Bsun Dragon Fruit vs. Gateron Jupiter Banana
An in-depth look at the Bsun Dragon Fruit and the Gateron Jupiter Banana switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options that come to mind are the BSUN Dragon Fruit and the Gateron Jupiter Banana, both of which are tactile switches. The BSUN Dragon Fruit switches are favored for their long pole stem, delivering a sharp and definitive bottom-out that appeals to tactile enthusiasts. With a medium-weight build and significant tactile feedback, each keystroke offers a satisfying bump along with a clacky sound signature, resulting in a lively and engaging typing experience. On the other hand, the Gateron Jupiter Bananas stand out for their high-precision molds and softer backlight effects, thanks to two-stage springs that provide a strong return and consistent feel. While the Dragon Fruit is described as "Accented", "Invigorating", "Sharp", and "Snappy", the Jupiter Banana is characterized as "Polished", "High-pitched", "Creamy", and "Resonant". Both switches have their unique features and appeal, making them suitable choices depending on individual preferences and typing 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
59g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
69g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Spring steel
Housing materials
The Bsun Dragon Fruit and Gateron Jupiter Banana both feature polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its stiffness. This material is ideal for switches with RGB lighting as its translucency enhances the visual appeal. Similarly, both switches utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, ensuring a consistent sound experience with a focus on clarity and resonance. However, the differences in their bottom housing materials may lead to variations in sound profile and typing experience.
While the Dragon Fruit uses nylon for its bottom housing to produce a deeper and fuller sound profile, the Jupiter Banana also incorporates nylon in its bottom housing for a similar effect. Nylon's softer nature absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound that enhances the typing experience. This common choice of material for the bottom housing in both switches ensures a consistent feel and sound quality during use, reinforcing their reputation for delivering a satisfying typing experience.
Despite the similarities in their top housing material, the different bottom housing materials of the Bsun Dragon Fruit and Gateron Jupiter Banana may impact the overall typing experience. The bottom housing influences the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down a key, while the top housing plays a crucial role in the sound produced when releasing a key. Understanding how each housing material contributes to the switch's sound profile and typing feel can help users make an informed decision based on their preferences for sound, feel, and overall typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Bsun Dragon Fruit tactile switch and the Gateron Jupiter Banana tactile switch, we can see that the Dragon Fruit is lighter in both aspects. With an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams, it offers a medium-light typing experience. In contrast, the Jupiter Banana requires a bit more force, with an actuation force of 59 grams and a bottom out force of 69 grams, making it a slightly heavier option. The Dragon Fruit allows for a lighter touch, which can be beneficial for prolonged typing sessions or gaming, while the Jupiter Banana provides a firmer typing feel for those who prefer a more substantial keypress. Overall, both switches offer a medium-heavy typing experience, with the Dragon Fruit being the lighter of the two.
Travel distance
The Bsun Dragon Fruit and Gateron Jupiter Banana tactile switches have the same travel distance of 3.4 mm. This means that when pressing down on a key with either switch, users will experience a similar tactile feel in terms of travel distance. Both switches offer a moderate amount of travel, which can provide a satisfying typing or gaming experience for users who prefer a keypress with a bit of resistance. Users can expect consistent performance and tactility from both switches due to their equal travel distances. In conclusion, the travel distance of both the Bsun Dragon Fruit and Gateron Jupiter Banana tactile switches is the same, ensuring a comparable user experience when using either switch.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Bsun Dragon Fruit has an MSRP of $4.70 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Dragon Fruit for $3.83.
The Gateron Jupiter Banana comes in at $2.80 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
In terms of sound, the Bsun Dragon Fruit tactile switch is characterized by a clacky sound signature, offering a lively and engaging typing experience with a sharp and definitive bottom-out. On the other hand, the Gateron Jupiter Banana tactile switch is described as high-pitched and resonant, providing a sharp and crisp sound profile that can be immersive. The sound produced by each switch is distinct, with the Dragon Fruit offering a more clacky sound while the Jupiter Banana delivers a high-pitched and clean sound profile. Depending on personal preference, users may find one sound more appealing than the other.
When it comes to feel, the Bsun Dragon Fruit tactile switch is known for its accented, invigorating, sharp, and snappy qualities, providing a medium tactile experience with a prominent tactile bump and reactive feel. In contrast, the Gateron Jupiter Banana tactile switch is described as polished and creamy, offering a smooth and buttery typing experience with reduced friction and a sleek finish. The Dragon Fruit switch focuses on providing a strong tactile feedback with a sharp bump, while the Jupiter Banana switch aims for a smoother and more refined typing sensation. Both switches offer unique tactile experiences that cater to different preferences.
In conclusion, the Bsun Dragon Fruit and Gateron Jupiter Banana tactile switches each have their own distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Dragon Fruit switch excels in providing a clacky sound and high tactile feedback for a lively typing experience, while the Jupiter Banana switch offers a high-pitched and resonant sound profile with a polished and creamy feel for smoother typing. Depending on whether you prefer a sharper or smoother typing experience, you can choose between the two switches to achieve similar tactile results with different sound and feel characteristics.
Conclusion
To wrap up, when choosing between the BSUN Dragon Fruit tactile switch and the Gateron Jupiter Banana tactile switch, consider the typing experience you prefer. If you enjoy a sharp, definitive bottom-out with significant tactile feedback and a clacky sound, the Dragon Fruit may be the switch for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a softer backlight effect, strong return, and consistent feel with a more polished and creamy typing experience, the Jupiter Banana might be the better choice. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preference for feel, sound, and overall typing experience.