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Akko Botany vs. Akko V3 Lavender Purple Pro

An in-depth look at the Akko Botany and the Akko V3 Lavender Purple Pro switches—which one is the best fit for you?

Overview

When it comes to choosing the ideal mechanical keyboard switch for your typing style and preferences, the Akko Botany and the Akko V3 Lavender Purple Pro offer two distinct experiences worth considering. The Botany, known for its crisp and lively clacky sound right out of the box, is a linear switch that provides a smooth typing experience without any tactile feedback, making it an excellent choice for gamers and typists who prioritize speed and fluidity. In contrast, the V3 Lavender Purple Pro stands out with its delightful tactile bump and higher-pitched sound profile, categorized as accented, bouncy, snappy, and polished, which enhances the overall typing experience, offering both feedback and auditory satisfaction. If you seek a swift performance with minimal resistance, the Botany is your go-to, while the Lavender Purple Pro caters to those who appreciate a more textured feel with audible feedback. 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

45g

Bottom-out force

45g

Bottom-out force

55g

Pre-travel

2.00 mm

Pre-travel

1.90 mm

Total travel

3.60 mm

Total travel

3.80 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

Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the Akko Botany and the Akko V3 Lavender Purple Pro, it's evident that they utilize different materials for their top housings, which noticeably affects their sound profiles. The Akko Botany features a nylon top housing, known for its ability to produce a deeper and fuller sound. This is due to the softer properties of nylon, which absorbed more sound and leads to a rounder acoustic experience. In contrast, the V3 Lavender Purple Pro employs a polycarbonate top housing that yields a sharper, crisper, and more resonant sound profile. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate enhances sound clarity, making it better suited for clear and defined auditory feedback, especially when paired with RGB lighting due to its translucency.

Despite the differences in their top housing materials, both switches share a nylon bottom housing, which ultimately produces similar sound characteristics in the typing experience. Since both switches utilize nylon for their bottom housings, they elicit that familiar deep and rounded sound profile when bottomed out. The influence of the bottom housing on the overall acoustic experience is significant; therefore, while the top housing determines the sound during the release of a key, the nylon bottom of both switches ensures that the typing sound retains that fuller tonal quality. This similarity in bottom housing allows for comparable performance in tactile feedback, regardless of the material composition of the top housing.

Overall, while the Akko Botany and the V3 Lavender Purple Pro differ in their top housing materials, leading to distinct sound outcomes, they converge on a common ground with their nylon bottom housing. The combined effect of a nylon bottom housing promotes a consistent typing feel characterized by a deeper sound, while the varied top housing materials create a nuanced layering of acoustics—offering a choice for users who prioritize tonal richness versus clarity when typing. Ultimately, those who choose either switch can expect a well-rounded auditory experience, with the richness of the nylon bottom resonating through both setups.

Weight

When comparing the Akko Botany linear switch and the Akko V3 Lavender Purple Pro tactile switch, there are notable 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 an appealing choice for users who prefer a softer touch, ideal for extended typing sessions or gaming. In contrast, the V3 Lavender Purple Pro requires a slightly heavier actuation force of 45 grams, and its bottom out force reaches 55 grams, catering to those who favor a more substantial typing experience. As a result, the Botany switch is generally lighter while the Lavender Purple Pro is heavier, providing distinct tactile feedback preferences for different users. Thus, if typing comfort and endurance are priorities, the Botany may be the better option, whereas those seeking more feedback might gravitate towards the Lavender Purple Pro.

Travel distance

The Akko Botany linear switch features a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Akko V3 Lavender Purple Pro tactile switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.8 mm. This makes the Botany a preferable choice for gamers or users seeking faster response times due to its shorter travel distance, which can facilitate quicker key presses. On the other hand, the longer travel distance of the V3 Lavender Purple Pro might appeal to those who enjoy a more pronounced tactile feel, providing a deeper typing experience. Ultimately, if you prefer a snappier response, the Botany would be the better option, whereas if you appreciate more depth in your keystrokes, the V3 Lavender Purple Pro would suit your needs better.

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 Lavender 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 Lavender Purple Pro for $2.20.

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 its crisp and lively clacky tone, which can enhance the typing experience with a pronounced acoustic feedback. This makes it stand out for those who enjoy a more engaging auditory response with each keystroke. On the other hand, the Akko V3 Lavender Purple Pro tactile switch offers a higher-pitched sound profile accompanied by a nice tactile bump, creating a distinct and pleasing sound that is often favored among enthusiasts who appreciate a melodious yet tactile typing experience. Both switches are capable of delivering a satisfying sound, though the Botany focuses more on a classic clack, whereas the Lavender Purple Pro provides a more nuanced auditory delight attributed to their tactile characteristics. It's worth noting that the sound is also greatly influenced by the choice of keyboard and keycap materials.

When it comes to feel, the Akko Botany switch provides a smooth and direct experience typical of linear switches, focusing on unencumbered key travel. While exact details on its unique tactile feedback are less defined, its linear nature will lead to a consistently fluid typing experience. In contrast, the V3 Lavender Purple Pro is described with several engaging characteristics: it features an accented tactility that offers a satisfying medium bump without being overwhelming, along with a bouncy sensation that offers a lively feedback. The snappy responsiveness and polished finish of the Lavender Purple Pro contribute to an overall engaging typing experience, enhancing both speed and comfort during extended use. This contrast in feel adds depth to the overall typing experience you can expect from each switch.

Overall, both the Akko Botany linear switch and the Akko V3 Lavender Purple Pro tactile switch cater to different preferences in the mechanical keyboard community. The Botany appeals to those who favor a straightforward, smooth typing experience with a delightful sound, while the V3 Lavender Purple Pro caters to those who lean towards a tactile response coupled with a unique sound profile. Ultimately, your choice will boil down to your personal typing style and sound preferences, but both can offer satisfying experiences when paired with the right keyboard setup.

Conclusion

To conclude, your choice between the Akko Botany linear switch and the Akko V3 Lavender Purple Pro tactile switch will largely depend on your personal typing preferences and usage scenarios. If you favor a light touch with an energetic and lively typing experience, the Botany switches, with their 45-gram bottom-out force and crisp clacky sound, will likely suit you well. They are ideal for users who enjoy rapid key presses and a sound profile that adds excitement to their writing or gaming sessions. On the other hand, if you prefer a bit more resistance and enjoy a tactile sensation while typing, the V3 Lavender Purple Pro will be your go-to. With its 55-gram bottom-out force and accented tactile feedback, these switches provide a satisfying blend of bounce and responsiveness, making them perfect for those who appreciate a more structured typing experience. Ultimately, it boils down to whether you prioritize a light, swift feel or a more tactile, engaging touch, allowing you to tailor your keyboard to best fit your needs.

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