Akko Botany vs. TTC Gold Brown
An in-depth look at the Akko Botany and the TTC Gold Brown switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, personal preference plays a significant role in determining the ideal switch for your typing or gaming experience. The Akko Botany switches are a linear type, celebrated for their crisp and lively clacky sound right out of the box, making them an excellent choice for those who enjoy auditory feedback and a fluid typing experience. In contrast, the TTC Gold Brown switches feature a tactile design that embodies balance, offering a subtle yet satisfying bump with each keystroke. Their moderate weightiness contributes to a rounded sound profile that feels soft without being entirely silent, appealing to users looking for a more nuanced feel while typing. Choosing between these two switches largely depends on whether you prefer the engaging sound and smoothness of the Botany or the pronounced tactile feedback and refinement of the Gold Browns. 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
55g
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
63g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
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
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
When comparing the Akko Botany and TTC Gold Brown switches, the contrast between their top housing materials is particularly striking. The Botany utilizes nylon for its top housing, which is known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is largely due to nylon's softer nature, enabling it to absorb sound more effectively than harder plastics. On the other hand, the Gold Brown features a top housing made of polycarbonate, a stiffer plastic that contributes to a sharper and crisper sound profile. The differences in material lead to unique acoustic characteristics: while the Botany's nylon top yields a rounder, more muted sound, the Gold Brown's polycarbonate top enhances brightness and clarity, making it more suitable for RGB lighting due to its translucency.
Both switches employ nylon for their bottom housing, creating a notable commonality. This similarity means that regardless of the top housing's material, both the Botany and Gold Brown will deliver a deeper and fuller sound profile when bottoming out due to the properties of the nylon used in the bottom housing. This shared feature ensures that both switches maintain a consistent tactile experience when pressed down, further blurring the lines between their core functionalities. The depth of sound generated by the nylon bottom helps create a pleasing audible feedback that many users appreciate.
The combination of these materials dictates how the final sound and feel are experienced while typing. While the contrasting top housing materials offer unique sound profiles—soft vs. hard—the consistent use of nylon in the bottom guarantees an underlying depth to the sound irrespective of the difference in top housing. As a result, users may find that while the tactile response and sound profile upon bottoming out are similar across both switches, the sound experienced when releasing the keys will vary significantly, with the Botany providing a muted tone and the Gold Brown yielding a more resonant, bright sound. This nuanced interplay between the two housings ultimately influences the overall typing experience, marrying aesthetics and acoustics in distinct ways.
Weight
The Akko Botany linear switch and the TTC Gold Brown tactile switch exhibit distinct differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Botany switch has a lighter actuation force of 38 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, making it ideal for users who prefer a less strenuous keypress, particularly beneficial for extended typing sessions or gaming marathons. In contrast, the Gold Brown switch requires a heavier actuation force of 55 grams and a bottom out force of 63 grams, catering to those who favor a more substantial typing experience. This heavier resistance can provide a more tactile feedback, which some users appreciate. Consequently, if you opt for the Akko Botany linear switch, you will experience a softer touch, while the TTC Gold Brown will deliver a firmer feel under your fingers. Thus, the Botany is clearly the lighter option, while the Gold Brown is the heavier choice.
Travel distance
The Akko Botany linear switch and the TTC Gold Brown tactile switch differ in their travel distance, with the Botany at 3.6 mm and the Gold Brown at 4 mm. This means that the Botany switch offers a shorter travel distance, making it potentially more responsive for users who prefer quicker key actuation, such as gamers. Conversely, the Gold Brown, with its longer 4 mm travel, may provide a deeper and more substantial feeling with each keypress, which some users find more satisfying and comfortable for longer typing sessions. Ultimately, the choice between the two will largely depend on personal preference—those who favor rapid response may lean towards the Botany, while those who appreciate a more pronounced key press might prefer the Gold Brown.
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 TTC Gold Brown has an MSRP of $5.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Gold Brown for $3.28.
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 produces a crisp, lively clacky sound that is engaging and vibrant right out of the box, making it an excellent choice for those who enjoy a more pronounced auditory feedback while typing. In contrast, the TTC Gold Brown tactile switch offers a rounded sound profile that is softer and more subdued. It embodies a neutral sound characteristic that is well-balanced, making it versatile enough for various settings, including both home and office environments. This rounded quality, combined with its moderate actuation force requirement, positions the Gold Brown as a quieter alternative that nonetheless provides a satisfying typing experience without being overly silent.
When considering feel, the Botany linear switch is generally characterized as having an enjoyable, straightforward keystroke that lacks the tactile bump found in tactile switches. This results in a smooth actuation that can make typing feel effortless, especially for those who prefer a linear feel. On the other hand, the TTC Gold Brown is described as offering a mild typing experience with a slight tactile bump, which means it provides tactile feedback without being overly pronounced. The buttery touch of the Gold Brown ensures a smooth and fluid keystroke, while the accented qualities make it prominent enough to offer noticeable tactility without being overwhelming. This combination results in a polished typing experience where users can enjoy both smooth transitions and gentle feedback.
In summary, the Akko Botany linear switch and TTC Gold Brown tactile switch cater to different preferences in both sound and feel. If you prefer a more lively, clacky sound and a smooth, linear typing experience, the Botany will serve you well. Conversely, if you lean toward a more subdued auditory profile combined with a balanced tactile sensation, the Gold Brown is a suitable choice. While both switches excel in their own rights, the decision ultimately comes down to personal preference regarding sound and tactile feedback.
Conclusion
To sum up, choosing between the Akko Botany linear switch and the TTC Gold Brown tactile switch ultimately depends on your typing preferences and the environment in which you'll be using your keyboard. If you favor a lighter keystroke with a lively, clacky sound, the Akko Botany may be your ideal choice, especially if you enjoy a more agile typing experience that leans towards expressiveness. This switch is well-suited for those who appreciate a dynamic audio feedback while typing, which can make the experience more enjoyable, particularly for gaming or casual use. On the other hand, if you prefer a more balanced typing experience, the TTC Gold Brown switch might be the better option for you. With its moderate actuation force and mild tactile feedback, this switch provides a gentle yet satisfying bump that enhances accuracy without being too distracting. It's an excellent choice for users who plan to use their keyboard in a quieter environment, such as an office or shared workspace, where a rounded sound profile and a smooth, polished feel can contribute to a more pleasant atmosphere. Ultimately, both switches have their unique strengths, so consider your own typing style and audio preferences to make the best decision for your mechanical keyboard setup.
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