Akko Botany vs. Everglide Lightning Silver V3
An in-depth look at the Akko Botany and the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to enhancing your typing experience, choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch is crucial, and two notable contenders are the Akko Botany and the Everglide Lightning Silver V3, both of which are linear switches. The Botany switches are celebrated for their crisp, lively clacky sound, creating an engaging auditory feedback that many users find appealing right out of the box. In contrast, the Lightning Silver V3 switches also boast a clacky and high-pitched sound signature, but they elevate the typing experience with their silky, seamless feel. An added highlight of the Lightning Silver V3 is its innovative light diffuser, which not only enhances RGB illumination but also brings a vibrant flair to your keyboard setup. While both switches cater to those in search of a lively typing experience, the Botany leans towards a more pronounced acoustic feedback, while the Lightning Silver V3 offers a unique combination of smoothness and enhanced lighting effects. 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
48g
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.50 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.40 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
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel spring
Spring
Lengthened gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The Akko Botany and the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 showcase two distinct approaches to switch housing materials that significantly influence their acoustic performance and tactile feedback. The Botany utilizes nylon for both its top and bottom housings, which contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile. This softer plastic absorbs more sound, resulting in a muted auditory sensation. The nylon material not only enhances the overall tone but also lends itself to a warmer typing experience, making it an excellent choice for users who prefer a quieter yet satisfying feedback. The consistent use of nylon throughout the Botany enhances this characteristic, allowing for a uniformly subdued sound and tactile feel.
In contrast, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 employs polycarbonate for its top and bottom housings, which leads to a sharper and crisper sound profile. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate creates a high-pitched resonance that is clear and bright, appealing to those who enjoy an articulate typing experience. This contrast in materials affects how each switch performs; while the Lightning Silver V3’s sound is notably more vibrant and allowing for a striking RGB aesthetic due to its translucency, the Botany's approach results in a more mellowed and cohesive structure. In the case of the Lightning Silver V3, the clear material enhances visibility for backlighting, which can be an essential feature for users focused on aesthetics.
Ultimately, while both switches feature different housing materials, their auditory experiences align with the qualities each material promotes. For instance, pressing the switch on the Botany will elicit a rounder sound when bottoming out due to the nylon, whereas the Lightning Silver V3’s bottom-out sound is more pronounced and clear thanks to polycarbonate. However, regardless of the differing characteristics, both switches will provide satisfying typing experiences tailored to their respective audiences. If users prefer a subdued, warm tone, the nylon-based Botany excels, while those seeking a brighter, more resonant typing experience may find the polycarbonate Lightning Silver V3 more appealing. Both switches, through their unique materials, will ultimately deliver the tactile feedback and performance expected in quality mechanical keyboards.
Weight
When comparing the Akko Botany linear switch to the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch, notable differences in actuation and bottom out forces emerge. The Botany features a lighter actuation force of 38 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, making it suitable for extended typing and gaming sessions where less finger fatigue is desired. In contrast, the Lightning Silver V3 has a heavier actuation force of 48 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams, providing a more substantial typing experience that some users may prefer for its tactile feedback. Consequently, for users who favor a lighter touch for comfort and endurance, the Botany is the clear choice, while those who appreciate a firmer push should consider the Lightning Silver V3 for its increased resistance. Thus, when it comes to actuation and bottom out forces, the two switches not only differ in weight but also cater to different typing preferences.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Akko Botany linear switch and the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch, it is clear that the Botany offers a longer travel distance at 3.6 mm, while the Lightning Silver V3 has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm. The difference may seem subtle, but it can affect the overall typing experience. If you prefer a more responsive feel, the Lightning Silver V3’s shorter travel distance might better suit your needs, providing quicker actuation ideal for gaming. On the other hand, if you appreciate a deeper and more tactile experience when pressing down on keys, the Akko Botany's longer travel distance may be preferable. Ultimately, your choice will depend on whether you value speed or a more substantial feel with your keystrokes.
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 Everglide Lightning Silver V3 has an MSRP of $5.55 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Lightning Silver V3 for $4.10.
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
The Akko Botany linear switch is known for producing a crisp, lively clacky sound, offering a satisfying auditory feedback that can make typing feel more engaging. In comparison, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 also features a clacky and high-pitched sound signature, which provides a bright and percussive auditory experience. Both switches deliver distinctive sound profiles that are appealing to users who enjoy an audible click when typing. However, as with any mechanical switch, the ultimate sound experience may vary based on the keyboard you pair them with and the keycap material you choose, so while you can expect characteristically clacky sounds from both, nuances in pitch and clarity may differ.
On the feel front, the Akko Botany switch lacks specific descriptors in the provided information, making it difficult to compare directly. The Everglide Lightning Silver V3, on the other hand, is celebrated for its silky feel, which indicates a remarkably smooth typing experience with minimal resistance during key presses. This superior smoothness leads to effortless typing, giving a premium sensation with every stroke. Unfortunately, without more detail on the Botany switch's feel, it’s challenging to draw a definitive contrast; users might find them quite different or somewhat similar depending on the specifics.
In conclusion, both the Akko Botany and Everglide Lightning Silver V3 switches stand out in their respective sound qualities, providing a clacky, engaging typing experience. The Lightning Silver V3 further enhances the user experience with its silky feel, while the Botany's feel remains ambiguous. For newcomers, both switches promise enjoyable performance, with the choice between them ultimately coming down to personal preference regarding sound and the desire for a smoother typing sensation. It’s worthwhile to consider trying both to find which one aligns better with your unique typing style.
Conclusion
To conclude, your decision between the Akko Botany linear switch and the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch should hinge on your personal preferences regarding actuation force, sound profile, and typing experience. If you favor a lighter touch with a bottom-out force of 45 grams, the Botany switch might be your ideal choice. This lighter resistance can make repeated gaming or typing sessions feel more fluid and effortless, particularly if you appreciate a crisp and lively sound that can enhance the overall feel of your keyboard. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium actuation force, the Lightning Silver V3’s 60 grams of resistance provides a firmer feel that some may find more satisfying, especially during fast-paced typing or gaming. Moreover, the high-pitched, clacky sound signature of the Lightning Silver V3, paired with its silky smooth typing experience, makes it an excellent choice if you enjoy a vibrant auditory response alongside seamless key presses. Ultimately, consider whether you prioritize a lighter actuation and lively sound or a firmer feel with enhanced smoothness and RGB illumination; both switches offer distinct advantages that cater to different typing styles and aesthetic preferences.
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