Aflion Panda vs. Bsun Cinnamon Pink
An in-depth look at the Aflion Panda and the Bsun Cinnamon Pink switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Aflion Panda and the Bsun Cinnamon Pink stand out as top contenders in their respective categories. The Panda is renowned for its hyper-tactile sensation and deep "thocky" sound profile, appealing to those who prioritize tactile feedback and rich audio experiences. On the other hand, the Cinnamon Pink linear switches impress with their distinctive clacky sound and smooth action, offering a comfortable typing feel without sacrificing auditory enjoyment. While the Panda excels in providing a full-bodied, sonorous experience, the Cinnamon Pink delivers a balanced mix of clackiness and smoothness. 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
37g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
42g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.45 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Single-stage 15mm long spring
Spring
22mm single-stage nickel-plated spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Aflion Panda and the Bsun Cinnamon Pink play a significant role in determining the sound profile of the switches. The Panda features a polycarbonate top housing, which produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound compared to the Cinnamon Pink's POM top housing, which creates a deeper and more muted sound. The translucent nature of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting, while POM offers a unique and pleasing sound experience. Despite these differences, both materials contribute to enhancing the overall typing experience for users.
When it comes to the bottom housing materials, the Panda utilizes nylon, while the Cinnamon Pink uses POM. Nylon provides a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic properties, absorbing more sound and creating a duller yet rounder sound. Similarly, POM contributes to a deeper and relatively more muted sound, adding to the unique typing experience of the Cinnamon Pink switch. While the bottom housing may have a more pronounced effect on the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch, the top housing still plays a crucial role in determining the sound when releasing a key.
In essence, the housing materials of the Aflion Panda and the Bsun Cinnamon Pink offer distinct sound profiles and tactile experiences for users. The differences between the polycarbonate and POM top housings result in varying sound characteristics, with polycarbonate creating a sharper sound and POM producing a deeper and more muted one. Similarly, the nylon and POM bottom housings contribute to the overall sound profile of the switches, each offering a unique typing experience. Despite these variations, both switches provide users with high-quality materials that enhance the user's typing experience in different ways.
Weight
When comparing the Aflion Panda tactile switch and the Bsun Cinnamon Pink linear switch, it is evident that the actuation force and bottom out force play a significant role in the typing experience. The Aflion Panda has a higher actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Bsun Cinnamon Pink's lighter actuation force of 37 grams. Similarly, the Aflion Panda requires a bottom out force of 60 grams, while the Bsun Cinnamon Pink only needs 42 grams to bottom out. This indicates that the Aflion Panda offers a more substantial typing experience with a heavier touch, while the Bsun Cinnamon Pink provides a lighter touch that may be preferred for longer typing sessions or gaming. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for actuation force and bottom out force.
Travel distance
The Aflion Panda tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, which is considered more traditional, while the Bsun Cinnamon Pink linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.45 mm. The Panda offers a longer travel distance, which may appeal to those who prefer a deeper key press feel. On the other hand, the Cinnamon Pink provides a shorter travel distance, which can result in faster response times and is often favored by gamers. Both switches offer their own advantages depending on individual preferences, with the Panda offering more depth and the Cinnamon Pink offering quicker feedback. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance.
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 Cinnamon Pink has an MSRP of $4.70 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Cinnamon Pink for $3.83.
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
When it comes to the sound profile, the Aflion Panda tactile switch offers a resonant and immersive auditory experience with a deep "thocky" sound, creating a full-bodied audio feedback. On the other hand, the Bsun Cinnamon Pink linear switch delivers a distinctively clacky sound that is sharp, bright, and percussive, striking a balance between audibility and comfort. Depending on your choice of keyboard and keycaps, you can expect a unique sound experience from each switch.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Aflion Panda tactile switch provides an invigorating and accented typing sensation with a hyper-tactile feedback, offering a medium tactile experience that is not overwhelming yet pronounced. In contrast, the Bsun Cinnamon Pink linear switch offers a creamy, frictionless, and polished typing feel, ensuring a smooth and effortless experience with each keystroke. With a combination of factors such as lubrication and materials used, these switches provide a comfortable and engaging typing experience.
In conclusion, the Aflion Panda tactile switch and the Bsun Cinnamon Pink linear switch offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Panda excels in offering a resonant and thocky sound paired with a responsive and tactile typing experience, while the Cinnamon Pink provides a clacky sound and a smooth, creamy typing feel. Depending on your preferences for sound profile and typing experience, both switches offer high-quality performance in their respective categories. Whether you prefer a hyper-tactile sensation or a smooth linear experience, you can expect satisfying results with either switch.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering whether to choose the Aflion Panda tactile switch or the BSUN Cinnamon Pink linear switch, it really comes down to your personal preference and typing style. If you prefer a medium bottom out force and are looking for a hyper-tactile sensation with a deep "thocky" sound profile, then the Panda switch would be an excellent choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force and are seeking a smooth and clacky sound with engaging medium-light typing feel, then the Cinnamon Pink switch would be more suitable for your needs. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences, so it's important to consider what features are most important to you in a mechanical keyboard switch before making a decision.