KTT Grapefruit vs. Bsun Kiki Red
An in-depth look at the KTT Grapefruit and the Bsun Kiki Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the KTT Grapefruit linear switch to the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch, it becomes apparent that each offers a unique typing experience. The Grapefruit is known for its soft and light feel, coupled with a "baritone" sound profile that remains deep without being overpowering. In contrast, the Kiki Red provides a finely-tuned typing experience with a comfortably high-pitched, clacky nuance that remains smooth during actuation. The Grapefruit is characterized as 'Low-pitched', 'Neutral', and 'Polished', while the Kiki Red is categorized as 'Clacky', 'Creamy', 'Frictionless', 'Polished', 'Silky', 'Snappy', and 'Easy-to-press'. Depending on your preference for sound profile and typing feel, you may lean towards the Grapefruit or the Kiki Red; 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
42g
Bottom-out force
53g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 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
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
20.4mm single-stage nickel-plated spring
Housing materials
The KTT Grapefruit's housing materials create a sharp, high-pitched sound profile due to its polycarbonate top housing. Its nylon bottom housing adds a deeper and fuller sound, making typing on the switches a unique experience. In contrast, the Bsun Kiki Red's POM top and bottom housings contribute to a deeper and more muted sound profile. While both switches offer unique sound profiles, the Grapefruit focuses on creating a crisper sound with its polycarbonate top housing, while the Kiki Red prioritizes a deeper and more pleasing sound with its POM material.
In terms of aesthetics, the Grapefruit's polycarbonate top housing allows for RGB lighting to shine through, making it a visually appealing option for those interested in customizable lighting effects. On the other hand, the Kiki Red's POM top housing does not offer this feature but provides a more unique sound experience with its deeper sound profile. Both switches have their strengths in different areas, offering users a choice between a visually striking switch with the Grapefruit or a more acoustically pleasing option with the Kiki Red. Additionally, both switches utilize softer plastics in their bottom housings, with the Grapefruit using nylon and the Kiki Red using POM, resulting in a duller and rounder sound compared to the sharper top housing materials.
While the housing materials of the KTT Grapefruit and Bsun Kiki Red differ in terms of their composition and resulting sound profiles, both switches offer a unique typing experience with their combination of top and bottom housing materials. The polycarbonate top housing of the Grapefruit creates a sharper sound profile, while the POM material of the Kiki Red produces a deeper and more muted sound. Despite these differences, both switches aim to provide users with a pleasing typing experience, with the bottom housing impacting the bottom-out sound and feel, and the top housing affecting the sound when releasing a key. Ultimately, whether you prefer a crisper sound with RGB lighting capabilities or a deeper, more muted sound, both the Grapefruit and Kiki Red have distinct qualities to suit your preferences.
Weight
The actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Grapefruit linear switch and the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch both play a significant role in the typing experience. The KTT Grapefruit has a slightly heavier actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Kiki Red's 42 grams, making it slightly more resistant to accidental keystrokes. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Grapefruit requires 53 grams to fully press down, while the Kiki Red only needs 50 grams. This difference means that the Grapefruit offers a bit more resistance when fully pressing a key, providing a more substantial typing experience. In terms of weight, the Kiki Red is lighter overall, making it ideal for longer typing sessions or extended gaming, whereas the Grapefruit is slightly heavier and may appeal to those who prefer a stronger push feel. Ultimately, both switches offer unique typing experiences based on their actuation and bottom out forces, allowing users to choose based on their personal preferences.
Travel distance
The KTT Grapefruit linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm. In this case, the KTT Grapefruit has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Kiki Red. Both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with the Grapefruit being on the longer side and the Kiki Red being on the shorter side. Gamers may prefer the Kiki Red for its faster response time due to the shorter travel distance, while those who prefer a more substantial keypress experience may lean towards the Grapefruit. Overall, the choice between the two switches will ultimately depend on personal preference and the specific typing or gaming experience one is looking for.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Bsun Kiki Red has an MSRP of $4.70 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Kiki Red for $3.83.
The KTT Grapefruit comes in at $3.41 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
When it comes to sound, the KTT Grapefruit linear switch offers a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, providing a bass-heavy and mellow tone that is suitable for various typing environments. In contrast, the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch is known for its clacky sound, which is sharp, snappy, and percussive, creating a vibrant auditory feedback that is enjoyable for those who appreciate a lively typing experience. Both switches offer distinct sound characteristics that cater to different preferences, with the Grapefruit providing a deep, mellow tone and the Kiki Red offering a crisp, bright sound.
In terms of feel, the KTT Grapefruit linear switch is described as polished, indicating a smooth and refined typing experience with reduced friction and sleek key travel. On the other hand, the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch is praised for its creamy and frictionless feel, offering a smooth and buttery typing sensation that minimizes resistance and enhances the overall smoothness of each keystroke. Additionally, the Kiki Red switch is noted for its snappy and easy-to-press attributes, providing a responsive and low-impact typing feel that is comfortable for extended use. While both switches offer a polished typing experience, the Grapefruit focuses on smooth key travel, while the Kiki Red emphasizes a silky and effortless typing feel.
Overall, the KTT Grapefruit and Bsun Kiki Red linear switches each bring unique qualities to the table, catering to different preferences in terms of sound and feel. The Grapefruit showcases a soft and light feel with a low-pitched sound profile, while the Kiki Red offers a finely-tuned typing experience with a high-pitched, clacky sound. Depending on whether you prefer a mellow, bass-heavy tone or a sharp, clacky sound, you can choose the switch that best suits your typing style and preferences. Both switches provide a polished typing experience, with the Grapefruit focusing on smooth key travel and the Kiki Red emphasizing a creamy and frictionless feel. Ultimately, the decision between these switches will come down to personal preference and the type of typing experience you are looking to achieve.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the KTT Grapefruit linear switch and the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch, consider your preferences for bottom out force, sound profile, and typing feel. If you prefer a slightly medium-light bottom out force, a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, and a polished typing experience, the Grapefruit switch may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you favor a lighter bottom out force, a clacky sound profile, and a creamy, frictionless, and silky typing feel, the Kiki Red switch could be more suited to your preferences. Ultimately, the decision between these switches will depend on your personal typing style and the specific characteristics you prioritize in a mechanical keyboard switch.