Akko Botany vs. HMX Vintage Citrus
An in-depth look at the Akko Botany and the HMX Vintage Citrus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, the Akko Botany and HMX Vintage Citrus offer compelling options, each catering to different preferences and needs. The Akko Botany, celebrated for its crisp and lively clacky sound, brings a delightful auditory experience to typists and gamers alike, making it an appealing choice for those who appreciate a more resonant keystroke. Meanwhile, the HMX Vintage Citrus is a gamers' dream, designed with rapid-fire gameplay in mind, featuring an exceptionally low actuation force of just 1mm that allows for quick and responsive inputs. Its bright, clacky sound profile and smooth push feel further enhance its performance for competitive gaming. Both switches stand out for their unique auditory feedback and tactile experiences; however, let’s dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your requirements.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
38g
Actuation force
48g
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.00 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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel spring
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Akko Botany and HMX Vintage Citrus switches, it becomes clear that both models utilize nylon for both the top and bottom housings. This shared characteristic contributes to a consistent sound profile across both switches, characterized by a deep and full acoustic experience. The nylon material’s inherent softness allows it to absorb sound effectively, resulting in a notably duller and rounder auditory feedback. This is an advantageous feature for users who prefer a quieter typing experience, as both switches deliver a similar sonic signature attributed to the same material properties.
Given that both the Botany and Vintage Citrus switches employ nylon in their construction, they exhibit comparable typing sensations and acoustic characteristics. Specifically, the impact of the bottom housing is crucial as it contributes significantly to the bottom-out sound and feel when a key is pressed. Both models, by utilizing the same housing material, ensure that users will encounter a similar tactile and auditory feedback experience. The consistent use of nylon helps maintain uniformity in user expectations regarding responsiveness and sound, essential qualities for typists and gamers alike.
Despite the potential for differences in design or other minor components, the identical housing materials mean that the overall performance of the Akko Botany and HMX Vintage Citrus switches will be congruent in key aspects. Any variations in feel or sound when releasing the key would likely be negligible, as both top housings will behave similarly due to their shared nylon composition. Therefore, users can anticipate a harmonious typing experience whether they choose the Akko Botany or the HMX Vintage Citrus, underlining the significance of housing material in switch performance.
Weight
When comparing the Akko Botany linear switch and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch, there are notable differences in both actuation and bottom out forces. The Botany switch boasts a relatively light actuation force of 38 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, making it suitable for those who prefer a lighter typing experience, especially useful for extended typing or gaming sessions. In contrast, the Vintage Citrus features a slightly heavier actuation force of 48 grams and a bottom out force of 53 grams, appealing more to users who favor a firmer feel when typing. Therefore, if lighter actuation forces are desired, the Botany switch would be the better choice, while the Vintage Citrus provides a sturdier response for those who appreciate additional resistance. In essence, the Botany is lighter and designed for comfort during prolonged use, whereas the Vintage Citrus offers a more substantial typing experience suitable for users who enjoy a tactile push.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Akko Botany linear switch and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch, a noticeable difference emerges. The Botany switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, making it the longer option, while the Vintage Citrus measures a shorter 3 mm. As shorter travel distances are often favored for their quick response times—ideal for gamers—the HMX Vintage Citrus may appeal to those seeking a quicker actuation. Conversely, the Akko Botany's greater travel distance could provide a more satisfying tactile experience for users who prefer a deeper feel during key presses. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on individual preferences regarding responsiveness versus depth in typing feedback.
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 HMX Vintage Citrus has an MSRP of $3.49 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Vintage Citrus for $2.79.
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 switch produces a lively and crisp clacky sound, immediately providing an engaging auditory experience right out of the box. This sound is characterized by a bright and percussive quality that enhances the typing experience. In comparison, the HMX Vintage Citrus switch not only mirrors this clacky profile but is engineered specifically for gamers, offering a similar crisp and bright sound. Both switches will deliver an enjoyable, lively auditory output, although the experience may vary slightly depending on your keyboard build and the keycap material used.
In terms of feel, the Botany switch's characteristics are currently unknown. However, the HMX Vintage Citrus switch is designed to be exceptionally responsive, with a low actuation force of just 1mm. This creates a snappy and invigorating typing experience, allowing for rapid-fire inputs that are ideal for gaming. With pronounced feedback and a moderate to firm actuation force, the Vintage Citrus provides an immersive sensation that keeps users engaged with each keystroke. While the specific feel of the Botany switch is not detailed, the differences in actuation mechanics of these two switches suggest that the overall typing experience could vary significantly.
Overall, both the Akko Botany and HMX Vintage Citrus switches share the lively clacky sound profile, making them enjoyable for users who appreciate auditory feedback. However, while the Vintage Citrus excels in rapid-response gaming applications with its low actuation force and snappy feel, information about the Botany switch’s tactile and responsive qualities is still unknown. If you value sound in your typing experience, both options would serve you well, though the feel may distinctly cater to different preferences, leaving the choice to either the auditory enjoyment of the Botany or the responsive engagement of the Vintage Citrus.
Conclusion
To sum up, choosing between the Akko Botany linear switch and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch ultimately depends on your specific preferences and usage scenarios. If you lean towards a light typing experience that is also characterized by a lively and crisp sound, the Botany switch would be an excellent choice. It’s particularly suitable for those who favor a more relaxed typing style or a more general-purpose keyboard experience, whether it’s for casual gaming, typing, or even programming sessions. On the other hand, if you’re a gamer demanding rapid responses and quick, snappy inputs, the Vintage Citrus switch is the way to go, thanks to its low actuation force and responsive nature. It is designed to excel in high-speed gaming situations, providing an invigorating and smooth feedback that keeps you engaged. Thus, consider your primary needs—be it a lively typing experience with the Botany or an ultra-responsive and smooth performance with the Vintage Citrus—to make the best choice for your keyboard setup.
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