Aflion Panda vs. Outemu Cream Blue
An in-depth look at the Aflion Panda and the Outemu Cream Blue switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Aflion Panda and the Outemu Cream Blue offer distinct experiences for users. The Panda is a tactile switch that boasts Aflion's interpretation of the Holy Pandas, providing an unmatched hyper-tactile sensation and a deep "thocky" sound. This switch is perfect for those who prioritize a responsive tactile force and a rich audio feedback. On the other hand, the Cream Blue is a clicky switch without any standout features mentioned. While the Panda is categorized as 'Accented', 'Invigorating', and 'Resonant', the Cream Blue does not have any specific categories attributed to it. Each switch has its own strengths and appeals to different preferences. 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
50g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Single-stage 15mm long spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
Overall, the Aflion Panda and Outemu Cream Blue have differences in their housing materials that significantly impact the sound and feel of the switches. The Panda's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile, while the Cream Blue's nylon top housing produces a deeper and fuller sound. This contrast in sound can lead to a distinct typing experience for users of each switch. Additionally, the Panda's nylon bottom housing and the Cream Blue's nylon bottom housing share similarities in creating a deeper and fuller sound due to the softness of the nylon material.
While both switches exhibit differences in their housing materials, they ultimately share a common goal of providing a unique typing experience. The use of polycarbonate in the Panda's top housing and nylon in the Cream Blue's top housing highlight the importance of housing materials in sound production. The switch housing plays a crucial role in determining the overall sound profile of the switch, with polycarbonate offering a clear and resonant sound, and nylon providing a duller and rounder sound. Despite these distinctions, both switches aim to enhance the user's typing experience through their respective housing materials.
Ultimately, the choice between the Aflion Panda and Outemu Cream Blue will come down to personal preference in sound and feel. The split between top and bottom housings in the switches allows for a balance of qualities in each part, impacting both keypress and key release sounds. Whether you prefer the sharp and crisp sound of polycarbonate in the Panda or the deep and full sound of nylon in the Cream Blue, both switches offer a unique typing experience that can cater to different preferences. In the end, the housing materials of these switches contribute significantly to the overall typing experience and play a crucial role in determining the sound profile of each switch.
Weight
The Aflion Panda tactile switch and the Outemu Cream Blue clicky switch share a similar actuation force of 50 grams, meaning that both switches require the same amount of force to trigger a keypress. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Panda has a lighter touch with 60 grams compared to the Cream Blue's heavier 65 grams. This means that while both switches have a medium actuation force, the Cream Blue switch offers a slightly firmer typing experience with a heavier bottom out force. This difference may appeal to users who prefer a more substantial typing feel, while those who prefer a lighter touch may opt for the Panda switch for longer typing sessions or gaming marathons. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preferences for typing feel and desired level of force required for a keystroke.
Travel distance
The Aflion Panda tactile switch and the Outemu Cream Blue clicky switch both have a travel distance of 4mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either of these switches, you will experience the same amount of travel distance. The tactile feedback and clickiness of the Cream Blue switch may give the impression of a longer travel distance compared to the smoother experience of the Panda switch. Overall, both switches offer a similar travel distance, providing a consistent typing experience for users.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Aflion Panda has an MSRP of $5.20 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Panda for $3.56.
The Outemu Cream Blue comes in at $3.10 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
When it comes to sound, the Aflion Panda tactile switch stands out with its resonant and thocky sound profile, providing a unique auditory experience that is both clean and sharp. On the other hand, the Outemu Cream Blue clicky switch's sound characteristics are unknown, making it difficult to directly compare the two in terms of sound.
Moving on to feel, the Aflion Panda tactile switch is renowned for its accented and invigorating tactile feedback, offering a medium level of tactility that is not overwhelming yet still provides a satisfying typing experience. In contrast, the feel of the Outemu Cream Blue clicky switch is unspecified, making it challenging to draw a direct comparison between the two switches in terms of typing feel.
In conclusion, the Aflion Panda tactile switch excels in both sound and feel, offering a hyper-tactile sensation with a deep thocky sound profile and an invigorating typing feel. While the Outemu Cream Blue clicky switch's qualities are unknown in this comparison, if you are looking for a switch that prioritizes a hypertactile typing experience with a distinctive sound profile, the Aflion Panda would be the ideal choice. Keep in mind that individual preferences play a significant role in switch selection, so trying out different switches to find the one that best suits your typing style is always recommended.
Conclusion
To sum up, you should choose the Aflion Panda tactile switch if you value hyper-tactility, a deep thocky sound profile, and a medium bottom out force of 60 grams. This switch is perfect for those looking for a super responsive tactile force paired with a sonorous audio feedback. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force of 65 grams and a clicky switch, the Outemu Cream Blue might be more suitable for you. Consider the sound and feel descriptions provided for each switch to make the best decision based on your preferences. Ultimately, the choice between the Aflion Panda tactile switch and the Outemu Cream Blue clicky switch depends on your typing style, tactile feedback preference, and sound profile preference.
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