Bsun Light Sakura vs. Cherry MX Silent Red
An in-depth look at the Bsun Light Sakura and the Cherry MX Silent Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch for your typing needs, the Bsun Light Sakura and the Cherry MX Silent Red are both excellent options, each with its own set of unique features. The Bsun Light Sakura is renowned for its ultra-light feel, making it a top pick for those who spend long hours typing. Designed for comfort and silence, this switch excels in office environments or shared spaces where discretion is key. In contrast, the Cherry MX Silent Red offers a slightly heftier feel, similar to the classic MX Red, but with the added benefit of a muted sound profile. This switch delivers a satisfying typing experience while ensuring that noise-sensitive surroundings remain undisturbed. Both switches cater to different preferences—whether you prioritize a lightweight and fatigue-reducing experience with the Light Sakura or a more robust tactile feedback with the Silent Red, your choice will depend on your specific needs. 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
37g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
43g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
pom
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm extended spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Bsun Light Sakura and Cherry MX Silent Red switches offer contrasting experiences due to their distinct housing materials. The Light Sakura utilizes polycarbonate for both its top and bottom housings, contributing to a sharper, crisper sound profile. This stiffer plastic is known for its ability to resonate clearly, which enhances the auditory feedback experienced during typing. The translucency of polycarbonate also allows it to take advantage of RGB lighting effectively, making the Light Sakura visually appealing while ensuring a bright and clear sound signature. In essence, the polycarbonate material as a whole reflects a more vibrant typing experience, characterized by higher-pitched feedback that many users find satisfying.
In contrast, the Cherry MX Silent Red employs nylon for both its top and bottom housings. Nylon is a softer material, which leads to a deeper, fuller sound profile that absorbs more sound than its harder polycarbonate counterpart. This property results in a typographic experience that feels rounder and more muted, ideal for users desiring a quieter environment. While the sound characteristics differ significantly, the nylon housing creates a unique tactile response that some might prefer for its cushioned feel when typing. As a classic switch housing material, nylon brings its own aesthetic, but it does not lend itself to the same level of light diffusion as transparent polycarbonate.
Despite their differences, both switches can provide enjoyable typing experiences tailored to the user's preference. For those seeking clarity and a brighter auditory response, the Light Sakura proves advantageous with its polycarbonate construction, fostering a high-pitched sound upon key release. Conversely, the Cherry MX Silent Red excels in delivering a more subdued and deep sound, making it suitable for quieter office environments. When using either switch, it’s important to remember that the characteristics of the different housing materials affect the overall experience, ensuring that the type of sound and feel one prefers can be achieved through thoughtful selection based on individual typing style and acoustic preference.
Weight
The Bsun Light Sakura linear switch and the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch exhibit notable differences in their actuation force, with the Light Sakura being lighter at 37 grams compared to the 45 grams of the MX Silent Red. This lighter actuation force of the Light Sakura can be advantageous for users who prefer a more effortless typing experience, particularly during extended use at work or gaming sessions. In contrast, the heavier actuation force of the MX Silent Red may appeal to those who favor a more substantial feel when typing, providing a more tactile feedback. Regarding the bottom-out forces, the Light Sakura has a measurable bottom-out force of 43 grams, while the bottom-out force for the MX Silent Red is currently unknown. This uncertainty means we cannot draw a direct comparison for that metric. Overall, while the Light Sakura is the lighter option, the Cherry MX Silent Red offers a heavier actuation feel, emphasizing user preference in choosing between a softer or more forceful keystroke experience.
Travel distance
The Bsun Light Sakura linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm. This makes the Light Sakura the shorter of the two switches, offering a more responsive feel that some gamers may prefer for quicker response times. In contrast, the MX Silent Red, with its slightly longer travel distance, may cater to users who appreciate a more substantial keypress, providing a deeper and potentially more satisfying feedback. Therefore, if you prioritize rapid activation, the Light Sakura would be the more suitable choice, whereas the MX Silent Red may appeal to those who favor a more pronounced depth in their keystrokes. Overall, the difference in travel distance—though minimal—highlights the options available to users based on their preferences for response time versus key depth.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Bsun Light Sakura has an MSRP of $4.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Light Sakura for $3.49.
The Cherry MX Silent Red has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the MX Silent Red for $4.15.
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 Light Sakura switch is designed to be exceptionally quiet, catering to users who prioritize discretion in their typing environments. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Silent Red switch also embraces a low-noise profile but delivers a unique auditory experience characterized by muted tones, often described as thocky and low-pitched. This means that while both switches aim for silent operation, the MX Silent Red may provide a subtle richness in sound that contrasts with the nearly inaudible nature of the Light Sakura, making it potentially more satisfying for users who enjoy the acoustics of typing without excessive noise.
In terms of feel, the Light Sakura is notably ultra-light, making it suitable for those who type for extended periods, reducing finger fatigue. Conversely, the Cherry MX Silent Red offers a slightly heftier feel, still designed for comfort but potentially introducing some additional resistance that may be noticeable to the user. Additionally, the MX Silent Red is textured, creating a bit of friction that some may find enhances their typing experience, while the Light Sakura is intended for smoother and more effortless keystrokes. This can result in two distinctly different typing experiences, with the Sakura focusing on lightness and the Silent Red offering a richer tactile feedback.
In summary, while both the Bsun Light Sakura and Cherry MX Silent Red switches are tailored for quiet operation, they provide different sound and feel characteristics. The Light Sakura prioritizes a silent and ultra-light typing experience ideal for long sessions, whereas the MX Silent Red balances quieter sounds with a somewhat heftier and textured feel. Users choosing between these two switches can expect to achieve a comfortable typing experience suitable for shared spaces, though the choice ultimately comes down to personal preferences regarding sound depth and tactile feedback.
Conclusion
To conclude, when deciding between the Bsun Light Sakura linear switch and the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch, consider the specific requirements of your typing experience. If you prioritize an ultra-light feel and a focus on comfort for long typing sessions, the Light Sakura switch is an excellent choice, particularly in shared or office environments where discretion is paramount due to its notably quiet operation. Its gentle pressure allows you to type effortlessly, reducing fatigue during extended use. On the other hand, if you're seeking a balance between feedback and sound dampening, the Cherry MX Silent Red offers a slightly heftier key feel, which some users prefer for a more tactile experience while still delivering a notably muted sound profile that suits noise-sensitive settings. The Silent Red's textured characteristic can also provide a satisfying typing experience without being obtrusive. Ultimately, your decision should hinge on whether you value the Light Sakura's lightweight comfort or the slightly more tactile and textured feel of the Cherry MX Silent Red.
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