Kailh Berry vs. Bsun Dragon Fruit
An in-depth look at the Kailh Berry and the Bsun Dragon Fruit switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Kailh Berry, a linear switch, and the Bsun Dragon Fruit, a tactile switch. The Berry switches are favored for their hefty typing experience, featuring a springy feel and chalk-like texture. Their sound profile is deep and categorized as 'Textured', 'Low-pitched', and 'Bassy'. On the other hand, the Dragon Fruit switches are known for their long pole stem, providing a sharp and definitive bottom-out that tactile enthusiasts appreciate. These medium-weight switches offer significant tactile feedback with a satisfying bump at each press, paired with a clacky sound signature. Categorized as 'Accented', 'Invigorating', 'Sharp', and 'Snappy', the Dragon Fruit switches provide a lively and engaging typing experience. Ultimately, choosing between these two switches will depend on 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
N/A
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
70g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
1.70 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Kailh Berry and Bsun Dragon Fruit switches share similar housing materials, both featuring polycarbonate top housings. This material gives both switches a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, making them ideal for users looking for a clear and resonant typing experience. The translucency of polycarbonate also enhances RGB lighting effects, giving a visually appealing aspect to these switches. While the top housing material is the same, the bottom housing differs between the two switches.
The Kailh Berry utilizes a nylon bottom housing, which creates a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to the polycarbonate top housing. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound that complements the sharpness of the polycarbonate top housing. In contrast, the Bsun Dragon Fruit also features a nylon bottom housing, providing a similar typing experience as the Berry switch. This split in housing materials allows for a balanced typing experience, with the qualities of each material contributing to the overall sound and feel of the switch.
Overall, the combination of polycarbonate and nylon in the housing materials of the Kailh Berry and Bsun Dragon Fruit switches offers users a unique typing experience. The contrasting properties of these materials create a well-rounded sound profile that is both clear and full, catering to different preferences in sound and feel. While the top housing material remains the same between the two switches, the variation in the bottom housing material allows for subtle differences in typing feedback and sound characteristics. Regardless of these differences, both switches promise a satisfying typing experience for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Weight
The Kailh Berry linear switch has a bottom out force of 70 grams, making it slightly heavier than the Bsun Dragon Fruit tactile switch, which has a bottom out force of 65 grams. The actuation force of the Dragon Fruit is 45 grams, while the actuation force of the Berry is not specified. The lighter actuation force of the Dragon Fruit may make it easier for some users to type for longer periods of time without experiencing fatigue. On the other hand, the heavier bottom out force of the Berry may provide a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel. Both switches offer a medium to heavy typing experience, but the slight differences in force may cater to different preferences. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches will depend on individual typing preferences and the desired typing experience.
Travel distance
The Kailh Berry linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Bsun Dragon Fruit tactile switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances that are popular among gamers for their quicker response times. However, the Dragon Fruit switch may provide a slightly snappier feel due to its shorter travel distance compared to the Berry switch. For those who prefer a more substantial key press and a bit more depth to their typing experience, the Berry switch with its slightly longer travel distance may be the better option. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches will depend on personal preference for key press feel and responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Bsun Dragon Fruit has an MSRP of $4.70 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Dragon Fruit for $3.83.
The Kailh Berry comes in at $6.25 per 10 switches.
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 Kailh Berry linear switch is known for its low-pitched and bassy sound profile, providing a deep and mellow tone during key presses. On the other hand, the Bsun Dragon Fruit tactile switch offers a clacky sound signature that is lively and engaging, adding to the overall typing experience. When it comes to feel, the Berry switch is textured, providing a chalk-like texture and springy typing experience. In contrast, the Dragon Fruit switch is characterized as accented, invigorating, sharp, and snappy, offering a significant tactile feedback with each press. Both switches offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel, catering to different preferences. However, if you prefer a more tactile experience, the Dragon Fruit would be the better choice, whereas if you prefer a linear feel with deep sound, the Berry switch would be more suitable. Ultimately, the choice between these switches would depend on your personal preference for sound and feel.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Kailh Berry linear switch and the Bsun Dragon Fruit tactile switch, consider your typing preferences. If you enjoy a springy and chalk-like typing experience with a deep sound profile, the Berry switch with its 70g bottom out force may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a sharp and definitively tactile feedback with a clacky sound signature, opt for the Dragon Fruit switch with its 65g bottom out force. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches boils down to whether you prefer a linear or tactile typing experience. Choose the switch that best suits your typing style and preferences for a more enjoyable typing experience.