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Akko Botany vs. Outemu Milk Peach

An in-depth look at the Akko Botany and the Outemu Milk Peach switches—which one is the best fit for you?

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Akko Botany and Outemu Milk Peach offer distinct experiences for users despite both being classified as linear switches. The Akko Botany is renowned for its crisp, lively clacky sound, providing an enjoyable auditory feedback that many enthusiasts find appealing right out of the box. This makes it an excellent choice for those who appreciate a more dynamic typing experience. On the other hand, the Outemu Milk Peach lacks prominent features that define its character, making it a versatile yet somewhat understated option for users seeking smooth keystrokes. While the Milk Peach is suited for those who prefer a muted sound profile, the Botany caters to those who enjoy the rhythmic clicks and feedback of their typing. Ultimately, the decision between these switches may come down to personal preference regarding sound and 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

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

3.30 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

Nylon

Mount type

PCB (5-pin)

Mount type

Plate (3-pin)

Spring

Stainless steel spring

Spring

Stainless steel

Housing materials

The contrasting housing materials of the Akko Botany and the Outemu Milk Peach switches illustrate a fundamental difference in the auditory experience they provide. The Botany features a nylon top housing, known for its capacity to absorb sound, resulting in a deeper, fuller tone when pressed. This characteristic is attributed to nylon's relatively soft nature, which dulls the sharper frequencies typical of harder plastics. In contrast, the Milk Peach utilizes a polycarbonate top housing that offers a clearer and more resonant sound due to its stiffer composition. The sharper audio profile produced by polycarbonate is fitting for users seeking a more vibrant keystroke experience, particularly appealing if RGB lighting is a consideration, as the translucent material allows for enhanced light visibility.

However, both switches employ nylon for their bottom housings, aligning their performance in that regard. The use of nylon in the bottom housing for both the Botany and Milk Peach contributes to a consistent sound profile characterized by a solid, full-bodied feel when bottoming out. As the bottom housing significantly influences both the keystroke feel and sound upon making contact with the switch base, the shared material here creates a notable synergy between the two designs. Consequently, while the top housing defines the sound on release, it is the consistent use of nylon in the bottom housing that ensures both switches deliver a similar foundational auditory experience, regardless of the differences present in their upper housings.

Ultimately, the differing materials in the top housings of the Akko Botany and Outemu Milk Peach demonstrate how the choice of plastic can diversify user experience, while the shared nylon in the bottom housing unites them in certain sensory characteristics. When pressed, both switches will exhibit the fuller sound produced by the nylon bottom, while the tactile feedback generated in each case will be described and colored differently by the top materials. Thus, their combined properties offer users a unique but comparably balanced experience, blending the depth of nylon with the clarity of polycarbonate, making each switch suitable for different preferences based on sound profile and aesthetic choices.

Weight

When comparing the Akko Botany linear switch and the Outemu Milk Peach linear switch, a notable difference lies in their actuation forces. The Botany switch has a lighter actuation force of 38 grams, making it more suitable for prolonged typing sessions and gaming due to the reduced strain on the fingers. In contrast, the Milk Peach switch has a heavier actuation force of 45 grams, which could offer a more substantial typing experience preferred by those who enjoy a firmer feel when pressing keys. However, the bottom out force for the Milk Peach is not provided, making it challenging to evaluate its complete feel during extensive use. Nevertheless, the Botany switch bottoms out at 45 grams, which, combined with its lighter actuation force, results in a unique balance of resistance. Thus, for users prioritizing a lighter and more comfortable typing experience, the Akko Botany is the preferred choice, while those who favor a heavier, more tactile sensation might lean towards the Outemu Milk Peach, despite the lack of bottom out data.

Travel distance

The Akko Botany linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Outemu Milk Peach linear switch features a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.3 mm. This means that the Botany offers a bit more depth with its longer travel distance, which some users may appreciate for a more substantial feel when typing or gaming. In contrast, the Milk Peach’s shorter travel distance may provide a quicker actuation, appealing to gamers looking for rapid response times. Consequently, if you prioritize a more responsive feel, the Milk Peach would be the better choice with its shorter travel distance. However, if you prefer a more traditional and hearty depth while typing, the Akko Botany is the preferable option due to 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 Milk Peach 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 well-regarded for its crisp, lively clacky tones, providing a distinct auditory feedback that many typists and gamers find satisfying. In contrast, the Outemu Milk Peach linear switch does not have a notable sound profile associated with it, which suggests it may be quieter and more subdued in comparison. As sound can be influenced by the keyboard's construction and the keycaps used, both switches could potentially offer a different auditory experience depending on these factors, though the Botany is likely to stand out more in terms of sound clarity and character.

When discussing feel, the Akko Botany is often appreciated for its smooth and responsive actuation, making it suitable for both typing and gaming scenarios. The specific tactile qualities of the Milk Peach linear switch are not well-documented, leaving its overall feel somewhat uncertain. This absence of information means that newcomers looking for a specific tactile experience may find it challenging to assess how the Milk Peach will perform without firsthand trial or further insights into its characteristics.

In conclusion, while the Akko Botany linear switch showcases defined sound qualities and a smooth feel, the Outemu Milk Peach linear switch remains more ambiguous regarding its sound and tactile feedback. If you value auditory feedback and a responsive typing experience, the Akko Botany may be your best choice. However, for those who prefer a quieter and potentially different feel, exploring the Outemu Milk Peach could still yield satisfactory results—though the specifics remain unclear. Ultimately, personal preference and experimentation with your desired keyboard setup will be essential in determining which switch is best for you.

Conclusion

In conclusion, choosing between the Akko Botany linear switch and the Outemu Milk Peach linear switch ultimately depends on your typing preferences and the experience you seek from your mechanical keyboard. If you favor a lighter bottom-out force and enjoy a lively, crisp sound while typing, the Akko Botany switch would be an excellent choice. Its 45-gram bottom-out force makes it ideal for those who prefer a responsive feel without requiring too much effort while typing, making it suitable for both gaming and casual typing sessions. On the other hand, if you prioritize a smoother experience and potentially lower noise levels, even though we lack specific sound and feel descriptions for the Milk Peach, you might lean towards it if you’re looking for something subtler in your tactile feedback. Ultimately, your decision should align with your personal taste in sound and tactile response—choose the Botany for an engaging auditory experience and a lighter pressing feel, or consider the Milk Peach if you're seeking a quieter and potentially smoother option without the same level of feedback.

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