Bsun Dragon Fruit vs. Cherry MX Silent Red
An in-depth look at the Bsun Dragon Fruit and the Cherry MX Silent Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the BSUN Dragon Fruit and the Cherry MX Silent Red offer distinct experiences for users. The Dragon Fruit switch is a tactile switch known for its sharp and definitive bottom-out thanks to its long pole stem, providing tactile enthusiasts with a satisfying bump at each press. Paired with a clacky sound signature, the Dragon Fruit switch offers a lively and engaging typing experience that is both felt and heard distinctly. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Silent Red is a linear switch that maintains the slightly heftier feel of the MX Red but operates silently, making it ideal for noise-sensitive environments. While the Dragon Fruit switch is categorized as 'Accented', 'Invigorating', 'Sharp', and 'Snappy', the MX Silent Red is categorized as 'Muted', 'Thocky', 'Low-pitched', and 'Textured'. It ultimately comes down to personal preference and specific needs when choosing between these two switches, 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
45g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
3.70 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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Bsun Dragon Fruit and the Cherry MX Silent Red, it is clear that they both utilize nylon for the bottom housing. This commonality means that both switches will elicit a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the sound-absorbing properties of nylon. However, while the Dragon Fruit uses polycarbonate for the top housing, creating a sharper and crisper sound profile with its stiff plastic, the MX Silent Red sticks with nylon for both the top and bottom housing, resulting in a consistent sound experience throughout.
One key difference between the two switches lies in the top housing material. The Bsun Dragon Fruit's polycarbonate top housing creates a clear and resonant sound profile, perfect for those who enjoy a higher-pitched sound. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Silent Red's nylon top housing produces a deeper and fuller sound, providing a more muffled and rounded tone. This contrast in sound profiles showcases how different housing materials can significantly impact the auditory experience of typing on these switches.
While the bottom housing materials of the Bsun Dragon Fruit and the Cherry MX Silent Red are the same, the differences in their top housing materials result in distinct sound profiles. The split in qualities between the bottom and top housings means that the user will feel the impact of the bottom housing when pressing down on a key, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, the top housing will have more influence on the sound produced when releasing a key. Whether you prefer the sharp and crisp sound of polycarbonate or the deeper and fuller sound of nylon, both switches offer unique auditory experiences based on their housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Bsun Dragon Fruit tactile switch and the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch, it is evident that they both have the same actuation force of 45 grams. However, the Dragon Fruit has a bottom out force of 65 grams, while the MX Silent Red's bottom out force is unknown. The Dragon Fruit switch offers a medium-heavy typing experience with a slightly heavier bottom out force, which may appeal to those who prefer a more substantial typing feel. In contrast, the MX Silent Red switch offers a lighter overall typing experience, making it suitable for longer typing sessions or gaming sessions where fatigue is a concern. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces, with the Dragon Fruit leaning towards a heavier typing experience and the MX Silent Red offering a lighter touch.
Travel distance
Comparing the travel distance of the BsUN Dragon Fruit tactile switch and the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch, we can see that the Dragon Fruit has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the MX Silent Red has a travel distance of 3.7 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances that are becoming more popular in the market, especially among gamers looking for faster response times. The Dragon Fruit offers a slightly shorter travel distance, which can be appealing for those seeking quick and responsive keystrokes. On the other hand, the MX Silent Red provides a slightly longer travel distance, which may feel more substantial for users who prefer a more pronounced key press. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for travel distance and typing experience.
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 Cherry MX Silent Red has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the MX Silent Red for $4.15.
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 switch is characterized by a clacky sound signature, offering a lively and engaging typing experience with a distinct audible feedback. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Silent Red switch produces a muted, thocky, and low-pitched sound profile, making it significantly quieter than traditional mechanical switches. The choice between the two would depend on individual preferences for sound during typing sessions, with the Dragon Fruit providing a more lively typing experience and the MX Silent Red offering a quieter environment for noise-sensitive users.
When it comes to feel, the BSUN Dragon Fruit switch is known for its accented, invigorating, sharp, and snappy tactile feedback, providing a prominent and engaging typing sensation without being overly tactile or scratchy. In contrast, the Cherry MX Silent Red switch is described as having a textured feel, which may indicate a slightly more frictional typing experience compared to the smooth feel of the Dragon Fruit. Both switches offer a satisfying tactile response, but the Dragon Fruit may appeal more to those seeking a sharper tactile bump during typing.
In conclusion, the BSUN Dragon Fruit switch offers a lively typing experience with a clacky sound signature and a pronounced tactile bump, making it ideal for tactile feedback enthusiasts. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Silent Red switch provides a quieter typing environment with its muted sound profile and maintains a slightly textured feel for those who prefer a bit of friction during typing. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and the overall typing experience desired. Additionally, it's worth noting that the BSUN Dragon Fruit may provide a similar typing experience to the Cherry MX Silent Red in terms of feel, but with a different sound profile.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the BSUN Dragon Fruit tactile switch and the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch, consider your preferences for tactile feedback and sound level. If you are looking for a switch with a sharp and defined tactile bump, along with a clacky sound signature, the Dragon Fruit is the way to go. It offers an invigorating and sharp typing experience that tactile enthusiasts will appreciate. On the other hand, if you prefer a silent typing experience with a slightly heavier feel, the MX Silent Red is the better choice. With its muted sound profile and textured feel, it is ideal for noise-sensitive environments where a quieter typing experience is desired. Ultimately, your decision should be based on whether you prioritize tactile feedback and sound level in your mechanical keyboard switch selection.
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