Bsun Chiikawa - 45g vs. Jerrzi Salt Ice
An in-depth look at the Bsun Chiikawa - 45g and the Jerrzi Salt Ice switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to selecting a mechanical keyboard switch, the Bsun Chiikawa - 45g and the Jerrzi Salt Ice both present enticing options for enthusiasts looking for a linear experience. The Chiikawa - 45g is celebrated for its bright sound profile and very light actuation force, offering a notably responsive feel paired with a crisp, high-pitched sound when typing. This makes it an ideal choice for users who prioritize a quick and tactile response in their key presses. On the other hand, the Jerrzi Salt Ice switches also stand out with their bright and clacky characteristics, delivering vibrant feedback and an effortless actuation that many gamers and typists find appealing. While both switches promise an energetic typing experience, the distinct qualities of each make them suited for different preferences and styles. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
45g
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
3.40 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
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
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housings of the Bsun Chiikawa - 45g and the Jerrzi Salt Ice switches feature a common top housing material: polycarbonate. This shared material promises to elevate the auditory experience due to its characteristics, leading to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The relative stiffness of polycarbonate contributes to a clearer and more resonant sound, making it an ideal choice for enthusiasts looking to optimize their RGB lighting setups. Both switches, therefore, deliver a visually appealing translucence that allows for an immersive lighting experience, reaffirming that the aesthetic and acoustic qualities of polycarbonate are a significant factor in enhancing the overall performance of these switches.
While the top housings of both the Chiikawa and Salt Ice switches employ polycarbonate, their bottom housings set them apart significantly. The Chiikawa - 45g utilizes nylon for its bottom housing, renowned for its ability to absorb sound due to its relatively softer nature. This results in a deeper, fuller sound profile that contrasts sharply with the Salt Ice's polycarbonate bottom housing, which retains the same sharpness and clarity found in its top housing. Consequently, the bottom-out sound and tactile feedback experienced with the Chiikawa - 45g will present a softer and rounder sensation, whereas the Salt Ice will maintain a more crisp auditory experience even at the moment of bottoming out.
In essence, the differences in bottom housing materials mean that the switch behavior will be distinctly shaped by the contributions of each housing during operation. While both switches share a strong auditory foundation through their polycarbonate top housings, the experience can diverge significantly due to the use of nylon in the Chiikawa's bottom housing versus polycarbonate in the Salt Ice. Users will enjoy the layered sound profiles created by these combinations—deeper and fuller with the Chiikawa and sharper with the Salt Ice—demonstrating how material choices can effectively define the tactile and auditory characteristics of mechanical switches.
Weight
When comparing the Bsun Chiikawa - 45g linear switch and the Jerrzi Salt Ice linear switch, we find that both switches feature the same actuation force of 45 grams. This indicates that users will experience similar responsiveness while typing or gaming, making either switch suitable for long sessions without excessive fatigue. However, the Chiikawa switch has a bottom out force of 51 grams, providing a slightly firmer feel when fully pressed, which some users may prefer for a more substantial typing experience. In contrast, the Salt Ice switch lacks a specified bottom out force, leaving its performance in this regard uncertain. Overall, the Chiikawa is the heavier switch due to its bottom out force, while both switches offer the same lighter actuation force, making them comparable in that aspect for users who prioritize ease of typing.
Travel distance
The Bsun Chiikawa - 45g linear switch and the Jerrzi Salt Ice linear switch offer slightly different travel distances, with the former measuring 3.6 mm and the latter at 3.4 mm. This makes the Salt Ice switch the shorter option, designed for those who seek quicker response times, which can be particularly appealing to gamers. In contrast, the Chiikawa provides a deeper travel distance, which may feel more substantial for users who prefer a more hearty keypress. Both switches fall within the contemporary trend of shorter travel distances, yet the Chiikawa's slightly longer distance may cater more to those who find shorter travel feels too abrupt. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference regarding responsiveness versus tactile depth.
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 Jerrzi Salt Ice has an MSRP of $2.79 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Salt Ice for $2.30.
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 known for its bright sound profile, producing a crisp and high-pitched tone when typing. This characteristic makes it ideal for those who appreciate clarity in auditory feedback. On the other hand, the Jerrzi Salt Ice linear switch emits an exceptionally bright and clacky sound, which many users find to be vibrant and engaging. While both switches offer a lively audio experience, the Salt Ice might lean more towards a pronounced clackiness, giving a different auditory dynamic that can be influenced by the specific keyboard and keycap choices used.
When it comes to feel, the Chiikawa - 45g is notable for its very light actuation force, making it incredibly responsive and easy to press. This light touch allows for quick and effortless typing, which can enhance typing speed and reduce finger fatigue. In comparison, the Salt Ice switch also features a light touch, emphasizing the switch's effortless actuation and delivering a lively and energetic feedback. Both switches cater to users who prefer a lightweight and responsive typing experience, ensuring a comfort level that can lead to an efficient and enjoyable typing routine.
Overall, both the Bsun Chiikawa - 45g and Jerrzi Salt Ice linear switches offer compelling options for newcomers to the mechanical keyboard world, with each providing distinct auditory and tactile experiences. The Chiikawa's crisp sound quality and very light feel stand out for users favoring responsiveness, while the Salt Ice's clacky sound and light touch emphasize a vibrant and energetic typing experience. Depending on individual preference, one may lean towards the brighter auditory feedback of the Chiikawa or the more pronounced clackiness of the Salt Ice, but both ensure a satisfying typing experience given their lightweight actuation.
Conclusion
To conclude, when determining whether to choose the Bsun Chiikawa - 45g linear switch or the Jerrzi Salt Ice linear switch, consider your personal typing preferences and the overall experience you seek. If you prefer a medium-light touch with a responsive, crisp sound profile that offers a satisfying feedback at each keystroke, the Chiikawa - 45g switch would likely suit you well. Its 51-gram bottom-out force ensures that you won’t tire quickly during prolonged typing sessions, making it a solid choice for both casual and serious typists who enjoy a lively but not overwhelming sound. On the other hand, if you crave an exceptionally bright and clacky typing experience, and desire a switch that effortlessly responds to the lightest of touches, the Jerrzi Salt Ice switch would be the ideal pick for you. Its vibrant feedback and energetic responsiveness cater to those who enjoy an engaging and almost playful typing experience. Therefore, your choice between these two switches should align with whether you prefer the well-rounded, crisp characteristics of the Chiikawa or the exhilarating, lively feel of the Salt Ice.
Mentioned in this article
