Akko Botany vs. Everglide Rice Pudding
An in-depth look at the Akko Botany and the Everglide Rice Pudding switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Akko Botany and Everglide Rice Pudding offer distinctively different experiences that cater to various preferences. The Akko Botany is a linear switch celebrated for its crisp and lively clacky sound, providing an engaging auditory feedback that many typists appreciate. In contrast, the Everglide Rice Pudding is a hall effect switch known for its exceptionally smooth operation and deep, satisfying sound, delivering a balanced typing experience that's precise and enjoyable. For users seeking an invigorating sound with a straightforward linear feel, the Botany may be the ideal choice. Conversely, those looking for versatility and compatibility with advanced keyboards might lean towards the Rice Pudding switches, especially since they work seamlessly with Wooting's innovative designs. 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
38g
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.50 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
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel spring
Spring
Custom stainless steel
Housing materials
When examining the housing materials of the Akko Botany and the Everglide Rice Pudding, a significant difference emerges in their choice of materials for the top housing. The Botany features a nylon top housing, which offers a deeper and fuller sound profile, attributed to nylon's inherent softer plastic characteristics. This quality allows the housing to absorb sound effectively, resulting in a duller yet rounder audio experience that can be particularly pleasing for users who favor a more muted keystroke sound. In contrast, the Rice Pudding opts for a polycarbonate top housing, which is recognized for its stiffness and translucency. This configuration lends itself to a sharper and higher-pitched sound profile, thereby enhancing clarity and resonance. A clear polycarbonate housing also serves a dual purpose, particularly benefiting those who wish to showcase RGB lighting.
Despite the difference in materials for the top housings, both the Botany and Rice Pudding share a commonality in their bottom housing, as both are constructed from nylon. This similarity means that when typing on either switch, the deeper, fuller sound profile produced by the nylon bottom housing will be a unifying characteristic. This harmony in sound production indicates that while the top housings bring distinct auditory qualities, the bottom housing retains its role in establishing a consistent acoustic foundation across both products. Therefore, the overall typing experience on both switches, particularly in terms of bottom-out sound and feel, will be shaped by the properties of the nylon material, leading to a comparable performance in that regard.
In summary, the contrasting top housing materials of the Botany and Rice Pudding create notably different sound profiles, but the consistent use of nylon in both switches' bottom housing results in a shared auditory experience in terms of deeper sound qualities. This clever material choice demonstrates how combinations of differing materials can yield a complex auditory landscape; while one switch may excel in delivering clear and crisp notes and the other offers warmth and fullness, the final user experience is shaped by how these qualities interplay. Thus, users of both switches can expect a unique yet somewhat aligned auditory outcome influenced heavily by the properties of their nylon bottom housings.
Weight
When comparing the Akko Botany linear switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch, both exhibit an actuation force of 38 grams, which means that users will experience a similar initial resistance when triggering a keystroke. However, the bottom out forces differ slightly, with the Botany switch reaching 45 grams compared to the Rice Pudding's 48 grams. This indicates that while both switches have a light feel, the Rice Pudding requires a bit more force to fully bottom out, appealing to those who prefer a more substantial push feel in their typing experience. Overall, both switches are relatively light, making them suitable for prolonged use during work or gaming sessions, but the Everglide may provide a firmer response at the bottom, catering to those who appreciate a heavier switch.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Akko Botany linear switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch, the Akko Botany has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Everglide Rice Pudding measures slightly shorter at 3.5 mm. This makes the Botany the longer option by 0.1 mm. Both switches offer a relatively short travel distance, which is attractive to gamers seeking faster response times, but the Botany may provide a more satisfying depth for those who appreciate a bit more feedback when pressing a key. Ultimately, while both switches are relatively close in travel distance, the Botany's longer travel could appeal to users who prefer a more pronounced key press.
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 Everglide Rice Pudding has an MSRP of $8.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Rice Pudding for $6.79.
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 switches stand out with their crisp and lively clacky sound, providing an engaging auditory feedback that can enhance the typing experience right out of the box. In stark contrast, the Everglide Rice Pudding switches are characterized by a deeper sound profile that blends smooth operation with a satisfying resonance; this results in a balanced auditory experience that feels both precise and fulfilling. The differences in their sound will largely depend on the accompanying keyboard and keycap choices, but the Botany switches inherently deliver a more vibrant sound, while the Rice Pudding leans towards a subtler, deeper tonal quality.
When considering the feel of both switches, the Botany linear switches are known for their smooth actuation, offering a consistent tactile response that can be particularly pleasant for those who enjoy typing or gaming for extended periods. Conversely, the Everglide Rice Pudding switches also prioritize smooth operation, ensuring that each keystroke is both satisfying and precise, ideal for users who demand performance in their typing experience. While both switches offer a smooth feel, the Rice Pudding switch may excel for those who appreciate a switch that subtly combines tactility with performance.
In conclusion, both the Akko Botany and Everglide Rice Pudding switches cater to specific preferences among mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. The Botany captures attention with its lively sound and smooth feel, making it suitable for users who enjoy auditory feedback. On the other hand, the Rice Pudding provides a deeper sound profile paired with a performance-oriented smoothness, perfect for those who prioritize versatility. Depending on your choice, both switches can provide satisfying results, but your individual preference for sound and feel will ultimately guide your decision.
Conclusion
To sum up, your choice between the Akko Botany linear switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch ultimately depends on your personal preferences and typing needs. If you favor a lighter touch with a satisfying, lively sound that adds an element of fun to your typing experience, the Botany switch is an excellent choice for you. Its crisp clacky sound signature straight out of the box can enhance your overall enjoyment, making it ideal for casual use and gaming where quick responses and an energetic feel are paramount. On the other hand, if you're looking for a smooth operation paired with a deeper, resonant sound, the Rice Pudding switch will likely be your preferred pick. Its slightly heavier bottom-out force provides a more grounded typing experience that many find both satisfying and precise, making it an excellent option for serious typists or those who value performance and versatility, especially if you plan to use compatible Wooting keyboards. In essence, choose the Botany for a lively and light experience, while the Rice Pudding delivers a balanced, smooth, and deeper sound profile that's perfect for focused typing sessions.
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