Bsun Kiki Red vs. Gateron Melodic
An in-depth look at the Bsun Kiki Red and the Gateron Melodic switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between the Bsun Kiki Red and the Gateron Melodic mechanical keyboard switches, you'll find yourself presented with two distinct options. The Kiki Red offers a finely-tuned typing experience with a comfortably high-pitched, clacky nuance that strikes a balance without being excessively loud. Known for its medium-light weighting and smooth actuation thanks to the Ly stems, it is a preferred choice for enthusiasts who appreciate subtlety in auditory feedback and finesse in performance. On the other hand, the Gateron Melodic from Gateron brings a fresh take on the clicky switch category by incorporating smooth factory lubing and dual-railed stems for a classic clicky sound with enhanced smoothness. While the Kiki Red leans towards a more polished and silky typing experience, the Melodic offers a buttery and invigorating feel. 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
42g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
20.4mm single-stage nickel-plated spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Bsun Kiki Red and the Gateron Melodic switches offer contrasting sound profiles due to their different material compositions. The Kiki Red features a POM top housing, which creates a deeper and more muted sound compared to the Melodic's polycarbonate top housing that produces a sharper and crisper sound. The translucency of polycarbonate also makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting, adding a visual element to the sound experience. On the other hand, the Kiki Red's POM bottom housing contributes to its deep and unique sound profile, while the Melodic's nylon bottom housing absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound when typing.
In terms of aesthetics, the housing materials of the Bsun Kiki Red and the Gateron Melodic switches offer different visual experiences. The Kiki Red's POM top and bottom housings provide a cohesive look, with a focus on creating a pleasing sound profile. In contrast, the Melodic's polycarbonate top housing allows for a clear and translucent appearance, ideal for showcasing RGB lighting effects. The nylon bottom housing of the Melodic adds a classic touch to the overall design, emphasizing functionality and sound absorption.
Despite their differences in housing materials, both the Bsun Kiki Red and the Gateron Melodic switches aim to provide a satisfying typing experience. While the Kiki Red offers a more muted and deeper sound profile with its POM housings, the Melodic delivers a sharper and crisper sound thanks to its polycarbonate and nylon housings. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will come down to personal preference in sound and aesthetics, as both offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences in mechanical keyboards.
Weight
The Bsun Kiki Red linear switch has a lighter actuation force of 42 grams compared to the Gateron Melodic clicky switch, which has an unknown actuation force. However, the bottom out force of the Kiki Red is also lighter at 50 grams, while the Melodic has a heavier bottom out force of 60 grams. The Kiki Red would be more suitable for those who prefer a lighter typing experience, making it ideal for long typing sessions or gaming. On the other hand, the Gateron Melodic would be preferred by those looking for a more substantial typing feel with a stronger push. Both switches offer different weight options to cater to varying preferences, ensuring that users can choose accordingly for their typing needs.
Travel distance
The Bsun Kiki Red linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Gateron Melodic clicky switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. This makes the Melodic switch slightly longer in travel distance compared to the Kiki Red. The difference may not be significant, but it can impact the feel and response of the switch. Gamers who prioritize faster response times may lean towards the Kiki Red with its shorter travel distance, while those who prefer a more substantial key press may prefer the Melodic switch. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of travel distance and key feel.
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 Gateron Melodic has an MSRP of $6.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Melodic for $6.00.
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 Bsun Kiki Red linear switch offers a clacky and comfortably high-pitched sound that strikes a balance between being sharp and snappy without being too loud. On the other hand, the Gateron Melodic clicky switch provides a resonant and crunchy sound profile that brings back the classic clicky switch experience with a modern twist. However, the ultimate sound produced by each switch will also depend on other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Bsun Kiki Red switch is known for its creamy, frictionless, polished, silky, snappy, and easy-to-press attributes. These qualities combine to offer users a smooth and refined typing experience with minimal resistance and effortless key presses. Conversely, the Gateron Melodic switch is described as buttery and invigorating, providing a seamless and uniform typing sensation with pronounced feedback and a reactive feel. Both switches aim to enhance the typing experience by offering unique tactile feedback and actuation forces, catering to different user preferences.
In conclusion, the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch and the Gateron Melodic clicky switch offer distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Kiki Red focuses on a balanced and subtle auditory feedback with a smooth actuation feel, the Melodic reinvents the clicky switch experience by incorporating modern advancements for a more immersive typing sensation. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for sound profile, tactile feel, and overall typing experience. However, both switches are designed to provide a premium typing experience with unique characteristics that cater to different user preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a keyboard switch that offers a finely-tuned typing experience with a comfortably high-pitched and clacky sound, along with a smooth actuation and medium-light weighting, the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch would be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a clicky switch that revitalizes the classic clicky sound while maintaining smoothness and offering a resonant and crunchy auditory experience, the Gateron Melodic clicky switch would be more up your alley. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your preference for sound, feel, and typing experience.
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