Bsun Light Sakura vs. HMX Silent Sakura - 43g
An in-depth look at the Bsun Light Sakura and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Bsun Light Sakura and HMX Silent Sakura - 43g stand out for their unique characteristics, despite both being linear switches designed to enhance the typing experience. The Bsun Light Sakura is celebrated for its gentle touch and quiet operation, making it particularly suited for long typing sessions in shared spaces, where comfort and discretion are essential. Its ultra-light feel helps reduce fatigue, allowing users to focus on their work without distractions. Conversely, the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g offers a similarly understated experience, with a whisper-quiet actuation that evokes the tranquility of raindrops, ideal for those who prioritize a serene atmosphere. Its lightweight 43g bottom-out force caters to light typists, promoting an effortless and smooth typing rhythm. Both switches are excellent choices depending on individual preferences; 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
37g
Bottom-out force
43g
Bottom-out force
43g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
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
Partial box
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm extended spring
Spring
22mm extended single-staged spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Bsun Light Sakura and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g, notable differences arise primarily from the top housings. The Light Sakura employs a polycarbonate material for its top housing, which is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its stiffer composition. This leads to a more resonant typing experience, particularly suitable for RGB lighting aesthetics because of the material’s translucency. In contrast, the Silent Sakura - 43g features a nylon top housing, which contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile as nylon is softer and has the ability to absorb more sound. This fundamental difference in material indicates that while the Light Sakura provides a brighter sound, the Silent Sakura offers a warmer acoustic experience.
Both switches, however, share polycarbonate as their bottom housing material, which brings them closer together in terms of sound characteristics. The polycarbonate bottom housing in both switches manifests a sharper and crisper sound profile, enhancing the overall resonance. Consequently, while the top housing materials lead to distinct audible experiences when typing—sharp and bright from the Light Sakura versus deep and muted from the Silent Sakura—both switches converge in performance at the bottom level. The bottom-out sound benefits from the rigidity of polycarbonate in both cases, ensuring that users will still experience a lively keypress no matter which switch they choose to use.
Ultimately, the impact of the different top housing materials separates the two switches in terms of auditory feedback, but their common polycarbonate bottom housing underlines a key similarity. Users seeking a more pronounced and brighter auditory experience might prefer the Bsun Light Sakura, while those who favor a fuller, more rounded sound profile would likely lean toward the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g. Whichever switch is chosen, the inherent qualities of the respective housing materials dictate the typing experience, guaranteeing that impacts from both the top and bottom housings contribute to the overall sound and feel of each keypress.
Weight
When comparing the Bsun Light Sakura linear switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g linear switch, both exhibit an actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 43 grams, making them equivalent in terms of these specifications. This similarity means that users will experience the same typing dynamics and feedback from both switches. However, while both switches are categorized as light, they cater to slightly different preferences due to their design characteristics. The Light Sakura offers a standard linear experience, whereas the Silent Sakura emphasizes quieter operation, making it a better choice for those looking to minimize noise while typing. However, in terms of force required for actuation and bottoming out, both switches are on the lighter side, which is beneficial for prolonged typing or gaming sessions without excessive strain.
Travel distance
The Bsun Light Sakura linear switch features a travel distance of 3.6 mm, whereas the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that the Silent Sakura has a longer travel distance, providing a deeper feel when pressing the keys compared to the Light Sakura. For gamers who favor quicker response times, the shorter travel distance of the Light Sakura may offer a more responsive experience. In contrast, those who prefer a more substantial depth while typing might appreciate the heftier feel of the Silent Sakura's longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on personal preference—whether one desires the quick actuation of the Light Sakura or the more tactile feedback from the Silent Sakura.
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 HMX Silent Sakura - 43g comes in at $3.50 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, both the Bsun Light Sakura and HMX Silent Sakura - 43g switches aim to provide a quiet typing experience, making them suitable for environments where noise levels should be kept to a minimum. The Light Sakura is designed for silent operation, ensuring that typists can work without creating disruptive sounds, a feature that is particularly appreciated in shared spaces like offices. Likewise, the Silent Sakura - 43g is touted for its whisper-quiet typing, likened to the soft sounds of rain, which further enhances the tranquil typing environment. While both switches prioritize quietness, actual sound characteristics can also vary based on factors like the keyboard build, plate material, and keycap selection.
When it comes to feel, the Bsun Light Sakura is recognized for its ultra-light operation that makes it ideal for long typing sessions. Its linear design promotes a smooth stroke without tactile bumps, which helps reduce fatigue for those who type for extended periods. On the other hand, the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g also boasts an ultra-light bottom-out force of 43g, providing a similarly gentle typing experience. This makes both switches suitable for light typists who prefer a soft touch and fluid key presses. Consequently, users will likely find both switches deliver a comparable tactile experience in terms of how they feel under the fingers during use.
In conclusion, both the Bsun Light Sakura and HMX Silent Sakura - 43g switches excel in offering a quiet and gentle typing experience, making them excellent choices for those who prioritize discretion and comfort. While they each contribute to a serene sound profile and an ultra-light feel, individual preferences in terms of additional factors like keyboard construction and personal typing style will ultimately influence the overall experience. Whether you choose the Light Sakura or the Silent Sakura - 43g, you can expect similar results in creating a peaceful productivity environment.
Conclusion
To conclude, choosing between the Bsun Light Sakura linear switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g linear switch ultimately depends on your specific typing needs and environment. If you find yourself frequently working in shared spaces or offices, where noise can be a concern, the Bsun Light Sakura is an excellent option. Its ultra-light feel allows for comfortable, prolonged typing sessions without disrupting colleagues, making it ideal for those who prioritize a gentle and quiet experience. On the other hand, if you lean towards a typing experience that evokes a sense of tranquility—reminiscent of soft raindrops—then the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g might be more your speed. This switch not only offers the same light resistance but elevates the silent aspect, making it particularly appealing for those who want an almost zen-like typing environment. Ultimately, both switches provide light actuation and comfort, but your choice should reflect whether you prioritize a discreet typing experience among others or a serene, reflective atmosphere while you type away.
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