Bsun Kiki Red vs. Gateron Smoothie Silver
An in-depth look at the Bsun Kiki Red and the Gateron Smoothie Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Bsun Kiki Red and Gateron Smoothie Silver both belong to the linear switch category, offering different features to meet the needs of mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. The Kiki Red is praised for its finely-tuned typing experience, providing a comfortably high-pitched, clacky nuance without being overly loud. With all-POM housings and smooth Ly stems, these switches offer exceptional smoothness during actuation and a medium-light weighting for a subtle tactile experience. On the other hand, the Smoothie Silver stands out for its short travel distance, thocky sound, unparalleled smoothness, and feather-light touch. While the Kiki Red focuses on subtlety in auditory feedback and finesse in performance, the Smoothie Silver prioritizes lightning-fast actuation and a light touch. 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
N/A
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
1.20 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.40 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
POM
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
20.4mm single-stage nickel-plated spring
Spring
22mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Bsun Kiki Red and the Gateron Smoothie Silver both use POM for both the top and bottom housings, creating an incredibly pleasing and unique sound with a deeper profile that is relatively more muted. This means that in terms of sound and feel, users can expect a similar experience from both switches due to the shared housing material. The POM material used in both switches is known for its durability and smoothness, providing a high-quality typing experience.
However, despite the similarities in housing material, there may be slight variations in the overall feel and sound between the Bsun Kiki Red and the Gateron Smoothie Silver due to differences in manufacturing processes or design choices. For example, the thickness or shape of the housing components could impact the acoustics and tactility of the switch. Additionally, the design of the top and bottom housing could affect the overall typing experience, with one switch potentially offering a slightly different feel or sound compared to the other.
Overall, when comparing the housing materials of the Bsun Kiki Red and the Gateron Smoothie Silver, it is evident that both switches prioritize creating a pleasant typing experience with a focus on sound quality and tactile feedback. The use of POM as a housing material speaks to the attention to detail and craftsmanship put into designing these switches, ensuring that users can enjoy a satisfying and consistent typing experience. Whether you choose the Bsun Kiki Red or the Gateron Smoothie Silver, you can expect a high level of performance and quality in terms of housing material and overall switch design.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch, it is evident that the Kiki Red is the lighter option. The Kiki Red has an actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, which is relatively low compared to the Smoothie Silver, which has an actuation force of 45 grams and an unknown bottom out force. The actuation force of the Smoothie Silver is slightly higher than that of the Kiki Red, but without knowledge of the bottom out force, it is difficult to determine which switch requires a stronger push for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the Kiki Red would be more suitable for those who prefer a lighter feel for extended typing sessions, while the Smoothie Silver may appeal to those who desire a slightly heavier actuation force for a more pronounced typing experience.
Travel distance
The Bsun Kiki Red linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are increasingly popular, especially among gamers looking for quicker response times. The Kiki Red offers slightly more depth with its longer travel distance, but the Smoothie Silver is not far behind. Ultimately, both switches provide similar results in terms of travel distance, making them both viable options for those seeking a more responsive keyboard experience.
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 Gateron Smoothie Silver has an MSRP of $3.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Smoothie Silver for $2.60.
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
The Bsun Kiki Red switch is highly praised for its distinctive high-pitched and clacky sound profile, offering a satisfying auditory experience without being overly loud. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie Silver switch is known for producing a thocky sound, ensuring a unique typing sound with every keystroke. Depending on personal preference, the Kiki Red switch may appeal to those who enjoy a crisp and bright sound, while the Smoothie Silver switch could cater to individuals looking for a smoother and more subdued typing noise.
When it comes to the feel of the switches, the Bsun Kiki Red is lauded for its creamy, frictionless, polished, silky, snappy, and easy-to-press attributes, providing users with a buttery smooth typing experience that minimizes resistance and enhances overall comfort during extended typing sessions. In contrast, the Gateron Smoothie Silver's feel characteristics are not specified but are likely to offer a quick and effortless typing experience due to its short travel distance and feather-light touch. Both switches are designed to offer a pleasant tactile feedback that suits the preferences of different users.
In conclusion, the Bsun Kiki Red and Gateron Smoothie Silver switches each have their unique sound and feel qualities that cater to different preferences in mechanical keyboard switches. While the Kiki Red stands out for its clacky sound and creamy, frictionless feel, the Smoothie Silver excels in its thocky sound and likely effortless typing experience. Depending on whether you prefer a sharper sound with subtlety in tactile feedback or a smoother sound with quick actuation, both switches provide an enjoyable typing experience for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. Ultimately, selecting between the two switches will come down to personal preference and desired typing experience.
Conclusion
Therefore, when choosing between the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch, consider the type of typing experience you prefer. If you value a balanced, high-pitched, clacky sound with medium-light weighting and smooth actuation, the Kiki Red may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer lightning-fast actuation with thocky sound and a feather-light touch, the Smoothie Silver could be more suitable. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preference for auditory feedback, tactile feel, and typing style. Remember to test out both switches if possible to determine which one aligns best with your preferences.
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