TTC Bluish White vs. Bsun Bumblebee Linear
An in-depth look at the TTC Bluish White and the Bsun Bumblebee Linear switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the choice between tactile and linear can significantly influence your typing experience. The TTC Bluish White switch stands out as a tactile option, offering a satisfyingly poppy typing sensation paired with a snappy sound profile that many users find appealing. Its unique characteristics are categorized as buttery, mild, stepped, subtle, polished, and low-pitched, making it perfect for those who enjoy feedback with each keypress. In contrast, the Bsun Bumblebee Linear switch caters to those who prefer a smoother typing experience, featuring an exceptionally fluid keystroke and a bright sound profile. While the Bumblebee's linear nature eliminates the tactile bump, it provides an uninterrupted and seamless operation that many gamers and professionals favor for rapid typing tasks. Ultimately, your choice between the Bluish White and Bumblebee switches will depend on your desired typing style and sound preference; however, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits you best.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
42g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
21mm single-staged spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the TTC Bluish White and Bsun Bumblebee Linear switches present a clear contrast in the composition of their top housings while maintaining a similarity in their bottom housings. The Bluish White utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched sound. This stiffer plastic enhances clarity and resonance, making it a preferred choice for those who favor vibrant sound profiles. In contrast, the Bumblebee Linear employs a POM (polyoxymethylene) top housing, noted for generating a deeper and more muted sound. This difference in materials will provide distinct auditory experiences when typing, as the sharper notes of the polycarbonate will differ significantly from the soft and subdued tones of the POM.
Both switches utilize nylon for their bottom housings, which leads to a similar aural characteristic shared between them. Nylon is a classic choice for switch housings, and typing on switches with this material evokes a deeper, fuller sound. The soft nature of nylon absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics, contributing to a rounder and duller sound profile. While the top housings create divergent sound experiences, the use of nylon in both the Bluish White and Bumblebee Linear ensures that the bottom-out sound is rich and satisfying, combining the deeper profiles in both cases. This cohesiveness can make users experience a familiar depth during key presses regardless of the different top housing materials.
Ultimately, the key differences in the sound profiles of the TTC Bluish White and Bsun Bumblebee Linear switches lie primarily in their top housing materials, while the nylon bottom housing brings a shared quality to both. The polycarbonate top of the Bluish White offers a crisp and bright experience, ideal for those who appreciate a lively typing sound. Meanwhile, the POM top housing of the Bumblebee Linear caters to preferences for smoother, quieter keystrokes. Thus, while the switches foster unique auditory experiences due to their differing top housings, the nylon bottoms provide a consistent foundation that ensures a deep, solid performance, allowing users to enjoy the harmonious qualities of both designs.
Weight
The TTC Bluish White tactile switch and the Bsun Bumblebee Linear linear switch present an interesting comparison in terms of actuation force and bottom out force. The Bluish White switch features an actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, while the Bumblebee Linear requires a slightly heavier actuation force of 45 grams but shares the same bottom out force of 50 grams. This means that, while both switches bottom out at the same force, the Bluish White is the lighter option, making it potentially more suited for extended typing sessions or gaming, where reduced strain is a factor. In contrast, the Bumblebee Linear, with its heavier actuation force, may appeal to users who prefer a more substantial typing feel. Overall, both switches offer light actuation and identical bottom out forces, with the Bluish White being the lighter choice.
Travel distance
The TTC Bluish White tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Bsun Bumblebee Linear linear switch features a slightly longer travel distance of 3.6 mm. This makes the Bluish White the shorter option among the two, providing a more responsive feel, which can be ideal for gamers seeking quick key actuation. Conversely, the Bumblebee Linear, with its longer travel distance, may deliver a more substantial typing experience, appealing to those who appreciate a deeper feel when pressing keys. Ultimately, choosing between these switches will depend on personal preference; if you prioritize responsiveness, the Bluish White is the better choice, while the Bumblebee Linear is better suited for those who enjoy a more pronounced key press.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Bluish White has an MSRP of $6.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Bluish White for $4.63.
The Bsun Bumblebee Linear comes in at $2.99 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
When it comes to sound, the TTC Bluish White tactile switch delivers a low-pitched, snappy sound profile that can enhance the tactile feedback experienced while typing. This sound is characterized by a more bass-heavy and mellow tone, providing a satisfying auditory experience alongside its tactile feedback. On the other hand, the Bsun Bumblebee Linear switch features a bright sound profile, which can offer a different acoustic characteristic. However, sound is inherently influenced by multiple factors, including the choice of keyboard and keycaps, so the experience may vary for each user.
In terms of feel, the Bluish White is notably versatile, offering a buttery smooth stroke that ensures a fluid and effortless typing experience. This switch also presents a mild tactile response with subtle resistance, making it approachable for most users. The stepped nature of the Bluish White tapers the tactile sensation into a gentle pre-travel that can enhance typing precision. It further boasts a polished finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel that contributes to an overall refined experience. As for the Bumblebee Linear switch, its characteristics of feel remain less defined in the provided information, leaving an unknown factor in this aspect.
In conclusion, the TTC Bluish White tactile switch is characterized by its low-pitched, snappy sound and a well-rounded tactile feel that provides a cohesive and satisfying typing experience. Conversely, while the Bumblebee Linear switch offers a bright sound profile, its feel characteristics remain unspecified. Therefore, while the two switches differ primarily in their acoustic qualities, they may appeal to different typists based on sound preferences, with the Bluish White excelling in tactile feedback and versatility, making it suitable for environments where subtlety is valued. Ultimately, both switches cater to distinct preferences, and choosing between them will ultimately depend on the user's desired typing experience.
Conclusion
To conclude, when deciding between the TTC Bluish White tactile switch and the Bsun Bumblebee Linear switch, it's essential to consider your typing preferences and the environments in which you'll be using your keyboard. If you enjoy a tactile, feedback-rich typing experience and appreciate the snappy sound that accompanies it, the Bluish White switch may be your ideal choice. Its buttery and polished feel makes it perfect for those who favor a dynamic typing rhythm, making every keystroke feel satisfying and engaging. This switch is particularly well-suited for quieter settings where the low-pitched tone can facilitate a more focused atmosphere, resulting in a balanced typing experience that won't overwhelm those around you. On the other hand, if your priority is a smooth, uninterrupted keystroke without the tactile feedback, the Bumblebee Linear switch stands out as an excellent option. Its bright sound profile and fluid motion will likely appeal to gamers or those who do a lot of programming, where quick and seamless typing is key. Therefore, think about not just how you want your keyboard to feel and sound, but also the environments in which you will typically be typing; aligning your choice with these factors will lead to a far more satisfying mechanical keyboard experience.
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