Akko Botany vs. Outemu Spring Breeze

Overview

When selecting a mechanical keyboard switch, the choice between the Akko Botany and the Outemu Spring Breeze can greatly influence your typing experience. The Akko Botany, known for its linear design, offers a smooth, uninterrupted keystroke that many users appreciate for both gaming and general typing. Its crisp and lively clacky sound adds character while maintaining a quiet operation, making it an excellent choice for those who prefer a more subtle auditory experience with each press. In contrast, the Outemu Spring Breeze is a clicky switch that delivers a distinctive and satisfying tactile feedback, enhanced by its unique nylon housing and POM stem. This combination produces a deeper sound profile that stands out, appealing to typists who enjoy the auditory confirmation of each keystroke. While both switches cater to different preferences—whether you seek the smoothness of a linear switch or the auditory engagement of a clicky switch—let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for you.

By the numbers

Akko Botany Linear

Outemu Spring Breeze Clicky

$3.89

$3.11 per 10

$3.10 per 10

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Housing materials

The housing materials of the Akko Botany and the Outemu Spring Breeze switches are strikingly similar, as both models feature nylon for their top and bottom housings. Nylon is recognized in the mechanical keyboard community for its ability to produce a sound profile that is deeper and fuller compared to harder plastics. This is primarily due to its softer nature, which allows it to absorb sound more effectively. Consequently, both the Akko Botany and the Outemu Spring Breeze switches are likely to generate a similar auditory experience for the user, characterized by a duller and rounder sound that enhances the overall typing experience.

In examining the bottom housings of both switches, it becomes clear that they share identical properties, further solidifying the notion that users will experience comparable results. As both switches utilize nylon for the bottom housing, the impact on the bottom-out sound and feel is expected to be uniformly pronounced across both models. The absorption qualities of the nylon help in minimizing the harshness of the bottom-out noise, providing a soft landing with each keystroke. Therefore, regardless of which switch one chooses, the tactile and acoustic feedback during key presses will reflect a consistent quality attributed to the nylon material.

While the top and bottom housings of the Akko Botany and the Outemu Spring Breeze may have different contributions to the overall sound and feel, the shared characteristics of nylon across both models ensure that users will experience a similarly satisfying typing experience. The bottom housing contributes more to the feel when bottoming out, while the top housing shapes the sound as the key is released. Consequently, both switches will maintain a homogeneous auditory presence while providing diverse feedback during use, allowing users to enjoy the rich sound profile that nylon is known for, regardless of the specific switch they opt for.

Weight

When comparing the Akko Botany linear switch and the Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch, there are notable differences in their 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 which is suitable for prolonged typing sessions without fatigue. In contrast, the Spring Breeze switch requires a slightly heavier actuation force of 40 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams, categorizing it as medium-light. While the differences in actuation and bottom out forces are relatively subtle, they suggest that the Botany switch will provide a gentler typing experience, ideal for those who prefer less resistance, while the Spring Breeze offers a somewhat firmer feel, appealing to users who enjoy a stronger tactile feedback. Thus, for users seeking a lightweight experience, the Akko Botany is the better choice, whereas those favoring a heavier force may lean towards the Outemu Spring Breeze.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Akko Botany linear switch and the Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch, the Botany measures at 3.6 mm, while the Spring Breeze has a travel distance of 4 mm. This makes the Botany the shorter option, providing a more responsive feel that many gamers might appreciate for quicker key presses. In contrast, the Spring Breeze's 4 mm distance aligns more closely with the traditional travel distance, offering a deeper, more deliberate engagement that some users might prefer. Ultimately, if you're looking for a switch that allows for faster response times, the Akko Botany would be the better choice, while those who favor a more pronounced key press might lean toward the Outemu Spring Breeze.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Akko Botany linear switch produces a crisp and lively clacky sound straight out of the box, which helps create an engaging auditory experience during typing. On the other hand, the Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch features a deeper tone thanks to its unique material composition of nylon housing and POM stem—the combination results in a sound that is both pronounced and satisfying, characteristic of traditional clicky switches. However, it is important to note that the overall sound can be influenced by factors such as the choice of keyboard and keycaps, meaning that the definitive sound experience may vary for each user.

When evaluating feel, the Akko Botany switches provide a smooth typing experience typical of linear switches, allowing for a seamless keystroke without the tactile feedback that some users might seek. In contrast, the Outemu Spring Breeze offers a distinct tactile feel alongside its clicky sound, delivering a more engaging user experience that many typists enjoy. The click mechanism gives a pronounced feedback at the actuation point, making it a preferred option for those who appreciate a noticeable tactile response when typing.

Overall, both the Akko Botany linear switch and the Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch cater to different typing preferences. The Botany is ideal for those who favor smooth and quiet keystrokes, while the Spring Breeze appeals to users who enjoy a tactile feedback and engaging sound profile during their typing sessions. Choosing between them ultimately depends on whether one prioritizes a clean, linear performance or a pronounced, clicky sensation.

Conclusion

To conclude, your choice between the Akko Botany linear switch and the Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch will largely depend on your personal preferences and typing needs. If you prefer a lighter key press and enjoy a sound that is crisp and lively, the Botany switches are an excellent choice for you. Their 45-gram bottom out force allows for effortless typing, making them ideal for long typing sessions or gaming marathons where speed is essential. In contrast, if you appreciate tactile feedback and a more pronounced sound with a slightly firmer feel, the Spring Breeze switches with their 55-gram bottom out force may be more suitable. Their unique nylon housing paired with a POM stem produces a deeper, richer clicky sound, which might enhance your typing experience if you enjoy auditory feedback. Ultimately, your decision should be guided by whether you lean towards a linear switch that offers a lighter feel and quick actuation or a clicky switch that provides more tactile resistance and a satisfying sound profile.

Mentioned in this article

Akko Botany Linear

$3.89

$3.11 per 10

Learn more

Outemu Spring Breeze Clicky

$3.10 per 10

Learn more