Bsun Kiki Red vs. Jwick Splash Brothers
An in-depth look at the Bsun Kiki Red and the Jwick Splash Brothers switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Bsun Kiki Red and Jwick Splash Brothers are both top contenders in the linear switch category. The Kiki Red is celebrated for its finely-tuned typing experience, offering a high-pitched, clacky nuance that is not excessively loud. With all-POM housings and smooth Ly stems, these switches provide a unique sound signature and exceptional smoothness during actuation. On the other hand, the Jwick Splash Brothers boast a shorter activation and long pole stem, resulting in a great typing feel with a creamy sound signature. While the Kiki Red leans towards subtlety in auditory feedback and finesse in performance, the Splash Brothers offer a neutral and mild typing experience with a snappy and polished 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
1.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.50 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
Extended long spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Bsun Kiki Red and the Jwick Splash Brothers offer distinctly different sound profiles and tactile experiences. The Kiki Red's POM top housing creates a deeper and more muted sound, while the Splash Brothers's polycarbonate top housing produces a sharper and crisper sound. In terms of feel, the Kiki Red's POM bottom housing contributes to a deep and pleasing sound profile, whereas the Splash Brothers's nylon bottom housing yields a fuller and rounder sound. This contrast highlights how the choice of housing material can significantly impact the overall typing experience.
Despite their differences, the housing materials of the Kiki Red and the Splash Brothers both play a crucial role in enhancing the typing experience. The use of POM in the Kiki Red's housing creates a unique sound profile that is distinct from the crisper sound produced by the polycarbonate housing of the Splash Brothers. Similarly, the nylon bottom housing of the Splash Brothers offers a different tactile feel compared to the POM bottom housing of the Kiki Red. While the sound and feel may vary between the two switches, both housing materials contribute to a satisfying typing experience in their own way.
Ultimately, the choice between the Bsun Kiki Red and the Jwick Splash Brothers comes down to personal preference in sound and feel. The POM top housing of the Kiki Red creates a different typing experience compared to the polycarbonate top housing of the Splash Brothers. Similarly, the differences between the nylon and POM bottom housings offer distinct tactile feedback to users. Whether you prefer a deeper and muted sound profile or a sharper and crisper one, both switches provide unique qualities that cater to different preferences. In the end, the housing materials of these switches play a key role in shaping the overall typing experience for users.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch and the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch, it is evident that both switches have relatively light forces. The Kiki Red has an actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, while the Splash Brothers has an actuation force of None grams and a bottom out force of 48 grams. This means that the Kiki Red is slightly lighter in terms of actuation force, but heavier in terms of bottom out force compared to the Splash Brothers. Both switches offer a lighter typing experience, which is ideal for those who type for extended periods or engage in long gaming sessions. However, for users who prefer a more substantial typing feel, they may opt for switches with heavier forces. Overall, the Kiki Red and the Splash Brothers provide similar results in terms of actuation and bottom out forces, making them both suitable options for individuals seeking a lighter typing experience.
Travel distance
The Bsun Kiki Red and Jwick Splash Brothers linear switches both offer relatively short travel distances compared to traditional switches. The Kiki Red has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Splash Brothers comes in at 3.5 mm. Both switches fall into the category of shorter travel distances, which can be advantageous for gamers looking for faster response times. However, the slight difference in travel distance may result in a slightly different feel when typing or gaming. Those who prefer a more abrupt feel may lean towards the shorter travel distance of the Splash Brothers, while those who prefer a slightly deeper press may opt for the Kiki Red. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will come down to personal preference and how each individual user prefers their key presses to feel.
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 Jwick Splash Brothers comes in at $2.49 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 Kiki Red linear switch offers a distinctive clacky sound that is characterized by a sharp and snappy tone, providing a satisfying auditory feedback that is not overly loud. On the other hand, the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch presents a more neutral sound profile, making it suitable for a wide range of users and environments. The creamy sound signature detected from the Splash Brothers adds a touch of smoothness to the typing experience, complementing its overall feel.
Moving on to the feel, the Kiki Red switch is lauded for its creamy, frictionless, and polished typing experience, offering a silky sensation with each keystroke. With a medium-light actuation force and exceptional smoothness during actuation, the Kiki Red switch provides a refined and effortless typing feel. In contrast, the Jwick Splash Brothers switch is described as mild, snappy, bouncy, subtle, and polished, providing a gentle typing experience with a touch of spring-like feedback. While both switches offer unique qualities in terms of feel, users can expect a comfortable and responsive typing experience from either option.
Overall, the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch and the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch present different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Kiki Red excels in providing a clacky sound with a medium-light weighting, accompanied by a creamy and smooth typing feel. On the other hand, the Splash Brothers offers a more neutral sound profile with a shorter activation and long pole stem for a great typing feel. Depending on personal preferences for sound and typing experience, users can choose between the Kiki Red for a nuanced auditory feedback and finesse in performance, or the Splash Brothers for a mild and bouncy typing feel with a touch of responsiveness. Ultimately, both switches provide quality options for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts seeking a tailored typing experience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when considering whether to choose the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch or the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences for typing experience. If you value a smooth and refined typing feel with a high-pitched clacky sound, the Kiki Red might be the ideal choice for you. Its medium-light weighting and all-POM housing contribute to a unique and satisfying tactile experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a more neutral sound profile and a gentle typing feel with a hint of bounce and responsiveness, the Splash Brothers could be the switch for you. Its shorter activation combined with a creamy sound signature offers a different yet equally enjoyable typing experience. Ultimately, the decision between these switches will depend on whether you prioritize subtlety in auditory feedback and finesse in performance (Kiki Red) or a moderate and approachable typing experience with a touch of snappiness and bounce (Splash Brothers). Choose wisely based on your own preferences and enjoy the typing journey ahead.
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