Bsun Dragon Fruit vs. PH Studio Yoel
An in-depth look at the Bsun Dragon Fruit and the PH Studio Yoel switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to compare are the BSUN Dragon Fruit, a tactile switch, and the PH Studio Yoel, a linear switch. The Dragon Fruit stands out for its sharp, definitive bottom-out and significant tactile feedback, providing a satisfying bump with each press. Known for its clacky sound signature, this switch offers a lively and engaging typing experience. On the other hand, the Yoel linear switch delivers a chewy typing experience with a bright and clacky sound profile, creating a resonance that is both satisfying and pronounced. While the Dragon Fruit is categorized as accented, invigorating, sharp, and snappy, the Yoel is characterized by being clacky, creamy, high-pitched, marbly, polished, silky, and resonant. As you consider these general pointers, it's essential to delve deeper beyond just the surface characteristics to determine the best switch for your specific preferences and needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
53g
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
3.20 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Single stage lengthened 20mm spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Bsun Dragon Fruit and the PH Studio Yoel both feature polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the relatively stiffer nature of polycarbonate plastic, which leads to a clearer and more resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches that utilize RGB lighting, allowing for a visually appealing experience. However, while both switches share similar top housing material, the Dragon Fruit's nylon bottom housing provides a deeper and fuller sound profile, as nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound. In contrast, the Yoel's POM bottom housing offers a unique and pleasing sound that is on the deeper side and more muted.
Despite their differences in bottom housing material, the top housing of both switches has a significant impact on the overall sound profile. When key presses occur, the qualities of the bottom housing material come into play, affecting the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch. Conversely, the top housing material influences the sound when releasing a key, adding to the overall typing experience. While the Dragon Fruit and Yoel may have different bottom housing materials, they both aim to enhance the typing experience through their unique sound profiles created by the combination of top and bottom housing materials.
In conclusion, the Bsun Dragon Fruit and the PH Studio Yoel showcase how housing materials can impact the sound profile and typing experience of a switch. Both switches utilize polycarbonate top housing to produce clear, crisp sound profiles ideal for RGB lighting. However, the variance in bottom housing materials, with the Dragon Fruit using nylon and the Yoel using POM, allows for distinct sound profiles that cater to different preferences. Ultimately, the combination of top and bottom housing materials in each switch offers a unique typing experience, emphasizing the importance of housing materials in keyboard design.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Bsun Dragon Fruit tactile switch and the PH Studio Yoel linear switch, it's clear that the Dragon Fruit is the lighter option between the two. The Dragon Fruit has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams, making it a medium-heavy switch. In contrast, the Yoel has an actuation force of 53 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams, placing it in the medium range. Those who prefer a lighter touch may lean towards the Dragon Fruit for extended typing or gaming sessions, while the Yoel offers a slightly heavier push feel for a more substantial typing experience. Both switches provide different typing experiences due to their varying actuation and bottom out forces, but overall, users can expect similar results in terms of key response and feel.
Travel distance
The Bsun Dragon Fruit tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, which is longer than the PH Studio Yoel linear switch with a travel distance of 3.2 mm. In terms of key presses, the Dragon Fruit will have a slightly deeper travel experience compared to the Yoel. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are becoming more popular, especially among gamers looking for faster response times. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for the level of depth and responsiveness in key presses.
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 PH Studio Yoel has an MSRP of $4.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Yoel for $4.10.
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
In terms of sound, the BSUN Dragon Fruit switch is characterized by a clacky sound signature that provides a lively and engaging typing experience. On the other hand, the PH Studio Yoel linear switch offers a bright and clacky profile with a satisfying resonance at the bottom-out point. Both switches offer distinct auditory feedback that enhances the overall typing experience, with the Dragon Fruit being more pronounced in its tactility feedback compared to the Yoel. However, depending on the user's preference for sound profile, both switches deliver a satisfying typing experience that can be accentuated by the choice of keyboard and keycaps.
When it comes to feel, the BSUN Dragon Fruit switch is known for its sharp and definitive bottom-out, offering a satisfying bump at each press that tactility enthusiasts appreciate. The switch is described as invigorating and sharp, providing a distinct tactile feedback with each keypress. In contrast, the PH Studio Yoel linear switch offers a creamy and polished typing experience, enveloping fingertips with a smooth and buttery sensation. The Yoel switch is described as silky, offering reduced friction and smooth key travel for a refined typing experience. Both switches cater to different preferences in tactile feedback, with the Dragon Fruit being more pronounced and sharp, while the Yoel focuses on providing a smooth and polished typing sensation.
In conclusion, the BSUN Dragon Fruit tactile switch and the PH Studio Yoel linear switch offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Dragon Fruit stands out with its sharp and definitive bottom-out, providing a satisfying bump at each press with a clacky sound signature. On the other hand, the Yoel delivers a creamy and polished typing experience, enveloping fingertips with a smooth sensation accompanied by a bright and clacky sound profile. Depending on the user's preference for tactile feedback and sound profile, both switches provide a satisfying typing experience that can be further enhanced by the choice of keyboard, keycaps, and personal preference. Whether you opt for the pronounced tactility of the Dragon Fruit or the smoothness of the Yoel, both switches promise an engaging and enjoyable typing experience for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Conclusion
Therefore, when deciding between the BSUN Dragon Fruit tactile switch and the PH Studio Yoel linear switch, consider your preference for typing experience. If you enjoy a sharp and definitive tactile feedback with a clacky sound profile, the Dragon Fruit could be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth and buttery typing experience with a bright and clacky sound, the Yoel switch might be more to your liking. Ultimately, your decision should be based on whether you prioritize tactile feedback and sound signature or smoothness and feel in your mechanical keyboard switches.
Mentioned in this article
