Akko Botany vs. Outemu Cream Yellow

Overview

When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Akko Botany and Outemu Cream Yellow offer distinct experiences tailored to different preferences. The Akko Botany, a linear switch, is celebrated for its smooth keystrokes and a crisp, lively clacky sound that enhances the tactile experience right out of the box, making it an appealing choice for gamers and typists who prioritize fluidity in their typing. On the other hand, the Outemu Cream Yellow is a tactile switch that offers a noticeable bump during the keypress, providing clear feedback for users who prefer a more engaging typing experience. While the Botany excels in sound and smoothness, the Cream Yellow brings a satisfying tactile sensation, making it ideal for those who enjoy a more traditional typing feel. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Akko Botany Linear

Outemu Cream Yellow Tactile

$3.89

$3.11 per 10

$3.10 per 10

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Housing materials

The Akko Botany and the Outemu Cream Yellow switches share a commonality in their housing materials, with both featuring nylon for both the top and bottom housings. This choice of material is significant as nylon is known to provide a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer composition. When typing on either switch, users can expect to experience a sound that is dulled and rounded rather than sharp or tinny, resulting in a more pleasant auditory feedback. The inherent acoustic properties of nylon allow for sound absorption, making both switches suitable for users who value quiet and muted keystrokes while typing, thus enhancing the overall typing experience.

When analyzing the bottom housings, both the Akko Botany and the Outemu Cream Yellow utilize nylon, resulting in similar performance characteristics. The bottom housing contributes greatly to the tactile experience and the bottom-out sound of the switch. As the bottom housing is made of nylon in both switches, they are expected to deliver a comparable feel when bottoming out, contributing to an overall consistent experience. This consistency can be particularly appealing for users who desire a uniform keystroke feel across different switch types within their mechanical keyboard setup.

In contrast, while the top housings of both switches are also made from nylon, their shared material cannot be overlooked as it enhances the release sound and feel upon pressing the keys. The properties of each material, while identical in this case, play a crucial role in shaping the sound profile when releasing keys. Therefore, despite the switches being from different brands, the similarity in their nylon housings suggests that users will achieve a comparable typing sound and feel in both. This allows for an easy switch between the two without sacrificing the users' preferred auditory experience, making them a viable option for anyone looking to explore different mechanical keyboard switches without a substantial change in sound and feel.

Weight

When comparing the Akko Botany linear switch and the Outemu Cream Yellow tactile switch, there are notable differences in both actuation force and bottom out force. The Botany switch features a lighter actuation force of 38 grams, making it easier to trigger keystrokes, which can be advantageous for extended typing sessions or gaming. In contrast, the Cream Yellow requires a slightly heavier actuation force of 45 grams, resulting in a more substantial push feel that some users may prefer for a tactile experience. Regarding bottom out force, the Botany switch bottoms out at 45 grams, while the Cream Yellow has a heavier bottom out force of 60 grams. This means that, overall, the Botany switch is lighter and may be more comfortable for those who type frequently, whereas the Cream Yellow may appeal to users who appreciate a more robust feel.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Akko Botany linear switch and the Outemu Cream Yellow tactile switch, the Botany features a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Cream Yellow has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.3 mm. This means that the Botany switch, with its longer travel distance, offers a more decisive and hearty depth when pressed, which may appeal to users who prefer a more tactile feedback during typing or gaming. In contrast, the Cream Yellow's shorter travel distance might cater to gamers or fast typists who favor quicker response times, allowing for swifter key presses. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference, as those who prefer a more profound key press may opt for the Akko Botany, whereas those seeking rapid actuation may lean towards the Outemu Cream Yellow.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Akko Botany linear switch is best known for producing a crisp, lively, and clacky sound straight out of the box, making it an engaging choice for users who appreciate auditory feedback during typing. Conversely, the Outemu Cream Yellow switch does not have notable sound characteristics that set it apart, making it seem relatively quieter or more subdued in comparison. It’s important to consider that sound can also be influenced by other factors such as the choice of keyboard, case materials, and keycap profiles, meaning that these effects can vary in combination.

When evaluating feel, the Akko Botany switch is recognized for its smooth and consistent linear action, which allows for uninterrupted keystrokes that many typists and gamers find satisfying. The Outemu Cream Yellow, being tactile in nature, offers a different experience with a noticeable bump that provides feedback at the actuation point, which some users may prefer for enhanced typing accuracy. While these two switches cater to different preferences, they both aim to deliver a compelling tactile experience, appealing to either smoothness or tactile feedback based on personal taste.

Overall, the Akko Botany linear switch is characterized by its lively sound and smooth feel, offering an exciting typing experience, while the Outemu Cream Yellow brings tactile feedback but lacks distinct sound qualities. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on your personal preferences for auditory feedback and tactile engagement. If you prefer a more pronounced aural experience, the Botany excels, whereas if you favor tactile sensations, the Cream Yellow might be more appealing.

Conclusion

To wrap up, choosing between the Akko Botany linear switch and the Outemu Cream Yellow tactile switch ultimately depends on your typing preferences and the type of experience you seek. If you prefer a lighter touch with a smooth, linear feel and enjoy the crisp, lively clacky sound that the Botany produces, then these switches would be ideal for you. They are particularly suitable for those who like a more vibrant and energetic typing experience, making them a great choice for gaming or fast-paced typing. On the other hand, if you favor a medium actuation force and prefer a more tactile response without the noise, the Cream Yellow switch may be a better fit. Although it lacks the distinct sound signature of the Botany, the Cream Yellow provides a solid typing experience that can enhance your focus and productivity while remaining more subdued. Ultimately, it comes down to whether you prioritize sound and lightness with the Botany or a more tactile feel and moderate resistance with the Cream Yellow.

Mentioned in this article

Akko Botany Linear

$3.89

$3.11 per 10

Learn more

Outemu Cream Yellow Tactile

$3.10 per 10

Learn more