Bsun Chiikawa - 28g vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue
An in-depth look at the Bsun Chiikawa - 28g and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to the world of mechanical keyboards, the choice of switch can profoundly affect your typing experience, and two noteworthy options are the Bsun Chiikawa - 28g and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue, both linear switches. The Chiikawa - 28g is celebrated for its incredibly light actuation force and bright sound profile, delivering a highly responsive feel along with a crisp, high-pitched sound that can invigorate the typing experience. This makes it an appealing choice for users who favor fast-paced typing and appreciate auditory feedback. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue offers a distinctive deep and thocky sound, providing a satisfying auditory experience that many typists find immersive. With a lengthened single-stage spring, these switches deliver a bouncy feel that strikes a balance between accessibility and enjoyment for a wide range of users. While both switches cater to different auditory and tactile preferences, your ultimate decision should consider your typing style and preference for sound. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits you perfectly.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
28g
Actuation force
59g
Bottom-out force
34g
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 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
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-stage spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The Bsun Chiikawa - 28g and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue both utilize polycarbonate in their top housings, which lends them a distinct and sharp acoustic profile. This shared material choice means that both switches are likely to produce a crisper sound that resonates well, particularly beneficial for users who appreciate the clarity in keypress feedback. The fact that polycarbonate is a stiffer plastic allows for a high-pitched sound that can enhance the overall typing experience. Additionally, the translucency of the polycarbonate top housing in both switches makes it particularly advantageous for users interested in RGB lighting, as the light can shine through effectively, creating an appealing visual effect.
In contrasting their bottom housings, the Chiikawa - 28g employs nylon, while the Everglide Tourmaline Blue opts for polycarbonate. The switch to nylon for the Chiikawa results in a deeper and fuller sound profile, given that nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs sound rather than reinforcing it. This diversion in material means that while both switches may share some acoustic characteristics, the Chiikawa will offer a more muted typing experience due to the properties of nylon, which is beneficial for those who prefer a softer sound when bottoming out. Meanwhile, the Tourmaline Blue, with its polycarbonate bottom housing, will continue the sharper sound profile consistent with its top housing, making it ideal for users who enjoy a louder and more resonant keypress.
Ultimately, the different bottom housing materials will result in distinct experiences when typing with these switches. Users pressing the Chiikawa - 28g will enjoy a combination of a clear top sound from the polycarbonate while benefiting from a richer, deeper sound delivered through the nylon bottom. In contrast, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue's overall typing experience will maintain a consistency in crisper sound from both top and bottom polycarbonate housings. As such, while these switches have commonalities through their top housings, the variation in their bottom housings leads to differing auditory experiences, catering to distinct preferences among typists.
Weight
When comparing the Bsun Chiikawa - 28g linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, there is a distinct difference in both actuation and bottom out forces. The Chiikawa switch features a lighter actuation force of 28 grams and a bottom out force of 34 grams, making it particularly suitable for users who prefer a softer keystroke for extended typing or gaming sessions. In contrast, the Tourmaline Blue switch has a significantly heavier actuation force of 59 grams and a bottom out force of 67 grams, appealing to those who appreciate a more substantial typing experience. This difference means that while the Chiikawa allows for quicker and less tiring keystrokes, the Tourmaline Blue provides a firmer feedback that some users may find more satisfying. Ultimately, for those seeking lighter switches, the Chiikawa is the optimal choice, whereas the Tourmaline Blue caters to those who favor the heftier feel of a heavier switch.
Travel distance
The Bsun Chiikawa - 28g linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch exhibit different travel distances, with the Chiikawa featuring a shorter distance of 3.6 mm compared to the Tourmaline Blue's 4 mm. This difference means that users of the Chiikawa switch may experience a more responsive feel, which can be advantageous for gamers seeking quicker key presses. In contrast, the Tourmaline Blue’s longer 4 mm travel distance may provide a more substantial, satisfying feedback for those who prefer a deeper actuation. Therefore, while the Chiikawa is the shorter option catering to those who enjoy rapid responses, the Tourmaline Blue caters to preferences for a more pronounced depth in keypresses. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on individual preferences for switch feel and responsiveness.
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 Everglide Tourmaline Blue has an MSRP of $6.86 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Tourmaline Blue for $3.89.
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, high-pitched sound profile which adds a crispy auditory response to every keystroke, making typing feel quite engaging. In contrast, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch produces a deep, thocky sound that immerses users in a more substantial auditory experience. This difference results in distinctly contrasting sound signatures: while the Chiikawa is more reminiscent of a light and airy typing experience, the Tourmaline Blue envelops the user in a richer, deeper sound. If sound quality is a priority, choosing based on these characteristics will undoubtedly lead to different typing atmospheres.
When considering feel, the Chiikawa - 28g switch is designed for very light actuation, making it easy to press and incredibly responsive, reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. The Tourmaline Blue, with its buttery smooth keystrokes and easy-to-press nature, also offers a highly enjoyable typing experience but with a slightly different character. The Tourmaline's mild resistance allows for seamless, fluid movement that enhances overall typing enjoyment. Both switches provide low-impact typing experiences, making them suitable for users who prioritize comfort, but the Chiikawa’s lighter feel may appeal more to those who prefer a quicker response.
In summary, the Bsun Chiikawa - 28g and Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switches provide contrasting sound profiles and sensations that suit different user preferences. The Chiikawa delivers a bright, crisp auditory experience with a light actuation, while the Tourmaline Blue offers a deep, thocky sound combined with a smooth, bouncy feel. Choosing between them will ultimately depend on personal aesthetic and tactile preferences in your typing environment. Both switches aim to enhance the typing experience, but their different characteristics will cater to different needs and tastes.
Conclusion
To wrap up, your choice between the Bsun Chiikawa - 28g linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch ultimately hinges on your personal preferences and typing habits. If you prefer a lightweight switch that offers an extremely low actuation force combined with a bright, sharp sound profile, the Chiikawa - 28g would be a fantastic choice. This switch is particularly well-suited for those who enjoy rapid typing or gaming, as the lighter resistance helps reduce finger fatigue during prolonged use. On the other hand, if you seek a more balanced yet still enjoyable typing experience with a slightly higher actuation force, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue would be the better option. The deeper, thocky sound it produces creates an immersive experience that many users find satisfying, while its buttery feel and moderate resistance cater to a wider range of use cases, from casual typing to professional work environments. Ultimately, your choice should align with whether you prioritize lightness and brightness (Chiikawa) or a more solid, robust engagement with a satisfying auditory feedback (Tourmaline Blue).
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