Huano Grape Orange vs. Bsun Light Sakura
An in-depth look at the Huano Grape Orange and the Bsun Light Sakura switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Huano Grape Orange and the Bsun Light Sakura both stand out as appealing options for different reasons. The Grape Orange is renowned for its exceptionally light actuation force of just 40g, providing an effortlessly smooth typing experience that can greatly enhance productivity during long typing sessions. This switch is ideal for users who value a quick and responsive feel without the fatigue often associated with heavier switches. On the other hand, the Bsun Light Sakura caters to those who prioritize silence and discretion, featuring an ultra-light touch that allows for comfortable, fatigue-reducing typing. Its silent operation makes it especially suitable for office environments or shared spaces, ensuring that your keystrokes don't disrupt colleagues. Both switches are linear, catering to users who prefer a smooth keypress without tactile feedback; however, their distinct attributes address different user needs. 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
40g
Actuation force
37g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
43g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-stage spring
Spring
22mm extended spring
Housing materials
The Huano Grape Orange and the Bsun Light Sakura switches both utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, which contributes to achieving a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Because polycarbonate is a stiffer plastic, it enhances the acoustic clarity and resonance of the switches, making them ideal for users who enjoy the brightness in their typing sound. Furthermore, the translucency of the polycarbonate top allows for effective RGB lighting to shine through, providing an aesthetically pleasing visual complement to the auditory experience. Both switches will yield similar sound qualities when it comes to the top housing, thanks to the shared use of this material, resulting in a bright and resonant audio output during key releases.
In contrast, the bottom housing materials used in the Huano Grape Orange and the Bsun Light Sakura present a notable difference. The Grape Orange utilizes a nylon bottom housing, which is known for its softer composition that absorbs sound, creating a deeper and fuller sound profile. This results in a rounder and more mellow auditory experience that contrasts sharply with the heightened sharpness provided by the polycarbonate top. Conversely, the Light Sakura features a polycarbonate bottom housing as well, which provides a similar sharpness and crisper audio profile. This discrepancy in housing materials means that while the tops will produce sound with common characteristics, the bottom-end experiences will differ significantly; the Grape Orange will yield a more subdued resonance compared to the Light Sakura's consistent bright sound.
The interaction of both housing materials plays a crucial role in the overall typing experience. With the Grape Orange switch, users can expect a harmonious blend of the soft, round sound from the nylon base and the bright tones emanating from the polycarbonate top when the key is released. In contrast, the Bsun Light Sakura offers a unified sound profile due to its dual polycarbonate construction, promoting clarity across both the bottom and top sections of the switch. Therefore, both switches cater to different aesthetic preferences and auditory experiences while highlighting how the bottom housing significantly influences the bottom-out feel and sound for each switch.
Weight
When comparing the Huano Grape Orange linear switch and the Bsun Light Sakura linear switch, both provide a relatively light typing experience, but the specifics of their actuation and bottom out forces show some differences. The Grape Orange requires an actuation force of 40 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, while the Light Sakura is slightly lighter with an actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 43 grams. Therefore, the Light Sakura switch is the lighter option overall, offering less resistance when activating the keystroke. Both switches are beneficial for prolonged typing or gaming sessions; however, users who favor a stronger push feel might find the slightly heavier Grape Orange switch more suitable. Overall, for those who prefer lighter switches for comfort during long usage, both options deliver a good experience, yet the Bsun Light Sakura stands out with an even lower actuation and bottom out force.
Travel distance
The Huano Grape Orange linear switch and the Bsun Light Sakura linear switch both feature an identical travel distance of 3.6 mm, indicating that users can expect a similar keystroke feel when pressing down on either switch. This uniformity in travel distance means that the actuation and bottoming-out experience will be virtually the same, leading to comparable typing and gaming performance. Since both switches have the same travel distance, users can choose between them based on other factors such as sound or tactile feedback, rather than differences in travel distance alone.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Huano Grape Orange has an MSRP of $3.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Grape Orange for $2.79.
The Bsun Light Sakura has an MSRP of $4.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Light Sakura for $3.49.
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 Huano Grape Orange switch tends to be relatively quiet but has a slightly more pronounced sound compared to the Bsun Light Sakura, which is specifically designed to be silent during operation. The Grape Orange’s subtle feedback can still carry through in certain environments, whereas the Light Sakura excels in settings like offices or shared spaces, where noise levels need to be minimal. Both switches, however, are influenced by factors such as the choice of keyboard and keycaps, which could affect the overall acoustics.
In terms of feel, the Grape Orange switch offers a notably light and easy actuation with its 40g actuation force, making it very forgiving and comfortable for prolonged typing sessions. On the other hand, the Light Sakura is also ultra-light, emphasizing a fatigue-reducing experience that promotes comfort, making it equally suitable for long periods of usage. While the specific tactile profile may differ, both switches cater to those who prefer a smooth and effortless keystroke, creating a satisfying typing experience.
In conclusion, both the Huano Grape Orange and the Bsun Light Sakura switches shine in their respective areas of sound and feel. The Grape Orange offers a gentle auditory feedback while the Light Sakura is designed for silence, making it perfect for quiet environments. Both switches emphasize a lightweight and comfortable typing experience, making them excellent choices for extended use. While they share certain qualities, their sound characteristics serve to distinguish them, catering to different user preferences and environments.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Huano Grape Orange linear switch and the Bsun Light Sakura linear switch ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you prioritize a light and effortless typing experience for extended sessions, the Grape Orange is an excellent choice, as it offers a very light actuation force of 40 grams, making each keystroke feel almost weightless. This switch is particularly beneficial if you enjoy a more tactile and responsive feel, allowing for fast and fluid typing. However, if you type in a shared workspace or prefer a quieter setup, the Light Sakura would be a better fit for you. With its ultra-light feel of 43 grams and silent operation, you can type comfortably without causing distractions to others around you. In summary, opt for Grape Orange for a more engaging typing experience and responsiveness, whereas the Light Sakura is perfect for maintaining a serene environment while enjoying effortless keystrokes.