Akko Botany vs. Bsun Hutt
An in-depth look at the Akko Botany and the Bsun Hutt switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch, the Akko Botany and Bsun Hutt switches offer distinct experiences tailored to different typing preferences. The Akko Botany, renowned for its crisp and lively clacky sound, excels in delivering a satisfying auditory feedback that many typists appreciate. As a linear switch, it provides a smooth keystroke without tactile feedback, making it ideal for those who favor fast-paced gaming or a noise-friendly work environment. Conversely, the Bsun Hutt stands out with its medium-heavy spring and pronounced tactile bump, offering a snappy and invigorating feel that enhances the typing experience for users who enjoy a more pronounced feedback with each keystroke. Its balanced sound profile adds to the overall appeal, making it a top choice for those who appreciate tactile sensations. 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
40g
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
49g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Nylon Pro
Stem material
POK
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
20.5mm single-staged spring
Housing materials
When comparing the Akko Botany and the Bsun Hutt switches, the most striking difference lies in the materials used for their top housings. The Botany features a nylon top housing, known for its ability to produce a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is largely due to nylon's softer composition, which absorbs sound rather than amplifying it. In contrast, the Hutt employs a polycarbonate top housing that is stiffer and enhances clarity in sound production, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched output. Aesthetically, the Hutt's polycarbonate housing allows it to showcase RGB lighting more effectively, adding a visual appeal that complements its sound characteristics. Thus, the dominant material influences not only the auditory experience but also the visual presentation of the switches.
On the other hand, both the Botany and Hutt utilize nylon for their bottom housings. This commonality ensures that both switches deliver a deeper and fuller sound profile during key presses. The nylon's sound absorption properties mean that regardless of the differing materials used in the top housings, the bottom housing of both switches will similarly contribute to a softer bottom-out sound and overall feel when typing. This consistency in the bottom housing material allows both switches to maintain a uniform sensory experience in terms of sound quality, regardless of the variances introduced by the top housing materials.
In essence, the combination of housing materials significantly affects the sound profile and tactile feedback of each switch. While both switches share nylon in their bottom housing, their differing top housings lead to distinct auditory experiences when typing. The Botany's nylon top softens the sound, promoting a more subdued typing experience, whereas the Hutt's polycarbonate top sharpens and clarifies the sound, catering to those who prefer a crisper feedback. Therefore, understanding these housing materials allows users to determine which typing experience aligns best with their preferences, providing them with a tailored dynamic while utilizing the benefits of both nylon and polycarbonate.
Weight
The Akko Botany linear switch and the Bsun Hutt tactile switch exhibit similar characteristics in terms of their actuation and bottom out forces, though there are subtle differences to note. The Botany switch has an actuation force of 38 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, while the Hutt switch requires a slightly heavier actuation force of 40 grams and a bottom out force of 49 grams. This makes the Botany lighter overall compared to the Hutt, making it potentially more comfortable for extended typing sessions and gaming marathons. For users who enjoy a more tactile feel and don't mind a bit more resistance, the Hutt's heavier push provides a more substantial typing experience. Overall, while both switches are categorized as light, the Botany offers a gentler touch, whereas the Hutt leans towards a firmer response.
Travel distance
The Akko Botany linear switch features a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Bsun Hutt tactile switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. This means that the Botany switch offers a bit more depth in its actuation, potentially providing a fuller feel with each keystroke, which may appeal to users who prefer a hearty typing experience. Conversely, the Hutt switch, being shorter in travel distance, may be favored by gamers or those seeking quicker response times, as it requires less travel to register a keypress. Overall, while both switches fall within the realm of shorter travel distances compared to traditional options (4.0 mm), the Botany switch is the longer of the two by 0.1 mm, making it a suitable choice for users who appreciate deeper keystrokes, while the Hutt is ideal for those who prioritize speed 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 Bsun Hutt has an MSRP of $6.20 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Hutt for $5.39.
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 crisp and lively sound profile, delivering a distinctly clacky auditory experience right from the start. This elevated sound can be refreshing for users who appreciate a lively typing environment. In contrast, the Bsun Hutt tactile switch offers a balanced sound profile characterized by a resonant quality that brings a higher-pitched auditory experience. When typing on the Hutt, users can enjoy a sharp and clear sound that is clean and immersive, enhancing the overall typing experience. The sound of any switch, however, can be influenced by external factors, including the keyboard construction and the type of keycaps used, so individual experiences may vary.
When it comes to feel, the Akko Botany's qualities are not detailed, but the Hutt is distinctly characterized by its snappy and invigorating typing experience. With a medium-heavy spring and a pronounced tactile bump, the Hutt offers a strong and vibrant feedback with each keystroke, making for a responsive typing experience. Users can expect a distinctly sharp tactile sensation, ensuring that the feedback is both prominent and engaging without being overwhelming. This makes the Hutt a solid choice for those who enjoy a tactile response that balances pronounced feedback with a smoother typing experience.
In summary, those seeking a lively sound will likely prefer the Akko Botany for its crisp and clacky nature, while the Bsun Hutt appeals to users who value a cleaner sound profile with resonant qualities. In terms of feel, the Hutt stands out with its snappy and invigorating characteristics, providing an engaging feedback experience not described for the Botany. Ultimately, while they differ in their auditory and tactile experiences, both switches cater to different preferences, allowing users to find the ideal switch based on their own typing needs.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Akko Botany linear switch and the Bsun Hutt tactile switch ultimately depends on your personal typing preferences and usage scenarios. If you prefer a lightweight feel coupled with a lively and clacky sound that can keep your typing experience both engaging and enjoyable, the Botany switch would be an excellent choice for you. It's an ideal fit for anyone who enjoys a smooth keystroke without tactile feedback, making it great for gamers and those who prioritize speed in their typing. On the other hand, if you value the tactile response of your switches and enjoy a more pronounced feedback while typing, the Hutt switch would likely align better with your preferences. Its medium-heavy spring, snappy and invigorating feel coupled with a resonant sound profile provides a satisfying tactile experience that many typists find motivating, particularly when doing longer writing tasks. In essence, consider how you use your keyboard and what sensations you aim to get from it, and that will guide you to the perfect switch for your needs.
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