Bsun Kiki Red vs. SP-Star Meteor White
An in-depth look at the Bsun Kiki Red and the SP-Star Meteor White switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Bsun Kiki Red and SP-Star Meteor White are two popular linear mechanical keyboard switches known for their unique characteristics. The Kiki Red offers a finely-tuned typing experience with a comfortably high-pitched, clacky nuance that is not excessively loud. It features all-POM housings and smooth actuation thanks to Ly stems, providing enthusiasts with a subtle auditory feedback and refined performance. On the other hand, the Meteor White switch is described as gentle and subdued, with an easy-to-push design and a soft sound profile. It is ideal for those seeking a neutral and polished typing experience. While both switches have their own strengths, such as the Kiki Red's clacky nuance and the Meteor White's gentle feel, it's important to delve deeper into their specific characteristics to determine the best switch for your 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
42g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
57g
Pre-travel
N/A
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
Standard
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
20.4mm single-stage nickel-plated spring
Spring
Gold plated
Housing materials
The Kiki Red and Meteor White share similarities in their bottom housings, both utilizing POM and nylon respectively. However, they differ in their top housing materials, with the Kiki Red using POM and the Meteor White using nylon. POM is known for creating a unique and pleasing sound with a deeper and more muted profile, while nylon elicits a fuller and deeper sound due to its softer and sound-absorbing properties. This contrast in top housing materials may result in a difference in sound profile when typing on these switches.
Despite the differences in their top housing materials, both the Kiki Red and Meteor White offer a similar experience when it comes to bottom-out sound and feel. The POM bottom housing of the Kiki Red and the nylon bottom housing of the Meteor White both contribute to a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing on these switches. This shared characteristic ensures that users will experience a consistent feel when pressing down on the keys, regardless of the top housing material used.
Overall, the choice between the Kiki Red and Meteor White may come down to personal preference in terms of sound profile. The POM top housing of the Kiki Red creates a unique and pleasing sound with a deeper and more muted profile, while the nylon top housing of the Meteor White offers a fuller and rounder sound. However, both switches share similarities in their bottom housings, providing a consistent bottom-out sound and feel. Ultimately, users may need to test both switches to determine which sound profile aligns best with their preferences.
Weight
The Bsun Kiki Red linear switch has a lighter actuation force of 42 grams compared to the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch, whose actuation force is unknown. However, the Meteor White has a slightly heavier bottom out force of 57 grams compared to the Kiki Red's 50 grams. Both switches offer a different typing experience due to their varying actuation and bottom out forces. Those who prefer a lighter touch may lean towards the Kiki Red, while others who prefer a slightly firmer push may opt for the Meteor White. Overall, the Kiki Red provides a lighter typing experience, while the Meteor White offers a slightly more solid and medium-light feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for typing or gaming.
Travel distance
The Bsun Kiki Red linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, making it shorter than the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch, which has a travel distance of 4 mm. The Kiki Red switch falls on the shorter end of the spectrum, making it ideal for those who prioritize faster response times, such as gamers. On the other hand, the Meteor White switch offers a slightly longer travel distance, which may appeal to users who prefer a more substantial key press feel. Both switches offer different tactile experiences, with the Kiki Red being more responsive and the Meteor White offering a bit more depth. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on individual preference for travel distance and desired typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Bsun Kiki Red has an MSRP of $4.70 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Kiki Red for $3.83.
The SP-Star Meteor White has an MSRP of $5.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Meteor White for $5.00.
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 Kiki Red linear switch is known for its clacky and high-pitched nuance that strikes a balance between being comfortably audible without being excessively loud. This switch offers a sharp and snappy sound when pressed, providing a crisp and bright auditory feedback. On the other hand, the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch has a pitter-patter sound profile that is gentle and subdued. With a soft and neutral sound profile, it offers a moderate acoustical experience that is suitable for various environments. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on the user's preference for either a clacky and sharp sound or a soft and gentle sound during typing sessions.
In terms of feel, the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch offers a creamy and smooth typing experience due to its all-POM housing and Ly stems, providing a frictionless and polished sensation while typing. The switch is described as silky and snappy, offering a refined and effortless typing feel that minimizes resistance during key presses. On the other hand, the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch provides a mild and polished typing experience, ensuring a gentle and approachable feel for most users. With reduced friction and smooth key travel, this switch offers a comfortable and safe middle-ground typing experience.
Overall, the Bsun Kiki Red and SP-Star Meteor White linear switches offer distinct sound and feel characteristics that cater to different preferences. While the Kiki Red switch provides a clacky and polished auditory feedback with a creamy and smooth typing feel, the Meteor White switch offers a subdued and gentle sound profile with a mild and polished typing experience. Both switches excel in their unique qualities, providing users with a range of options depending on their desired typing experience. Ultimately, users can expect similar results in terms of performance and satisfaction, regardless of which switch they choose based on their individual preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch and the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch, consider the key characteristics of each switch. If you value a finely-tuned typing experience with a balance of high-pitched, clacky nuance and medium-light weighting, the Kiki Red may be the ideal choice for you. This switch offers a smooth and responsive typing feel, perfect for enthusiasts who appreciate subtlety in auditory feedback and finesse in performance. On the other hand, if you prefer a gentle and subdued typing experience with a soft sound profile, the Meteor White switch could be more suitable for you. This switch is easy to push and offers a gentle, pitter-patter sound, making it an approachable option for users looking for a soft and polished typing feel. Ultimately, consider your preferences for sound, feel, and typing experience when choosing between these two switches to find the one that best suits your needs and preferences.
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