Gazzew Bobagum vs. Jwick Splash Brothers
An in-depth look at the Gazzew Bobagum and the Jwick Splash Brothers switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two options that stand out are the Gazzew Bobagum and the Jwick Splash Brothers. The Bobagum switches are renowned for their smoothness, offering a unique and almost 'matte' feel that sets them apart from other linear switches. With a muted and subtle sound profile, these bubblegum-colored switches provide a typing experience like no other. On the other hand, the Splash Brothers switches emulate the dynamic duo of Steph and Klay, delivering a fast and responsive typing experience. With a shorter activation and a long pole stem, these switches offer a snappy and bouncy feel. Additionally, they produce a creamy sound signature that enhances the overall typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can better decide on the best switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
1.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel 14.5mm Korean spring
Spring
Extended long spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Gazzew Bobagum and the Jwick Splash Brothers differ significantly, resulting in distinct sound profiles. The Bobagum features a proprietary Gazzew blend top housing made of a soft plastic blend, known as "boba plastic," which delivers a rich and deep sound. In contrast, the Splash Brothers utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, known for creating a sharper and crisper sound. The softness of the Gazzew blend contributes to a more mellow and resonant sound, while the stiffness of the polycarbonate brings out a higher-pitched tone. Additionally, the polycarbonate's translucency makes it ideal for RGB lighting, offering an aesthetic advantage over the Gazzew blend.
Similarly, the bottom housings of the two switches exhibit distinct properties. The Bobagum's Gazzew blend bottom housing, like its top housing, produces a rich and deep sound due to its softness. In contrast, the Splash Brothers incorporates a nylon bottom housing, leading to a deeper and fuller sound. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound profile compared to the Gazzew blend.
When it comes to the overall experience of pressing a key, the impact and sound differ based on the bottom and top housings. Pressing down on a switch primarily imparts the qualities of the bottom housing, affecting the bottom-out sound and feel. The Gazzew blend, with its softness, offers a more cushioned and satisfying bottom-out experience, while the nylon bottom housing of the Splash Brothers emphasizes a deeper and fuller bottom-out sound. On the other hand, the sound when releasing a key is influenced primarily by the top housing. The Gazzew blend's softness contributes to a smooth and gentle release sound, whereas the polycarbonate's stiffness generates a more distinct and crisp sound.
In summary, the Gazzew Bobagum and the Jwick Splash Brothers differ in their housing materials and consequently offer contrasting sound profiles. The Gazzew blend delivers a rich and deep sound throughout the keystroke, while the polycarbonate provides a sharper and crisper sound. The Gazzew blend's softness creates a more cushioned bottom-out experience, whereas the nylon bottom housing of the Splash Brothers offers a deeper and fuller sound upon pressing a key. Nevertheless, both switches excel in their respective sound characteristics and offer unique qualities to enhance the typing or gaming experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gazzew Bobagum linear switch and the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch, there are notable differences. The Bobagum has an actuation force of 46 grams and a bottom out force of 62 grams, which falls into the medium range. On the other hand, the actuation force for the Splash Brothers is unavailable, but it has a bottom out force of 48 grams, placing it in the light category.
Considering weight, some individuals prefer a lighter switch as it allows for longer typing durations, making it ideal for work or extended gaming sessions. This aspect is more aligned with the Splash Brothers, with its lighter bottom out force. On the contrary, those who desire a stronger push feel for a more substantial typing experience may lean towards switches with heavier forces. In this case, the Bobagum would be a suitable choice with its medium actuation and heavier bottom out force.
Although the actuation force for the Splash Brothers is unavailable, its lighter bottom out force suggests that it may provide a similar experience to the Bobagum in terms of triggering keystrokes. Overall, the Bobagum offers a moderate actuation force and a heavier bottom out force, while the Splash Brothers leans more towards a lighter typing experience with its lower bottom out force, thus catering to different preferences and needs.
Travel distance
The Gazzew Bobagum linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. Both of these switches have a travel distance that falls within the range of shorter distances, which is becoming more popular in recent times. Gamers especially tend to prefer shorter travel distances as it allows for faster response times. If you prioritize responsiveness, the Splash Brothers switch would be the better choice for you. On the other hand, some individuals may find that short travel distances feel too abrupt and prefer a switch with a longer travel distance. In this case, the Bobagum switch would be the more suitable option. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches would depend on personal preference and whether you prioritize a shorter, snappier feel or a deeper, more substantial keystroke.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Gazzew Bobagum comes in at $6.50, whereas the Jwick Splash Brothers comes in at $2.49.
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 Gazzew Bobagum linear switch provides a muted sound profile. This means that it produces a softer and quieter sound compared to regular or clacky switches. The Bobagum switches have a unique almost "matte" feel which contributes to their unparalleled tactility. On the other hand, the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch offers a neutral sound profile. This means that it has a moderate sound profile without any extreme characteristics. The Splash Brothers switches have a creamy sound signature. Both switches provide different sound experiences, with the Bobagum being nearly silent and the Splash Brothers having a creamy tone. However, it is important to note that the sound of a switch is influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Gazzew Bobagum linear switch is described as having a subtle typing experience. This means that it offers a gentle resistance while maintaining a light typing feel. The sound produced by the Bobagum switches is not resonant, making them suitable for shared spaces. On the other hand, the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch is described as offering a mild typing experience. This means that it provides a more gentle typing experience compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. Additionally, the Splash Brothers switches are snappy and bouncy. This means that they are super responsive and provide a spring-like or elastic feedback sensation. Overall, both switches offer different feelings while typing, with the Bobagum being subtle and the Splash Brothers being mild, snappy, and bouncy.
In conclusion, the Gazzew Bobagum linear switch and the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch provide different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Bobagum offers a muted sound profile and a subtle typing experience, while the Splash Brothers have a neutral sound profile and a mild, snappy, and bouncy typing experience. These differences give users the option to choose based on their personal preferences. However, it is important to keep in mind that individual results may vary depending on factors such as the keyboard board, keycaps, and personal typing style.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you're looking for a mechanical keyboard switch with a medium bottom out force and unparalleled tactility, the Gazzew Bobagum linear switch is a great choice. With its smooth and almost "matte" feel, typing on these switches can be compared to gliding on ice-skates. Additionally, you can expect a nearly silent sound profile, making them a suitable option for shared spaces. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a lighter bottom out force and a creamy sound signature, the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch is worth considering. These switches have a shorter activation and a long pole stem, providing a great typing feel. They also offer a mild and approachable typing experience, making them suitable for most users. Ultimately, the choice between the Bobagum and the Splash Brothers depends on your personal preference for bottom out force, tactility, and sound profile.
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