Bsun Kiki Red vs. Outemu Silent Yellow
An in-depth look at the Bsun Kiki Red and the Outemu Silent Yellow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Bsun Kiki Red and the Outemu Silent Yellow are both linear mechanical keyboard switches, but they offer distinct features that cater to different preferences. The Kiki Reds from Bsun are celebrated for their finely-tuned typing experience, delivering a comfortably high-pitched and clacky nuance without being overly loud. With all-POM housings and Ly stems, these switches provide a unique sound signature and exceptional smoothness during actuation, ideal for enthusiasts who value subtlety in auditory feedback and finesse in performance. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Yellow switches are designed for quiet operation, lacking any specific standout features but offering a smooth and silent typing experience. While the Kiki Reds excel in providing a tactile and nuanced typing experience, the Silent Yellows prioritize quietness and smoothness. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these 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
60g
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
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
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
20.4mm single-stage nickel-plated spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Bsun Kiki Red and the Outemu Silent Yellow switches are quite different. The Kiki Red features a POM top and bottom housing, which creates a deeper and more muted sound profile. On the other hand, the Silent Yellow switch has a polycarbonate top housing and a nylon bottom housing. The polycarbonate top housing of the Silent Yellow switch creates a sharper, higher-pitched sound, while the nylon bottom housing produces a deeper and fuller sound profile. This results in distinct sound characteristics for each switch, catering to different preferences.
Despite their differences, both the Kiki Red and the Silent Yellow switches offer unique sound profiles that cater to different preferences. The POM top housing of the Kiki Red provides a pleasing and unique sound that is on the deeper side, while the polycarbonate top housing of the Silent Yellow switch creates a sharper and crisper sound profile. Both materials offer their own advantages, with POM being known for its sound dampening properties and polycarbonate for its clarity and resonance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on the sound profile that the user prefers.
In terms of aesthetics, the choice between the Bsun Kiki Red and the Outemu Silent Yellow switches can also be influenced by the housing materials used. The clear polycarbonate top housing of the Silent Yellow switch is especially useful for those who plan to use RGB lighting, as the translucency allows for vibrant lighting effects. On the other hand, the opaque POM top housing of the Kiki Red switch offers a more understated look. Both switches offer a unique visual appeal that complements their respective sound profiles, providing users with options to customize their mechanical keyboards to their liking.
Weight
The Bsun Kiki Red linear switch has a lighter actuation force and bottom out force compared to the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch. The Kiki Red requires 42 grams of force to actuate and 50 grams to bottom out, while the Silent Yellow needs 65 grams to actuate and 80 grams to bottom out. This means that the Kiki Red would be more suitable for those who prefer a lighter typing experience, allowing for longer typing sessions without fatigue. On the other hand, the Silent Yellow would be better suited for those who prefer a heavier feel, providing a more substantial typing experience. Overall, the choice between the two switches would depend on individual preferences for typing feel and force requirements.
Travel distance
The Bsun Kiki Red linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, which is shorter than the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch with a distance of 4 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, indicating that they are suitable for those looking for a quicker response time while typing or gaming. Gamers may prefer the Bsun Kiki Red for its slightly shorter travel distance, allowing for faster key presses and actions. On the other hand, individuals who enjoy a more substantial key press may find the Outemu Silent Yellow more to their liking with its longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for key press depth and response time.
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 Outemu Silent Yellow comes in at $3.10 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
In terms of sound, the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch is characterized by a clacky sound, providing a sharp and snappy auditory feedback that is described as crisp, bright, and percussive. On the other hand, information regarding the sound of the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch is not available. It's important to note that the sound produced by a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard's construction and the keycaps being used.
When it comes to feel, the Bsun Kiki Red switch offers a creamy typing experience, characterized by a smooth and buttery sensation that allows for effortless keystrokes. The switch is described as frictionless, polished, silky, snappy, and easy-to-press, providing a refined and responsive typing feel that minimizes resistance and enhances overall typing comfort. Comparatively, details regarding the feel of the Outemu Silent Yellow switch are unknown.
Considering the available information, the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch stands out for its finely-tuned typing experience with a high-pitched, clacky sound profile and a smooth, creamy feel during actuation. The use of POM housings and Ly stems contribute to the switch's unique characteristics, making it a preferred choice for enthusiasts who value subtlety in auditory feedback and finesse in performance. While information on the Outemu Silent Yellow switch is limited, if seeking a similar typing experience to the Kiki Red, one might expect comparable results in terms of sound and feel from other linear switches designed for quiet operation. Ultimately, choosing between these switches would depend on personal preference for sound, feel, and overall typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch, you should consider your preference for typing experience and sound. If you value a light actuation force, a clacky and medium-light feel with all-POM housing for a unique sound signature, then the Kiki Red switch is the way to go. On the other hand, if you prefer a heavier bottom out force and are looking for a quieter typing experience, the Silent Yellow switch might be more suitable for you. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will depend on your personal preferences for typing feel and sound profile.
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