Bsun Chiikawa - 45g vs. Huano Elf
An in-depth look at the Bsun Chiikawa - 45g and the Huano Elf switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Bsun Chiikawa - 45g and the Huano Elf are two linear options that cater to different preferences while still delivering an engaging typing experience. The Chiikawa - 45g stands out for its exceptionally light actuation force and bright sound profile, providing a highly responsive feel that many typists and gamers adore. Users who prefer quick and precise keystrokes will gravitate towards the Chiikawa for its high-pitched sound and effortless actuation, making it an excellent choice for fast-paced typing or gaming scenarios. In contrast, the Huano Elf offers a unique POK top housing that enhances its acoustics, creating a deeper sound signature paired with a medium-light feel. This switch is ideal for those who appreciate a more substantial typing experience without sacrificing speed. Both switches have their unique charms, appealing to a range of preferences, but each excels in different aspects of sound and tactile feedback. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
42g
Bottom-out force
51g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.60 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
POK
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-stage spring
Spring
Stainless steel spring
Housing materials
The Bsun Chiikawa - 45g and the Huano Elf differ notably in their choice of top housing materials, contributing to distinct sound profiles and carrying implications for aesthetics and performance. The Chiikawa - 45g utilizes polycarbonate for its top housing, a material known for its rigidity and translucency. This rigidity allows for a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound, making it particularly well-suited for RGB lighting applications due to its clarity. In contrast, the Huano Elf employs POK, or polyketone, for its top housing. POK is characterized by its smoothness, bolstered by a low coefficient of friction, contributing to a different auditory experience with a notably clacky sound profile. While both materials are engineered for performance, their differing natures—stiffer polycarbonate versus the smooth, resilient POK—create unique auditory characteristics that can influence user preference.
Both the Chiikawa - 45g and the Huano Elf share nylon as their bottom housing material, establishing a foundation for a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon is recognized for its ability to absorb sound more effectively than harder plastics, resulting in a rounder and more muted bottom-out sound. This commonality provides a balance to the differences experienced in the top housing; while the Chiikawa's polycarbonate top contributes clarity and brightness, the Elf's POK material leans into smoothness and acoustic richness. Consequently, the auditory experience when typing on these switches is likely influenced by the interaction of these materials, with the nylon bottom providing a common sonic baseline that complements both top surfaces.
In summary, while the Bsun Chiikawa - 45g and the Huano Elf present differing properties with their top housings—polycarbonate versus POK—their shared nylon bottom housing means that both will deliver the classic, fuller sound associated with this material. This shared bottom allows for a consistent acoustic experience with each switch, where the unique contributions of the top housing materials modify but do not obliterate the intrinsic characteristics of the switches. Therefore, for those seeking to evaluate their preferences, both options offer a blend of durable performance and acoustic depth, albeit with distinctly tuneful characteristics stemming from their contrasting top housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the Bsun Chiikawa - 45g linear switch and the Huano Elf linear switch, there are notable differences in their actuation forces. The Chiikawa switch has a defined actuation force of 45 grams, while the Huano Elf has a lighter actuation force of 42 grams, making it the lighter option between the two. This may appeal to users who prefer a lighter typing experience, allowing for prolonged usage with less finger fatigue. In terms of bottom out force, the Chiikawa switch features a bottom out force of 51 grams, indicating a medium-light push feel, while the bottom out force for the Huano Elf is unknown, preventing a direct comparison in this regard. If the Huano Elf's bottom out force were similar to its actuation force or lower, users may experience a different tactile sensation when pressing the key to its fullest extent. Overall, the Chiikawa switch offers a substantial typing experience with its higher forces, making it ideal for those who prefer a firmer feel, while the Huano Elf provides a lighter actuation, which may cater to users favoring softer keystrokes.
Travel distance
Both the Bsun Chiikawa - 45g linear switch and the Huano Elf linear switch share an identical travel distance of 3.6 mm, meaning that users will experience the same amount of key travel when pressing down on a key for either switch. This equal travel distance allows for a similar tactile experience, making both switches suitable for those who prefer a linear feel in their keyboard. Since their travel distances match, they will yield comparable results in terms of responsiveness and keypress feedback. Thus, for users choosing between the two, other factors such as feel, sound, or force may play a more significant role in their decision.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Bsun Chiikawa - 45g 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 - 45g for $3.29.
The Huano Elf has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Elf for $3.29.
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 - 45g linear switch is best known for its bright sound profile, producing a crisp, high-pitched sound that gives a lively auditory feedback during typing. This quality makes it an ideal choice for those who enjoy a more pronounced acoustic experience. In contrast, the Huano Elf switch features a deep sound signature, characterized by its POK top housing that enhances acoustics, resulting in a warmer, more rounded auditory feedback. While both switches offer distinct sound profiles, it’s important to note that the overall sound can still be influenced by factors such as the keyboard's construction and the choice of keycaps used.
When it comes to the feel of these switches, the Chiikawa - 45g is known for its very light actuation force, contributing to a responsive typing experience that many newcomers find enjoyable and approachable. This lightness allows for quick keystrokes, minimizing the effort required for typing. On the other hand, the Huano Elf is noted for its medium-light feel, which strikes a balance between being easy to type on while still providing enough resistance for tactile feedback. Users may find the Elf switch offers a slightly more grounded experience, allowing for a more stable typing rhythm compared to the extremely effortless actuation of the Chiikawa.
In conclusion, the Bsun Chiikawa - 45g and Huano Elf switches each offer unique auditory and tactile experiences. While the Chiikawa focuses on a bright sound and very light actuation for a lively typing sensation, the Elf provides a deeper sound with a medium-light feel for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, personal preference will dictate which switch is better suited for an individual, but both can yield enjoyable results depending on how they are integrated into your mechanical keyboard setup.
Conclusion
To wrap up, your choice between the Bsun Chiikawa - 45g linear switch and the Huano Elf linear switch ultimately comes down to your personal preferences regarding sound, feel, and typing experience. If you favor a light and highly responsive switch that offers a bright, crisp sound profile, the Chiikawa - 45g would be an excellent choice, especially if you enjoy a fast-paced typing style or gaming where quick key press registration matters. Its medium-light bottom-out force makes it a great option for prolonged typing sessions without fatigue. On the other hand, if you're looking for a well-rounded switch that provides a satisfying medium-light feel along with a deeper sound signature, then the Huano Elf might be more suitable for you. The enhanced acoustics of the POK top housing will appeal if you appreciate a richer auditory feedback while typing. Ultimately, your decision should reflect your unique typing preferences, whether you prioritize lightness and responsiveness or a deeper sound and satisfying tactile feedback.
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