Bsun Cliff vs. KTT Purple Star
An in-depth look at the Bsun Cliff and the KTT Purple Star switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When exploring the world of mechanical keyboards, choosing the right switch is crucial to tailor your typing experience to your preferences. The Bsun Cliff and KTT Purple Star switches offer a fascinating contrast in feel and sound. The Cliff, known for its medium tactility and crisp sound signature, provides satisfying feedback that many typists appreciate, making it a solid choice for those who enjoy a tactile response while typing or gaming. In contrast, the KTT Purple Star switches prioritize smoothness with their all-POM construction, creating a buttery typing experience accentuated by a neutral sound profile. Weighing in at a light 45g bottom-out, the Purple Star is especially suited for typists who favor a gentler touch, making it comfortable for extended use. Each switch has its unique strengths, catering to different typing styles and 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
Technical specifications
Actuation force
37g
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.30 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
When analyzing the housing materials of the Bsun Cliff and the KTT Purple Star, one can immediately notice the contrasting characteristics of the top housings. The Bsun Cliff utilizes polycarbonate for its top housing, lending it a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This material's stiffness allows for greater resonance, resulting in clearer sound dynamics, particularly beneficial for RGB lighting setups due to its translucency. In contrast, the KTT Purple Star employs a top housing made from POM (Polyoxymethylene), which produces a deeper, more muted sound profile. The unique auditory experience derived from the POM material offers a pleasing, yet distinctly different sound, underscoring the variation in acoustic qualities between the two switch types.
Examining the bottom housings of these switches reveals further contrasts and similarities. The Bsun Cliff uses nylon, a traditional switch housing material known for its ability to yield a deeper and fuller sound profile, thanks to its softer structure that absorbs sound more effectively. This results in a rounder and less piercing bottom-out sound. On the other hand, the KTT Purple Star features POM for its bottom housing as well. Similar to nylon, POM also contributes to a deeper, muted sound, but it has a different tactile feedback and sound characteristics to it, creating a unique auditory signature that balances well with the overall feel when typing. This common trait of providing a muted sound at the bottom out showcases how diverse materials can still render similar auditory experiences under certain aspects.
In terms of the overall auditory experience when using these switches, the differing top and bottom housing materials play crucial roles. The polycarbonate top of the Bsun Cliff contributes prominently to the release sound, giving it that crisp finish, while the nylon bottom enhances the impact of the downward keystroke. Conversely, the KTT Purple Star's POM top plays into its deeper sound profile, with the POM bottom maintaining that muted quality throughout the entirety of the key press. As a result, while both switches may feature unique sound profiles due to their material choices, the interplay between the top and bottom materials ensures that each switch produces a distinct yet enjoyable typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the Bsun Cliff tactile switch and the KTT Purple Star linear switch, we observe differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Cliff switch has a lighter actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, making it a more effortless option for users who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing sessions. In contrast, the Purple Star switch offers a slightly heavier actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams. While both switches are classified as light, the Purple Star requires a bit more pressure, which may appeal to those who enjoy a more substantial feel during typing. Ultimately, if you're looking for lower fatigue during long usage, the Bsun Cliff is the better choice, while the KTT Purple Star provides a firmer tactile response for those who prefer a stronger push feel.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Bsun Cliff tactile switch and the KTT Purple Star linear switch, we find that the Cliff has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Purple Star offers a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. This means that if you choose the KTT Purple Star, you can expect a slightly more responsive feel due to its shorter distance, which may appeal to gamers looking for quicker key presses. Conversely, the Bsun Cliff, with its longer travel distance, provides a sensation that some users might find more satisfying or substantial when typing, appealing to those who prefer a deeper keystroke. While both switches offer competitive travel distances within the shorter range of modern preferences, the Cliff edges out slightly, making it the option for a fuller typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Bsun Cliff has an MSRP of $2.75 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Cliff for $2.19.
The KTT Purple Star comes in at $4.88 per 10 switches.
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
When it comes to sound, the Bsun Cliff tactile switch is known for its crisp sound signature, which typically produces a distinct click-like noise upon actuation, enhancing the tactile feedback and making it satisfying for typists. In contrast, the KTT Purple Star linear switch is characterized by its low-pitched sound, offering a more subdued and bass-heavy audio experience that remains neutral. This softer acoustic profile can be less distracting in quieter environments, which might appeal to those who prefer a more subtle auditory experience while typing. It’s worth noting that the overall sound of either switch can be influenced by the keyboard's build and the keycap material used, so personal preference will also play a role in their performance.
Regarding feel, the Cliff tactile switch provides a medium level of tactility that delivers a noticeable bump during actuation, allowing typists to feel when a key has been engaged. This tactile feedback can add a layer of certainty to each key press, which some users find enhances their typing accuracy. On the other hand, the Purple Star switches are designed for a smoother typing experience, characterized by mild resistance and an easy-to-press action that requires little force, resulting in a comfortable and effortless typing experience. This makes the Purple Star well-suited for light typists who may prefer a gentler, less fatiguing touch. While the Cliff engages the typist through its tactility, the Purple Star promotes a fluid and soft engagement that can be appealing for extended typing sessions.
In conclusion, both the Bsun Cliff tactile switch and the KTT Purple Star linear switch offer unique qualities catering to different preferences in sound and feel. Those who enjoy a more tactile feedback with a pronounced audio component may gravitate towards the Cliff, while users seeking a smooth, quiet experience are likely to prefer the Purple Star. Ultimately, both switches can provide engaging and enjoyable typing experiences, but the individual characteristics set them apart, allowing newcomers to choose based on their specific typing style and sound preferences.
Conclusion
To conclude, when selecting between the Bsun Cliff tactile switch and the KTT Purple Star linear switch, it's essential to consider your personal preferences and typing style. If you enjoy a tactile feedback with a crisp sound and prefer a switch that provides a bit of resistance, the Cliff may be your ideal choice. Its 45g bottom-out force makes it easy to type on, catering especially well to users who appreciate a medium level of tactility. This switch can greatly enhance your typing experience, particularly if you engage in both typing and gaming, as the distinctive feedback can aid in accuracy during fast-paced situations.
On the other hand, if you favor a smooth, linear typing experience that minimizes sound and offers a neutral tone, the KTT Purple Star is an excellent option. Its slightly firmer 50g bottom-out force still qualifies as light, making it suitable for those looking for effortless keystrokes that won’t tire the fingers during long typing sessions. The POM construction ensures an incredibly smooth feel, which is especially beneficial for users who type a lot and need minimal resistance and fatigue. Ultimately, choosing the right switch will depend on whether you prioritize tactility and sound or smoothness and ease of use—both can provide a delightful typing experience in their respective contexts.
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