Akko Botany vs. Outemu Green
An in-depth look at the Akko Botany and the Outemu Green switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to selecting the right mechanical keyboard switch, the choice between the Akko Botany and the Outemu Green offers gamers and typists distinctive experiences tailored to their preferences. The Akko Botany, a linear switch, is renowned for its smooth keystrokes and minimal resistance, allowing for fluid and uninterrupted typing sessions, perfect for those who prefer a silent yet responsive feel. In contrast, the Outemu Green is recognized for its clicky nature, providing an audible feedback sound that enhances the tactile experience—ideal for users who enjoy the satisfying "click" with each keypress, making typing a more engaging experience. Each switch has its strengths: the Botany excels in a quieter environment that demands swift input without distraction, while the Green is favored by those who appreciate an audible signal that they've registered a keystroke. However, let’s dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the right switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
38g
Actuation force
65g
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
80g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
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
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Akko Botany and Outemu Green switches feature differing materials for their top housings, leading to distinct auditory experiences when typing. The Akko Botany employs a nylon top housing, known for its ability to create a deeper and fuller sound profile thanks to the softer and more sound-absorbing properties of nylon. This material results in a typing experience characterized by a duller, rounder sound that provides a cozy and muted auditory feedback. In contrast, the Outemu Green leverages a polycarbonate top housing, which imparts a sharper and higher-pitched sound profile. The rigidity of polycarbonate allows for a clearer and more resonant sound, making it the ideal choice for users who prefer a more pronounced auditory response when typing.
Interestingly, both the Akko Botany and Outemu Green share the same material for their bottom housings: nylon. This similarity means that while their top housings affect the overall auditory character of the switches, the bottom houses’ shared nylon material imparts a unified depth and fullness to the typing experience. This consistent bottom-housing material ensures that, regardless of the differences in the top housing, users will still encounter a similar sound profile associated with the characteristics of nylon. The impact of the bottom housing will manifest during key presses, contributing a softer bottom-out feel and sound that balances the contrasting qualities brought by the top housing.
In summary, the combination of different top housing materials—nylon for the Akko Botany and polycarbonate for the Outemu Green—creates distinct auditory experiences, while the nylon bottom housing helps to unify some elements of sound and feel. As a result, typists may experience a unique blend of sound profiles depending on which switch they choose, with the Akko Botany leaning towards a warmer and fuller auditory response, and the Outemu Green offering a crisper, more pronounced sound. Despite these differences, the commonality in their nylon bottom housings ensures that both switches retain certain acoustic qualities, illustrating how the interplay of materials can shape user experience in mechanical keyboards.
Weight
The Akko Botany linear switch and the Outemu Green clicky switch offer distinct actuation and bottom out forces that cater to different user preferences. The Botany switch features an actuation force of 38 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, making it a lighter option ideal for those who enjoy extended typing sessions without fatigue. In contrast, the Outemu Green switch has a significantly heavier actuation force of 65 grams and a bottom out force of 80 grams, appealing to users who prefer a more substantial feel during typing or gaming. This striking difference means that the Botany switch is designed for comfort and ease of use, while the Green switch is geared towards a more tactile and deliberate typing experience. Consequently, for someone looking for a lightweight keyboard, the Akko Botany is the superior choice, whereas those who appreciate a heavier actuation will likely prefer the Outemu Green.
Travel distance
The Akko Botany linear switch features a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Outemu Green clicky switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm. This difference in travel distance suggests that the Botany switch offers a marginally more responsive feel, appealing to gamers who favor quicker key presses for improved performance. On the other hand, the Outemu Green switch, with its traditional 4 mm travel, may provide a richer typing experience for those who appreciate a more pronounced depth in their keystrokes. Ultimately, while both switches serve unique preferences, the Botany is the shorter option and may be better suited for users seeking rapid response times, whereas the Green offers a more robust feel with its longer travel distance.
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 Outemu Green comes in at $3.10 per 10 switches.
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 best known for its crisp, lively clacky noise that resonates right out of the box, offering a pleasurable auditory experience for typists and gamers alike. This clarity in sound adds an engaging element to typing, making every keystroke feel more significant. On the other hand, the Outemu Green clicky switch doesn't have a widely recognized sound profile, which may lead to a lack of distinctive character in its auditory feedback. However, it's essential to note that the sound produced by a switch can also be influenced by the type of keyboard and keycaps used, so while the Botany offers an immediate auditory pleasure, the Green's sound could vary based on these factors.
Regarding feel, the Akko Botany switches are celebrated for their smooth linear action, which allows for effortless keystrokes without any tactile bump or noise interference. This makes them a popular choice for those seeking speed and fluidity during fast-paced typing or gaming. Conversely, the Outemu Green switches, being clicky, provide a tactile feedback and a definitive actuation point, making them more suitable for users who enjoy that traditional keyboard feel with audible clicks marking each keypress. This tactile response can enhance typing accuracy for individuals who prefer feedback with each keystroke.
In conclusion, the Akko Botany linear switch excels in providing a crisp sound and smooth action, creating an uplifting typing experience, while the Outemu Green clicky switch emphasizes tactile feedback, potentially catering to those who appreciate the traditional clicky feel. Each switch will cater to different preferences, meaning that choosing between them ultimately comes down to whether you prioritize sound and smoothness or tactile feedback and clicky responses.
Conclusion
To conclude, choosing between the Akko Botany linear switch and the Outemu Green clicky switch ultimately depends on your personal preferences and typing style. If you prefer a lighter feel with a bottom out force of 45 grams, the Botany switch might be the best option for you, especially if you enjoy a smooth and responsive typing experience that produces a crisp and lively sound. This makes it ideal for long typing sessions, gaming, or general use where less finger fatigue is a priority. On the other hand, if you appreciate a tactile feedback and a more resistant key feel with a heavy bottom out force of 80 grams, the Outemu Green switch would be a great choice. While it may not be as readily known for its sound profile, the heft of the Green switch provides a unique sensation that some users find satisfying, particularly when performing tasks that benefit from deliberate key presses like coding or typing with precision. Thus, weigh your preferences for force, sound, and feedback carefully, and choose the switch that aligns with your typing experience desires.
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