TKC Kiwi vs. Bsun Olive
An in-depth look at the TKC Kiwi and the Bsun Olive switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The TKC Kiwi and Bsun Olive are both tactile mechanical keyboard switches that offer unique characteristics to enhance your typing experience. The Kiwi switch is known for its medium to medium-strong bump at the top of each key press, providing a satisfyingly snappy sound profile that immerses you in your typing. With lightly factory lubed switches, the Kiwi ensures a smooth and effortless typing experience right out of the box. On the other hand, the Bsun Olive switches stand out for their all-POM housings, delivering a resonant, deep sound that sets them apart from other switches. These switches offer a pronounced tactile feedback and a crisp bottom-out thanks to their unique design and long pole stem. While the Kiwi is categorized as 'Stepped', 'Low-pitched', 'Neutral', 'Accented', and 'Polished', the Olive is categorized as 'Accented', 'Invigorating', 'Sharp', and 'Snappy'. Choosing between the two ultimately depends on your preference for sound, tactile feedback, and typing experience. 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
43g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
UHWMPE
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
UHWMPE
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold coated spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The TKC Kiwi and Bsun Olive both offer unique housing materials for their switches, with the Kiwi utilizing UHWMPE for both its top and bottom housings while the Olive opts for POM. UHWMPE is known for its bright sound signature and resonant clacks, creating a lively typing experience. On the other hand, POM provides a deeper and more muted sound profile, offering a different auditory experience when typing on switches with such housings.
While the Kiwi and Olive have different top and bottom housing materials, they both aim to enhance the overall sound quality of the switches. The UHWMPE used in the Kiwi's top housing contributes to the resonant clacks and bright sound signature, while the POM in the Olive's top housing offers a unique and pleasing deeper sound. Similarly, the UHWMPE bottom housing of the Kiwi also contributes to its bright sound signature, while the POM bottom housing of the Olive adds to the muted sound profile.
Despite the differences in housing materials between the TKC Kiwi and Bsun Olive switches, both switches ultimately aim to provide a satisfying typing experience with unique sound profiles. Whether it's the bright and resonant clacks of the UHWMPE used in the Kiwi or the deeper and more muted sound profile of the POM in the Olive, users can expect quality sound output from these switches. Although the top and bottom housings may differ in material, the overall goal of enhancing the typing experience remains consistent across both switches.
Weight
The TKC Kiwi and the Bsun Olive tactile switches have similar actuation forces, with the Kiwi requiring 43 grams and the Olive 45 grams. Both switches have medium-heavy actuation forces, providing a good balance between typing comfort and feedback. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Kiwi requires 67 grams while the Olive needs 65 grams. This means that the Kiwi is slightly heavier to press all the way down compared to the Olive. The weight of a switch is a personal preference, as some may prefer a lighter actuation force for extended typing sessions, while others may prefer a heavier force for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, both switches offer a satisfying tactile feel with a good balance of actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The TKC Kiwi tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Bsun Olive tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. In this case, the Kiwi switch has a longer travel distance compared to the Olive switch. A longer travel distance can provide a more satisfying and deep press when typing, which may be preferred by some users. On the other hand, a shorter travel distance can result in quicker response times, which may be favored by gamers or those looking for a more responsive typing experience. Both switches offer different benefits based on their travel distance, so the choice between the two ultimately depends on individual preference for typing feel and response time.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Bsun Olive has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Olive for $4.70.
The TKC Kiwi comes in at $8.00 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 Kiwi switches offer a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, which provides a bass-heavy and mellow tone suitable for a variety of typing situations. On the other hand, the Olive switches are known for delivering a resonant and deep sound that is distinctively satisfying during use. The all-POM housings of the Olive switches contribute to this unique auditory experience, setting them apart in terms of sound quality. Ultimately, the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the Kiwi switches are described as stepped, accented, and polished, offering a smooth and refined typing experience with a medium to medium-strong bump at the top of each key press. These tactile qualities create a satisfying keystroke that strikes a balance between pronounced tactility and smooth key travel. In comparison, the Olive switches provide an invigorating, sharp, and snappy tactile feedback with a long pole stem design for a distinct bottom-out sensation. The combination of these tactile attributes in the Olive switches results in a typing experience that is immersive and reactive, making each keypress feel alive.
Overall, the TKC Kiwi and Bsun Olive tactile switches each offer unique subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Kiwi switches provide a low-pitched and neutral sound profile with a stepped, accented, and polished feel, emphasizing a balance between tactile feedback and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Olive switches deliver a resonant and deep sound with an invigorating, sharp, and snappy tactile feedback, creating an immersive typing sensation. Depending on personal preference and typing style, both switches offer distinct qualities that can enhance the typing experience for newcomers transitioning to mechanical keyboards.
Conclusion
To summarize, when choosing between the TKC Kiwi tactile switch and the Bsun Olive tactile switch, consider the following guidelines. If you are looking for a switch with a slightly higher bottom out force and a more neutral sound profile, the Kiwi switches would be a great option for you. The stepped and polished feel of the Kiwi switches also provides a smooth typing experience that many users find enjoyable. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a resonant, deep sound and a more invigorating and sharp tactile feel, the Bsun Olive switches might be the better choice for you. The accented and snappy feel of the Olive switches ensures a satisfying typing experience with each key press. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for bottom out force, sound profile, and tactile feel.
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