Bsun Kiki Red vs. Gateron Oil King
An in-depth look at the Bsun Kiki Red and the Gateron Oil King switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Bsun Kiki Red and the Gateron Oil King are both linear mechanical keyboard switches that offer unique characteristics to enhance your typing experience. The Kiki Red is known for its comfortably high-pitched, clacky nuance, while maintaining a subtlety in auditory feedback and smoothness during actuation. On the other hand, the Oil King stands out for its buttery smoothness and dark chocolate bar snapping sound profile. Both switches have their own strengths, with the Kiki Red offering a balance of sound and smoothness, while the Oil King provides a luxurious 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
42g
Actuation force
55g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
65g
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
Proprietary INK blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
20.4mm single-stage nickel-plated spring
Spring
Color coated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Bsun Kiki Red and the Gateron Oil King switches offer distinct sound profiles due to their unique properties. The POM material used in the Kiki Red's top and bottom housing creates a deeper and relatively muted sound, while the nylon material in the Oil King's top housing produces a fuller and rounder sound. This difference in sound can greatly impact the typing experience, as the Kiki Red may offer a more subtle typing experience compared to the Oil King's more pronounced sound profile.
In terms of the bottom housing, the Kiki Red's POM material maintains its characteristic deep and muted sound profile, while the Oil King's proprietary INK blend material provides a higher-pitched and clacky sound. This difference in sound between the two switches can influence the overall typing experience, with the Kiki Red offering a quieter and more subdued sound compared to the Oil King's sharper and more distinct sound. The choice of bottom housing material can greatly impact the overall feel and sound of the switch when pressed down.
While the top and bottom housings of the Bsun Kiki Red and Gateron Oil King switches offer unique sound profiles, the impact of each housing material can be felt differently during the typing experience. The bottom housing influences the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch, while the top housing affects the sound when a key is released. Despite the differences in material and sound profile between the two switches, both the Kiki Red and the Oil King provide satisfying typing experiences, with the Kiki Red offering a more subdued sound and the Oil King delivering a sharper and more pronounced sound.
Weight
The Bsun Kiki Red linear switch has a lighter actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams compared to the Gateron Oil King linear switch, which has a heavier actuation force of 55 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams. The Kiki Red switch is ideal for those who prefer a lighter typing experience, allowing for longer typing sessions or extended gaming without fatigue. On the other hand, the Oil King switch offers a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel, which some users may prefer for a more tactile feedback. Both switches offer unique characteristics in terms of actuation and bottom out forces, catering to different preferences among users. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on individual preferences for typing feel and force requirements.
Travel distance
The Bsun Kiki Red linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Gateron Oil King linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. In this case, the Kiki Red has a shorter travel distance compared to the Oil King. A shorter travel distance is preferred by gamers for faster response times, while a longer travel distance may provide a more satisfying depth to the key press. Both switches offer different experiences based on their travel distance, so selecting the one that suits your preferences is key. If you enjoy a quicker, more responsive feel, the Kiki Red would be the better choice, but if you prefer a more substantial key press, the Oil King may be more suitable. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference and the feel you desire when typing or gaming.
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 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 Kiki Red linear switch is described as having a comfortably high-pitched and clacky nuance, providing a crisp and bright sound during key presses. On the other hand, the Gateron Oil King linear switch offers a low-pitched and bassy sound profile akin to a dark chocolate bar snapping, giving a more mellow and rich tone to each keystroke. Both switches offer unique sound characteristics that can enhance the overall typing experience, depending on personal preference and other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps being used.
When it comes to feel, both the Kiki Red and Oil King linear switches are described as providing a smooth and buttery typing experience. They offer a creamy and silky sensation, allowing fingers to effortlessly glide across the keys with minimal resistance. These switches are polished and frictionless, ensuring a refined and easy-to-press typing feel that minimizes fatigue during extended typing sessions. With their responsive and snappy actuation, both switches offer a tactile feedback that can greatly enhance the overall typing experience.
In conclusion, the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch and the Gateron Oil King linear switch both offer unique sound and feel qualities that cater to different preferences in mechanical keyboard switches. While the Kiki Red has a clacky and high-pitched sound with a medium-light weighting, the Oil King provides a low-pitched and bassy sound profile, both offering a smooth and buttery typing experience. The decision between these switches ultimately comes down to personal preference in sound and feel, as both switches provide exceptional performance and tactile feedback suitable for enthusiasts looking for a high-quality typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch and the Gateron Oil King linear switch, consider your preferences for typing experience. If you value a light bottom out force, a clacky sound profile, and a gently responsive and smooth typing feel, the Bsun Kiki Red may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly heavier bottom out force, a low-pitched and bassy sound profile, and a creamy and silky typing experience, the Gateron Oil King could be more to your liking. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences, so choose based on what aspects of typing experience are most important to you.
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