Bsun Dragon Fruit vs. Kailh Plum
An in-depth look at the Bsun Dragon Fruit and the Kailh Plum switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to compare and contrast are the BSUN Dragon Fruit and the Kailh Plum. The Dragon Fruit switch is renowned for its long pole stem, delivering a sharp and definitive bottom-out that tactile enthusiasts appreciate. With a pronounced tactile feedback and a clacky sound profile, typing on Dragon Fruit switches offers a lively and engaging experience. On the other hand, the Kailh Plum switch stands out for its unique heaviness without a prominent tactile bump, offering a neutral and enjoyable sound profile. While the Dragon Fruit switch is characterized as 'Accented', 'Invigorating', 'Sharp', and 'Snappy', the Plum switch is categorized as 'Neutral', 'Mild', and 'Stepped'. If you prefer a switch with a significant tactile feedback, the Dragon Fruit may be the choice for you, while those seeking a heavier but less pronounced tactile experience may lean towards the Kailh Plum. 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
70g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.70 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
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
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Bsun Dragon Fruit and the Kailh Plum switches share similarities in that they both use polycarbonate for their top housing. Polycarbonate is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its stiffness. This allows for a more resonant sound, which is especially useful if RGB lighting is incorporated into the switch. Additionally, both switches utilize nylon for their bottom housing, which results in a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon's softer nature allows it to absorb more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound compared to harder plastics.
However, while both switches share the same materials for their top and bottom housings, the way these materials are distributed within the switch can impact the overall typing experience. The qualities of the bottom housing, such as impacting the bottom-out sound and feel, will be more noticeable when pressing down on the switch. On the other hand, the top housing will have a greater impact on the sound when releasing a key. This distribution of materials allows for a nuanced typing experience that combines the strengths of both polycarbonate and nylon in different aspects of typing.
In conclusion, both the Bsun Dragon Fruit and Kailh Plum switches offer a unique typing experience due to their choice of housing materials. The use of polycarbonate in the top housing creates a sharp and resonant sound, while nylon in the bottom housing provides a deeper and fuller sound profile. The distribution of these materials within the switch allows for a balance of qualities that affect the typing experience, with the bottom housing influencing the bottom-out sound and feel, and the top housing impacting the sound when releasing a key. Overall, both switches offer a blend of qualities that cater to different preferences in sound and typing feel.
Weight
The Bsun Dragon Fruit tactile switch has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Kailh Plum switch, which has an unknown actuation force. However, the Dragon Fruit requires a heavier bottom out force of 65 grams, while the Plum switch has a bottom out force of 70 grams. This means that the Plum switch would provide a slightly heavier typing experience overall. Those who prefer a lighter typing feel may gravitate towards the Dragon Fruit switch for longer typing sessions or gaming, while those who prefer a stronger push feel may opt for the Plum switch for a more substantial typing experience. Both switches offer a medium-heavy typing experience overall due to their higher bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Bsun Dragon Fruit tactile switch is 3.4mm, while the Kailh Plum tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.6mm. The Dragon Fruit has a slightly shorter travel distance compared to the Plum switch. When comparing the two, the difference of 0.2mm may not seem significant, but it can make a noticeable difference in the feel and responsiveness of the keys. Gamers, in particular, may prefer the Dragon Fruit for its shorter travel distance, which can result in faster response times during gameplay. On the other hand, those who prefer a more substantial key press may lean towards the Plum switch with its slightly longer travel distance. Overall, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference and the type of typing or gaming experience you are looking for.
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 Kailh Plum comes in at $6.25 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 switch is known for its distinctive clacky sound signature, creating a lively typing experience that stands out. On the other hand, the Kailh Plum switch offers a neutral sound profile that is enjoyable and suitable for a variety of purposes. As sound is also influenced by the keyboard and keycaps used, both switches can provide satisfying auditory feedback depending on the overall setup.
Turning to feel, the Bsun Dragon Fruit switch is characterized by its sharp and invigorating tactile feedback, providing a prominent and snappy typing sensation. This switch offers a high level of feedback intensity that is distinctly felt with each keypress. In contrast, the Kailh Plum switch offers a more mild and stepped tactile experience, with a gentler typing feel that falls in a safe middle-ground zone. The Plum switch provides a unique two-stage tactile sensation that sets it apart from other switches in the market.
In conclusion, the Bsun Dragon Fruit and Kailh Plum switches offer contrasting tactile and auditory experiences. The Dragon Fruit switch provides a sharp and lively typing experience with a distinctive clacky sound, ideal for enthusiasts seeking a high level of tactile feedback. On the other hand, the Plum switch offers a more subdued tactile feel with a neutral sound profile, making it suitable for a wider range of users. Depending on personal preferences for tactile feedback and sound, both switches can provide a satisfying typing experience, although they cater to different preferences in terms of intensity and feel.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the BSUN Dragon Fruit tactile switch and the Kailh Plum tactile switch, consider your preference for tactile feedback and actuation force. If you value a sharp, distinctive tactile bump with a clacky sound profile, the Dragon Fruit with its 65g bottom out force may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-weight switch with a unique heaviness and a more subtle tactile bump, the Plum with its 70g bottom out force might be more suited to your typing style. Ultimately, both switches offer their own unique qualities, so it ultimately boils down to your personal preference for typing experience.
Mentioned in this article
