Bsun Chiikawa - 28g vs. Outemu Green
An in-depth look at the Bsun Chiikawa - 28g and the Outemu Green switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, the Bsun Chiikawa - 28g and the Outemu Green offer distinct experiences, each catering to different preferences and typing styles. The Chiikawa - 28g is a linear switch recognized for its remarkably light actuation force of 28g, allowing for quick and effortless keystrokes, making it ideal for rapid typing and gaming scenarios. Its bright sound profile adds an engaging auditory experience, providing a crisp, high-pitched sound that many users find enjoyable. In contrast, the Outemu Green is a clicky switch that delivers a tactile and audible feedback upon actuation, giving users a satisfying "click" that can enhance typing accuracy and provide a sense of fulfillment, particularly for those who prefer a more traditional keyboard feel. While the Chiikawa - 28g shines in responsiveness and lightness, the Outemu Green caters to those who appreciate auditory cues and tactile feedback. However, let’s dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
28g
Actuation force
65g
Bottom-out force
34g
Bottom-out force
80g
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Y3X
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
22mm single-stage spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Bsun Chiikawa - 28g and the Outemu Green switches share a notable similarity in their use of polycarbonate for the top housing. Both switches leverage this material to deliver a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, primarily due to polycarbonate's stiffness which makes it resonant and clear. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate enhances its compatibility with RGB lighting, making both switches visually appealing when illuminated. As such, users can expect similar acoustics from the top housings of both switches, ensuring bright and vibrant sound characteristics that are well-suited for gaming and typing experiences.
While the top housings are identical in material, the bottom housings diverge with each switch sporting nylon for this component. The nylon bottom housing in both the Chiikawa - 28g and Outemu Green is a classic choice that contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. The softer nature of nylon means it absorbs more sound compared to the stiffer polycarbonate, resulting in a duller and rounder auditory experience. This divergence in materials highlights how the acoustic properties can be balanced between the two housings: the polycarbonate top delivers a bright sound while the nylon bottom provides a muted richness, allowing for a complex auditory profile across both switches.
In conclusion, although the Bsun Chiikawa - 28g and Outemu Green switches utilize different materials for their bottom housings, they achieve a cohesive experience through their common polycarbonate tops. When pressed, the switches will provide a distinct articulation due to the polycarbonate’s influence on the release sound, while the nylon bottoms will cushion the bottom-out impact. Therefore, despite the differences in the bottom materials, users can anticipate a harmonious blend of sharpness from the top housing and warmth from the bottom, allowing for a satisfying typing and gaming experience underscored by the strengths of both material choices.
Weight
The Bsun Chiikawa - 28g linear switch and the Outemu Green clicky switch differ significantly in both actuation and bottom out forces, catering to contrasting preferences among users. The Chiikawa switch has a light actuation force of 28 grams and a bottom out force of 34 grams, making it ideal for prolonged typing or gaming sessions where comfort and ease are paramount. In contrast, the Outemu Green switch features a much heavier actuation force of 65 grams and a bottom out force of 80 grams, appealing to those who prefer a more tactile and substantial typing experience. The stark difference in actuation forces means that while the Chiikawa is much lighter, allowing for quicker keystrokes, the Outemu Green provides a stronger resistance, which some users find satisfying. Ultimately, if you're looking for a lighter switch, the Chiikawa would be more suitable, while the Outemu Green is the heavier option, offering a more deliberate typing feel.
Travel distance
The Bsun Chiikawa - 28g linear switch features a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Outemu Green clicky switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. This makes the Chiikawa switch the shorter option, favoring gamers who prefer a faster response time due to its reduced travel distance. In contrast, the Outemu Green, with its longer 4 mm travel distance, offers a more traditional feel that some users might find more satisfying and less abrupt. If you prioritize responsiveness in your typing or gaming experience, the Chiikawa is the optimal choice. However, if you appreciate a deeper, more tactile feedback with each keystroke, the Outemu Green would be more suitable. Thus, the difference in travel distances can significantly influence user preference based on individual typing styles.
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 Outemu Green comes in at $3.10 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 Bsun Chiikawa - 28g linear switch is characterized by a bright sound profile that produces a crisp, high-pitched noise when typing. This makes it particularly satisfying for those who enjoy auditory feedback with each keystroke. On the other hand, the Outemu Green clicky switch is known for its distinct clicky sound, which adds a tactile audio element to the typing experience. While both switches offer engaging auditory feedback, the Chiikawa's sound is more high-pitched and bright, whereas the Outemu Green provides a pronounced, clicky sound that can be more polarizing and may not be as suitable for quiet environments.
When examining the feel of these switches, the Chiikawa - 28g is noted for its very light actuation force, resulting in a notably responsive typing experience. This light touch can be advantageous for rapid typists or gamers who favor quick key presses. Conversely, the Outemu Green is likely to have a heavier actuation force in comparison, given its clicky nature, providing a more tactile feedback that some typists may find satisfying. The Green’s click adds an extra layer of tactile feel that helps in confirming key presses, making it suitable for users who prefer a more deliberate typing experience.
In conclusion, the Bsun Chiikawa - 28g linear switch offers a bright sound profile and a very light actuation force, making it an excellent choice for those who appreciate a responsive and crisp typing experience. The Outemu Green, while not described as extensively, likely presents a heftier feel and a distinct click that provides tactile feedback. Ultimately, both switches cater to different preferences, with the Chiikawa appealing to those who seek a lighter, more agile experience and the Outemu Green attracting users who prefer a heavier, clicky feel.
Conclusion
To conclude, the choice between the Bsun Chiikawa - 28g linear switch and the Outemu Green clicky switch really depends on your typing preferences and the experience you desire from your mechanical keyboard. If you prioritize a light touch and swift keystrokes, then the Chiikawa switch is a fantastic option. Its low actuation force of 28g and light bottom-out force of 34g make it incredibly responsive, allowing for effortless typing, which can be particularly appealing for gamers or those who spend long hours typing. Additionally, if you enjoy a keyboard that produces a bright, sharp sound profile with a smooth linear feel, the Chiikawa will enhance your overall enjoyment.
On the other hand, if you prefer a more tactile typing experience with a heavier resistance, the Outemu Green clicky switch is your best bet. With a bottom-out force of 80 grams, it provides a satisfying tactile feedback that many typists find rewarding. While it doesn’t have a specific notable characteristic like sound, the clicky feedback and sturdier feel can greatly aid in accuracy, particularly for typing-intensive tasks. Overall, if you enjoy an audible click and a firmer feel, the Outemu Green will serve you well. In the end, your choice should reflect whether you want a light, responsive experience with the Chiikawa or a sturdy, tactile experience with the Outemu Green.
Mentioned in this article
