Bsun Bumblebee Linear vs. Outemu Silent Ocean

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Bsun Bumblebee Linear and the Outemu Silent Ocean present two distinct yet appealing options for users seeking a satisfying typing experience. The Bumblebee Linear is renowned for its exceptionally smooth actuation and a bright sound profile, making it a popular choice for users who appreciate an audible feedback while typing. In contrast, the Outemu Silent Ocean, as a linear switch, is designed for those who prioritize quietness, delivering a more subdued sound experience while still providing a smooth keystroke. While the Bumblebee enhances the typing experience with its engaging auditory feedback, the Silent Ocean is perfect for quieter environments where noise disruption is a concern. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Bsun Bumblebee Linear Linear

Outemu Silent Ocean Linear

$2.99 per 10

$3.10 per 10

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Housing materials

The Bsun Bumblebee Linear and Outemu Silent Ocean switches feature distinct materials for their top housings that significantly influence their sound characteristics. The Bumblebee Linear utilizes a POM top housing, known for its unique sound profile that is deeper and more muted. This quality makes it particularly appealing for users who favor a softer auditory experience while typing. In contrast, the Outemu Silent Ocean opts for a polycarbonate top housing which presents a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate not only enhances the clarity of the sound but also maximizes resonance, making it a popular choice for those who enjoy a more vibrant audio feedback when typing. The aesthetic advantage of polycarbonate, being translucent, is especially beneficial for users who integrate RGB lighting into their setups, resulting in a visually striking effect.

Both switches employ nylon for their bottom housing, which ensures a consistent auditory foundation. Nylon is recognized as a classic housing material, imparting a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature. This softness enables the material to absorb more sound, contributing to a duller, rounder sound that many typists appreciate. Regardless of the differences in their top housings, both the Bumblebee Linear and the Silent Ocean provide a comparable typing experience in terms of sound depth and texture from the bottom housing. Thus, while the top housings lead to contrasts in the acoustic presentation while releasing a key, the nylon bottom housing grounds both switches in a rich auditory experience.

Ultimately, the differences in top housing materials lead to varied sound profiles during key releases while the bottom housing maintains a consistent acoustic depth across both switches. This means that while typing on the Bumblebee Linear may feel softer and more muted during engagement due to its POM top, it will still offer a satisfying sound experience from the nylon bottom. Conversely, the Silent Ocean's crispness during key release complements its deeper bottom-out sound, which creates a balanced typing experience. In essence, both switches exhibit unique characteristics that cater to different preferences while maintaining a cohesive auditory quality brought by the nylon bottom housing, ensuring that users can find value in either option based on their auditory and tactile preferences.

Weight

The Bsun Bumblebee Linear switch and the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch present an interesting comparison in terms of actuation and bottom out forces. Both switches have an actuation force of 45 grams, making them feel similar when initially pressed, which is beneficial for prolonged typing sessions as it allows for a lighter touch. However, the contrast becomes evident in their bottom out forces; the Bumblebee Linear reaches a bottom out force of 50 grams, whereas the Silent Ocean requires a heavier 65 grams to fully engage. This results in the Bumblebee switch being the lighter option overall, favoring users who prefer a less strenuous typing experience. In contrast, the Silent Ocean, with its heavier bottom out force, might appeal to those who seek a more substantial feel during their keystrokes. Thus, while both switches share the same actuation force, the difference in bottom out forces significantly influences the typing experience they offer.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Bsun Bumblebee Linear linear switch and the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch, there is a noticeable difference. The Bumblebee Linear has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Silent Ocean features a travel distance of 4 mm. This makes the Bumblebee Linear the shorter option, appealing to those who prefer faster response times typical of shorter travel switches. In contrast, the Silent Ocean's 4 mm distance aligns more closely with traditional feel, which some users find provides a more satisfying and depth-rich typing experience. For gamers or those who prioritize quicker actuation, the Bumblebee's shorter travel may be preferable, while users who appreciate a more pronounced keypress might lean towards the Silent Ocean. Each switch offers its own advantages based on personal preferences for touch and responsiveness.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Bsun Bumblebee Linear switch is known for its bright sound profile, which contributes to a lively auditory experience when typing. This can create an exciting atmosphere, especially for those who enjoy the audible feedback of switches as they type. In contrast, the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch does not have a specific sound profile detailed, which suggests it may not stand out as prominently in terms of sound. However, it's essential to note that the overall sound experience of both switches can be influenced by the choice of keyboard and keycap materials, meaning that users might achieve a similar auditory experience depending on their setup.

When considering the feel, the Bsun Bumblebee Linear switch is recognized for providing an exceptionally smooth typing experience, making it ideal for those who prefer a seamless and fluid keystroke. The Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch, while lacking specific descriptions of its feel, generally leans towards a quieter operation, which often implies a focus on a softer typing experience. While both switches are linear, which usually means they will avoid any tactile bump, the Bumblebee's well-regarded smoothness might give it an edge for users who prioritize a highly refined keystroke.

In conclusion, while the Bsun Bumblebee Linear switch excels in both sound and feel with its bright sound profile and exceptionally smooth typing experience, the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch does not provide additional details in these areas. As a result, users seeking a vibrant and smooth experience might gravitate towards the Bumblebee switch, whereas those in search of a quieter and still pleasant linear experience might find the Silent Ocean to be suitable, albeit less defined. Overall, users can expect comparable smoothness from both switches, but the Bumblebee offers more in terms of auditory feedback and tactile refinement.

Conclusion

To sum up, when you're deciding between the Bsun Bumblebee Linear and the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switches, consider what aspects of the typing experience are most important to you. If you prefer a lighter switch with a smooth feel and a more audible sound profile, especially for both gaming and typing, the Bumblebee Linear would likely be your best choice. Its 50-gram bottom out force makes it easier to actuate, which can be beneficial for rapid key presses or long typing sessions. On the other hand, if you prefer a more substantial resistance while typing and appreciate a quieter operation without compromising on a solid feel, the Silent Ocean’s 65-gram actuation force can cater to that preference. While the Silent Ocean does not have as prominent a reputation for sound or special characteristics compared to the Bumblebee, its construction is aimed at providing a more subdued experience, making it ideal for office environments or shared spaces where noise may be a concern. Ultimately, your choice should align with your specific typing habits, whether you prioritize smoother, lighter feedback or a heavier, quieter typing experience.

Mentioned in this article

Bsun Bumblebee Linear Linear

$2.99 per 10

Learn more

Outemu Silent Ocean Linear

$3.10 per 10

Learn more