Everglide Bamboo Green vs. Bsun Kiki Red
An in-depth look at the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Bsun Kiki Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Bsun Kiki Red stand out as popular choices, each offering unique characteristics for different preferences. The Bamboo Green is renowned for its tactile feedback, featuring a clacky sound signature and a sharp, sparkling tactility. On the other hand, the Kiki Red provides a smooth, linear typing experience with a high-pitched, clacky nuance without being overly loud. While the Bamboo Green excels in providing a more pronounced tactile feel, the Kiki Red offers a quieter, smoother typing experience. Both switches have their own advantages, but ultimately, choosing between them comes down to personal preference and typing style. 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
43g
Actuation force
42g
Bottom-out force
62g
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
PBT
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
PBT
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
20.4mm single-stage nickel-plated spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Bsun Kiki Red switches each offer unique characteristics that contribute to the overall sound profile and feel of the switches. The Bamboo Green features a PBT top housing, which provides a neutral sound profile that is neither crisp nor dull. In contrast, the Kiki Red utilizes a POM top housing, offering a deeper and more muted sound profile. This difference in top housing material results in distinct auditory experiences when using the switches.
Moving to the bottom housing, the Bamboo Green also utilizes a PBT material, which again provides a neutral sound profile. Similarly, the Kiki Red features a POM bottom housing, which creates a pleasing and unique sound profile that is deeper and more muted compared to the PBT material. The bottom housing material in both switches plays a significant role in influencing the bottom-out sound and feel of the switches, adding to the overall tactile experience for the user.
While the housing materials of the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Bsun Kiki Red switches offer different sound profiles and tactile experiences, they both ultimately contribute to the overall performance of the switches. The combination of top and bottom housing materials in each switch creates a balance of sound and feel when typing or gaming. Despite the differences in material, both switches aim to provide a satisfying and unique typing experience for users, showcasing how different housing materials can impact the overall performance of a mechanical switch.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch, it is evident that the Bamboo Green has a slightly higher actuation force of 43 grams compared to the Kiki Red's 42 grams. Both switches have a similar bottom out force, with the Bamboo Green requiring 62 grams and the Kiki Red needing 50 grams. The Bamboo Green can be considered medium-weight, providing a good balance between typing comfort and feedback. In contrast, the Kiki Red is lighter, making it ideal for those who prefer a softer touch and a lighter typing experience. Overall, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference regarding the actuation force and bottom out force desired for typing or gaming purposes.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch, it is clear that the Bamboo Green has a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm compared to the Kiki Red's 3.6 mm. The Bamboo Green falls into the more traditional range of travel distances, providing a deeper key press experience. On the other hand, the Kiki Red offers a shallower travel distance, making it a popular choice for gamers seeking faster response times. Both switches cater to different preferences, with the Bamboo Green offering a more robust feel while the Kiki Red provides a quicker actuation. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on individual preferences for key feel and responsiveness.
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 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 Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch is high-pitched and resonant, offering a sharp and crisp sound experience. On the other hand, the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch is described as clacky, producing a sharp and snappy sound when pressed. While the Bamboo Green provides a more high-pitched and resonant sound profile, the Kiki Red offers a comfortably high-pitched, clacky nuance without being excessively loud. The sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch is characterized as stepped, accented, sharp, and polished, offering a tactile experience with a distinct tactile bump and smooth key travel. In contrast, the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch is described as creamy, frictionless, polished, silky, snappy, and easy-to-press, providing a smooth and buttery typing experience with minimal resistance and effortless key presses. Both switches aim to provide a refined typing experience through their unique tactile and smooth qualities.
In conclusion, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch offer distinct sound and feel qualities that cater to different preferences. The Bamboo Green provides a high-pitched and resonant sound with a sharp tactile feel, while the Kiki Red offers a clacky sound with a creamy and silky smooth typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and overall typing experience. Experimenting with different switches on various keyboards can help determine the best fit for your typing needs.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a tactile switch with a medium bottom out force and a clacky sound signature, then the Everglide Bamboo Green switch would be a great choice for you. These switches provide a crisp and sparkling tactility that enhances the typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a linear switch with a lighter bottom out force and a comfortably high-pitched, clacky sound profile, the Bsun Kiki Red switch would be more suitable for you. These switches offer a smooth and finely-tuned typing experience, with a balance between sound and performance that appeals to enthusiasts who appreciate subtlety in auditory feedback. Ultimately, your decision will come down to whether you prioritize a tactile typing experience with the Bamboo Green switch or a linear typing experience with the Kiki Red switch.
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