Bsun Kiki Red vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue
An in-depth look at the Bsun Kiki Red and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the BSUN Kiki Red and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue are both popular choices, each offering unique features and benefits. The Kiki Red is praised for its finely-tuned typing experience, with a high-pitched, clacky nuance that is not overly loud. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue is known for its deep and thocky sound profile, providing a satisfying typing experience. While the Kiki Red is favored for its medium-light weighting and smooth actuation, the Tourmaline Blue stands out for its bouncy feel and standard spring weight. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on personal preferences and typing style; 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
59g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
67g
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
Standard
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
20.4mm single-stage nickel-plated spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Bsun Kiki Red and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue, it is evident that the Kiki Red uses POM for both the top and bottom housings, resulting in a deeper and more muted sound profile. In contrast, the Tourmaline Blue utilizes polycarbonate for both the top and bottom housings, creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The use of polycarbonate in both housings allows for a consistent sound experience throughout the switch, emphasizing clarity and resonance. While the Kiki Red's POM housings offer a unique and pleasing sound, the Tourmaline Blue's polycarbonate housings provide a more modern and dynamic sound profile.
However, if we consider the impact of having different housing materials for the top and bottom of a switch, we can see that the qualities of each material are split between the two parts. In this case, the Kiki Red's POM top housing will influence the sound when a key is released, while the POM bottom housing will have more of an impact on the bottom-out sound and feel. Similarly, the Tourmaline Blue's polycarbonate top housing will affect the sound when a key is released, while the polycarbonate bottom housing will influence the bottom-out sound and feel. This distribution of qualities between the top and bottom housings allows for a more nuanced and varied typing experience.
Overall, while the Bsun Kiki Red and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue differ in their housing materials, both switches offer unique sound profiles that cater to different preferences. The Kiki Red's POM housings provide a deeper and more muted sound, while the Tourmaline Blue's polycarbonate housings deliver a sharper and crisper sound. Whether you prefer a more classic and pleasing sound like the Kiki Red or a modern and dynamic sound like the Tourmaline Blue, both switches offer distinct typing experiences that can enhance your overall enjoyment and satisfaction with your keyboard.
Weight
The Bsun Kiki Red linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch have noticeable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Kiki Red is notably lighter, with an actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams. In contrast, the Tourmaline Blue is heavier, with an actuation force of 59 grams and a bottom out force of 67 grams. This means that the Kiki Red offers a lighter typing experience, making it ideal for long typing sessions or gaming, while the Tourmaline Blue provides a more substantial push feel. Both switches offer a different tactile experience that caters to individual preferences. Ultimately, choosing between the two will depend on whether one prefers a lighter or heavier actuation and bottom out force for their typing needs.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch is 3.6 mm, while the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. Both switches fall within the range of traditional switch travel distances, with the Tourmaline Blue being slightly longer than the Kiki Red. Gamers who prioritize faster response times may prefer the shorter travel distance of the Kiki Red, while those who enjoy a more substantial key press may lean towards the Tourmaline Blue. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for key feel and responsiveness.
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 Everglide Tourmaline Blue has an MSRP of $6.86 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Tourmaline Blue for $3.89.
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 linear switch offers a high-pitched, clacky nuance that provides a satisfying auditory feedback without being too loud. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch delivers a deep and thocky sound profile that immerses the user in a pleasant typing experience. The Kiki Red is more on the sharp and snappy side, while the Tourmaline Blue leans towards a neutral sound profile that is suitable for a wide range of users.
In terms of feel, the Bsun Kiki Red switch is known for its creamy, frictionless, and polished typing experience. This results in smooth and effortless keystrokes with minimal resistance, offering a fluid and refined typing feel. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switch provides a buttery and easy-to-press sensation, requiring minimal force to activate the keys. This gives a seamless and gentle typing experience that is approachable to most users.
Overall, both the Bsun Kiki Red and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches offer unique sound and feel qualities that cater to different preferences. While the Kiki Red excels in providing a clacky and smooth typing experience preferred by enthusiasts who appreciate subtlety in auditory feedback, the Tourmaline Blue offers a deep and thocky sound profile with a bouncy and easy-to-press feel that appeals to a wide range of users. Depending on your personal preferences and typing style, you can achieve a similar level of satisfaction with either switch.
Conclusion
In summary, if you are looking for a finely-tuned typing experience with a comfortably high-pitched and clacky sound profile, along with a smooth actuation and medium-light weighting, the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch is the way to go. On the other hand, if you prefer a deep and thocky sound profile with a bouncy feel and standard spring weight, then the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch would be the better choice for you. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your preference for sound, feel, and typing experience when choosing between these two switches.
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