Akko Botany vs. Everglide Sticky Rice (V2)
An in-depth look at the Akko Botany and the Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When exploring the world of mechanical keyboard switches, the Akko Botany and Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) stand out due to their unique characteristics and user experiences. The Akko Botany, categorized as a linear switch, is celebrated for its vibrant and lively clacky sound, providing an engaging auditory feedback that often appeals to those who enjoy a more dynamic typing experience. On the other hand, the Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) employs hall effect technology, delivering a remarkably smooth keystroke with a neutral sound signature that leans towards the desirable "thock" favored by typing enthusiasts. This refined tactile sensation, enhanced by the dustproof stem design, allows for minimal wobble and excellent performance, making it a great choice for users who prioritize a balanced feel. While both switches offer their own distinct advantages—whether it's the Botany's engaging sound or the Sticky Rice's superior smoothness—it's essential to explore their features further in order to determine which switch will be the best fit for your typing style and preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
38g
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
50g
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
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Akko Botany and the Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) switches present an interesting contrast between the two designs. The Botany utilizes nylon for its top housing, which contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile during typing. This characteristic can be attributed to nylon's softer nature, which absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics. Consequently, the Botany produces a rounder and more muffled auditory experience, aligning well with users who prefer a subdued sound when typing. In stark contrast, the Sticky Rice (V2) opts for polycarbonate for its top housing, resulting in a sharper and higher-pitched sound profile. The stiffer composition of polycarbonate enhances resonance, delivering a clearer auditory output that pairs well with RGB lighting, thanks to its translucent quality.
Interestingly, the bottom housing of both the Akko Botany and the Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) is made of nylon, which is a classic choice for switch housing materials. This commonality means that both switches will exhibit similar characteristics in terms of sound when bottoming out, producing a deeper and fuller sound profile due to nylon's ability to absorb sound. The bottom housing significantly impacts the tactile feel and auditory feedback during key presses, emphasizing the pleasant, muted sound that many typists enjoy. This shared material in the bottom housing bridges the gap between the two switches, ensuring that users will experience a comparable sensation upon hitting the keys.
In summary, while the Akko Botany and Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) differ in their top housing materials, they both employ nylon in their bottom housings, allowing them to achieve similar results in terms of bottoming out sound. The Botany's nylon top creates a more subdued and muffled acoustic profile compared to the crisper output of the Sticky Rice (V2) with its polycarbonate top. This divergence not only influences the auditory experience but also the overall tactile feedback felt by the user. Thus, each switch caters to different preferences—one leaning towards a softer, more muted experience and the other favoring a sharper, more vibrant response—while maintaining a consistent foundational feel through their nylon bottom housings.
Weight
When comparing the Akko Botany linear switch and the Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) hall effect switch, both switches offer relatively light actuation and bottom out forces, making them suitable for extended typing and gaming sessions. The Botany switch features an actuation force of 38 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, while the Sticky Rice (V2) has a slightly heavier actuation force of 40 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams. Consequently, the Akko Botany switch is the lighter option overall. This difference in weight means that users who favor a lighter touch may find the Botany switch more comfortable for long durations, whereas those who prefer a more substantial feel might gravitate towards the Sticky Rice (V2) for its heftier actuation and bottom out forces. Despite their differences, both switches encourage a fluid typing experience, but the choice ultimately hinges on personal preferences regarding force sensitivity.
Travel distance
The Akko Botany linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) hall effect switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. This indicates that the Botany switch offers a bit more depth in its keystrokes, potentially appealing to users who prefer a more substantial feel while typing or gaming. On the other hand, the Sticky Rice switch, with its shorter travel distance, may be advantageous for gamers seeking quicker actuation times for faster response rates. The differences in travel distance—though minimal—might influence the tactile experience; the Botany provides a more pronounced travel, while the Sticky Rice may feel more abrupt. Consequently, if you prioritize responsiveness, the Sticky Rice (V2) would be the better choice, whereas those who favor a fuller keystroke experience 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 Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) has an MSRP of $8.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sticky Rice (V2) 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
The Akko Botany linear switches are characterized by a crisp, lively clacky sound that users often enjoy straight out of the box, making them an appealing choice for those who appreciate a more pronounced auditory feedback during typing. In contrast, the Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) switches offer a more neutral sound signature that leans towards the desirable "thock" quality. This sound is typically preferred by enthusiasts who favor a deeper, more satisfying thud compared to the sharper clack of the Botany switches. However, it's important to remember that the sound produced by either switch can vary significantly based on the keyboard's construction, the type of keycaps used, and the personal preferences of the user.
When it comes to feel, the Akko Botany switches provide a smooth keystroke experience; however, specific details about their tactile feedback aren't mentioned. On the other hand, the Sticky Rice (V2) switches are designed to deliver an exceptionally smooth keystroke thanks to the dustproof stem, which minimizes wobble and enhances overall performance. This attention to detail results in a refined tactile sensation, appealing to those who seek a seamless typing experience without sacrificing the satisfaction of feedback. While the feel of the Botany switches might be satisfactory, the Sticky Rice (V2) clearly offers a more advanced level of smoothness and refinement.
In summary, while the Akko Botany linear switches cater to users who enjoy a lively clacky sound and smooth keystrokes, the Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) provides a more muted auditory output with a deeper thock and a superior overall feel due to its advanced design features. If you're seeking a more pronounced auditory experience, the Botany is an excellent choice, while the Sticky Rice (V2) excels in delivering a refined and luxurious typing experience. Ultimately, both switches provide distinct qualities that cater to different user preferences.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Akko Botany linear switch and the Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) hall effect switch ultimately depends on your personal preferences and typing style. If you enjoy a lighter bottom-out force and prioritize a lively, clacky sound, then the Botany switch will likely serve you well, especially if you're looking for a more engaging auditory experience during your typing. The crispness and playfulness of the sound profile make it an excellent option for those who appreciate a vibrant feedback while typing. On the other hand, if you seek a balanced typing experience with a slightly firmer press and a neutral sound signature, the Sticky Rice (V2) will be the better fit. Its refined tactile sensation and smooth keystroke provide a satisfying feel without being overly noisy, making it ideal for environments where quieter typing is preferred. Ultimately, consider the type of feedback and sound you desire in your mechanical keyboard; choosing the right switch will enhance your overall typing experience.
Mentioned in this article
