Bsun Kiki Red vs. Dareu Sky V3
An in-depth look at the Bsun Kiki Red and the Dareu Sky V3 switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Bsun Kiki Red and Dareu Sky V3 are both linear mechanical keyboard switches known for their unique characteristics. The Kiki Red stands out for its finely-tuned typing experience, featuring a comfortably high-pitched clacky nuance that is not excessively loud. With all-POM housings and Ly stems, these switches offer a smooth actuation and medium-light weighting, making them a favorite among enthusiasts who value subtlety in auditory feedback and finesse in performance. On the other hand, the Dareu Sky V3 switches are renowned for their neutral sound signature and medium-light weight, appealing to a wide range of typing preferences. They are praised for their comfort and precision, catering to both enthusiasts and professionals. While both switches have their own strengths, it ultimately comes down to personal preference in terms of sound, feel, and performance. 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
40g
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
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
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
20.4mm single-stage nickel-plated spring
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The Bsun Kiki Red and the Dareu Sky V3 both offer unique housing materials that contribute to their sound profiles. The Kiki Red features a POM top and bottom housing, creating a deeper and more muted sound profile. In comparison, the Sky V3 utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. While the POM material of the Kiki Red provides a pleasing and unique sound, the polycarbonate material of the Sky V3 offers a more clear and resonant sound, particularly ideal for those who plan to use RGB lighting due to its translucency.
On the bottom housing front, the Kiki Red's POM material continues to deliver a deep and muted sound profile, while the Sky V3's nylon bottom housing offers a fuller and rounder sound experience. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. This contrast in materials between the two switches showcases how different housing materials can impact the overall sound profile of a switch.
Overall, while the POM and nylon housing materials of the Bsun Kiki Red and Dareu Sky V3 offer distinct sound profiles, both switches provide unique and pleasing typing experiences. The difference in housing materials between the two switches showcases how the top and bottom housings play a significant role in the overall typing experience, with the bottom housing influencing the bottom-out sound and feel, and the top housing impacting the sound when releasing a key. Whether you prefer the deeper and more muted sound of the Kiki Red or the sharper and crisper sound of the Sky V3, both switches offer their own set of qualities that make them stand out in the mechanical keyboard market.
Weight
The Bsun Kiki Red linear switch has a slightly higher actuation force at 42 grams compared to the Dareu Sky V3's 40 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Kiki Red requires 50 grams while the force required for the Sky V3 is unknown. This makes the Kiki Red slightly heavier overall. Weight is an important factor to consider when choosing between the two switches. Those who prefer a lighter feel may opt for the Dareu Sky V3, as it has a lower actuation force. In contrast, individuals who enjoy a more substantial typing experience may lean towards the Bsun Kiki Red due to its higher bottom out force. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and the desired typing feel.
Travel distance
The Bsun Kiki Red linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Dareu Sky V3 linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. Therefore, the Dareu Sky V3 has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Bsun Kiki Red. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are favored by gamers for faster response times. The difference in travel distance between the two switches may not be significant, and users can expect similar results in terms of key press feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference, with the Bsun Kiki Red offering a slightly shorter travel distance and the Dareu Sky V3 providing a slightly longer one.
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 Dareu Sky V3 has an MSRP of $7.78 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sky V3 for $4.76.
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 known for its clacky sound, providing a sharp and snappy auditory experience that is described as crisp, bright, and percussive. On the other hand, the Dareu Sky V3 linear switch offers a neutral sound signature with a more subdued tone, making it suitable for various typing preferences without being too loud or quiet. The Kiki Red switch leans towards a higher-pitched, clacky nuance, while the Sky V3 switch maintains a more moderate and balanced sound profile.
When it comes to the feel of the switches, the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch offers a creamy, frictionless, polished, silky, snappy, and easy-to-press typing experience. These qualities make typing on the Kiki Red switch smooth, effortless, and responsive, with minimal resistance and a silky sensation as you glide your fingers across the keys. On the contrary, the Dareu Sky V3 linear switch provides a mild typing experience that is gentle and approachable to most users. The Sky V3 switch falls in a safe, middle-ground zone in terms of tactile feedback, catering to a wide range of typing preferences.
In conclusion, the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch and the Dareu Sky V3 linear switch offer distinct sound and feel qualities. The Kiki Red switch is characterized by its clacky sound and creamy, frictionless feel, catering to enthusiasts who appreciate a finely-tuned typing experience with subtle auditory feedback and finesse in performance. On the other hand, the Sky V3 switch boasts a neutral sound signature and a mild typing feel, making it a popular choice for users seeking a balance between comfort and precision in their typing sessions. Depending on your preference for sound and feel, both switches provide unique qualities that cater to different typing styles and preferences, ensuring a satisfying typing experience with either option.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering whether to choose the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch or the Dareu Sky V3 linear switch, it is important to take into account your preferences for typing experience. If you value a finely-tuned tactile experience with a comfortably high-pitched, clacky sound and smooth actuation, the Kiki Red may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a neutral sound profile with a medium-light weight switch that offers a more subdued typing experience, the Sky V3 could be the better option. Ultimately, your decision should be based on what type of typing feel and sound signature you desire in your mechanical keyboard switches.
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