Akko Botany vs. Gateron Weightlessness
An in-depth look at the Akko Botany and the Gateron Weightlessness switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options that cater to different preferences are the Akko Botany and the Gateron Weightlessness. The Akko Botany switches, celebrated for their crisp and lively clacky sound right out of the box, provide a smooth linear typing experience that many gamers and typists love for its consistency and responsiveness. Conversely, the Gateron Weightlessness switches offer a subtle to moderate tactile feel, providing satisfying feedback with each keystroke while maintaining a balanced sound profile. This makes them an excellent choice for users who appreciate a tactile sensation without overwhelming noise. Ultimately, your choice between these switches will depend on whether you prioritize smoothness and sound or tactile feedback and subtlety; 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
50g
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.40 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 double-staged spring
Housing materials
The Akko Botany and Gateron Weightlessness mechanical switches share a notable similarity in their housing materials, with both utilizing nylon for both the top and bottom housings. This choice of nylon is pivotal because it is recognized as a classic switch housing material that significantly influences the acoustic properties of the switches. The characteristics of nylon, being a softer plastic, allow for greater sound absorption compared to harder plastics. This results in a deeper and fuller sound profile, providing users with a more pleasant acoustic experience when typing. Consequently, both switches are likely to deliver similarly appealing auditory feedback, creating a duller and rounder sound that is highly sought after among enthusiasts.
Despite the identical choice of nylon in their housings, the impact of the material is distributed differently depending on which part of the switch one is interacting with. The bottom housing influences the bottom-out feel and sound while typing, meaning that the plush characteristics of nylon will contribute to a muted impact when a key is pressed all the way down. Conversely, the top housing affects the sound profile experienced when releasing a key. Since both the Akko Botany and Gateron Weightlessness utilize the same nylon material for both top and bottom, the overall typing experience remains consistently rich across both switch types, enhancing both the tactile and audible aspects of key presses.
In essence, though the Akko Botany and Gateron Weightlessness may be different switches in terms of their branding and specific designs, their housing materials contribute to a similar typing experience due to the shared properties of nylon. Users can expect a cohesive sound character and tactile feedback from both switches, making them comparable in performance. The choice of nylon, irrespective of the switch model, ensures that typists can revel in the deeper sound profile and satisfying feel that stems from the material's inherent qualities, resulting in equally gratifying experiences between the two.
Weight
When comparing the Akko Botany linear switch and the Gateron Weightlessness tactile switch, significant differences emerge in their actuation forces. The Botany features a relatively light actuation force of 38 grams, while the Weightlessness has a heavier actuation force of 50 grams. This indicates that the Botany switch is better suited for those who favor prolonged typing sessions without fatigue, making it a great choice for work environments or extended gaming. In terms of bottom-out force, the Botany also has a measured force of 45 grams, providing a definitive endpoint when fully depressed. In contrast, the bottom-out force for the Weightlessness is unavailable, leaving a gap in our ability to make a direct comparison in this regard. Therefore, while the Botany offers a lighter feel throughout both its actuation and bottoming out phases, the Weightlessness may provide a more substantial typing experience due to its heavier actuation force, appealing to those who appreciate a firmer keystroke.
Travel distance
The Akko Botany linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Gateron Weightlessness tactile switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm. This means that the Botany switch offers a more substantial key press, providing a deeper feel, which can be preferable for users who enjoy a hearty depth during typing. On the other hand, the Weightlessness switch, with its shorter travel distance, caters to those who prioritize responsiveness and quicker actuation, particularly favored by gamers for faster response times. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches largely depends on individual preferences for key feel; if you prefer a more robust experience, the Botany would be the better option, while the Weightlessness might suit those looking for a snappier, more immediate action.
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 Gateron Weightlessness has an MSRP of $6.10 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Weightlessness for $5.50.
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 produces a crisp, lively clacky sound straight out of the box, which can be quite satisfying for those who enjoy an auditory feedback from their typing experience. In contrast, the Gateron Weightlessness tactile switch offers a balanced sound profile that generally complements its tactile characteristics. While the Botany's sound is more pronounced and vibrant, the Weightlessness has a subtler auditory presence, making it suitable for those who prefer a quieter typing experience while still having an engaging feedback.
When it comes to feel, the Botany switch is characterized by its smooth linear action, meaning it lacks any tactile bump and provides an uninterrupted movement, allowing for a fluid typing experience. On the other hand, the Weightlessness switch is known for its subtle to moderate tactile feel, providing a gentle bump that lets the user know when the actuation point has been reached. This tactile quality is beneficial for typists who prefer a discernible feedback without the resistance often felt in more pronounced tactile switches.
In conclusion, while the Akko Botany linear switch is more geared towards those who enjoy a lively sound and smooth typing experience, the Gateron Weightlessness tactile switch caters to users who appreciate a gentle tactile feedback along with a balanced sound profile. Depending on personal preference, both switches can deliver enjoyable experiences, but they do so with distinct characteristics in sound and tactile feel, making the choice between them largely subjective based on individual typing styles and auditory preferences.
Conclusion
To conclude, when deciding between the Akko Botany linear switch and the Gateron Weightlessness tactile switch, your choice should ultimately align with your typing preferences and usage scenarios. If you favor a lighter touch and enjoy the sprightly, clacky sound that the Botany switches provide, then these linear switches may be ideal for you, particularly for fast-paced typing or gaming scenarios where responsiveness is key. On the other hand, if you prefer a more subtle tactile feedback combined with a balanced sound profile, the Weightlessness tactile switches would be the better option, offering a satisfying typing experience without being overly noisy. Thus, your decisions should reflect whether you prioritize a lively auditory feedback with a lighter keystroke or a more subdued yet tactile response for a quieter workspace.
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