Akko Botany vs. Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro
An in-depth look at the Akko Botany and the Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboards, switch choice can greatly influence your typing experience, and two notable options from Akko are the Botany and the V3 Creamy Purple Pro. The Botany switch, known for its crisp and lively clacky sound, is a linear switch that offers a smooth keystroke without tactile feedback, ideal for those who prefer a consistent and seamless typing experience. Conversely, the V3 Creamy Purple Pro, a tactile switch, is celebrated for its pronounced tactile bump and bass-heavy sound signature, appealing to users who enjoy a more interactive typing sensation with audible feedback. While the Botany caters to gamers and typists seeking speed and fluidity, the Creamy Purple Pro attracts those who appreciate a tactile response that can enhance their typing rhythm. 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
30g
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Nylon Pro
Stem material
Nylon
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 housing materials of the Akko Botany and the Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro, notable differences can be found in their top housings. The Botany utilizes a nylon top housing, which promotes a deeper, fuller sound profile due to nylon's softer composition. This characteristic allows for sound absorption, resulting in a duller and rounder auditory experience when typing. In contrast, the V3 Creamy Purple Pro’s top housing is made from polycarbonate, a stiffer plastic that sells itself on a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile. As polycarbonate enhances clarity and resonance, users can expect a more pronounced auditory feedback, especially beneficial for those who utilize RGB lighting, as the translucent material allows light to pass through more effectively.
Conversely, both switches share the same material for their bottom housings: nylon. The use of nylon in this capacity yields a consistency in the mechanical feel for both devices, eliciting that characteristic deeper and fuller sound profile as typists bottom out their keystrokes. Despite the stark contrast in the top housing materials, the nylon bottoms ensure that touch and sound feedback upon key actuation remain harmonized between the two models. This provides a unique opportunity for users who may prefer the distinct auditory quality of each switch's top housing while enjoying a similar tactile sensation as conveyed by the nylon bottom.
Ultimately, the combination of different top housing materials in the Akko Botany and the Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro reveals a nuanced relationship between sound and tactile feedback. The clearly distinct acoustic profiles afforded by nylon and polycarbonate in the top housings mean that users will experience differing auditory cues when typing. However, the shared nylon bottom housing creates a foundation of consistency in touch and feel, ensuring that while the sound profile may differ, the typing experience remains cohesive. This means that users can expect a balance of rich sound from the Botany and a crisper feedback from the V3 Creamy Purple Pro, all the while sharing the dependable feel provided by their common bottom housing material.
Weight
When comparing the Akko Botany linear switch with its actuation force of 38 grams and bottom out force of 45 grams to the Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro tactile switch, which boasts an actuation force of 30 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, we see distinct differences in their feel and typing dynamics. The Botany switch is heavier in terms of actuation, requiring slightly more force to trigger a keystroke compared to the lighter 30 grams of the V3 Creamy Purple Pro. However, while the Botany switch has a lower bottom out force of 45 grams, the V3 Creamy Purple Pro bottoms out at 50 grams, indicating that it offers a firmer feel when fully pressed. For those who prefer a lighter switch to reduce fatigue during long typing sessions or gaming marathons, the V3 Creamy Purple Pro would be the better choice. Conversely, users seeking a more substantial typing experience with a heavier feel might lean towards the Botany switch. Ultimately, the differences in actuation and bottom out forces cater to varying user preferences, with the Botany being the heavier option for actuation and the V3 Creamy Purple Pro being the lighter choice.
Travel distance
The Akko Botany linear switch features a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro tactile switch has a shorter travel distance of 3 mm. This difference indicates that the Botany switch offers a slightly deeper key press, which may appeal to those who favor a more substantial typing experience that feels less abrupt. In contrast, the V3 Creamy Purple Pro, with its shorter travel distance, caters to users who prioritize responsiveness and quicker actuation, making it ideal for gamers looking for fast response times. Ultimately, if you prefer a greater depth in your keystrokes, the Botany switch would be the better choice, while the V3 Creamy Purple Pro would suit those who like a snappier feeling under their fingers.
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 Creamy Purple Pro has an MSRP of $3.11 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the V3 Creamy Purple Pro for $2.10.
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 Akko Botany linear switch is known for producing a crisp, lively clacky tone that is both engaging and satisfying. This vibrancy is likely to please those who enjoy auditory feedback from their keystrokes. On the other hand, the Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro tactile switch delivers a louder sound profile with a bassier pitch, thanks to its pronounced tactile bump. The Creamy Purple Pro's auditory characteristics create a different experience, making each keystroke feel more pronounced. Ultimately, while both switches offer their unique sound signatures, the Botany leans towards a brighter tone whereas the Creamy Purple Pro favors deeper, resonant sounds.
When it comes to feel, the Akko Botany linear switch is characterized by a smooth action that is ideal for users who prefer an uninterrupted keystroke experience. In contrast, the Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro features a significant tactile bump that adds a layer of feedback to each keypress, making it particularly appealing for typists who enjoy a more interactive experience. The tactile nature of the Creamy Purple Pro can enhance typing accuracy and satisfaction, while the Botany's smoothness can lead to quicker keypresses without any tactile resistance, catering to different preferences in key feel.
In summary, the Akko Botany linear switch excels in delivering a lively and crisp sound combined with a smooth keypress experience, making it suitable for those who favor fluid typing over tactile feedback. In contrast, the Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro offers a loud, bass-heavy sound and a distinctive tactile bump, making it ideal for users who enjoy a more tactile and audible typing experience. Ultimately, both switches serve different user preferences, allowing newcomers to select based on their sound and feel inclinations, ensuring a satisfying mechanical keyboard experience tailored to their style.
Conclusion
To conclude, choosing between the Akko Botany linear switch and the Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro tactile switch ultimately depends on your typing preferences and the experience you seek from your mechanical keyboard. If you’re looking for a smooth and consistent keypress with a lighter bottom-out force of 45 grams, the Akko Botany is an excellent choice. Its crisp, lively sound profile makes it ideal for those who enjoy a more pronounced auditory feedback while typing, which can add a fun and engaging element to your experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch that offers a tactile bump to help you feel the actuation point, the Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro, with its slightly heavier 50-gram force and bassier sound signature, could be more to your liking. This switch provides a richer tactile experience, making it satisfying for typing and gaming alike. In the end, your choice will hinge on whether you prioritize a linear and smooth experience with the Botany or a tactile and resonant feedback with the Creamy Purple Pro—both are exceptional options, depending on your personal typing style.
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