I'm new to this community but while playing level 7 casually I realized that you don't need the red button to get passed the vertical wall before the checkpoint by getting a fairly easy bounce on the bottom route bouncer. Is it still faster to go top? cuz it seems easier and more consistent to go bottom.

Yes, because you disable the button and you get extra speed. But bottom route is easier.

ok thx, thats what i thought

A normal top route will save about 2.5 seconds on a normal bottom route. A fast top route will save ~5 seconds