Bsun Chiikawa - 28g vs. TTC Light Cloud V2
An in-depth look at the Bsun Chiikawa - 28g and the TTC Light Cloud V2 switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Bsun Chiikawa - 28g and TTC Light Cloud V2 present two intriguing options with distinct characteristics, despite both being linear switches. The Chiikawa - 28g is notable for its very light actuation force and bright sound profile, delivering a crisp, high-pitched sound that offers a responsive and lively typing experience. This switch can be appealing for those who enjoy an energetic atmosphere while typing, making it a great choice for gamers or typists who prefer auditory feedback in their keystrokes. On the other hand, the TTC Light Cloud V2 excels as a silent switch, providing a mild and muted feel that caters to users in shared workspaces or those who value quietude. Its lightweight and refined typing experience is ideal for individuals seeking a softer touch, adding a sense of smoothness to each keystroke. While the Chiikawa offers an exuberant and sharp auditory experience, the Light Cloud V2 emphasizes subtlety and silence. However, let’s dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your typing style and preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
28g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
34g
Bottom-out force
58g
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
1.20 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
Y3X
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-stage spring
Spring
Gold-plated double-staged spring
Housing materials
The Bsun Chiikawa - 28g and the TTC Light Cloud V2 demonstrate distinct differences in their top housing materials, which significantly influence the sound profile produced. The Chiikawa - 28g features a polycarbonate top housing, known for its ability to create a sharper and crisper sound. This material is relatively stiff, which contributes to a more resonant and clear auditory experience, accentuated by its translucency that can beautifully showcase RGB lighting. In contrast, the TTC Light Cloud V2 employs a nylon top housing, a material that is softer and inherently absorbs sound, leading to a deeper and more rounded sound profile. This difference in materials illustrates how the top housing can drastically affect the overall typing experience and sound emission of the switches, with the Chiikawa leaning towards brightness and clarity and the Light Cloud V2 favoring warmth and fullness.
While the top housings differ, the bottom housings of both switches share the same material—nylon. This commonality suggests that both switches will provide a consistent depth and fullness to the sound when bottoming out. The nylon bottom houses in both models are designed to absorb more sound due to their softer composition, creating a duller and rounder sound that users might find comforting or familiar. As such, despite the top housing differences that lead to contrasting sound profiles during typing and releasing keys, the bottom housing remains a unifying factor that emphasizes a satisfying and rich sound when the key is fully pressed.
Ultimately, the combination of a polycarbonate top housing in the Chiikawa - 28g and a nylon top housing in the TTC Light Cloud V2 demonstrates how the interactions between different materials can shape the user experience. The polycarbonate top creates a light and airy sound characteristic, while the nylon top in the Light Cloud V2 provides a soft, muted tone. However, the shared nylon bottom housing ensures that both switches will deliver a fuller auditory experience upon bottoming out, giving users a satisfying tactile response no matter the switch they choose. Thus, while there are defined differences in both sound and feel primarily due to the top housings, the use of nylon at the bottom ensures that certain aspects of the experience, such as consistency in acoustics when pressing down, will be similar across both models.
Weight
The Bsun Chiikawa - 28g linear switch and the TTC Light Cloud V2 linear switch present contrasting characteristics in both actuation and bottom out forces. The Chiikawa switch has a lighter actuation force of 28 grams and a bottom out force of 34 grams, making it ideal for users who prefer a softer, easier typing experience, especially suitable for long typing sessions or gaming. In contrast, the Light Cloud V2 features a heavier actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 58 grams, appealing to those who enjoy a more substantial typing feel. This significant difference means that while the Chiikawa switch allows for quicker keystrokes with less effort, the Light Cloud V2 requires more force to actuate and bottom out, providing a firmer tactile feedback. As such, the Chiikawa is preferable for those who favor a lighter touch, whereas the TTC Light Cloud V2 is designed for users who appreciate a stronger push when typing.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Bsun Chiikawa - 28g linear switch and the TTC Light Cloud V2 linear switch, we find that the Chiikawa has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Light Cloud V2 measures at 3.5 mm. This makes the Light Cloud V2 the shorter of the two options, offering a slightly quicker response time, which is often favored by gamers looking for speed. On the other hand, the Chiikawa's longer distance may appeal to those who enjoy a more pronounced and hearty feel when pressing down on a key. While both switches fall into the category of short travel distances that are becoming popular for modern typing and gaming experiences, the additional millimeter of travel in the Chiikawa could provide a more satisfying depth for users who prefer not to feel too abrupt during keypresses. Ultimately, the choice between the two may come down to personal preference regarding responsiveness versus typing satisfaction.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Bsun Chiikawa - 28g has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Chiikawa - 28g for $3.29.
The TTC Light Cloud V2 has an MSRP of $6.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Light Cloud V2 for $5.49.
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
In terms of sound, the Bsun Chiikawa - 28g linear switch produces a bright and crisp sound profile, characterized by its high-pitched tone that resonates well when typing. This makes it quite lively and responsive, ideal for users who appreciate an energetic typing environment. In contrast, the TTC Light Cloud V2 is recognized for its muted, softer sound, offering a more subdued auditory experience. This switch minimizes the typical noise associated with mechanical keyboards, making it suitable for quiet environments, while maintaining a neutral sound profile that is versatile for various settings. Depending on your choice of keyboard and keycaps, you may find some similarities in sound characteristics, but these two switches ultimately cater to different auditory preferences.
Regarding feel, the Chiikawa - 28g offers a notably light actuation force that makes it a responsive choice for typists. Its gentle resistance allows for quick, effortless key presses, which can be particularly appealing for fast typists or gamers. On the other hand, the TTC Light Cloud V2 is designed to provide a mild and approachable typing experience. Its easy-to-press nature enhances comfort during prolonged use, reducing finger fatigue and making it suitable for extensive typing sessions. Additionally, the feathery quality of the Light Cloud V2 reinforces its gentle touch, creating a typing feel that is equally lightweight yet refined.
In conclusion, both the Bsun Chiikawa - 28g and the TTC Light Cloud V2 linear switches offer unique sound and feel characteristics that cater to different preferences. The Chiikawa excels in providing a bright and crisp auditory experience with a lightweight, responsive feel, making it ideal for those who thrive on a lively typing environment. Conversely, the Light Cloud V2 prioritizes a muted sound and a refined, gentle typing experience, perfect for users who prefer a quieter setup. Ultimately, while both switches offer light actuation forces, your choice will depend on whether you prioritize an energetic sound or a refined, quiet feel in your mechanical keyboard experience.
Conclusion
To conclude, the choice between the Bsun Chiikawa - 28g linear switch and the TTC Light Cloud V2 linear switch fundamentally depends on your personal preferences and use case. If you favor a light and responsive typing experience, particularly for tasks that require quick inputs or sustained typing, the Chiikawa - 28g is an excellent choice with its unique bright sound profile and very light actuation force. This makes it particularly suitable for gamers or individuals who frequently engage in typing-heavy activities, as the switch minimizes finger fatigue and offers a very gentle touch. Conversely, if you prioritize a more muted and refined typing experience or if you plan to use your keyboard in quieter environments, the TTC Light Cloud V2 would be more appropriate. Its slightly heavier bottom-out force provides a solid feel without being too demanding, making it versatile enough for both work and casual use. Additionally, its muted sound profile ensures that you won’t disturb those around you, making it suitable for shared workspaces. Ultimately, your choice should reflect your typing style, the environments in which you’ll use the keyboard, and whether you prefer a lively sound or a more subdued experience.
Mentioned in this article
