Kailh Berry vs. Bsun Olive
An in-depth look at the Kailh Berry and the Bsun Olive switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Kailh Berry linear switch to the BSUN Olive tactile switch, there are distinct differences that cater to different preferences. The Berry switch offers a hefty typing experience with a springy feel and a chalk-like texture, creating a deep sound profile that is categorized as 'Textured', 'Low-pitched', and 'Bassy'. On the other hand, the Olive switch stands out with its all-POM housings that produce a resonant, deep sound. The Olive switch provides pronounced tactile feedback and a sharp bottom-out due to its unique design and long pole stem, resulting in a satisfying experience categorized as 'Accented', 'Invigorating', 'Sharp', and 'Snappy'. Knowing these general characteristics can help guide your decision-making process; 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
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Kailh Berry and the Bsun Olive are quite different in terms of composition and resulting sound profiles. The Berry features a polycarbonate top housing, which is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. This is due to polycarbonate being a stiffer plastic that leads to a clear and resonant sound profile. In contrast, the Olive's POM top housing creates a unique and pleasing sound that is deeper and more muted. While both create distinct sound profiles, the Berry's polycarbonate housing offers a more vibrant and crisp tone compared to the deeper and more mellow sound of the Olive's POM housing.
When it comes to the bottom housing materials, the differences between the Berry and the Olive become less pronounced. Both switches feature a nylon bottom housing for the Berry and a POM bottom housing for the Olive. Nylon is known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Similarly, the POM bottom housing of the Olive also contributes to a deeper and more muted sound profile. While there are slight variations in the sound produced by the bottom housing materials of the Berry and the Olive, they both offer a similar overall experience in terms of creating a pleasing and unique sound.
Overall, the combination of different housing materials in the Kailh Berry and the Bsun Olive switches provides a balanced and varied sound experience. The split between the top and bottom housing materials allows for a dynamic range of sound profiles, with the top housing influencing the sound when a key is released, and the bottom housing affecting the bottom-out sound and feel when a key is pressed. While the Berry's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper and crisper sound compared to the Olive's POM top housing, both switches offer a satisfying typing experience with their respective housing materials contributing to their distinct sound profiles.
Weight
When comparing the actuation and bottom out forces of the Kailh Berry linear switch and the Bsun Olive tactile switch, it is evident that the Olive switch is lighter in both categories. The Berry linear switch has no specified actuation force, making it difficult to directly compare to the Olive's 45-gram actuation force. However, the Berry switch does have a higher bottom out force of 70 grams compared to the 65 grams of the Olive switch. This means that while the Olive switch may require less force to initiate a keystroke, the Berry switch offers a slightly more robust typing experience when fully pressed. In terms of weight considerations, those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions may lean towards the Olive switch, while individuals who prefer a more substantial push feel may find the Berry switch more appealing. Ultimately, both switches offer a medium-heavy typing experience with slight differences in actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Kailh Berry linear switch and the Bsun Olive tactile switch, it is clear that the Berry has a slightly longer travel distance at 3.6 mm compared to the Olive with a distance of 3.4 mm. Both switches fall within the trend of shorter travel distances that are becoming more popular, especially among gamers seeking faster response times. The Berry may provide a slightly deeper keypress feel due to its longer travel distance, while the Olive offers a slightly quicker response with its shorter travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for either a more responsive keypress or a more substantial typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Bsun Olive has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Olive for $4.70.
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
In terms of sound, the Kailh Berry linear switch offers a low-pitched and bassy tone, providing a deeper and more mellow sound profile during key presses. On the other hand, the Bsun Olive tactile switch is known for its resonant, deep sound that is set apart by its all-POM housings. It delivers a pronounced tactile feedback with a unique design and long pole stem, resulting in a satisfying auditory experience. Both switches offer a distinct sound experience that can be further enhanced by the choice of keyboard and keycaps.
When it comes to feel, the Kailh Berry linear switch is described as having a textured typing experience, providing noticeable friction when pressed. This can add a level of tactile feedback during typing. Contrastingly, the Bsun Olive tactile switch is characterized by its accentuated tactile feedback, offering a snappy and reactive typing sensation. It has a sharp and invigorating feel with a prominent tactile bump, providing a satisfying typing experience with moderate actuation force. Both switches offer unique tactile feedback that caters to different preferences in typing feel.
Overall, the Kailh Berry linear switch and Bsun Olive tactile switch provide distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Berry offers a springy and chalk-like typing experience with a deep sound profile, while the Olive delivers a resonant and deep sound with pronounced tactile feedback. Depending on individual preferences for sound and feel, both switches offer unique characteristics that can enhance the typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for sound, feel, and typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering whether to choose the Kailh Berry linear switch or the Bsun Olive tactile switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and typing style. If you prefer a linear switch with a medium-heavy bottom out force and a springy feel, as well as a low-pitched and bassy sound profile, then the Berry switch may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy a tactile switch with pronounced tactile feedback, a sharp bottom-out, and a resonant and deep sound profile, along with an invigorating and snappy typing experience, then the Olive switch could be more suitable for your needs. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences, so be sure to consider what features are most important to you before making your decision.
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