Akko Botany vs. Dareu Mahjong
An in-depth look at the Akko Botany and the Dareu Mahjong switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, both the Akko Botany and Dareu Mahjong linear switches offer distinct and enjoyable typing experiences that cater to different user preferences. The Akko Botany is celebrated for its crisp and lively clacky sound straight out of the box, making it an appealing choice for those who appreciate auditory feedback while typing. In contrast, the Dareu Mahjong switches stand out with their unique green and white color scheme and a lively, poppy sound signature that promises an effortless typing experience. While the Botany excels in providing an engaging acoustic experience, the Mahjong focuses on a bouncy and polished feel, making it versatile for both gaming and typing tasks. Ultimately, each switch has its own charm depending on your typing style and aesthetic preferences; however, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that’s right for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
38g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 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
POK
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel spring
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Akko Botany and the Dareu Mahjong switches exhibit distinct characteristics that contribute to their respective sound profiles and tactile experiences. The Botany features a nylon top housing, known for its softer texture, which results in a deeper, fuller sound. The combination of the nylon’s inherent sound-absorbing qualities and its softer plastic composition creates a duller and rounder auditory experience when typing. In contrast, the Mahjong uses POK as its top housing material. This polyketone compound is lauded for its smoothness and durability, providing a clacky sound profile that is quite different from the Botany's deeper tone. The higher coefficient of friction of POK compared to nylon means that, while both can offer unique tactile sensations, the Mahjong may present a more pronounced response, particularly in high-speed typing scenarios.
Both the Akko Botany and Dareu Mahjong utilize nylon for their bottom housings, which presents a fascinating case of similarity amidst other differences. This shared material provides a consistent sound experience across both models, delivering a deeper and fuller sound profile due to nylon's sound-dampening properties. Given that the bottom housing is crucial to the overall feel and bottom-out sound of the switch, the use of nylon ensures that both switches maintain a degree of acoustic cohesion. While the top housings diverge significantly in material and resultant sound characteristics, the commonality of nylon in the bottom housings allows for a level of consistency in the overall typing experience, particularly when considering the bottoming-out action.
The differences between the Akko Botany’s nylon top housing and the Dareu Mahjong’s POK top housing highlight how variation in materials can lead to diverse typing experiences. While the nylon top housing of the Botany fosters a softer, mellow typing sound, the POK top housing of the Mahjong introduces sharper auditory notes for a distinct clack. This contrast emphasizes the importance of housing material in defining a switch’s characteristic sound and feel, demonstrating how the choice between a softer nylon and a more durable POK can ultimately influence a user's preference based on required typing style and sound profile. Nevertheless, the adherence to nylon for the bottom housing allows for certain foundational similarities, ensuring that users of either switch can expect a full-bodied acoustic experience while enjoying the unique qualities of each switch's top housing material.
Weight
When comparing the Akko Botany linear switch and the Dareu Mahjong linear switch, we see notable differences in their actuation force. The Botany switch features a light actuation force of 38 grams, making it ideal for those seeking a more effortless typing experience during long sessions at work or gaming. In contrast, the Mahjong switch has a heavier actuation force of 45 grams, which may appeal to users who prefer a more substantial feel with each keystroke. While the Botany's bottom out force is 45 grams, indicating that it provides a consistent resistance until fully pressed down, the bottom out force of the Mahjong switch is unknown, leaving some ambiguity regarding its overall feel when fully activated. Therefore, for those who desire a lighter switch, the Botany is the clear choice, while those who appreciate a heavier actuation should lean towards the Mahjong.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Akko Botany linear switch and the Dareu Mahjong linear switch, the Botany features a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Mahjong has a shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm. This means that the Botany offers a slightly deeper experience, which may feel more satisfying for users who prefer a hearty depth in their key presses. In contrast, the shorter travel distance of the Mahjong might appeal to gamers seeking quick and responsive keystrokes for faster reaction times. Ultimately, while both switches fall within the category of shorter travel distances compared to the traditional 4.0 mm, the Botany provides a more pronounced depth, making it the longer option of the two, whereas the Mahjong is the shorter but potentially more responsive choice.
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 Dareu Mahjong has an MSRP of $8.89 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Mahjong for $5.79.
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 produces a crisp, lively clacky sound right from the start, making it noticeably vibrant when compared to many other switches. This lively sound profile can be quite satisfying for typists and gamers alike, offering a distinct auditory feedback that enhances the typing experience. Conversely, the Dareu Mahjong switch is characterized by a lively, poppy sound signature that also promotes an engaging acoustic atmosphere. While both switches are designed to provide enthusiastic auditory feedback, the Botany features a slightly more pronounced clack, whereas the Mahjong might come across as more playful and bubbly in sound. Nonetheless, it's important to note that the overall sound experience can vary significantly depending on the board and keycap choices you make in combination with these switches.
When it comes to feel, the Akko Botany switch is known for offering its own unique typing sensation. In comparison, the Dareu Mahjong switches provide a more complex tactile experience, characterized by a bouncy sensation that gives users a spring-like rebound with each keystroke. This bounciness is complemented by a mild feel that makes typing accessible to a wide range of users, coupled with a polished finish that promotes smooth key travel. Together, these attributes result in a lively typing experience that is smooth and enjoyable. In contrast, the specific feel of the Botany is not detailed, making it difficult to wholly compare the two. However, both switches will deliver a pleasurable typing experience that caters to different preferences.
In conclusion, while the Akko Botany exhibits a clearer, crisper clack sound, the Dareu Mahjong brings a livelier and poppier auditory profile to the table. In terms of feel, the Mahjong switches present a bouncy and polished typing experience that is gentle and smooth, while the Botany's specific tactile quality remains unknown. Ultimately, if you're seeking auditory engagement, both switches will not disappoint, and if you desire a fun and responsive tactile experience, the Mahjong clearly shines through with its balanced characteristics, while the Botany is expected to provide a satisfying performance as well.
Conclusion
To conclude, when deciding between the Akko Botany linear switch and the Dareu Mahjong linear switch, your preferences and typing style play a crucial role. If you value a lighter bottom-out force and enjoy a typing experience that features a crisp, lively clacky sound, the Botany switch would likely be your best choice. Its design ensures a fun and engaging tactile encounter that can enhance both productivity and gaming. On the other hand, if you are looking for a more playful and bouncy typing sensation, coupled with a polished feel, the Mahjong switches could be the better fit. Their unique color scheme and poppy sound signature can provide a distinctive aesthetic and auditory experience. In essence, if you prioritize sound and ease of typing, go for the Mahjong, but if you desire a lighter touch and a lively clicky sound, the Botany is the way to go.
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