Bsun Cliff vs. Outemu Crystal Brown

Overview

When choosing a mechanical keyboard, the type of switch can significantly affect your typing experience, and the comparison between the Bsun Cliff and the Outemu Crystal Brown switches highlights the importance of this decision. The Bsun Cliff is recognized for its medium tactility and crisp sound signature, providing a responsive feedback that many typists enjoy for both writing and gaming. In contrast, the Outemu Crystal Brown lacks distinctive characteristics in its description but is often appreciated for its smooth keystroke and moderate actuation force, making it a versatile option for users who prefer a balanced feel without overwhelming tactile feedback. While both switches fall within the tactile category and cater to those seeking a satisfying typing experience, their unique sensations and audio qualities can cater to different preferences. 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

Outemu Crystal Brown Tactile

$2.75

$2.19 per 10

$3.10 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

Both the Bsun Cliff and the Outemu Crystal Brown use polycarbonate for their top housings, leading to strikingly similar acoustic characteristics. The polycarbonate material is known for its stiffness, which results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This property helps ensure a clear and resonant acoustic experience when typing. Furthermore, both switches feature translucency in their top housing, making them highly compatible with RGB lighting setups. This use of polycarbonate enhances not only the sound quality but also the visual appeal of the switches, as the light can effectively pass through the clear housing.

In contrast, the bottom housing of both the Cliff and the Crystal Brown is made from nylon, a material esteemed for its ability to absorb sound, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. Due to the softness of nylon compared to stiffer plastics, the material contributes to a duller and rounder sound when typing. The bottom housing significantly impacts the bottom-out sound and feel during key presses, thereby providing a satisfying tactile experience. Although the aesthetic characteristic of the nylon housing doesn't engage with RGB lighting in the same way as polycarbonate, it contributes to a well-rounded auditory experience while typing.

When considering the overall performance of the Bsun Cliff and the Outemu Crystal Brown, the synergy between the properties of their respective housing materials is crucial. The polycarbonate top housing of both switches enhances crispness and clarity on key release, while the nylon bottom housing complements this with a rich and mellow sound during key presses. This harmonious combination results in an engaging typing experience, where each material's strengths are effectively showcased. The duality of having a stiffer top and softer bottom allows for a pleasant balance, making both options appealing to users seeking a specific auditory feedback and tactile response.

Weight

The Bsun Cliff tactile switch and the Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch exhibit notable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces, which can influence user experience during extended typing sessions or gaming. The Cliff switch features a lighter actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, making it suitable for users who prefer a softer touch that reduces finger fatigue over long periods of use. In contrast, the Crystal Brown switch has a slightly heavier actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams, offering a more substantial typing experience favored by those who appreciate the feel of a firmer push. Overall, if you're looking for a lighter switch, the Cliff is the clear choice, while the Crystal Brown serves those who prefer a stronger tactile response. Both switches ultimately aim for different user preferences based on their respective force ratings.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Bsun Cliff tactile switch and the Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch, there is a noticeable difference: the Cliff features a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Crystal Brown has a travel distance of 4 mm. This makes the Bsun Cliff the shorter option, catering to those who favor quicker response times often preferred by gamers, as shorter distances can lead to faster key actuation. On the other hand, the Outemu Crystal Brown, with its longer 4 mm travel distance, may appeal to users who enjoy a more pronounced and hearty keypress experience. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on individual preferences for responsiveness versus key depth.

Price comparison

Typing experience

The Bsun Cliff tactile switch is known for its crisp sound signature, which produces a satisfying auditory feedback upon actuation. This medium tactility contributes to a clear "thock" sound when pressed, making it noticeable but not overly loud, which can be quite appealing in an office or shared setting. In contrast, the Outemu Crystal Brown does not have specific sound characteristics highlighted, so it’s difficult to provide a direct comparison in this regard. However, it’s essential to remember that sound can be influenced by various factors such as the keyboard's construction, mounting method, and the keycaps used, meaning you could potentially achieve a pleasant auditory experience with both switches depending on the setup.

In terms of feel, the Cliff tactile switch offers a medium level of tactility that strikes a balance between a soft bump and a more pronounced tactile experience. This can provide a reassuring feedback during typing without being overly harsh. The Crystal Brown switch's characteristics are not detailed, thus making it tricky to draw a definitive comparison in feel. However, tactile switches generally offer a gradient of feedback, and you might find that both switches could still yield a similarly satisfying typing experience depending on individual preferences.

In summary, the Bsun Cliff tactile switch stands out for its medium tactility and crisp sound signature, while information regarding the Outemu Crystal Brown is less defined, particularly concerning sound and feel. While the Cliff may offer a more specific typing experience, the final choice can still boil down to personal preference and the overall keyboard setup, as multiple elements contribute to the sensory experience of mechanical switches.

Conclusion

To conclude, when deciding between the Bsun Cliff tactile switch and the Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch, you'll want to consider your typing preferences and usage scenarios. If you favor a lighter switch that provides a medium tactile response and a distinctive sound, the Cliff switch might be the better choice for you. Its lighter actuation force of 45 grams allows for quicker key presses, making it particularly well-suited for fast typists or gamers who require rapid response times. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly firmer feel with a 55-gram actuation force and appreciate a more subdued sound profile, the Crystal Brown could be worth your consideration. While it may not stand out for its tactile feedback, it’s a solid middle-ground option that caters to users who seek a reliable and balanced typing experience. Ultimately, your choice should reflect your specific needs, whether that is for gaming, typing, or a blend of both—ensuring your mechanical keyboard experience is tailored to you.

Mentioned in this article

Bsun Cliff Tactile

$2.75

$2.19 per 10

Learn more

Outemu Crystal Brown Tactile

$3.10 per 10

Learn more