Gazzew Bobagum vs. Bsun Chiikawa - 28g

Overview

When it comes to finding the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, the choice between the Gazzew Bobagum and the Bsun Chiikawa - 28g presents a compelling study in contrasts. The Bobagum switch is celebrated for its unique smoothness, offering a nearly silent typing experience with a 'matte' feel that straddles the line between polished and unlubed textures. This makes it an excellent choice for users seeking a muted, subtle typing experience that minimizes distraction while providing satisfying feedback. On the other hand, the Chiikawa - 28g switch shines with its exceptionally bright sound profile and light actuation force, creating a highly responsive feel that translates to a crisp, high-pitched sound with each keystroke. This switch may be ideal for those who enjoy a livelier typing experience and appreciate auditory feedback. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your preferences and typing style.

By the numbers

Gazzew Bobagum Linear

Bsun Chiikawa - 28g Linear

$6.50 per 10

$3.50

$3.29 per 10

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Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the Gazzew Bobagum and the Bsun Chiikawa - 28g, significant differences emerge in their top constructions. The Gazzew Bobagum utilizes a proprietary blend often referred to as "boba plastic," which is characterized by its softness. This material is designed to produce a rich and deep sound profile, providing a more muted auditory experience conducive to a softer typing feel. In contrast, the Chiikawa - 28g opts for polycarbonate in its top housing, offering a sharper and more resonant sound profile. Polycarbonate, being a stiffer plastic, enhances clarity and pitch, making it well-suited for scenarios employing RGB lighting due to its translucency. Thus, while both switches aim to create distinct auditory experiences, they do so through contrasting materials that dramatically affect their sound profiles.

The differences in the bottom housing materials further illustrate the individual character of each switch. The Gazzew Bobagum again employs its proprietary "boba plastic" blend, which mimics the qualities of softness seen in the top housing, contributing to a rich and deep sound on bottoming out. This property aligns with the switch’s overall design philosophy of providing a muted sound. On the other hand, the Chiikawa - 28g features a bottom housing made of nylon, a classic switch material known for its ability to absorb sound, which results in a deeper and fuller auditory experience. The use of nylon encourages a rounder sound profile, contrasting with the sharper character established by the polycarbonate top. Hence, the bottom housing's impact on sound and feel showcases a diverse approach to switch design in these two models.

Ultimately, when considering the combined effects of both top and bottom housing materials, each switch achieves its distinct sound through the interplay of its components. For instance, while the Gazzew Bobagum’s softer top and bottom housings contribute to a cohesive, resonant sound, the differences in the Chiikawa - 28g's materials create a duality of texture—the crispness of polycarbonate at the top and the warmth of nylon beneath. Thus, both switches manifest their unique auditory signatures by leveraging the strengths of their respective housing materials, leading to an overall typing experience that reflects their distinct constructions. Whether striving for a deeper, fuller sound or a sharper, more defined auditory feedback, preferences among users will ultimately dictate the choice between these two options.

Weight

When comparing the Gazzew Bobagum linear switch and the Bsun Chiikawa - 28g linear switch, we note a significant difference in weight characteristics that can influence user experience. The Bobagum has an unknown actuation force, but a bottom out force of 55 grams, categorized as medium-light. In contrast, the Chiikawa - 28g features a lighter actuation force of 28 grams and a bottom out force of 34 grams. This makes the Chiikawa the lighter option overall, potentially allowing for longer typing sessions and reducing fatigue, ideal for prolonged use in work or gaming environments. The Bobagum, with its heavier bottom out force, may appeal to users who prefer a more substantial typing feel. Since the actuation force for the Bobagum is unknown and the bottom out forces differ significantly, it’s challenging to draw direct conclusions about their overall feel, but users can expect a softer resistance with the Chiikawa switch compared to the Bobagum, which could lead to a heavier typing experience.

Travel distance

Both the Gazzew Bobagum and the Bsun Chiikawa - 28g linear switches exhibit the same travel distance of 3.6 mm from top to bottom. This equivalence means that users can expect similar tactile feedback and keypress experiences when using either switch, as the distance traveled when pressing down on a key remains consistent. Consequently, for those who prioritize switch feel and uniformity in their keyboard experience, choosing between the two may come down to other factors, such as personal preference in actuation force or brand loyalty, rather than differences in travel distance.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When evaluating the sound profiles of the Gazzew Bobagum and the Bsun Chiikawa - 28g linear switches, a distinct contrast emerges. The Bobagum switches provide an almost muted experience, contributing to a quieter typing atmosphere, ideal for those who may be in shared or noise-sensitive environments. In contrast, the Chiikawa - 28g linear switches are characterized by a bright sound profile, producing a crisp and high-pitched noise with each keystroke. While both switches offer unique auditory experiences, the choice ultimately comes down to personal preference—if you seek a quieter setup, the Bobagum is the better option, whereas the Chiikawa offers a more vivid auditory feedback.

In terms of tactile feel, the Bobagum switches shine with their subtly defined actuation, providing a smooth yet gentle resistance that is less about aggressive feedback and more about a refined, nuanced typing experience. This makes the Bobagum particularly appealing for longer typing sessions where comfort is paramount. On the other hand, the Chiikawa - 28g’s very light actuation force creates a remarkably responsive feel, making it feel almost effortless to type with. The combination of this lightness with a high-pitched sound creates a lively typing experience. Therefore, while both switches cater to different typing styles, they both offer an engaging feel, albeit in different degrees of feedback and resistance.

In summary, while the Gazzew Bobagum linear switch excels in delivering a muted sound profile and a subtle tactile experience, making it suitable for quieter settings, the Bsun Chiikawa - 28g linear switch stands out with its bright sound and extremely light actuation, promoting a fast and responsive typing experience. The choice between these two switches will largely depend on your personal preferences for sound and feel during use. Both switches offer distinct advantages that cater to different typing experiences, showcasing the diversity available in mechanical keyboard switches.

Conclusion

To conclude, the choice between the Gazzew Bobagum linear switch and the Bsun Chiikawa - 28g linear switch ultimately depends on your individual typing preferences and the environment in which you plan to use them. If you’re looking for a switch that offers a smooth typing experience with a subtle touch, the Bobagum is an excellent option, especially if you appreciate a nearly silent sound profile that can be beneficial in shared spaces. Its medium-light force of 55 grams provides a gentle resistance that many find comfortable over long typing sessions. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter typing feel that allows for quick, responsive keystrokes, then the Chiikawa - 28g is the way to go. With a bottom-out force of only 34 grams, it’s inherently more suited for fast-paced typing or gaming, boasting a bright sound profile that adds a distinct auditory character to your keystrokes. Ultimately, considering factors such as sound preference, tactile feedback, and actuation force will help you decide which switch aligns best with your personal style and usage context.

Mentioned in this article

Gazzew Bobagum Linear

$6.50 per 10

Learn more

Bsun Chiikawa - 28g Linear

$3.50

$3.29 per 10

Learn more