Gateron Aliaz vs. TTC Flame Red

Overview

When choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, it's important to consider factors such as sound, feel, and visual aesthetics. The Gateron Aliaz, a tactile switch, is perfect for quiet environments like the office due to its silent design. It offers a medium-heavy weight, providing a substantial feel to each keystroke and making it an excellent choice for those who prefer a more pronounced typing feedback without the noise. On the other hand, the TTC Flame Red, a linear switch, stands out for its dazzling light diffuser, making it ideal for those who have a backlit, RGB keyboard. When typing on the Flame Reds, users experience a weighty smoothness and a clacky sound profile. Both switches offer a polished feel, but the Aliaz is categorized as 'Silky' and 'Muted' while the Flame Red is categorized as 'Neutral' and 'Mild'. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Gateron Aliaz Tactile

TTC Flame Red Linear

$8.00

$5.50 per 10

$7.29

$4.38 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the Gateron Aliaz and the TTC Flame Red, one notable difference is the use of polycarbonate in the Aliaz's housing versus nylon in the Flame Red's housing. Polycarbonate, being a stiffer plastic, creates a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile in the Aliaz switches. In contrast, the Flame Red switches with nylon housing produce a deeper and fuller sound due to the softer nature of nylon, which absorbs more sound and creates a rounder sound profile. This results in a difference in the overall sound experience between the two switches.

Additionally, the aesthetics of the switches are affected by the housing materials used. The polycarbonate top housing of the Aliaz allows for more translucency, making it ideal for switches designed with RGB lighting in mind. On the other hand, the nylon top housing of the Flame Red may not offer the same level of translucency, impacting the visual appeal of the switches. This difference in material choice demonstrates how the housing materials can influence not only the sound but also the look of the switches.

While the top and bottom housing materials play a role in the sound profile of both switches, the split between the two can lead to a different tactile experience. The bottom housing, whether polycarbonate in the Aliaz or nylon in the Flame Red, will impact the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on a key. In contrast, the top housing material will have more of an effect on the sound when releasing a key. Understanding how each housing material contributes to the overall typing experience can help users decide which switch is best suited to their preferences.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch and the TTC Flame Red linear switch, it is evident that the Aliaz is heavier in both aspects. The Aliaz requires a higher actuation force of 60 grams compared to the Flame Red's 45 grams, making it more challenging to trigger a keystroke. Additionally, the Aliaz has a bottom out force of 75 grams, while the Flame Red only requires 54 grams to fully press down. This means that the Aliaz provides a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel, while the Flame Red offers a lighter touch, making it ideal for longer typing or gaming sessions. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for the desired actuation and bottom out forces.

Travel distance

Both the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch and the TTC Flame Red linear switch have a travel distance of 4 mm, making them equal in this aspect. This means that when pressing down on a key equipped with either of these switches, you will experience the same amount of travel distance from the top to the bottom. This similarity in travel distance ensures that users can expect consistent typing experiences regardless of which switch they choose. Overall, the shorter travel distance of 4 mm on both the Gateron Aliaz and TTC Flame Red switches offers a quick and responsive keystroke, ideal for those who prefer a more efficient typing experience.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch is known for its muted sound profile, which is perfect for quiet environments like the office. The TTC Flame Red linear switch, on the other hand, is described as having a neutral sound profile that is suitable for a wide range of users and purposes. While the Aliaz provides a softer and quieter typing experience, the Flame Red offers a moderate sound that is neither too loud nor too soft. Ultimately, the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.

When it comes to feel, the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch is renowned for its silky and polished typing experience, offering an exceptionally smooth and refined feel with reduced friction. This makes typing on the Aliaz switches a pleasant and comfortable experience. On the other hand, the TTC Flame Red linear switch is described as providing a mild and polished feel that is gentle and approachable to most users. Both switches offer a smooth key travel and typing experience, thanks to their polished finishes, which result in a sleek and refined feel.

Considering all available information, the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch excels in providing a quiet and substantial typing experience with its medium-heavy weight and muted sound profile. On the other hand, the TTC Flame Red linear switch stands out for its dazzling light diffuser that is perfect for backlit RGB keyboards, along with its weighty smoothness and clacky sound profile. While both switches offer polished and smooth typing experiences, the Aliaz leans towards a quieter and more pronounced feedback, while the Flame Red provides a more visually appealing option with a moderate sound and feel that is suitable for a wide range of users. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches depends on individual preferences for sound, feel, and visual aesthetics.

Conclusion

In closing, when deciding between the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch and the TTC Flame Red linear switch, consider your environment and personal preferences. If you are in a quiet workspace like an office and prefer a heavier keypress with a muted sound, the Aliaz switches are the way to go. On the other hand, if you value visual aesthetics, enjoy a lighter keypress with a neutral sound, and have a backlit RGB keyboard, the Flame Red switches are a great choice. Ultimately, your decision should be based on whether you prioritize typing feel, sound profile, or visual appeal in your mechanical keyboard switch selection.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron Aliaz Tactile

$8.00

$5.50 per 10

Learn more

TTC Flame Red Linear

$7.29

$4.38 per 10

Learn more