Bsun Kiki Red vs. Outemu Cold Plum

Overview

When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Bsun Kiki Red and Outemu Cold Plum both offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences. The Kiki Red is praised for its finely-tuned typing experience, featuring a high-pitched and clacky nuance that is not overly loud. With all-POM housings and smooth actuation facilitated by Ly stems, these switches provide a subtle auditory feedback and smooth performance, making them ideal for enthusiasts who value finesse in their typing experience. On the other hand, the Outemu Cold Plum switches boast a thocky sound profile and fully nylon construction, delivering a distinct and enjoyable typing feel for users seeking a different tactile sensation. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Bsun Kiki Red Linear

Outemu Cold Plum Linear

$4.70

$3.83 per 10

$3.10 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the Bsun Kiki Red and the Outemu Cold Plum, both switches use different materials for their top and bottom housings. The Kiki Red features a POM top housing, which creates a pleasing and unique sound with a deeper and more muted profile. In contrast, the Cold Plum utilizes a nylon top housing, known for producing a deeper and fuller sound due to its softer plastic composition that absorbs more sound. While both materials result in a deeper sound profile, the Kiki Red's POM top housing may offer a slightly different sound experience compared to the Cold Plum's nylon top housing.

Moving on to the bottom housing materials, the Kiki Red employs a POM bottom housing that also contributes to the switch's pleasing and unique sound with a deeper tone. On the other hand, the Cold Plum utilizes a nylon bottom housing, which shares similar characteristics as its top housing in producing a deeper and fuller sound profile. Despite the differences in materials, both bottom housings aim to enhance the overall typing experience by creating a duller and rounder sound. Overall, while the Kiki Red and Cold Plum may use different materials for their top and bottom housings, they both strive to provide a satisfying auditory and tactile experience for users.

In terms of functionality, the top and bottom housings play different roles in influencing the sound and feel of a switch. The bottom housing has a more significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when a key is pressed, while the top housing influences the sound when a key is released. This means that users may notice subtle variations in sound and feel between the two switches based on the materials used for their top and bottom housings. However, despite these differences, both the Bsun Kiki Red and the Outemu Cold Plum ultimately aim to enhance the typing experience through their unique housing materials, whether it be POM or nylon, to provide users with a satisfying and enjoyable typing experience.

Weight

The Bsun Kiki Red linear switch and the Outemu Cold Plum linear switch have significant differences in terms of actuation force and bottom out force. The Kiki Red has a lighter actuation force of 42 grams compared to the Cold Plum's heavier actuation force of 60 grams. Similarly, the Kiki Red has a lighter bottom out force of 50 grams, while the Cold Plum has a medium-heavy bottom out force of 70 grams. This means that the Kiki Red is ideal for those who prefer a lighter typing experience for extended periods, while the Cold Plum offers a more substantial and tactile typing feel. Both switches offer different options that cater to users' preferences for either a lighter or heavier typing force. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual typing preferences and desired typing experience for various uses such as work or gaming.

Travel distance

The Bsun Kiki Red linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Outemu Cold Plum linear switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm. In this case, the Kiki Red switch has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Cold Plum switch. The difference may not be significant, but it could impact the feel of typing or gaming on the keyboard. If you prefer a switch with a shorter travel distance for faster response times, the Cold Plum switch might be more suitable. However, if you enjoy a switch with a bit more depth to the keypress, the Kiki Red switch may be the better option. Ultimately, both switches offer a similar experience due to their relatively close travel distances, so you can expect comparable results when using either one.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch is known for its clacky sound profile, providing a sharp and snappy auditory feedback when typing. This sound is described as crisp, bright, and percussive, offering a balanced typing experience that is not overly loud. On the other hand, the Outemu Cold Plum switch has a thocky sound profile, which may have a deeper and more solid tone compared to the Kiki Red. The sound produced by both switches can be influenced by the keyboard board and keycaps used.

When it comes to the feel of the switches, the Bsun Kiki Red is praised for its creamy and frictionless typing experience. These switches are designed to offer a smooth and buttery feel, allowing for effortless keystrokes with minimal resistance. This smoothness is further enhanced by the polished finish of the switches, providing a sleek and refined typing experience. The easy-to-press nature of the Kiki Red switch also contributes to a comfortable and responsive typing feel. While the specific feel of the Outemu Cold Plum switch is not described in the available information, it is likely that they offer a smooth and satisfying keystroke similar to the Kiki Red due to their nylon construction.

In conclusion, the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch stands out for its clacky sound profile and creamy, frictionless feel, making it a preferred choice for enthusiasts who appreciate subtlety in auditory feedback and finesse in performance. On the other hand, the Outemu Cold Plum switch offers a unique thocky sound profile and smooth keystroke, providing a distinct and enjoyable typing experience. Both switches offer quality performance, and while their sound and feel may differ slightly, users can expect similar satisfying results from either option based on their individual preferences.

Conclusion

To sum up, when deciding between the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch and the Outemu Cold Plum linear switch, consider the following factors. If you prioritize a light bottom-out force and enjoy a subtle, high-pitched, clacky sound with smooth actuation, the Bsun Kiki Red may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy bottom-out force and value a thocky sound profile with a smooth keystroke, the Outemu Cold Plum could be more suitable for your preferences. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for sound, feel, and typing experience.

Mentioned in this article

Bsun Kiki Red Linear

$4.70

$3.83 per 10

Learn more

Outemu Cold Plum Linear

$3.10 per 10

Learn more