Aflion Panda vs. Bsun Kiki Red
An in-depth look at the Aflion Panda and the Bsun Kiki Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Aflion Panda and the BSUN Kiki Red offer distinct features that cater to different preferences. The Aflion Panda is renowned for its hyper-tactile sensation and deep "thocky" sound profile, making it a top choice for those who value a heightened tactile experience and rich audio feedback. On the other hand, the BSUN Kiki Red provides a finely-tuned typing experience with a comfortably high-pitched, clacky nuance, thanks to its all-POM housings and smooth actuation facilitated by Ly stems. While the Panda offers a more accentuated and resonant tactile feedback, the Kiki Red focuses on a creamy and polished feel. 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
42g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 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
20.4mm single-stage nickel-plated spring
Housing materials
The Aflion Panda and Bsun Kiki Red both offer unique housing materials that contribute to the overall sound profile of the switches. The Panda features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile compared to the Kiki Red's POM top housing, which produces a deeper and more muted sound. In terms of aesthetics, the Panda's polycarbonate top housing allows for RGB lighting to shine through, adding a visual appeal to the switch. On the other hand, the Kiki Red's POM top housing may offer a more subdued look but provides a distinctive sound experience.
In terms of the bottom housing, both switches offer different materials that impact the sound profile. The Panda's nylon bottom housing creates a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature, absorbing more sound and resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Similarly, the Kiki Red's POM bottom housing also contributes to a deep and muted sound profile, providing a consistent experience across the switch. However, the nylon bottom housing of the Panda may offer a slightly different feel when typing compared to the POM bottom housing of the Kiki Red.
When comparing the overall sound and feel of the switches, the combination of different housing materials in the Aflion Panda and Bsun Kiki Red creates a unique typing experience. The split between the top and bottom housings allows for specific qualities of each material to shine through during key presses and release. While the Panda may have a sharper and crisper sound when letting go of a key due to its polycarbonate top housing, the Kiki Red's POM top housing may provide a deeper and more muted sound. Ultimately, both switches offer distinct qualities that cater to different preferences in typing sound and feel.
Weight
Comparing the Aflion Panda tactile switch and the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch, it is evident that the Kiki Red is lighter in terms of actuation force and bottom out force. The Panda requires 50 grams of actuation force and 60 grams of bottom out force, making it a medium-weight switch. In contrast, the Kiki Red only needs 42 grams to actuate and 50 grams to bottom out, indicating a lighter touch. For users who prefer a softer, lighter feel while typing or gaming, the Kiki Red would be the ideal choice. On the other hand, those who enjoy a slightly more substantial typing experience may lean towards the Panda. Ultimately, both switches offer a different typing experience based on their actuation and bottom out forces, catering to individuals with varying preferences.
Travel distance
The Aflion Panda tactile switch has a travel distance of 4mm, while the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6mm. This makes the Kiki Red the shorter option, while the Panda has a slightly longer travel distance. In terms of preference, gamers might lean towards the Kiki Red for its faster response time due to the shorter travel distance. On the other hand, those who prefer a more substantial feel when typing may choose the Panda for its slightly longer travel distance. Both switches offer a different typing experience, so it ultimately comes down to personal preference.
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 Kiki Red has an MSRP of $4.70 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Kiki Red 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
In terms of sound, the Aflion Panda offers a resonant experience with a higher-pitched and immersive auditory profile, characterized by a clean and sharp sound feedback. On the other hand, the Bsun Kiki Red provides a clacky sensation, producing a sharp, snappy, and percussive sound when pressed. While the Panda focuses on a deep "thocky" echo, the Kiki Red strikes a balance with a comfortably high-pitched and clacky nuance, catering to those who prefer a more subtle and crisp sound profile. Keep in mind that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard chassis and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the Aflion Panda is accentuated by an invigorating tactile force that offers a medium level of tactility, providing a pronounced feedback and a snappy, reactive typing experience. On the other hand, the Bsun Kiki Red boasts a creamy, frictionless, polished, and silky typing sensation, thanks to its all-POM housing and smooth stem material, resulting in a buttery and effortless keypress. Additionally, the Kiki Red is described as snappy and easy-to-press, offering a light actuation force for a comfortable and low-impact typing feel. These qualities make the Kiki Red switches ideal for users who appreciate a smooth and refined typing experience with minimal resistance.
In conclusion, the Aflion Panda and Bsun Kiki Red switches offer distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Aflion Panda excels in providing a hyper-tactile sensation with a deep "thocky" sound profile, appealing to enthusiasts who value a full-bodied audio feedback. On the other hand, the Bsun Kiki Red delivers a finely-tuned typing experience with a balance of clacky nuance and medium-light weighting, catering to those who seek subtlety in auditory feedback and finesse in performance. Depending on your personal preferences for sound and feel, both switches provide unique characteristics that can enhance your typing experience. Ultimately, selecting between the Aflion Panda and Bsun Kiki Red switches will depend on whether you prioritize hyper-tactility and a resonant sound profile or a smooth, creamy typing sensation with a clacky sound feedback.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Aflion Panda tactile switch and the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch, consider the following guidelines: opt for the Panda if you prioritize hyper-tactility and a deep "thocky" sound profile, along with a medium bottom out force. The Panda is ideal for those who value an immersive typing experience with pronounced feedback. On the other hand, choose the Kiki Red if you prefer a finely-tuned typing experience with a comfortably high-pitched, clacky sound, and a lighter bottom out force. The Kiki Red switches offer smooth actuation and a balance of auditory feedback and performance finesse. Ultimately, your decision should be based on whether you prioritize tactile sensation and sonorous audio feedback (Panda) or subtlety in auditory feedback and finesse in performance (Kiki Red).
Mentioned in this article
