Bsun Cliff vs. Huano Sakura
An in-depth look at the Bsun Cliff and the Huano Sakura switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to the world of mechanical keyboards, the choice of switches can greatly influence your typing experience. On one hand, the Bsun Cliff tactile switches stand out with their medium tactility and crisp sound signature, making them an excellent option for those who enjoy a bit of feedback while typing, ensuring every keystroke is satisfying and precise. In contrast, the Huano Sakura linear switches provide a feather-light touch and medium acoustics, catering to users who prefer a smoother, uninterrupted keystroke, ideal for extended typing sessions where fatigue can become a concern. While the Cliff switches offer a more engaging tactile experience, the Sakura switches excel in providing a soft feel that allows for faster typing with less resistance. 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
35g
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
2.30 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.60 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
POK
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
23mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
The Bsun Cliff and the Huano Sakura feature distinct top housing materials that significantly influence their respective sound profiles. The Cliff is equipped with a polycarbonate top housing, which is known for its rigidity and translucency. This material contributes to a sharper and crisper sound, enhancing the overall auditory experience. Its clear composition is particularly beneficial for RGB lighting, as it allows light to pass through, creating visually striking effects. In contrast, the Sakura employs a POK (polyketone) top housing that emphasizes smoothness and durability. Although it offers a slightly different sound profile characterized as smooth and clacky, it doesn’t possess the same level of brightness as polycarbonate. Despite these differences, both materials serve their respective purposes effectively: while polycarbonate excels in sound clarity and aesthetic appeal, POK offers exceptional wear resistance and a unique tactile experience.
The bottom housings of both switches, however, share a common material—nylon—resulting in similar performance characteristics. Nylon's softer nature produces a deeper, fuller sound when typing, absorbing more sound than its harder counterparts. This shared material ensures that both the Cliff and Sakura maintain a rounder sound profile at the bottom out, enhancing the overall typing experience. While the specific acoustic qualities may vary slightly due to the differences in their top housing materials, the bottom housing's contribution to the overall sound is consistent across both models. Thus, users of either switch can expect a solid, rich auditory feedback from their yet-to-be-pressed keys.
In summary, the housing materials of the Bsun Cliff and the Huano Sakura demonstrate a blend of unique and shared characteristics that shape their performance. The distinct top housing materials—polycarbonate for the Cliff and POK for the Sakura—offer different auditory experiences, with polycarbonate leaning towards clarity and POK focusing on smoothness and durability. However, their shared nylon bottom housings create a cohesive quality in sound depth and fullness. This combination of materials allows users to enjoy a tailored typing experience that reflects both their preferences for sound and the durability of their switches. Ultimately, both switch types provide unique yet complementary attributes that cater to a variety of typing styles.
Weight
The Bsun Cliff tactile switch and the Huano Sakura linear switch both feature light actuation forces, with the Cliff requiring 37 grams to register a keystroke, while the Sakura requires even less at 35 grams. This makes the Sakura the lighter option, potentially benefiting users who favor prolonged typing sessions, as it may lessen finger fatigue. However, both switches share the same bottom out force of 45 grams, meaning that users will experience a similar resistance when pressing the keys down completely, providing a consistent feel upon bottoming out. For those who appreciate a more substantial typing experience, both switches will give a relatively lighter push compared to heavier alternatives, making them suitable for users who enjoy a softer feel without compromising the tactile feedback at the bottom.
Travel distance
The travel distance of both the Bsun Cliff tactile switch and the Huano Sakura linear switch is identical, measuring at 3.6 mm each. This means that when pressing down on a key using either switch, users can expect a consistent feel and response, leading to similar results in typing experience and key actuation. Since both switches have the same travel distance, they will provide comparable tactile feedback and actuation depth, making them equally suitable for users who prefer a consistent keystroke.
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 Huano Sakura has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sakura 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 Cliff tactile switch produces a crisp sound signature that can be quite satisfying during typing, contributing to a pleasant auditory feedback that many users seek in a tactile switch. On the other hand, the Huano Sakura linear switch offers medium acoustics, designed to provide a more subdued noise profile, which can be appealing for those who prioritize a quieter typing experience. The overall sound produced by each switch will also depend significantly on other factors such as the choice of keyboard and keycaps, but the intrinsic qualities of these switches provide distinct auditory experiences.
Regarding feel, the Cliff tactile switch features a medium level of tactility that provides noticeable feedback with each keystroke, making it a great option for typists who appreciate a responsive touch. Conversely, the Sakura linear switch offers a feather-light touch, ensuring a smooth and effortless key press without any tactile bump. This difference in tactile feedback can greatly influence typing speed and comfort, with the Cliff catering to those who prefer a more engaged typing sensation and the Sakura appealing to users who favor a smoother, quieter action.
In conclusion, both the Bsun Cliff tactile switch and the Huano Sakura linear switch offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences. The sound and feel qualities set them apart, with the Cliff excelling in tactile feedback and crisp sound, while the Sakura is ideal for those who favor light, linear keystrokes with a quieter acoustic profile. Whichever switch one chooses, the individual typing experience will largely depend on personal preference and the specific keyboard setup.
Conclusion
To conclude, when deciding between the Bsun Cliff tactile switch and the Huano Sakura linear switch, it’s important to consider the nature of your typing and gaming needs. If you appreciate a tactile feedback that enhances your typing experience with a medium level of tactility and a crisp sound signature, the Cliff might be the ideal choice for you. It's particularly suited for those who enjoy the sensation of tactile bumps while providing a sound that communicates each keystroke effectively. On the other hand, if you favor a smoother and more silent typing experience, especially during extended sessions, the Sakura linear switch could be the better option. With its feather-light touch and medium acoustics, the Sakura is excellent for those who prioritize a seamless feel without the distraction of sharp auditory feedback. Ultimately, your choice between these switches will depend on whether you prefer the tactile enjoyment of the Cliff or the fluidity offered by the Sakura.