Gateron Aliaz vs. Bsun Kiki Red
An in-depth look at the Gateron Aliaz and the Bsun Kiki Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Aliaz and the Bsun Kiki Red offer distinct features that cater to different preferences. The Aliaz switch is ideal for quiet environments such as offices, providing a medium-heavy weight that delivers a substantial feel to each keystroke. On the other hand, the Kiki Red switch offers a finely-tuned typing experience with a high-pitched, clacky nuance while maintaining a subtle sound profile. While the Aliaz switch is known for its muted and polished feel, the Kiki Red switch stands out for its clacky, creamy, and easy-to-press attributes. Both switches have their unique strengths, but to truly determine the best switch for you, further exploration and evaluation of their features and characteristics is necessary.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
60g
Actuation force
42g
Bottom-out force
75g
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
No
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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
20.4mm single-stage nickel-plated spring
Housing materials
In terms of housing materials, the Gateron Aliaz and Bsun Kiki Red switches offer contrasting experiences. The Aliaz features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile that is clear and resonant. This is especially beneficial for those who enjoy RGB lighting, as the translucent nature of polycarbonate allows for vibrant lighting effects. In comparison, the Kiki Red utilizes a POM top housing, which produces a deeper and more muted sound. While the Aliaz's top housing emphasizes clarity and brightness, the Kiki Red prioritizes a lower, more subdued tone.
Moving on to the bottom housing, the Gateron Aliaz once again utilizes polycarbonate to create a sharp, crisp sound profile. This consistency in housing materials ensures a cohesive sound experience throughout the switch. On the other hand, the Bsun Kiki Red implements a POM bottom housing, which contributes to a pleasing and unique sound that is deeper and more muted. While the Aliaz maintains its clear and resonant sound from top to bottom, the Kiki Red offers a different experience with a focus on depth and richness in sound.
Overall, the choice between the Gateron Aliaz and the Bsun Kiki Red ultimately comes down to personal preference in sound profile. If you prefer a sharper, higher-pitched sound with clear resonance, the Aliaz with its polycarbonate housing may be the better option for you. On the other hand, if you appreciate a deeper, more muted sound profile, the Kiki Red's POM housing might be more appealing. Regardless of your choice, both switches offer unique sound experiences based on their housing materials, providing a variety of options for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Weight
When comparing the actuation and bottom out forces of the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch and the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch, it is evident that there are significant differences between the two. The Aliaz has a heavier actuation force of 60 grams and a bottom out force of 75 grams, making it ideal for those who prefer a more substantial typing experience. On the other hand, the Kiki Red offers a lighter actuation force of 42 grams and bottom out force of 50 grams, making it better suited for individuals looking for a lighter touch for extended typing sessions. The Aliaz provides a more robust typing feel, while the Kiki Red offers a smoother and lighter keystroke. In conclusion, those who prefer a heavier force should opt for the Gateron Aliaz, while those who prefer a lighter touch would be more satisfied with the Bsun Kiki Red.
Travel distance
The Gateron Aliaz tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm. In this case, the Aliaz has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Kiki Red. The difference of 0.4 mm may not seem like much, but it can impact the typing experience. The Aliaz offers a deeper and more substantial travel distance, which may be preferred by those who like a more significant keypress feel. On the other hand, the Kiki Red provides a slightly shorter travel distance, making it potentially more suitable for players looking for quicker response times in gaming. Both switches offer benefits depending on individual preferences, with the Aliaz providing a longer and more traditional travel distance, while the Kiki Red offers a slightly shorter and more modern feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal typing or gaming preferences.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Aliaz has an MSRP of $8.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Aliaz for $5.50.
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 Gateron Aliaz tactile switch is best suited for those seeking a quieter typing experience in office settings due to its muted sound profile. On the other hand, the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch offers a clacky sound that is sharp and snappy, providing a unique auditory feedback without being excessively loud. Keep in mind that the sound produced by these switches can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard's construction and the type of keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the Gateron Aliaz switch is described as offering a silky and polished typing experience, emphasizing smoothness and refined key travel. On the other hand, the Bsun Kiki Red switch provides a creamy and frictionless feel, enhancing the typing sensation with buttery smoothness and effortless key presses. Additionally, the Kiki Red switch is noted for its snappy and easy-to-press nature, further enhancing the typing experience with responsiveness and low impact on the fingers.
Overall, the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch and the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch offer distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Aliaz switch caters to those who prefer a quieter typing experience with medium-heavy weighting and a silent operation, while the Kiki Red switch appeals to enthusiasts appreciating a balance of clacky sound and smooth performance with medium-light weighting. Both switches provide different tactile and auditory experiences, catering to varying preferences in the mechanical keyboard community. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences for typing feedback and noise levels.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch and the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch, you should consider your preference for typing feel and noise level. If you enjoy a medium-heavy weight switch with a substantial feel and muted sound, the Aliaz switches would be an excellent choice, particularly for quiet environments like the office. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-light weighting switch with a creamy, frictionless feel and a slightly clacky sound, the Kiki Reds may be more suited to your preferences, especially if you appreciate subtlety in auditory feedback and finesse in performance. Ultimately, your decision should be based on whether you prioritize typing experience, noise level, or a balance of both.
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