Gazzew Bobagum vs. Gateron Luciola
An in-depth look at the Gazzew Bobagum and the Gateron Luciola switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options that come to mind are the Gazzew Bobagum and the Gateron Luciola. The Bobagum switch stands out for its smoothness and unique tactile experience, providing a satisfying typing sensation that is truly one of a kind. Additionally, these bubblegum-colored switches offer a nearly silent sound profile, making them ideal for those who prefer a quieter typing experience. On the other hand, the Luciola switch catches the eye with its glowing feature, making it a visually appealing choice for keyboard enthusiasts. It offers a medium heft, ensuring a satisfying and bouncy typing feel. Furthermore, it produces a distinct "can of spray paint being shaken" sound, adding a touch of character to your typing experience. However, let's delve deeper beyond these generalities to help you decide on the best switch for your personal preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
55g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Top housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel 14.5mm Korean spring
Spring
22mm double-staged long spring; black-plated
Housing materials
The Gazzew Bobagum and the Gateron Luciola have different housing materials, resulting in distinct sound profiles and tactile experiences. The Bobagum features a proprietary Gazzew blend top housing, known as "boba plastic," that delivers a rich and deep sound profile due to its softness. In contrast, the Luciola utilizes Gateron's proprietary INK blend top housing, which produces a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound profile without being overly sharp. While both switches offer satisfying sound experiences, the Bobagum leans towards a softer and deeper tone, while the Luciola provides a clackier, thinner, and higher-pitched sound.
When it comes to the bottom housing, the Bobagum and the Luciola follow a similar pattern. Both switches feature proprietary plastic blends that contribute to their overall sound profile. The Bobagum's Gazzew blend bottom housing, often referred to as "boba plastic," offers a rich and deep sound profile due to its softness. Comparatively, the Luciola's INK blend bottom housing delivers a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound profile without being overly sharp. This indicates that both switches provide a satisfying sound experience that complements their respective top housings.
Although the top and bottom housing materials differ between the Bobagum and the Luciola, each housing material influence specific aspects of the switch's performance. When pressing down on either switch, the bottom housing plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel. Therefore, the Bobagum's soft and deep sound is primarily experienced during the keypress, while the Luciola's slightly higher-pitched and clackier sound is more evident. On the other hand, the top housing material has more influence on the sound produced when releasing a key. Thus, both switches offer varying sound profiles upon key release, emphasizing the distinctive qualities of their respective top housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gazzew Bobagum linear switch and the Gateron Luciola linear switch, there are a few differences to note. The Bobagum has a lighter actuation force of 46 grams, while the Luciola requires a slightly heavier force of 55 grams to trigger a keystroke. However, both switches fall into the medium range in terms of actuation force.
When it comes to bottom out force, the Bobagum requires a heavier force of 62 grams, while the Luciola requires a slightly lighter force of 60 grams. Both switches have similar bottom out forces, which means that despite the difference in actuation force, the typing experience may feel quite similar when pressing the keys all the way down.
The weight of a switch is an important factor to consider when selecting a keyboard switch. Some individuals prefer lighter switches as it allows them to type for longer periods without experiencing fatigue. This lighter weight is ideal for those who use their keyboards for work or engage in long gaming sessions. On the other hand, there are individuals who prefer a stronger push feel for a more substantial typing experience. These individuals may opt for switches with heavier forces to achieve the desired tactile feedback.
In summary, the Gazzew Bobagum linear switch has a lighter actuation force but a heavier bottom out force compared to the Gateron Luciola linear switch. Despite this difference, both switches fall into the medium range for actuation force. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences for the typing experience and desired level of force exertion.
Travel distance
Both the Gazzew Bobagum linear switch and the Gateron Luciola linear switch have the same travel distance of 3.6 mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either of these switches, you will experience the same distance of travel from the top to the bottom. Therefore, in terms of travel distance, you can expect similar results from both switches.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Luciola has an MSRP of $7.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Luciola for $6.50.
The Gazzew Bobagum comes in at $6.50 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 Gazzew Bobagum linear switch offers a nearly silent profile, minimizing the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards. On the other hand, the Gateron Luciola linear switch has a distinctive sound profile, described as both clacky and chirpy, with a unique acoustic signature that sets it apart from other switches. Additionally, the Luciola switch is also characterized as marbly and high-pitched, producing a resonant and sharp sound when pressed. It's important to note that the sound produced by a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
Moving on to feel, the Bobagum switch is known for its smooth and almost matte feel. This switch redefines smoothness, providing a tactile sensation that is truly one of a kind. It offers a subtle typing experience with a gentle resistance, making it suitable for shared spaces. In contrast, the Gateron Luciola switch has a smooth and bouncy typing feel. It is described as snappy, offering super responsiveness that brings the typing experience to life. The Luciola switch is also referred to as buttery, indicating a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. Additionally, it is described as polished, suggesting a refined finish that results in a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
When considering all the available information, it is clear that the Gazzew Bobagum linear switch and the Gateron Luciola linear switch offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Bobagum switch provides a nearly silent sound profile and a smooth, almost matte feel with a subtle typing experience. On the other hand, the Luciola switch provides a distinctive sound profile with clacky, chirpy, marbly, and high-pitched qualities. It also offers a smooth and bouncy typing feel, characterized as snappy, buttery, and polished. Both switches have their unique attributes and can provide a satisfying typing experience based on individual preferences. If you are looking for a similar result in terms of sound and feel, opting for the Bobagum switch would likely provide a quieter typing experience with smoothness, while selecting the Luciola switch would offer a more distinctive and lively typing feel.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you prioritize a smooth and almost "matte" feel with unparalleled tactility, along with a nearly silent sound profile, the Gazzew Bobagum linear switch is the one for you. These bubblegum-colored switches redefine smoothness and offer a unique typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer an eye-catching switch that glows in the dark and provides a bouncy typing feel, along with a hollow yet distinct "can of spray paint being shaken" sound profile, the Gateron Luciola linear switch is the better choice. Additionally, the Bobagum has a muted sound profile, perfect for minimizing noise in shared spaces, while the Luciola offers a range of sound profiles including clacky, chirpy, marbly, and high-pitched. In terms of feel, the Bobagum provides a subtle resistance for a light typing feel, while the Luciola offers a snappy and responsive typing experience, along with a buttery and polished keystroke sensation. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches depends on your preferences for sound, feel, and visual appeal.
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