Bsun Kiki Red vs. Cherry MX Red
An in-depth look at the Bsun Kiki Red and the Cherry MX Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between the Bsun Kiki Red and the Cherry MX Red mechanical keyboard switches, both linear switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences. The Kiki Red from BSUN is praised for its finely-tuned typing experience, providing a high-pitched and clacky nuance without being overly loud. With all-POM housings and smooth Ly stems, these switches offer a smooth actuation and medium-light weighting that appeals to enthusiasts seeking subtlety in auditory feedback and finesse in performance. On the other hand, the MX Red by Cherry is a classic switch known for its slightly heftier feel and deeper sound profile, delivering a robust typing experience with responsiveness and satisfying auditory depth. While the Kiki Red is described as 'clacky', 'creamy', and 'silky', the MX Red is categorized as 'thocky', 'low-pitched', and 'textured'. Ultimately, choosing between these switches will depend on your personal preferences, but 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
45g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
N/A
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
Nylon
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 Bsun Kiki Red and the Cherry MX Red both have unique housing materials that contribute to their sound profiles. The Kiki Red's POM top and bottom housing are known for creating a pleasing and deep sound that is relatively muted. On the other hand, the MX Red's nylon top and bottom housing elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the softer nature of nylon which absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Despite these differences, both switches offer a unique typing experience with their respective housing materials.
One key difference between the two switches is the material used for their top and bottom housings. The Kiki Red uses POM for both its top and bottom housing, while the MX Red uses nylon for both. This difference may result in a slightly varied sound profile, with the Kiki Red potentially having a deeper and more muted sound compared to the MX Red. However, both switches are designed to provide a satisfying typing experience with their unique housing materials, showcasing the variety of options available to keyboard enthusiasts.
Overall, the choice between the Bsun Kiki Red and the Cherry MX Red ultimately comes down to personal preference. While the Kiki Red may offer a deeper and more muted sound profile with its POM housing, the MX Red's nylon housing provides a fuller and rounder sound. Both switches are designed to offer a satisfying typing experience, showcasing the impact that housing materials can have on the overall sound and feel of a mechanical keyboard. Whether you prefer the unique sound profile of POM or the classic feel of nylon, both switches are sure to provide a satisfying typing experience for keyboard enthusiasts.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch and the Cherry MX Red linear switch, there are some differences to consider. The Kiki Red has a lighter actuation force of 42 grams compared to the MX Red's 45 grams, making it slightly easier to trigger a keystroke. In terms of bottom out force, the Kiki Red requires 50 grams, while the MX Red's force is unknown. Both switches offer a relatively light experience, which is preferred by those who enjoy typing for extended periods or engaging in long gaming sessions. However, those who prefer a stronger push feel may lean towards the Kiki Red for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and the desired typing experience.
Travel distance
The Bsun Kiki Red linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, which is shorter than the Cherry MX Red linear switch with a travel distance of 4 mm. The Kiki Red offers a quicker response time due to its shorter travel distance, making it a popular choice among gamers. On the other hand, the MX Red provides a bit more depth in key press, which some users may prefer for a more tactile typing experience. Both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with the Kiki Red being slightly shorter than the MX Red. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference for response time versus key press depth.
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 Cherry MX Red has an MSRP of $5.90 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the MX Red for $4.00.
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
In terms of sound, the Bsun Kiki Red switch offers a clacky and comfortably high-pitched sound that provides a crisp and bright auditory feedback when pressed. In contrast, the Cherry MX Red switch is known for its thocky and low-pitched sound profile, offering a deeper and more satisfying auditory experience. While both switches provide a linear typing experience, the Kiki Red switch leans towards a sharper and more nuanced sound, while the MX Red switch offers a robust and deeper sound profile. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for sound characteristics.
Moving on to feel, the Bsun Kiki Red switch is described as creamy, polished, and silky, offering a smooth and frictionless typing experience with a medium-light weighting for effortless actuation. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Red switch is noted for its slightly textured feel, providing a different tactile sensation with noticeable friction during key presses. Both switches offer a responsive typing experience, but the Kiki Red leans towards a smoother and more polished feel, while the MX Red switch provides a bit more texture for tactile feedback. Users who value a silky and frictionless typing experience may prefer the Kiki Red switch, while those who enjoy a subtle texture may opt for the Cherry MX Red switch.
Overall, the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch and the Cherry MX Red linear switch offer contrasting subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Kiki Red switch provides a clacky and nuanced sound with a creamy and silky typing feel, ideal for those who appreciate subtlety in auditory feedback and finesse in performance. In comparison, the MX Red switch offers a deeper and more thocky sound profile with a slightly textured feel, catering to users who prefer a robust and slightly heftier typing experience. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will come down to personal preference for sound and feel, as both switches offer a satisfying linear typing experience with their own unique characteristics.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch and the Cherry MX Red linear switch, consider your preferences for typing experience and sound profile. If you value a softer and lighter touch with a high-pitched, clacky sound, the Kiki Red may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly heftier feel with a deeper, thocky sound, the Cherry MX Red could be more suitable. Both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences, so ultimately, it's important to test them out and see which one aligns better with your typing style and sound preference.
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