Akko Fairy vs. Bsun Olive
An in-depth look at the Akko Fairy and the Bsun Olive switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Akko Fairy and Bsun Olive offer distinct advantages for users seeking different typing experiences. The Akko Fairy, a linear switch, stands out for its smooth and refined typing experience, perfect for office settings with its factory-applied lubrication and medium weight that strikes a balance between resistance and comfort. On the other hand, the Bsun Olive, a tactile switch, boasts a unique design with all-POM housings that deliver a resonant and deep sound, along with pronounced tactile feedback for a satisfying typing experience. Choosing between these switches ultimately depends on personal preferences and specific use cases; 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
50g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 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
Nylon
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
17mm stainless steel spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Akko Fairy and the Bsun Olive switches have notable differences in terms of sound profile and feel. The Fairy's nylon top housing creates a deeper and fuller sound profile, thanks to its softer plastic that absorbs more sound. On the other hand, the Olive's POM top housing produces a unique and pleasing sound that is on the deeper side and relatively more muted. While both materials offer a deeper sound profile, the Fairy's nylon top housing may provide a duller and rounder sound compared to the Olive's POM top housing.
In terms of the bottom housing, both the Fairy's nylon and the Olive's POM materials contribute to a deeper and fuller sound profile. The nylon bottom housing of the Fairy absorbs more sound due to its softer plastic, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Similarly, the POM bottom housing of the Olive helps create a unique and pleasing sound that is on the deeper side and relatively more muted. Both bottom housing materials play a significant role in the overall sound and feel of the switches, contributing to a consistent sound profile across the board.
When comparing the top and bottom housing materials of the Akko Fairy and the Bsun Olive switches, it is evident that they each bring unique qualities to the typing experience. The split between the bottom and top housing allows for a diverse range of sound profiles to be experienced during typing. While the bottom housing influences the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch, the top housing has a more significant impact on the sound generated when releasing a key. Despite these differences, the overall goal of both switches is to provide a satisfying typing experience with a focus on sound and tactile feedback, ensuring that users can enjoy a customized typing experience based on their preferences.
Weight
The Akko Fairy linear switch has a slightly heavier actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Bsun Olive tactile switch with 45 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Olive switch requires a heavier force of 65 grams, whereas the Fairy switch has a bottom out force of 60 grams. Both switches fall under the medium weight category for actuation force, but the Olive switch leans towards medium-heavy for bottom out force. The difference in actuation and bottom out forces between the two switches offers users a choice based on their preference for a lighter or heavier typing experience. Those who prefer a lighter touch may find the Olive switch more suitable for longer typing sessions, while those who prefer a more substantial push feel may prefer the Fairy switch for a more substantial typing experience.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Akko Fairy linear switch is 3.3 mm, while the Bsun Olive tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. In this case, the Bsun Olive has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Akko Fairy. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are currently popular for their faster response times, especially among gamers. If you prefer a more responsive feel, either of these options would work well for you. However, if you prefer a switch with a bit more depth to the keypress, you may lean towards the Bsun Olive with its slightly longer travel distance. Ultimately, the difference in travel distance between these two switches is minimal, so you can expect a similar experience in terms of keypress feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Akko Fairy has an MSRP of $4.22 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Fairy for $3.10.
The Bsun Olive has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Olive for $4.70.
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 Akko Fairy linear switch is characterized by a muted and neutral profile, providing a softer and quieter typing experience ideal for office settings. On the other hand, the Bsun Olive tactile switch has a resonant and deep sound, thanks to its all-POM housings. This results in a distinct auditory experience that is satisfying during use, making them stand out in terms of sound quality.
When it comes to feel, the Akko Fairy linear switch offers a polished and mild typing experience, with reduced friction and smooth key travel due to the factory-applied lubrication. The tactile feedback is subtle, providing a comfortable typing feel suitable for extended use. In contrast, the Bsun Olive tactile switch is accented, invigorating, sharp, and snappy, offering a prominent amount of tactile feedback with a firm actuation force. This creates an immersive typing sensation that is responsive and distinct with each keypress.
Taking all the available information into consideration, it is clear that the Akko Fairy linear switch and the Bsun Olive tactile switch offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Fairy switch provides a quieter and smoother typing experience, making it well-suited for office environments, while the Olive switch delivers a resonant sound and pronounced tactile feedback that enhances the typing sensation. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preference and the specific typing experience desired, ensuring that users will achieve satisfying results with either option.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a smooth and quiet typing experience in an office setting, the Akko Fairy linear switch with its medium weight and factory lubrication would be an excellent choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a tactile switch that offers a deep, resonant sound and pronounced tactile feedback, the Bsun Olive switch with its medium-heavy bottom out force and unique design would be a great option. Ultimately, your decision should be based on whether you prioritize a quiet and comfortable typing experience (Akko Fairy) or a tactile and satisfying feel with a distinct sound (Bsun Olive).
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