Akko Botany vs. Outemu Red Panda
An in-depth look at the Akko Botany and the Outemu Red Panda switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Akko Botany and Outemu Red Panda provide distinct yet compelling options that cater to different typing preferences. The Akko Botany, known for its lively and crisp clacky sound, excels in delivering a satisfying auditory feedback that can enhance the typing experience, particularly for those who appreciate a more linear feel. With its smooth actuation point, it’s ideal for gamers and typists who prioritize swift key presses without the interruption of tactile bumps. In contrast, the Outemu Red Panda offers a light to medium tactile feel, combining a bassier, raindrop-like sound at bottom-out with a higher-pitched clack at top-out, creating a more nuanced auditory profile. This combination of tactility and unique sound appeals to enthusiasts who prefer a more pronounced feedback during typing, making it suitable for both casual use and extended typing sessions. However, let’s dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your keyboard needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
38g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
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 Akko Botany and the Outemu Red Panda utilize two different materials for their top housings, which significantly influences the overall sound profile of the switches. The Botany's nylon top housing is characterized by its ability to impart a deeper and fuller sound due to nylon's softer nature. This softness means that it absorbs sound rather than reflecting it, leading to a sound that is duller and rounder. In contrast, the Red Panda employs polycarbonate for its top housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate enhances clarity and resonance, which can create a more vibrant auditory experience—especially beneficial when utilizing RGB lighting due to the material's translucency.
When examining the bottom housings, both the Akko Botany and the Outemu Red Panda utilize nylon, which results in similar acoustic characteristics. The use of nylon in the bottom housing of both switches contributes to a deeper and richer sound profile, thanks to its sound-absorbing properties. Therefore, while the Red Panda and Botany showcase different materials in their top housings, their shared nylon bottom housing means that users can expect a consistent tonal quality on bottoming out, characterized by a dull and rounded sound. The impact of bottoming out on both switches will feel similar, making the tactile experience more cohesive despite the differences in sound.
Overall, the combined effects of the varying top housing materials lead to distinct sound profiles when engaging with the Akko Botany and the Outemu Red Panda. The nylon top housing of the Botany produces a warm, muted auditory profile, while the polycarbonate top housing of the Red Panda results in a clearer and more pronounced sound. However, since both switches share nylon for the bottom housing, users will still experience a comparable deep and rounded sound when bottoming out, ensuring that they benefit from some consistency across different sound profile experiences. This blend of contrasting and complementary materials ultimately provides a unique typing feel, enhancing the tactile experience across the board.
Weight
The Akko Botany linear switch and the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch present distinct characteristics in terms of actuation and bottom out forces. The Botany switch features a lighter actuation force of 38 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, making it an appealing option for those who prefer a softer keystroke. In contrast, the Red Panda switch has a heavier actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams, which provides a more substantial feel that some users may favor for enhanced typing feedback. Consequently, the Botany switch is better suited for extended usage, such as long work hours or gaming sessions, while the Red Panda may deliver a more impactful typing experience for those who appreciate greater resistance. Overall, the choice between these two switches comes down to individual preference regarding weight and force; if you're seeking a lighter touch, the Botany is the clear choice, whereas the Red Panda caters to those who enjoy a firmer push.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Akko Botany linear switch and the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch, the Botany has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Red Panda has a shorter travel distance of 3.3 mm. This makes the Botany the longer travel switch, providing a more substantial feel when pressed, which some users may prefer for its depth. On the other hand, the shorter travel distance of the Red Panda caters well to gamers who favor quick response times and may find the snappier actuation more suitable for their needs. Ultimately, if you're seeking a more responsive feel, the Outemu Red Panda's lesser travel distance could be the better choice, while those who appreciate a more pronounced actuation might lean towards the Akko Botany.
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 Red Panda comes in at $3.40 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 produces a crisp and lively clacky tone, which is characteristic of linear switches that deliver a satisfying auditory experience without any significant dampening. This sound enhances the typing experience by providing immediate feedback with every keystroke, making it a joy to use for both casual typing and gaming. On the other hand, the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch offers a distinct auditory profile marked by a thocky characteristic, producing a bassier, deeper sound upon bottoming out that transitions into a higher-pitched clack when released. This contrast gives a unique sound signature that may appeal to enthusiasts seeking a more diverse auditory experience.
When it comes to feel, the Akko Botany linear switch is not explicitly detailed, but linear switches, in general, are known for their smooth keystrokes without any tactile feedback, allowing for uninterrupted motion from top to bottom. This provides an experience that many users find either very comfortable or too plain, depending on personal preference. Meanwhile, the Outemu Red Panda features a light to medium level of tactility, which introduces a gentle bump during the actuation. This mild tactile feedback can enhance the typing experience, providing a sense of reassurance that a key has been activated without being overly aggressive, making it approachable for both experienced typists and newcomers alike.
Overall, while the Akko Botany offers a straightforward and lively sound with smooth, uninterrupted keystrokes, the Outemu Red Panda provides a richer audio experience complemented by tactile feedback that can enrich the typing experience. The choice between these switches ultimately hinges on personal preference: if you prefer a linear switch that emphasizes smoothness and a lively sound, the Botany is an excellent choice. Conversely, if you enjoy a combination of tactile sensation and a diverse sound profile, the Red Panda will likely be more to your liking.
Conclusion
To conclude, when choosing between the Akko Botany linear switch and the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch, your preferences and typing style will play a significant role. If you favor a lighter touch and enjoy a lively, clacky sound right from the start, the Akko Botany is certainly the way to go. With its 45-gram bottom-out force, it's perfect for typing quickly and effortlessly, making it great for gamers or those who spend long hours typing without fatigue. On the other hand, if you appreciate a tactile experience that isn’t overly pronounced but still provides some feedback, the Outemu Red Panda is an excellent choice. Its medium 60-gram bottom-out force not only gives a more substantial feel but also delivers a rich thocky sound, which can be satisfying for both casual and serious typists alike. Ultimately, your decision will depend on whether you prioritize a lighter, more energetic switch or a mildly tactile switch with depth in sound and feel.
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