yellow Pro suggest a high level of comfort and responsiveness during use. Therefore, users can expect comparable performance from either switch, particularly in sound, while the V3 Cream Yellow Pro's distinct feel will likely appeal to those prioritizing an effortless and enjoyable typing experience.
Conclusion
To conclude, the choice between the Akko Botany linear switch and the Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro linear switch fundamentally hinges on your personal preferences and typing style. If you value a lighter key press and seek a switch that delivers a lively and crisp auditory experience, the Botany is an excellent option. Its low bottom-out force of 45 grams makes it particularly suitable for longer typing sessions where comfort and reduced finger fatigue are paramount. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch that strikes a balance between auditory joy and tactile satisfaction, along with a slightly sturdier feel, the V3 Cream Yellow Pro is a fantastic choice. With its 60-gram bottom-out force, this switch offers a satisfying poppy sound paired with a creamy texture that enhances the overall typing experience without sacrificing comfort. Essentially, go for the Botany if you prioritize a lightweight, snappy feel with vibrant sound, and opt for the V3 Cream Yellow Pro if you desire a smooth, responsive touch with a bit more resistance—making your decision based on how you envision your typing or gaming sessions unfolding.
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