Everglide Bamboo Green vs. Bsun Chiikawa - 45g
An in-depth look at the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Bsun Chiikawa - 45g switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboards, the choice of switch can significantly affect both typing experience and overall satisfaction. On one hand, the Everglide Bamboo Green switches are a tactile delight, offering a clacky sound signature and a crisp, sparkling tactility that many users find enjoyable. This makes them ideal for those who appreciate feedback and auditory cues while typing, as their high-pitched, stepped characteristics create a resonant and polished experience. On the other hand, the Bsun Chiikawa - 45g switches present a contrasting experience with their linear design, which features a very light actuation force that results in a notably responsive feel. Users who prefer a smooth keystroke without the interruption of tactile bumps often gravitate towards these switches, as their bright sound profile contributes to an airy and crisp typing sensation. Ultimately, choosing between the Bamboo Green and the Chiikawa - 45g hinges on personal preference for tactile feedback versus linear smoothness. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
43g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
51g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
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
Y3X
Top housing material
PBT
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
PBT
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
22mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials used in the Everglide Bamboo Green and Bsun Chiikawa - 45g switches, we see distinct differences in the top housing compositions which contribute to their sound profiles. The Bamboo Green features a PBT top housing known for its neutral sound quality, striking a balance that isn’t overly crisp or dull. In contrast, the Chiikawa - 45g employs a polycarbonate top housing that is specifically designed to enhance the clarity and resonance of sound. The polycarbonate’s stiffer nature leads to a sharper and higher-pitched sound profile, making it ideal for those who prefer a more vibrant auditory experience when typing. The translucency of polycarbonate also provides an aesthetic advantage for RGB lighting, enhancing the visual appeal when light shines through.
Examining the bottom housings reveals further contrasts in their acoustic characteristics. The Bamboo Green is equipped with a PBT bottom housing, similar in neutrality to its top counterpart. This combination fosters a consistent sound profile that is neither overly bright nor too muted. On the other hand, the Chiikawa - 45g uses a nylon bottom housing, a material renowned for its ability to produce a deeper and fuller sound. Nylon’s softer composition contributes to a more absorbed and rounded sound, which contrasts with the sharper sound produced by the polycarbonate top. This difference in materials means that while both switches may provide a satisfying keystroke experience, they may appeal to different preferences based on desired auditory feedback.
Ultimately, the interaction between the top and bottom housing materials plays a crucial role in defining the overall typing experience for both switches. With the Bamboo Green, the unified PBT composition in both housings ensures a harmonious sound profile, resulting in smooth feedback regardless of whether you’re pressing the key or letting it go. In contrast, the Chiikawa - 45g’s combination of a crisp polycarbonate top with a fuller nylon bottom creates a more dynamic auditory experience, where the sharpness of the top and the roundness of the bottom can be distinctly felt and heard during use. Thus, while one may deliver a more balanced and neutral typing experience, the other can provide a more pronounced variation in sound, catering to different user preferences.
Weight
When comparing the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Bsun Chiikawa - 45g linear switch, there are notable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Bamboo Green requires an actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 62 grams, while the Chiikawa has a slightly heavier actuation force of 45 grams but a noticeably lighter bottom out force of 51 grams. This means that the Bamboo Green, with its higher bottom out force, may provide a more substantial typing experience preferred by those who like a stronger feedback, while the Chiikawa’s lower bottom out force makes it easier to press the key all the way down, catering to users who favor a lighter touch. Overall, the Bamboo Green is the lighter option in terms of actuation force, but its bottom out requires more force, making it heavier compared to the Chiikawa. For durability and longer typing sessions, a lighter actuation force might appeal to some users, while others might appreciate the firmness offered by the Bamboo Green.
Travel distance
The Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch features a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Bsun Chiikawa - 45g linear switch has a shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm. This means that when pressing these keys, the Bamboo Green offers a more pronounced depth compared to the Chiikawa, which tends to provide a snappier response. The longer travel distance of the Bamboo Green may appeal to users who enjoy a more tactile and substantial feel, while the shorter distance of the Chiikawa could cater to gamers looking for quick actuation and faster response times. Ultimately, your preference between the two will depend on whether you favor the traditional depth of the Bamboo Green or the more immediate feedback of the Chiikawa.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Bamboo Green has an MSRP of $9.67 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Bamboo Green for $7.19.
The Bsun Chiikawa - 45g has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Chiikawa - 45g for $3.29.
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
The sound produced by the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch is notable for its clacky and resonant qualities, generating a sharp, high-pitched auditory experience that can be quite pleasing to the ear. This sound profile is clean and immersive, often appealing to typists who prefer a more dynamic acoustic feedback as they press down on the keys. On the other hand, the Bsun Chiikawa - 45g linear switch also shares a bright sound profile but is distinctively characterized by its very light actuation force. While the Chiikawa produces a crisp and high-pitched sound as well, it lacks the clackiness of the Bamboo Green, resulting in a more subdued but equally responsive auditory response. Both switches can deliver a high-pitched sound experience, although the resonance and clack of the Bamboo Green might be more pronounced, depending on the accompanying keyboard components.
When it comes to feel, the Bamboo Green is rich in tactility, presenting a stepped feedback that can be distinctly felt at two stages during the keypress. This means that typists will experience a mild pre-travel and a prominent tactile bump, which isn’t overwhelming but still provides a satisfying interaction with each keystroke. The Bamboo Green switches can be described as accented and sharp, delivering a notable tactile feedback that balances between being too subtle and too intense. In contrast, the Chiikawa - 45g linear switch is smooth and does not possess the tactile bump that characterizes the Bamboo Green, offering a seamless keypress experience without the tactile interruptions that some users may seek. Consequently, while both switches can satisfy different user preferences, they cater to notably different typing experiences—one tactile and pronounced, the other fluid and linear.
In conclusion, the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Bsun Chiikawa - 45g linear switch exhibit distinctly different characteristics in terms of sound and feel. While the Bamboo Green offers a clacky, resonant sound and a moderately tactile experience, the Chiikawa provides a bright, crisp auditory feedback with a smooth, light linear action. For those seeking dynamic auditory feedback and a pronounced tactile experience, the Bamboo Green stands out, whereas users who prefer seamless key travel and lighter actuation may gravitate towards the Chiikawa. Ultimately, both switches present unique offerings that can cater to individual preferences in typing style and sound, allowing newcomers to choose based on their specific desires.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Bsun Chiikawa - 45g linear switch will ultimately hinge on your personal typing preferences and usage scenarios. If you enjoy a more tactile feel with a pronounced feedback, the Bamboo Green is the way to go. With its medium bottom-out force of 62 grams, it offers a robust sensation that can be satisfying for both typing and gaming, especially with its sharp and resonant sound profile, which many find engaging. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter touch and a smoother experience, the Chiikawa - 45g linear switch, which features a medium-light bottom-out force of just 51 grams, may be more suited to you. Its responsive action and bright sound profile make it ideal for rapid keystrokes, facilitating fast-paced gaming or coding sessions where quick actuation is essential. Ultimately, your decision will depend on whether you prioritize tactile feedback and auditory feedback or prefer a lighter, more fluid typing experience.