Bsun Dragon Fruit vs. Gateron Oil King
An in-depth look at the Bsun Dragon Fruit and the Gateron Oil King switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Bsun Dragon Fruit, a tactile switch, to the Gateron Oil King, a linear switch, there are distinct differences in their characteristics. The Dragon Fruit stands out for its sharp and definitive bottom-out, offering a satisfying bump at each key press for tactile enthusiasts. Paired with a clacky sound signature, it provides a lively and engaging typing experience. On the other hand, the Oil King is known for its buttery smoothness and a sound profile akin to snapping a dark chocolate bar. While the Dragon Fruit is categorized as 'Accented', 'Invigorating', 'Sharp', and 'Snappy', the Oil King falls under 'Low-pitched', 'Creamy', 'Silky', 'Bassy', 'Buttery', and 'Polished'. When considering which switch to choose, the Dragon Fruit excels in tactile feedback, while the Oil King offers a smooth and satisfying 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
45g
Actuation force
55g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Color coated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Bsun Dragon Fruit and the Gateron Oil King are quite different in terms of their properties and resulting sound profiles. The Dragon Fruit's polycarbonate top housing offers a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound, thanks to its stiff nature which leads to a clear and resonant sound profile. In contrast, the Oil King's nylon top housing provides a deeper and fuller sound due to its softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a rounder and duller sound. Despite their differences, both housings are able to create unique sound profiles that cater to different preferences.
Moving on to the bottom housings, the Dragon Fruit's nylon bottom housing shares similarities with the Oil King's housing material in providing a deeper and fuller sound profile. Both nylon materials absorb more sound due to their softer nature, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. However, the Oil King's proprietary INK blend bottom housing offers a pointed and high-pitched sound that is described as clacky, providing a different sound profile compared to the Dragon Fruit's nylon bottom housing. These differences showcase how the choice of bottom housing material can significantly impact the overall sound of a switch.
Overall, the housing materials of the Bsun Dragon Fruit and the Gateron Oil King play crucial roles in shaping the sound profiles of the switches. While the Dragon Fruit incorporates a polycarbonate top housing and a nylon bottom housing to create a clear and resonant sound, the Oil King utilizes a nylon top housing and a proprietary INK blend bottom housing to produce a deeper and clacky sound profile. Understanding the properties of each housing material allows users to choose a switch that aligns with their preferences for sound and typing feel. Ultimately, both switches offer unique sound experiences that are influenced by the specific combination of housing materials used in their design.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom-out force of the Bsun Dragon Fruit tactile switch and the Gateron Oil King linear switch, we can see some differences. The Dragon Fruit has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Oil King's 55 grams, making it easier to trigger keystrokes. However, both switches have the same bottom-out force of 65 grams, providing a similar typing experience when fully pressed. Those who prefer a lighter touch may lean towards the Dragon Fruit for longer typing sessions, while those who enjoy a more substantial push may opt for the Oil King for a stronger typing feel. Overall, the Dragon Fruit is lighter in actuation force, while both switches share the same bottom-out force, offering versatility for different preferences.
Travel distance
The Bsun Dragon Fruit tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.4mm, making it shorter than the Gateron Oil King linear switch with a travel distance of 4mm. The Dragon Fruit's shorter travel distance may appeal to gamers looking for faster response times, while the Oil King's longer travel distance may provide a more satisfying keystroke for those who prefer a deeper feel. Both switches offer different sensory experiences, with the Dragon Fruit being quicker and more responsive, while the Oil King offers a more deliberate and intentional keystroke. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and typing style.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Bsun Dragon Fruit has an MSRP of $4.70 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Dragon Fruit for $3.83.
The Gateron Oil King comes in at $6.50 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, the Bsun Dragon Fruit offers a clacky sound signature, which adds to the lively and engaging typing experience it provides. On the other hand, the Gateron Oil King linear switch is described as having a low-pitched and bassy sound profile, reminiscent of a dark chocolate bar snapping. Both switches offer unique sound qualities that can enhance the overall typing experience, with the Dragon Fruit providing a more distinctive clacky noise while the Oil King leans towards a deeper and more mellow tone.
When it comes to feel, the Bsun Dragon Fruit switch is characterized as accented, invigorating, sharp, and snappy, offering a pronounced tactile feedback with a moderate actuation force. This creates a highly immersive typing sensation that enthusiasts appreciate. In contrast, the Gateron Oil King switch is described as creamy, silky, buttery, and polished, providing an exceptionally smooth and fluid typing experience. Both switches excel in providing tactile or linear feedback, catering to different preferences in typing feel.
In conclusion, the Bsun Dragon Fruit tactile switch and the Gateron Oil King linear switch offer distinct qualities in both sound and feel, catering to different preferences in typing experience. While the Dragon Fruit provides a lively and engaging typing experience with a clacky sound signature and strong tactile feedback, the Oil King offers a smooth and buttery typing sensation with a low-pitched and mellow sound profile. Ultimately, the choice between these switches depends on personal preference for sound, feel, and typing style, but regardless of the selection, users can expect a high-quality mechanical keyboard experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Bsun Dragon Fruit tactile switch and the Gateron Oil King linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your preference for tactility and sound profile. If you enjoy a pronounced tactile bump with each keypress and a lively, clacky sound signature, the Dragon Fruit switch would be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a smoother typing experience with a low-pitched, creamy sound profile that resembles snapping dark chocolate, the Oil King switch would be more suited to your preferences. Consider your typing style and the type of feedback and sound you prefer to make the best decision for your mechanical keyboard setup.
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