Akko Botany vs. TTC Gold Red
An in-depth look at the Akko Botany and the TTC Gold Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular linear options are the Akko Botany and the TTC Gold Red, each offering unique characteristics that cater to different typing preferences. The Akko Botany switches are renowned for their lively clacky sound, making them an excellent choice for users who appreciate a vibrant auditory experience while typing. These switches can elevate your keyboard's personality with their crisp sound profile, while still delivering linear performance. On the other hand, the TTC Gold Red switches stand out for their buttery smooth action and light-medium resistance, offering a seamless typing experience ideal for those who prioritize comfort and less auditory distraction. The subtle snappiness of the Gold Red provides a polished touch without overwhelming the user. While both switches have their respective strengths, choosing the right one hinges on whether you prefer a more expressive typing experience or a smooth, understated feel. 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
43g
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
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
The Akko Botany and the TTC Gold Red switches differ significantly in their choice of top housing materials, which influences the overall sound profile produced when typing. The Botany features a nylon top housing, renowned for its softer characteristics that contribute to a deeper and fuller sound profile. This material absorbs more sound due to its lower density, resulting in a rounder auditory experience that many typists may find appealing for casual use. In contrast, the Gold Red's top housing is crafted from polycarbonate, a stiffer plastic that provides a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. With its enhanced resonance, polycarbonate is particularly favorable for those who prioritize clarity in their keystrokes or are using RGB lighting, as its translucent properties accentuate the illumination. Thus, while both switches aim to deliver satisfying typing experiences, they cater to different auditory preferences due to their distinct top housing materials.
When exploring the bottom housings of both switches, the comparison reveals an interesting similarity. Both the Botany and the Gold Red utilize nylon for their bottom housings, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile from this aspect of the switch. The use of nylon in both cases ensures that the bottom-out sound and feel provide a consistent experience, characterized by its sound-absorbing properties. The shared nylon material here means that even though the top housings contribute differently to the sound profile, the bottom housing harmonizes their responses, leading to comparable bottom-out experiences upon keystroke depression. Consequently, users can expect a similar tactile feel when bottoming out, thanks to this consistent use of nylon.
Overall, the differing top housing materials between the Akko Botany and TTC Gold Red switches create unique typing experiences. While the Botany provides a warm, muted sound through its nylon top housing, the Gold Red's polycarbonate top produces a brighter and more resonant feedback. Nevertheless, the shared nylon bottom housing serves to balance some of these differences, ensuring that users still experience a comfortable and fulfilling keypress regardless of which switch they choose. This interplay creates a versatile range of sensory responses, appealing to diverse user preferences based on the nuances of sound and feel associated with each switch's design.
Weight
When comparing the Akko Botany linear switch and the TTC Gold Red linear switch, we see some key differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Botany switch has an actuation force of 38 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, making it the lighter option of the two. In contrast, the Gold Red switch has a slightly heavier actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams. Both switches can be considered light, which appeals to users who prefer a more effortless typing experience for extended use, whether for work or gaming. However, the Gold Red switch provides a bit more resistance, offering a more substantial push feel that some may find preferable for their typing experience. Therefore, if you prioritize a lighter feel, the Botany is the way to go, while the Gold Red caters to those who favor a heavier switch.
Travel distance
The Akko Botany linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the TTC Gold Red linear switch features a slightly longer travel distance of 4.0 mm. This difference in travel distance highlights the Botany switch as the shorter option, which may appeal to gamers seeking quicker response times due to its reduced actuation distance. In contrast, the Gold Red switch provides a more traditional travel distance, which some users may prefer for its more substantial tactile feedback and deeper key presses. Ultimately, those who favor a snappier, more responsive experience might gravitate toward the Akko Botany, while users who enjoy a more pronounced depth in their key presses may find the TTC Gold Red to be more suitable.
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 Red 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 Red 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
The sound profile of the Akko Botany switches is characterized by a crisp, lively clacky sound, which tends to create an engaging auditory experience right from the start. This sound is often enjoyable for users who appreciate distinct feedback as they type. In comparison, the TTC Gold Red switches provide a thocky and low-pitched sound, creating a deeply satisfying auditory response. While the Gold Red's sound profile offers a more subtle, bass-heavy tone, it remains relatively neutral, avoiding any harshness that might be distracting. Both switches, therefore, cater to different sound preferences, with the Botany leaning towards a more vibrant sound and the Gold Red offering a muted yet rich acoustic response.
When it comes to feel, the Botany switches unfortunately lack specific descriptions available, thus leaving their tactile qualities a bit of a mystery. On the other hand, the Gold Red switches are known for their mild and silky feel, delivered through an exceptionally smooth typing experience that reduces resistance during presses. The subtle resistance offered by these switches caters to users looking for an approachable typing feel, which makes them suitable for both casual typing and longer writing sessions. The polished finish of the Gold Red adds to the overall experience, ensuring smooth key travel from top to bottom. If the Botany switches emulate the smoothness of the Gold Red, they may provide a similarly enjoyable typing experience, but without explicit qualities, it remains uncertain.
In conclusion, both the Akko Botany and TTC Gold Red linear switches bring unique auditory and tactile experiences to the table. While the Botany switches deliver a lively clacky sound, the Gold Red counters with a thocky, low-pitched profile, appealing to those who prefer a more subdued auditory feedback. On the feel front, the Botany's characteristics are not detailed, leaving their smoothness in question, whereas the Gold Red promises a gentle, silky touch that has been polished for refined performance. Ultimately, each switch caters to different preferences, and your choice will depend on whether you prioritize a vibrant sound or a smoother typing experience.
Conclusion
To conclude, when choosing between the Akko Botany linear switch and the TTC Gold Red linear switch, you should consider your typing preferences and the environment in which you'll be using your keyboard. The Botany switch is an excellent choice if you enjoy a lively, clacky sound and a lighter actuation force, making it great for a more expressive typing experience. Its unique sound profile can bring a sense of joy and personality to your setup, which many users find appealing. On the other hand, if you prefer a buttery smooth typing experience with a touch of resistance, the Gold Red switch offers a polished and silky feel that is more subdued. This makes it suitable for both quiet environments and shared spaces, where you might want to minimize disturbance from key presses. Ultimately, both switches provide a satisfying typing experience, but your choice should reflect whether you prioritize acoustics and expressiveness, like with the Botany, or smoothness and subtlety, as offered by the Gold Red.
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