Bsun Dragon Fruit vs. Outemu Red Panda
An in-depth look at the Bsun Dragon Fruit and the Outemu Red Panda switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering which mechanical keyboard switch to choose, the Bsun Dragon Fruit and Outemu Red Panda both offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences. The Bsun Dragon Fruit switch is favored for its sharp and definitive bottom-out thanks to its long pole stem, providing significant tactile feedback with a satisfying bump at each press. On the other hand, the Outemu Red Panda switch offers a lighter amount of tactility with a bassier bottom-out sound and a clackier top-out sound. While the Dragon Fruit switch provides an invigorating and snappy typing experience with a clacky sound signature, the Red Panda switch offers a thocky and mild 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
50g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
Both the Bsun Dragon Fruit and the Outemu Red Panda switches share the use of polycarbonate for their top housings, resulting in similar characteristics in terms of sound profile and aesthetics. The use of polycarbonate in the top housing of a switch creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its stiffness. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches that utilize RGB lighting. However, while both switches share this material for their top housings, the key differences lie in their bottom housings.
The Dragon Fruit utilizes nylon for its bottom housing, which elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to the Red Panda. Nylon is known for being a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. This means that when typing on the Dragon Fruit switch, users will feel the impact of the bottom housing in the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch. In contrast, the Red Panda also utilizes nylon for its bottom housing, allowing for a similar deep and full sound profile, but with slight variations in the overall sound and feel of the switch.
Overall, the combination of different housing materials for the top and bottom of a switch plays a significant role in the overall typing experience. While both the Bsun Dragon Fruit and the Outemu Red Panda switches share similarities in their polycarbonate top housings, the variations in their nylon bottom housings provide unique sound profiles and tactile experiences. The choice between these switches may come down to personal preference for either a sharper and higher-pitched sound profile or a deeper and fuller sound experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Bsun Dragon Fruit tactile switch and the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch, it is clear that the Red Panda is the lighter of the two with an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams. The Dragon Fruit, on the other hand, has a slightly heavier actuation force of 50 grams and a lighter bottom out force of 60 grams. Both switches provide a medium typing experience, but the Dragon Fruit offers a slightly more substantial feel due to its higher actuation force. For those who prefer lighter switches for extended typing or gaming sessions, the Red Panda may be the preferred choice. Conversely, individuals seeking a more robust typing experience may lean towards the Dragon Fruit. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and typing style.
Travel distance
The Bsun Dragon Fruit tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm. Both switches fall into the category of shorter travel distances, making them ideal for those who value quicker response times. However, the Dragon Fruit has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Red Panda. Gamers looking for a balance between responsiveness and depth may find the Dragon Fruit to be a suitable option, while those who prefer an even shorter travel distance may lean towards the Red Panda. Overall, both switches offer a comfortable typing experience with similar results in terms of travel distance.
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 Outemu Red Panda comes in at $3.40 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 switch offers a clacky sound signature, creating a lively and engaging typing experience with each press. On the other hand, the Outemu Red Panda switch produces a thocky sound, characterized by a deep, rich, and satisfying tone when pressed and released. Both switches provide distinct sound profiles that can enhance the overall typing experience, with the Dragon Fruit being more clacky and the Red Panda offering a thocky sound depending on personal preference and typing style.
When it comes to feel, the BSUN Dragon Fruit switch is known for its accented, invigorating, sharp, and snappy tactile feedback. These features contribute to a medium yet definitive tactile bump with a satisfying amount of feedback, making each keypress feel immersive and responsive. In contrast, the Outemu Red Panda switch offers a milder tactile experience, creating a gentle typing sensation that is approachable and comfortable for most users. The Red Panda's light-medium tactility paired with its bassier bottom-out sound results in a typing experience that is smooth and consistent, suitable for those who prefer a more subtle tactile response.
In conclusion, the BSUN Dragon Fruit and Outemu Red Panda switches offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel that cater to different preferences among mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. While the Dragon Fruit switch provides a sharper tactile bump and a clacky sound signature for a more engaging typing experience, the Red Panda switch offers a milder tactile feel and a thocky sound for a smoother and more subtle typing sensation. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for tactile feedback and sound profiles. However, both switches are designed to deliver a satisfying typing experience, ensuring that users will get similar results in terms of quality and performance.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the BSUN Dragon Fruit tactile switch and the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch, you should consider the level of tactility and sound profile that best suits your preferences. If you are looking for a switch with a sharp, definitive bottom-out and strong tactile feedback, the Dragon Fruit would be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter amount of tactility with a bassier bottom-out sound, the Red Panda would be more suitable. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches comes down to personal preference and typing style. Whether you prefer a more invigorating and sharp typing experience with the Dragon Fruit or a milder and thocky feel with the Red Panda, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences.
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