Bsun Kiki Red vs. TTC Silent Red
An in-depth look at the Bsun Kiki Red and the TTC Silent Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Bsun Kiki Red and TTC Silent Red are two popular options that cater to different preferences. The Kiki Red is praised for its finely-tuned typing experience, offering a high-pitched, clacky nuance without being overly loud. With all-POM housings and smooth Ly stems, these switches provide a smooth actuation and medium-light weighting for a tactile experience favored by enthusiasts who value subtlety and finesse. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Red is known for its smooth and noiseless typing experience, making it ideal for office or shared living spaces. The switch boasts a consistent feel from top to bottom, with a padded bottom-out feel for added comfort. While the Kiki Red provides a clacky and polished typing experience, the Silent Red offers a buttery and muted 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
45g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.70 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 TTC Silent Red switches offer distinct sound profiles and characteristics. The Kiki Red features a POM top and bottom housing, creating a deep and muted sound profile. In contrast, the Silent Red utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. The use of POM in the Kiki Red's housing offers a unique sound experience, while the polycarbonate in the Silent Red provides a clearer and resonant sound, especially when paired with RGB lighting due to its translucency.
The difference in the housing materials of the Kiki Red and Silent Red extends to their bottom housings as well. The Kiki Red's POM bottom housing contributes to its deep and muted sound profile, enhancing the typing experience. On the other hand, the Silent Red's nylon bottom housing delivers a fuller, deeper sound due to its softer nature, absorbing more sound and creating a duller and rounder sound. Each housing material brings its own unique qualities to the switches, offering users a variety of sound profiles to choose from based on their preferences.
Overall, while the housing materials of the Bsun Kiki Red and TTC Silent Red switches differ in terms of their sound profiles and characteristics, they both provide a high-quality typing experience. Whether it's the POM top and bottom housing of the Kiki Red offering a pleasing sound or the polycarbonate and nylon housing of the Silent Red delivering a sharper and fuller sound, users can expect reliable and enjoyable performance from these switches. Ultimately, the choice between the two will come down to personal preference regarding sound profile and typing feel.
Weight
When comparing the actuation and bottom out forces of the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch and the TTC Silent Red linear switch, we find that the Kiki Red is lighter overall. The Kiki Red has an actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, while the Silent Red has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 63.5 grams. The Kiki Red offers a lighter typing experience with a lower actuation and bottom out force, making it more suitable for those who prefer a lighter touch. On the other hand, the Silent Red provides a medium to heavy typing experience with a higher bottom out force, ideal for users who prefer a stronger push feel. Both switches offer a smooth linear feel, but the differences in actuation and bottom out forces cater to different preferences, ensuring that users can find a switch that suits their typing style and needs.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch is 3.6 mm, while the TTC Silent Red linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm. In this case, the Silent Red has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Kiki Red. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are popular among gamers for their faster response times. However, individuals may have preferences for either a shorter or longer travel distance based on personal preference. For those who prefer a more responsive feel, the Kiki Red may be the better option, while the Silent Red may be more suitable for those who prefer a slightly deeper key press. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for travel distance.
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 TTC Silent Red has an MSRP of $5.28 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Red for $4.38.
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 switch offers a clacky typing experience with a sharp and snappy sound, providing a crisp and percussive feedback. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Red switch produces a muted sound, significantly quieter than the Kiki Red, making it ideal for environments where noise is a concern. Both switches offer different auditory feedback, so choosing between them would depend on personal preference and the surrounding environment.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Bsun Kiki Red switch provides a creamy, frictionless, and polished typing experience, with a silky smooth sensation and a snappy responsiveness. This results in a typing feel that is both fluid and refined, enhancing the overall typing experience. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Red switch offers a buttery and polished typing experience, with a mild and gentle feel that appeals to a broader range of users seeking a comfortable and smooth typing sensation. Both switches provide a different tactile feedback, catering to different preferences in typing feel.
In conclusion, the Bsun Kiki Red and TTC Silent Red switches offer distinct sound and feel qualities, with the Kiki Red providing a louder and more tactile typing experience compared to the Silent Red's quieter and smoother feel. Depending on whether you prioritize auditory feedback or typing comfort, you can choose between these switches to suit your preferences. Ultimately, both switches offer high-quality performance and a satisfying typing experience, ensuring that you'll get excellent results regardless of your choice.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when deciding between the BSUN Kiki Red linear switch and the TTC Silent Red linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your preferences in typing experience. If you value a clacky sound profile and a creamy, frictionless feel, then the Kiki Red may be the switch for you. It offers a light actuation force and a unique typing experience for enthusiasts who appreciate subtlety in feedback and finesse in performance. On the other hand, if you prefer a muted sound profile and a buttery, polished feel, the Silent Red might be more suitable. With a medium-heavy actuation force, these switches are ideal for those seeking a smooth and seamless typing experience without the noise. Ultimately, consider your priorities in sound and feel when choosing between these two switches to ensure a satisfying typing experience tailored to your preferences.
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