Bsun Dragon Fruit vs. Akko Penguin
An in-depth look at the Bsun Dragon Fruit and the Akko Penguin switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Bsun Dragon Fruit and Akko Penguin offer unique features catering to different preferences. The Dragon Fruit switch is favored for its sharp and definitive tactile feedback, providing a satisfying bump with each press and a distinctive clacky sound signature. On the other hand, the Penguin switch from Akko is known for its silent tactile nature, making it perfect for office environments where noise reduction is essential. While the Dragon Fruit switch is accented, invigorating, sharp, and snappy, the Penguin switch is polished, muted, mild, neutral, feathery, and subtle. Both switches offer a medium weight that strikes a balance between responsiveness and ease of use. 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
43g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
3.30 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
The housing materials of the Bsun Dragon Fruit and the Akko Penguin switches differ in terms of their composition and the resulting sound profiles. The Dragon Fruit features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched sound due to its relatively stiff nature. In contrast, the Penguin utilizes a nylon top housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile, as nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound. While both materials are translucent, allowing for RGB lighting, they offer distinct acoustic experiences when typing.
In terms of the bottom housing, both the Dragon Fruit and the Penguin switches utilize nylon, which contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is because nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound. Despite using the same material for the bottom housing, the switches may still offer slightly different tactile responses and typing experiences due to other factors such as switch design and spring weight. However, the similar use of nylon in the bottom housing ensures some consistency in sound profile between the two switches.
Overall, the choice of housing materials in a switch can significantly impact the typing experience and sound profile. While the Dragon Fruit's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper and crisper sound, the Akko Penguin's nylon top housing elicits a deeper and fuller sound. Similarly, both switches utilize nylon in the bottom housing for a consistent deep and full sound profile. Ultimately, the housing materials play a crucial role in shaping the overall feel and sound of the switches, offering users different options based on their preferences for sound and typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Bsun Dragon Fruit tactile switch and the Akko Penguin tactile switch, it is evident that the Dragon Fruit requires a slightly heavier actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Penguin's 43 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Dragon Fruit also requires a heavier force of 65 grams, while the Penguin requires 60 grams. Both switches provide a medium tactile experience, with the Dragon Fruit leaning towards the heavier side. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may opt for the Akko Penguin, as it has slightly lower actuation and bottom out forces. On the other hand, individuals who enjoy a more substantial typing feel may lean towards the Bsun Dragon Fruit for its slightly heavier forces. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches will depend on personal preference and whether one prefers a lighter or heavier typing experience.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Bsun Dragon Fruit tactile switch is 3.4 mm, while the Akko Penguin tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances that are becoming popular in the market. Gamers may appreciate the faster response time offered by the shorter travel distance of the Penguin switch, while those who prefer a deeper key press may find the slightly longer travel distance of the Dragon Fruit switch more satisfying. Overall, both switches offer a similar travel distance, making them suitable options for users looking for a moderate key press depth.
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 Akko Penguin has an MSRP of $4.22 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Penguin for $3.10.
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 Dragon Fruit switch offers a clacky and lively typing experience, thanks to its distinct and sharp bottom-out accompanied by a satisfying tactile bump. On the other hand, the Akko Penguin switch provides a muted and quieter typing sound, ideal for settings where noise reduction is important. The choice between the two switches will ultimately depend on your preference for a more audible or a more subdued typing experience, keeping in mind that additional factors like keyboard construction and keycap material can further influence the sound produced.
In terms of feel, the BSUN Dragon Fruit switch is described as sharp, invigorating, and snappy, offering a tactile experience that is both prominent and reactive. In contrast, the Akko Penguin switch is described as polished, mild, feathery, and subtle, providing a smoother and gentler typing sensation that prioritizes comfort and ease of use. Both switches fall within the medium weight category, striking a balance between responsiveness and typing fatigue. Depending on whether you prefer a more pronounced and intense tactile feedback or a lighter and smoother typing feel, your choice between the Dragon Fruit and Penguin switches will vary.
In conclusion, the BSUN Dragon Fruit tactile switch and the Akko Penguin tactile switch offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Dragon Fruit switch provides a clacky and lively typing sound with a sharp and pronounced tactile bump, while offering an invigorating and responsive typing experience. In comparison, the Penguin switch delivers a quieter and more subdued typing sound with a polished and mild tactile feel that prioritizes comfort and ease of use. Ultimately, your choice between the two switches will depend on your preference for sound, feel, and typing experience, ensuring that you can find a switch that suits your unique preferences and needs in the realm of mechanical keyboard switches.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the BSUN Dragon Fruit tactile switch and the Akko Penguin tactile switch, consider your preferences and environment. If you prioritize a highly tactile and clicky typing experience with a sharp bottom-out feel and clacky sound, the Dragon Fruit switch would be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you value a quieter typing experience with a more rounded tactile bump and medium actuation force, making it suitable for office environments and shared spaces, the Akko Penguin switch would be the better option. Ultimately, your decision should be based on the specific feel and sound profile you prefer, as well as the noise level tolerance in your surroundings.
Mentioned in this article
