Bsun Light Sakura vs. Outemu Silent Ocean
An in-depth look at the Bsun Light Sakura and the Outemu Silent Ocean switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to selecting the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, the Bsun Light Sakura and the Outemu Silent Ocean present two compelling yet distinct options, both classified as linear switches. The Bsun Light Sakura is celebrated for its ultra-light touch and quiet operation, making it an excellent choice for long typing sessions in shared workspaces where discretion is key. Its design caters to users seeking comfort and a smooth typing experience that minimizes fatigue. Meanwhile, the Outemu Silent Ocean, although less well-known for specific standout features, offers its unique qualities that may appeal to different types of users. Like the Sakura, it provides a linear feel, but its overall performance and attributes may resonate differently depending on personal preferences. Both switches cater to individuals who value a quiet and fluid typing experience, albeit with their own characteristics that set them apart. 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
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
22mm extended spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Bsun Light Sakura and the Outemu Silent Ocean both feature polycarbonate top housings, which endow them with similar acoustic characteristics. The use of polycarbonate in this part of the housing results in a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile, ensuring a crisper auditory experience. This material's rigidity contributes to a more resonant sound, making it ideal for users who appreciate a vibrating and clear acoustic response during typing. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate is particularly advantageous for users who incorporate RGB lighting into their setups, as it allows the light to diffuse through the housing beautifully, enhancing the aesthetic quality of the keyboard.
In contrast, while both switches utilize polycarbonate for the top housing, their bottom housings diverge significantly in material choice. The Light Sakura employs polycarbonate for its bottom housing as well, thereby maintaining a consistent sound profile throughout the switch. This continuity in housing material incentivizes a harmonious blend of a brighter top-out sound with a sharper crispness at bottom-out. Conversely, the Silent Ocean's nylon bottom housing introduces a distinct acoustic signature due to nylon's softer, more sound-absorbing properties. As a result, the Silent Ocean produces a deeper and fuller sound profile, contrasting with the Light Sakura's brighter character, thus offering a different typing experience where the impact of the bottom housing becomes more pronounced.
These variances create a dynamic interplay in sound and feel depending on individual preferences. Users of the Light Sakura might favor its consistently bright and vibrant typing feedback, suitable for those who enjoy a more responsive feel. Meanwhile, Silent Ocean users may appreciate the rounded, muted sound that provides a quieter typing experience, ideal for environments where noise considerations are paramount. Ultimately, while the top housing of both switches ensures a bright sound profile, the differing materials in the bottom housings significantly influence the overall auditory experience, highlighting the nuanced characteristics that each switch brings.
Weight
When comparing the Bsun Light Sakura linear switch to the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch, there are notable differences in both actuation and bottom out forces. The Light Sakura features a lighter actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 43 grams, making it ideal for prolonged typing sessions, as its lighter resistance can reduce finger fatigue. In contrast, the Silent Ocean has a heavier actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams, catering to users who prefer a more substantial tactile feedback with each keystroke. This implies that typists seeking a stronger push feel or gamers looking for more forceful typing may gravitate towards the Silent Ocean switch. Overall, the Light Sakura is the lighter option, emphasizing comfort for extended use, while the Silent Ocean presents a medium-heavy feel for a more robust typing experience.
Travel distance
The Bsun Light Sakura linear switch features a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. This makes the Light Sakura the shorter option, resulting in potentially quicker response times, which can be especially appealing for gamers looking for a more responsive experience. In contrast, the Silent Ocean, with its longer travel distance, may provide a more satisfying, though slightly slower, tactile feedback that some users find preferable for its depth. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on individual preferences: those who favor quicker activation might lean towards the Light Sakura, while those who appreciate a more substantial press may opt for the Silent Ocean.
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 Outemu Silent Ocean comes in at $3.10 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
When it comes to sound, the Bsun Light Sakura linear switch excels in offering a remarkably quiet operation, making it a perfect choice for environments where discretion is key. Its design ensures minimal acoustic feedback, allowing users to type without creating disruptions in shared or public spaces. Although the Outemu Silent Ocean's sound qualities are not specifically detailed, it can be inferred that as a silent switch, it also aims to minimize noise during operation. Both switches are likely to provide a similar quiet typing experience, though the exact sound characteristics of the Silent Ocean remain unknown.
In terms of feel, the Bsun Light Sakura is known for its ultra-light actuation force, promoting a truly effortless typing experience. This makes it particularly suited for long sessions, reducing finger fatigue and making it gentle on the hands. While the specific feel of the Outemu Silent Ocean is not detailed, it can be anticipated that it also offers a smooth linear experience that prioritizes comfort. Thus, both switches are designed to provide a fluid, comfortable feel, contributing to a pleasant typing experience.
In conclusion, both the Bsun Light Sakura and the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switches emphasize a quiet operation paired with a comfortable typing experience. The Light Sakura stands out for its ultra-light feel and specifically low sound profile, while the Silent Ocean is also geared toward minimizing noise but lacks detailed information on its feel. If you prioritize discretion and comfort in your typing experience, both switches can yield similarly favorable outcomes.
Conclusion
To conclude, selecting between the Bsun Light Sakura linear switch and the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch ultimately depends on your personal preferences and your typical typing environment. If you find yourself engaging in long typing sessions and need a switch that reduces the risk of finger fatigue, the ultra-light 43-gram bottom-out force of the Light Sakura is an excellent choice. Its design prioritizes comfort and discretion, making it ideal for office settings or shared workspaces where noise can be a concern. On the other hand, if you prefer a more substantial tactile typing experience or are someone who enjoys a bit of resistance in your keystrokes, the 65-gram bottom-out force of the Silent Ocean may better suit your needs. While the Silent Ocean does not have as much emphasis on feedback as the Light Sakura, its slightly heavier actuation provides a different engagement that some users may find satisfying. Ultimately, think about your typing habits, environment, and personal comfort to decide which switch aligns with your needs.