Aflion Panda vs. Bsun Pine
An in-depth look at the Aflion Panda and the Bsun Pine switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options that stand out are the Aflion Panda, a tactile switch, and the Bsun Pine, also a tactile switch. The Aflion Panda is renowned for its hyper-tactile sensation and distinct "thocky" sound profile, setting a new standard for those who prioritize tactile feedback and a satisfying audio experience. On the other hand, the Bsun Pine switches offer a sharp tactile bump and quick bottom-out, providing direct and no-nonsense tactility that appeals to those who value fast action. While both switches offer unique features such as accentuated tactile feedback and invigorating keystrokes, the Panda leans towards a more resonant feel, whereas the Pine delivers a sharper and snappier typing 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
50g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Single-stage 15mm long spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Aflion Panda and the Bsun Pine, both switches feature a polycarbonate top housing that creates a sharp, higher-pitched, and crisp sound profile. This is due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, which leads to clear and resonant sound. The use of a clear housing in both switches suggests the presence of polycarbonate, making it especially useful for RGB lighting. However, the differences lie in the bottom housing material. The Panda features a nylon bottom housing that produces a deeper and fuller sound, thanks to nylon's softer nature that absorbs more sound, while the Pine also utilizes a nylon bottom housing for similar sound qualities.
In terms of sound production, the nylon bottom housing in both the Aflion Panda and the Bsun Pine contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon allows for sound absorption, resulting in a duller and rounder sound compared to the sharper sound produced by the polycarbonate top housing. While the top housing materials in both switches create a sharp, higher-pitched sound, the bottom housing material plays a significant role in shaping the overall sound experience. This combination of housing materials in both switches ensures a balance between sharpness and depth in sound output.
Overall, the Aflion Panda and the Bsun Pine offer similar sound profiles due to their shared polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharp, high-pitched sound. The use of nylon in the bottom housing of both switches contributes to a deeper and fuller sound, albeit with subtle differences in sound quality. Both switches benefit from the unique properties of their housing materials, with the top housing influencing the key release sound and the bottom housing affecting the bottom-out sound and feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches may come down to personal preference for the specific sound characteristics desired.
Weight
The Aflion Panda tactile switch has a slightly lighter actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Bsun Pine tactile switch, which requires 45 grams to actuate. However, the Panda requires more force to bottom out at 60 grams, while the Pine has a heavier bottom out force of 65 grams. Both switches fall within the medium range in terms of actuation force, but the Pine is considered medium-heavy due to its higher bottom out force. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Pine switch for easier actuation, while those who enjoy a more substantial feeling while typing may opt for the Panda switch for its higher bottom out force. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Aflion Panda tactile switch and the Bsun Pine tactile switch, it is clear that the Panda has a longer travel distance of 4 mm compared to the Pine's 3.4 mm. The Panda offers a more traditional travel distance, while the Pine falls on the shorter end of the spectrum. This means that the Panda may provide a more substantial press and response, suitable for those who prefer a deeper key press, while the Pine may offer a quicker and more responsive feel, favored by gamers. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference, with the Panda offering a longer travel distance and the Pine providing a shorter travel distance for different typing experiences.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Aflion Panda has an MSRP of $5.20 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Panda for $3.56.
The Bsun Pine has an MSRP of $4.70 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Pine for $3.70.
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 Aflion Panda switch offers a resonant and immersive auditory experience with a clean and sharp sound profile, resulting in a satisfying "thocky" sound. On the other hand, the BSUN Pine switch's sound profile is not specified, so it may offer a different auditory experience depending on other factors like the keyboard and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel, both the Panda and Pine switches are described as offering an invigorating and accented tactile experience, providing a moderate to firm actuation force and pronounced feedback. However, the Pine switch is also described as having a sharp and snappy tactile bump, ensuring a quick bottom-out and a no-nonsense tactility.
Considering the information provided, it seems that both the Aflion Panda and BSUN Pine switches offer a similar level of invigorating tactility and feedback, making them suitable options for those seeking a responsive typing experience. While the Panda switch is characterized by its hyper-tactile sensation and thocky sound, the Pine switch stands out for its sharp tactile bump and distinct bottom-out. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches may come down to personal preference in terms of the specific tactile feel and sound profile desired.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Aflion Panda tactile switch and the BSUN Pine tactile switch, consider your preference for bottom out force and sound profile. If you value a medium bottom out force with a hyper-tactile sensation and a deep thocky sound, the Panda may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly heavier bottom out force with a sharp tactile bump and quick bottom-out, the Pine switch could be more suited to your typing style. Both switches offer unique typing experiences with distinct tactile feedback, so ultimately, the decision comes down to your personal preference for feel and sound in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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