Akko Botany vs. Bsun Tomcat (Heavy)

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Akko Botany and the Bsun Tomcat (Heavy) offer distinct experiences despite both being linear switches. The Akko Botany switches are renowned for their crisp, lively clacky sound, making them an excellent choice for users who appreciate auditory feedback while typing. This characteristic can add a vibrant atmosphere to your typing experience, while also catering to those who enjoy the pleasure of sound in their interactions with tech. On the other hand, the Bsun Tomcat (Heavy) switches are celebrated for their Ly stems, which provide a super smooth typing experience and resonate with a distinct sound profile. Users may lean towards the Tomcat switches for a quieter, more understated typing experience that still maintains a satisfying feedback. Both switches have their merits, making the decision ultimately reliant on personal preference for sound and tactile sensation. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Akko Botany Linear

Bsun Tomcat (Heavy) Linear

$3.89

$3.11 per 10

$2.99 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The Akko Botany and Bsun Tomcat (Heavy) switches present a notable contrast in their housing materials, particularly with respect to their top housings. The Botany switch features a nylon top housing, which is known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is largely due to nylon's softer texture, which dampens sound vibrations and results in a more muted acoustic experience. In contrast, the Tomcat (Heavy) switch utilizes a polycarbonate top housing that delivers a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Polycarbonate's stiffer properties allow for a clearer resonance, making it ideal for those who appreciate a more vivid auditory feedback during typing. This fundamental difference in top housing materials will impact the acoustic character of each switch significantly.

However, when it comes to the bottom housing, both the Botany and the Tomcat (Heavy) switches share a commonality in material: nylon. Both switches utilize this classic switch housing material in their bottom housing, which further enhances the deeper sound profile typical to nylon. The use of nylon in both cases promotes a duller and rounder acoustics when the key is bottomed out, providing a more cushioned typing experience. Therefore, while the top housings diverge in material and the resulting sound profiles they create, the shared nylon bottom housing unifies the two switches in terms of the foundation of their acoustics and tactile feedback.

Ultimately, the combination of different materials in the top and bottom housings of each switch produces unique typing experiences. The Botany's nylon top and bottom housing work in tandem to deliver a consistently deep and muted sound, while the Tomcat (Heavy) benefits from the stark contrast between its polycarbonate top and nylon bottom. This distinction means that when the key is pressed, the bottom housing's properties are felt more significantly during the bottom-out phase, while the top housing contributes to the release sound. Thus, while the two switches are different in terms of their top housing materials, their shared bottom housing ensures that both models can still provide satisfying, albeit distinct, typing results.

Weight

When comparing the Akko Botany linear switch to the Bsun Tomcat (Heavy) linear switch, notable differences in actuation and bottom out forces emerge. The Botany switch features a light actuation force of 38 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, making it comfortable for extended typing sessions or gaming marathons. In contrast, the Tomcat (Heavy) switch requires a stronger actuation force of 55 grams and a bottom out force of 64 grams, catering to users seeking a more substantial feel during typing. Therefore, the Botany switch is the lighter option, ideal for those who prefer less resistance, while the Tomcat switch is heavier, appealing to users that enjoy a firmer push. Overall, if you're looking for a light switch for prolonged use, the Botany is the better choice, whereas the Tomcat provides a weightier typing experience for those who prefer a more robust tactile feedback.

Travel distance

Both the Akko Botany linear switch and the Bsun Tomcat (Heavy) linear switch have a travel distance of 3.6 mm, meaning that they offer the same keypress experience in terms of distance traveled from the top to the bottom. This similarity ensures that users will achieve comparable results when pressing down on either switch, providing a consistent tactile feedback and response during typing or gaming. Therefore, there is no discernible difference in travel distance between these two linear switches.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Akko Botany linear switch stands out with its crisp and lively clacky tone, offering an engaging auditory experience straight out of the box. This means that users can enjoy a pronounced sound that enhances the tactile satisfaction of typing. On the other hand, the Bsun Tomcat (Heavy) linear switch delivers a resonant sound profile, which, while not as crisp as the Botany, contributes to a rich and satisfying acoustic experience during use. It's important to keep in mind that the final sound produced by either switch can be influenced by other factors, including the choice of keyboard, housing materials, and keycap style, which may mitigate or amplify these inherent qualities.

When it comes to feel, the Botany linear switch is characterized by a responsive typing experience, although the exact tactile feedback has not been specified. In contrast, the Tomcat (Heavy) switch features Ly stems designed to provide a super smooth typing sensation, which suggests a seamless transition with each keystroke. This buttery smoothness could offer a more fluid experience compared to the Botany, which might have a different or slightly less defined feedback mechanism. Overall, while both switches are linear and thus lack the tactile bump found in other switch types, the Tomcat (Heavy) leans toward a smoother, perhaps more luxurious feel.

Considering the sound and feel attributes of both the Akko Botany and the Bsun Tomcat (Heavy) switches, each has unique offerings that cater to different preferences. The Botany excels in delivering an engaging clacky sound, while the Tomcat leans toward a resonant and smooth experience that may appeal more to users who prioritize a fluid typing action. Depending on the individual’s auditory and tactile preferences, either switch could serve as a compelling choice, yet they do provide distinctly different typing experiences overall.

Conclusion

To conclude, the choice between the Akko Botany linear switch and the Bsun Tomcat (Heavy) linear switch largely hinges on your personal preferences regarding feedback, typing experience, and the type of work or gaming you engage in. If you appreciate a lighter touch and enjoy a crisp, lively clacky sound while typing, the Botany switch would be an excellent fit for you. Its 45-gram bottom-out force makes it comfortable for extended typing sessions, especially if you prefer a quicker, more responsive feel without too much resistance. On the other hand, if you find that you prefer a more substantial and deliberate keystroke, and you value a supremely smooth typing experience, the Tomcat (Heavy) with its 64-gram force may be your best choice. The Tomcat's resonant sound profile and its smooth Ly stems will appeal to those who enjoy a more robust, tactile experience while both typing and gaming. Thus, your selection should ultimately reflect your typing style and auditory preferences, ensuring you enjoy your keyboard experience to the fullest.

Mentioned in this article

Akko Botany Linear

$3.89

$3.11 per 10

Learn more

Bsun Tomcat (Heavy) Linear

$2.99 per 10

Learn more