Akko Botany vs. Durock Lupine

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the choice can significantly impact your typing experience, and two intriguing options are the Akko Botany and the Durock Lupine, both linear switches that cater to distinct preferences. The Akko Botany is celebrated for its lively, crisp clacky sound straight out of the box, offering a dynamic auditory feedback that can enhance typing enjoyment. Meanwhile, the Durock Lupine provides a unique typing experience with its two-stage long springs, delivering consistent weight distribution during presses and a powerful rebound that elevates the tactile feedback. While the Botany leans into an engaging sound profile, the Lupine's polished characteristics are ideally suited for those who appreciate smooth and responsive keystrokes. Both switches have their merits: the Botany for those who enjoy lively acoustics and the Lupine for users seeking a refined tactile feel. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your individual needs.

By the numbers

Akko Botany Linear

Durock Lupine Linear

$3.89

$3.11 per 10

$5.50

$4.25 per 10

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Housing materials

When examining the housing materials of the Akko Botany and the Durock Lupine, we observe a notable contrast between the types of plastics used for the top housing. The Akko Botany utilizes a nylon top housing, which is characterized by its softer composition. This softness helps to absorb sound, resulting in a deeper and fuller auditory experience when typing. In contrast, the Durock Lupine employs a polycarbonate top housing that is stiffer than nylon, producing a sharper and crisper sound profile. This fundamental difference in the material not only influences the acoustic properties of each switch but also affects their tactile experiences. While the Botany's nylon housing creates a more subdued sound, the Lupine's polycarbonate material enhances the clarity and resonance, leading to distinctly different auditory feedback when interacting with each switch.

Both the Botany and Lupine share nylon as the material for their bottom housing, which means they produce similar auditory characteristics in that aspect. The nylon bottom housing in both switches contributes to a deeper, rounder sound, as it effectively dampens noise during key presses. This commonality allows users to achieve a fuller sound regardless of the presence of a different top housing material. Consequently, while the sound profile of the Durock Lupine may diverge significantly from the Botany when keys are released due to its polycarbonate top, the bottom-out experience for both switches remains comparable due to their shared nylon bottom housing. This ensures that users can still enjoy a consistency in feel during the act of pressing down on the keys, even if the higher-pitched release sounds differ.

Ultimately, the combination of materials in each switch leads to a unique interplay between sound and feel, presenting a complete sensory profile for users to consider. While the nylon top housing of the Botany emphasizes a deeper auditory experience, the Lupine's polycarbonate top introduces a brighter, more pronounced sound. However, with both models featuring nylon for the bottom housing, they retain an essential similarity in how they feel and sound during keyboard operation. By recognizing these differences and commonalities, potential buyers can make informed decisions based on their personal preferences for sound profile and overall typing experience. Understanding that both materials contribute uniquely to the overall performance of each switch highlights the importance of material choice in crafting satisfactory keyboard interactions.

Weight

When comparing the Akko Botany linear switch to the Durock Lupine linear switch, there are notable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Botany switch features a lightweight actuation force of 38 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, making it ideal for users who prefer a lighter switch for extended typing or gaming sessions. In contrast, the Lupine has an unknown actuation force but a significantly heavier bottom out force of 62 grams, suggesting a more substantial push feel that could appeal to users who enjoy a firmer typing experience. Overall, the Botany switch is the lighter option, providing a gentler touch, whereas the Lupine is on the heavier side, offering a more robust feedback. This difference means that users will find a more effortless typing experience with the Botany, while the Lupine may provide a satisfying resistance but potentially lead to fatigue over longer durations.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Akko Botany linear switch and the Durock Lupine linear switch, the Botany features a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Lupine has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.7 mm. This 0.1 mm difference means that the Botany offers a marginally shorter distance, which could appeal to gamers who value quicker response times. Conversely, the Lupine with its longer travel distance might be preferred by those who appreciate a more pronounced key press, providing a sense of depth that some users find more satisfying. In essence, if you prioritize responsiveness, the Akko Botany linear switch would be the more suitable choice, while the Durock Lupine caters to those who enjoy a deeper keystroke.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Akko Botany switches create a distinctive and lively clacky sound that can energize the typing experience. This crisp auditory feedback is particularly appealing to those who enjoy a more tactile engagement while typing. In contrast, the Durock Lupine switches also produce a classic clacky sound profile, characterized as neutral and high-pitched. This means that while they may not necessarily stand out in a rich and bassy way, they offer an auditory quality that is sharp and clear, making them suitable for both casual and professional settings. Overall, both switches bring a pleasant auditory experience, but the Botany's sharper clack may resonate more with enthusiasts who prefer a livelier sound.

In terms of feel, the Akko Botany switches are described less explicitly, while the Durock Lupine offers a more pronounced tactile experience through its two-stage long springs. This design results in a consistent weight distribution when pressing down, along with a robust upward rebound, providing a satisfying and dynamic typing experience. The Lupine is noted for its mild characteristics, making it approachable for many users, and its polished finish ensures smooth key travel with minimal friction. In contrast, the Botany switches may also offer a refined experience, yet details on their specific feel remain less defined. The Lupine's clear emphasis on smoothness and gentle engagement creates an inviting typing experience that contrasts with the unknown qualities of the Botany.

In conclusion, both the Akko Botany and Durock Lupine linear switches present unique qualities that cater to different preferences. The Botany excels in delivering a lively clacky sound, while the Lupine offers a versatile auditory experience with its neutral and high-pitched profiles. In terms of feel, the Lupine's dual spring mechanism provides a more dynamic feedback experience, whereas the specifics of the Botany’s feel are not as clearly articulated. For someone looking to choose between the two, both switches promise enjoyment through their sound and potential smoothness, making them solid options in the realm of mechanical keyboards.

Conclusion

To conclude, choosing between the Akko Botany linear switch and the Durock Lupine linear switch ultimately depends on your personal preferences and typing needs. If you prefer a light actuation force and a lively, clacky sound that adds a sense of vibrancy to your typing experience, then the Botany switch is a great choice for you. Its 45 grams bottom-out force can be an advantage for those who favor quicker keystrokes and reduced fatigue during extended typing sessions. On the other hand, if you favor a more substantial typing experience with a medium actuation force that provides a consistent feel and a polished finish, the Lupine would be the better option. Its 62 grams bottom-out force delivers a more weighted keystroke, which some may find pleasing for increased control, especially in gaming contexts. Additionally, the Lupine's mild and neutral sound profile makes it versatile for both work and personal use without being overly distracting. So, consider how you plan to use your keyboard and what typing sensations you seek; whether you want the light and lively Botany for fast and fun typing or the balanced and controlled Lupine for a smooth experience, both switches offer unique benefits to enhance your typing journey.

Mentioned in this article

Akko Botany Linear

$3.89

$3.11 per 10

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Durock Lupine Linear

$5.50

$4.25 per 10

Learn more