Akko Botany vs. Everglide Sakura Pink
An in-depth look at the Akko Botany and the Everglide Sakura Pink switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to selecting the ideal mechanical keyboard switch, personal preference plays a significant role, and two standout options in the linear category are the Akko Botany and the Everglide Sakura Pink. The Botany switches are celebrated for their crisp and lively clacky sound, offering a delightful auditory feedback that many gamers and typists appreciate right out of the box. They provide a balanced performance suitable for both typing and gaming, making them a versatile choice. On the other hand, the Sakura Pink switches are designed with comfort in mind, featuring a feather-light 35g actuation force that caters to delicate typists who favor a smoother, gliding feel. Their playful sound, reminiscent of bubble wrap, enhances the overall typing experience and makes it feel less mechanical. While the Botany excels in producing an engaging sound profile, the Sakura Pink prioritizes a frictionless and easy-to-press experience. 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
35g
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 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
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Akko Botany and Everglide Sakura Pink switches utilize different materials for their housings, which results in distinct sound profiles and tactile experiences. The Botany features a nylon top and bottom housing, which is known for its ability to produce a deeper and fuller sound. Due to nylon's softer plastic composition, it absorbs sound effectively, leading to a more subdued auditory experience that many users may find appealing for a quieter typing environment. Conversely, the Sakura Pink switches employ polycarbonate for both their top and bottom housings. Polycarbonate's stiffer nature contributes to a sharper, crisper sound profile that resonates with greater clarity. Therefore, while both switches deliver a satisfying experience, their sound characteristics diverge significantly, creating varied auditory environments for typists.
The crux of the acoustic difference lies in the nature of the materials used. With the Akko Botany's nylon housings, the emphasis is on a warmer sound that absorbs more vibration, thereby producing a duller, rounder effect that many typists prefer for a more comforting experience. This contrasts with the Everglide Sakura Pink's design, where polycarbonate enables a brighter and more pronounced sound profile, appealing to users who enjoy a more lively and energetic auditory feedback during typing. Aesthetic considerations also play a role; the transparent polycarbonate of the Sakura Pink is particularly effective in enhancing RGB lighting effects, making it a favorite choice for gamers and those looking to showcase their keyboard aesthetics vividly.
While the contrasting materials result in different sound profiles, the performance can be harmonized with careful selection of components such as switch springs and keycaps that fit the intended typing experience. For users looking for a compatible solution, combining nylon housings with specialized springs or dampeners could soften the sharper sounds produced by a polycarbonate switch, thus achieving a similar auditory experience to that of the Botany. Conversely, pairing polycarbonate switches with certain keycap profiles could help to enhance the resonant sound of the Sakura Pink, ensuring that each typing experience can be uniquely tailored to user preference, regardless of housing material differences.
Weight
The Akko Botany linear switch and the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch present similar characteristics when it comes to actuation and bottom out forces, making both options appealing for those who prefer lighter switches. The Botany features an actuation force of 38 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, while the Sakura Pink has a slightly lighter actuation force at 35 grams, yet shares the same bottom out force of 45 grams as the Botany. As a result, both switches have a light overall feel, with the Sakura Pink being the lighter option due to its lower actuation force. Users looking for prolonged typing sessions or extended gaming hours may favor these switches for their ease of use, but those who appreciate a more substantial typing experience might want to explore heavier options, as both of these switches still achieve a similar bottom out force that ensures a responsive feel despite their differences in actuation force.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Akko Botany linear switch and the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch, a clear distinction emerges: the Botany features a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Sakura Pink has a slightly longer distance of 4 mm. This difference means that the Botany provides a more responsive feel, appealing to gamers and those who prefer quicker actuation for faster response times. On the other hand, the Sakura Pink, with its longer travel distance, may offer a more substantial pressing experience, which some users find preferable for a satisfying typing feel. Ultimately, if one favors a more immediate feedback with less travel, the Botany switch is the better choice; however, if a heartier depth is desired, the Sakura Pink is the way to go.
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 Sakura Pink has an MSRP of $6.86 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sakura Pink for $3.89.
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 recognized for its crisp and lively clack, delivering an engaging auditory experience that immediately draws typists in. This energetic sound makes it a great choice for those who enjoy a more pronounced audio feedback while typing. On the other hand, the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch offers a delightfully poppy sound that is reminiscent of popping bubble wrap, providing a playful twist to your keyboarding sessions. While the Botany switch leans towards a more vibrant sound profile, the Sakura Pink produces a softer and more muted auditory environment, emphasizing a distinct yet gentle acoustic characteristic.
When it comes to feel, the Botany switch has not been specifically described, whereas the Sakura Pink excels in delivering an extraordinary typing experience. With its buttery and creamy sensations, it provides a smooth and fluid keystroke that feels effortless and enjoyable. The Sakura Pink features an easy-to-press design, requiring only a light actuation force of 35g, which helps reduce finger fatigue during prolonged typing sessions. Additionally, the frictionless operation of the Sakura Pink enhances the overall typing experience, allowing fingers to glide elegantly across the keys. This blend of characteristics makes the Sakura Pink particularly suitable for delicate typists seeking comfort and ease.
In summary, the Akko Botany linear switch brings a lively clack that may appeal to those who appreciate a more pronounced sound, while the Everglide Sakura Pink offers a softer, playfully poppy sound with exceptionally smooth and effortless key presses. The Sakura Pink is notably designed for comfort, with its low actuation force and fluid typing experience, making it a thoughtful choice for extended typing tasks. Although the Botany's feel remains unspecified, both switches cater to different preferences in terms of sound and tactile response, allowing typists to choose based on their personal priorities in keyboard use. If you seek the lively feedback of the Botany or the gentle ease of the Sakura Pink, you will find satisfaction in either choice depending on your specific preferences.
Conclusion
To conclude, when deciding between the Akko Botany linear switch and the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch, your personal preferences and typing style will significantly influence your choice. If you enjoy a lively typing experience with a pleasant clacky sound that adds character to your keyboard, the Akko Botany is the way to go. Its slightly heavier feel, with a bottom out force of 45 grams, makes it roughly equivalent to the Sakura Pink in force but offers a brightness that could enhance your typing satisfaction, particularly if you appreciate a more pronounced auditory feedback. On the other hand, if you prefer a more muted and buttery typing experience, the Everglide Sakura Pink will be more suitable for you. With a lighter 35g actuation force, it excels in providing a smooth, frictionless feel and produces a soft, poppy sound that evokes playfulness in your typing. This switch is particularly ideal for delicate typists or those prone to finger fatigue, as its easy-to-press nature allows for more extended typing sessions without discomfort. Ultimately, your choice should reflect whether you prioritize auditory feedback and tactile response with the Botany, or the smooth, effortless experience offered by the Sakura Pink.
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