Bsun Cliff vs. HMX Lucky

Overview

When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch, the Bsun Cliff and HMX Lucky stand out as two compelling options, each catering to different preferences. The Bsun Cliff is celebrated for its medium tactile feedback and crisp sound signature, making it an excellent choice for typists who enjoy the satisfying feel of each key press without being overly noisy. In contrast, the HMX Lucky is designed with softer, glittery nylon housings that provide a lightweight and neutral typing experience, appealing to those who prioritize smoothness and may prefer a quieter keyboard atmosphere. While the Cliff offers a blend of tactile feedback and auditory pleasure, the Lucky excels in delivering a silky-smooth response. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Bsun Cliff Tactile

HMX Lucky Linear

$2.75

$2.19 per 10

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the Bsun Cliff and the HMX Lucky, a striking contrast is evident in the type of plastics used for the top housing. The Bsun Cliff employs polycarbonate for its upper housing, which is known for its stiffness and translucency. This contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, ideal for users who enjoy precise and resonant auditory feedback. The use of polycarbonate, especially in clear form, further enhances RGB lighting effects, making it an aesthetic choice as much as it is a functional one. In contrast, the HMX Lucky opts for a nylon top housing. Nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs sound rather than amplifying it, resulting in a more subdued and rounder sound profile. For users seeking a warmer typing experience, the HMX Lucky’s nylon top housing certainly fulfills this need, providing a contrast to the Cliff's bright output.

Both switches share the same material for their bottom housing, which is also nylon. This not only creates a sense of uniformity in performance but also leads to a fuller and deeper sound profile across both models. The virtue of nylon lies in its ability to absorb sound; thus, both the Bsun Cliff and HMX Lucky will deliver a similar underlying sound experience when it comes to the bottom-out noise generated during keystrokes. However, since the Cliff has a polycarbonate top that produces a sharper response, the overall sound profile will feature a unique amalgamation—a blend between the crispness of the top and the warmth of the bottom. Meanwhile, the HMX Lucky's sound is more consistently soft and warm from top to bottom, without the sharp edges introduced by the polycarbonate.

In practical terms, the different top materials create distinct effects upon pressing and releasing keys. For the Bsun Cliff, the polycarbonate top generates a crisper sound on release, which is counterbalanced by the deeper notes originating from the nylon bottom housing. Conversely, the HMX Lucky provides a rounder sound profile that remains consistent throughout both pressing down and letting go of the keys, as both housings share the same nylon material. This highlights how the interplay between the housings greatly influences user experience; the Cliff offers a more dynamic soundscape, while the Lucky emphasizes a smoother, more consistent acoustic signature. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on personal preferences for sound and typing experience, as both have unique characteristics that appeal to different users.

Weight

When comparing the Bsun Cliff tactile switch and the HMX Lucky linear switch, both switches exhibit similar characteristics in terms of actuation force, with both requiring 37 grams to trigger a keystroke. This similarity indicates that users can expect a comparable typing experience in terms of how much force is needed to register a key press. However, the bottom out forces differ slightly, with the Cliff requiring 45 grams to fully bottom out, compared to the Lucky's 43 grams. This makes the Lucky slightly lighter overall regarding bottoming out, likely resulting in a somewhat softer feel when reaching the end of a key press. Therefore, while both switches are characterized as light, the Lucky switch can be considered to provide a marginally lighter overall experience, which may appeal to users who favor prolonged typing sessions or gaming without excessive finger fatigue. Conversely, those who prefer a stronger push feel may find the Cliff's heavier bottom out force more satisfying during intense typing or gaming.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Bsun Cliff tactile switch and the HMX Lucky linear switch, there is a clear difference in their specifications. The Cliff features a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Lucky extends slightly longer at 3.8 mm. This makes the Cliff the shorter option, which may be more suitable for users seeking a quicker response time, particularly favored by gamers. In contrast, the Lucky, with its greater travel distance, might appeal to those who enjoy a more pronounced tactile feedback during key presses. Ultimately, while the Cliff offers a more responsive experience due to its shorter travel distance, the Lucky provides a deeper feel that some users may prefer for its more satisfying actuation.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Bsun Cliff tactile switch offers a crisp auditory signature that many users find appealing. This clarity often contributes to an engaging typing experience, making it suitable for both typing and gaming. On the other hand, the HMX Lucky linear switch is notably quieter, allowing for a more muted experience during key presses. The softer nylon housing further enhances its sound profile, giving it a subtle, satisfying whisper with each keystroke. It’s important to note that the final sound quality can vary greatly depending on the keyboard construction and keycap choice, meaning that while these switches have their distinct characteristics, they can produce similar results when paired appropriately.

In terms of feel, the Bsun Cliff tactile switch presents a medium tactility that is easily detected, which can help users maintain typing accuracy and comfort. This moderate feedback is appreciated by many who enjoy a balance between tactile response and fluid motion. Conversely, the HMX Lucky switch provides a more neutral feel, characterized as lightweight and smooth without prominent tactile feedback. This can lead to a deeply satisfying experience, particularly for individuals who prefer gliding seamlessly over the keys. While both switches provide a satisfactory experience, the tactile nature of the Cliff versus the smoothness of the Lucky creates two distinctly different preferences.

In summary, the Bsun Cliff tactile switch excels in sound crispness and medium tactility, making it a great choice for those who appreciate pronounced feedback and auditory cues during use. Meanwhile, the HMX Lucky linear switch offers a softer, quieter experience with an emphasis on smoothness, catering to users who prefer a more understated typing feel. Depending on personal preference, either switch can deliver an enjoyable experience, and your choice may ultimately depend on whether you value tactile feedback or a more linear touch.

Conclusion

To conclude, choosing between the Bsun Cliff tactile switch and the HMX Lucky linear switch largely depends on your typing preferences and intended use. If you gravitate toward tactile feedback and enjoy a pleasing sound with a bit of a crispness, then the Cliff switch might be the better choice for you. Its medium tactility and light actuation make it ideal for typing scenarios where you want to feel each keystroke without too much resistance. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth and linear typing experience that is neutral, along with a softer, glittery feel, the Lucky switch could be your ideal match. The Lucky's lightweight actuation provides a satisfying experience, especially for those who type quickly and want to minimize finger fatigue. Ultimately, consider your personal touch and sound preferences: if you seek tactile feedback and auditory satisfaction, opt for the Cliff; if you desire smoothness and subtlety, go for the Lucky.

Mentioned in this article

Bsun Cliff Tactile

$2.75

$2.19 per 10

Learn more

HMX Lucky Linear

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

Learn more