Gateron Aliaz vs. Bsun Hutt
An in-depth look at the Gateron Aliaz and the Bsun Hutt switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing between the Gateron Aliaz and the Bsun Hutt mechanical keyboard switches, it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences. The Aliaz switch is ideal for quiet environments like an office setting, providing a medium-heavy weight with a silent design. This makes it a great choice for those who enjoy a substantial feel to their keystrokes without the noise. On the other hand, the Bsun Hutt switch offers a medium-heavy spring and a prominent tactile bump, creating a distinctive and enjoyable typing experience with a balanced sound profile. While the Aliaz switch is described as 'Silky', 'Muted', and 'Polished', the Hutt switch is characterized as 'Snappy', 'Invigorating', 'Sharp', 'Accented', and 'Resonant'. 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
60g
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
75g
Bottom-out force
49g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POK
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
20.5mm single-staged spring
Housing materials
The Gateron Aliaz and the Bsun Hutt both utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, providing a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate's stiffer nature, which results in a more resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting. On the other hand, the Bsun Hutt stands out with its nylon bottom housing, offering a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to the Aliaz's polycarbonate bottom housing. Nylon's softer nature absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound that contributes to the overall typing experience.
While both switches share the use of polycarbonate for their top housing, their differences lie in the bottom housing material. The Aliaz's polycarbonate bottom housing maintains the switch's sharp and clear sound profile, enhancing the overall typing experience. In contrast, the Bsun Hutt's nylon bottom housing provides a unique sound experience, with a deeper and fuller sound profile that caters to those looking for a different typing feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on whether you prefer the sharper sound of polycarbonate or the deeper sound of nylon in your keyboard switches.
In terms of impact on typing experience, the qualities of the bottom housing material play a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on the switch. The softer nature of nylon in the Bsun Hutt contributes to a more cushioned bottom-out experience, while the stiffer polycarbonate in the Aliaz offers a more firm and precise bottom-out feel. Meanwhile, the top housing material mainly affects the sound when releasing a key, with polycarbonate providing a sharper and crisper sound compared to nylon. Overall, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences in typing sound and feel.
Weight
Comparing the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch and the Bsun Hutt tactile switch, it is evident that the Aliaz has a heavier actuation force and bottom out force compared to the Hutt. The Aliaz requires 60 grams of force to actuate a keystroke and 75 grams to bottom out, while the Hutt only needs 40 grams to actuate and 49 grams to bottom out. This means that the Aliaz provides a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel, ideal for those who prefer a heavier switch. On the other hand, the Hutt offers a lighter typing experience, making it suitable for extended typing or gaming sessions where fatigue may be a concern. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference in terms of desired actuation and bottom out force. Whether one prefers a lighter or heavier typing experience will determine which switch is the better option for their needs.
Travel distance
The Gateron Aliaz tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Bsun Hutt tactile switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. The difference may seem minimal, but it can have a noticeable impact on typing or gaming experiences. The Aliaz offers a longer travel distance, which may provide a more satisfying keypress for those who prefer a deeper feel. On the other hand, the Hutt offers a slightly shorter travel distance, which may appeal to those seeking a quicker response time, especially in fast-paced gaming scenarios. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to individual preferences for travel distance and feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Aliaz has an MSRP of $8.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Aliaz for $5.50.
The Bsun Hutt has an MSRP of $6.20 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Hutt for $5.39.
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 Gateron Aliaz offers a muted experience, perfect for quiet environments like an office setting. The sound is softer and less noticeable compared to regular mechanical switches, providing a more discreet typing experience. On the other hand, the Bsun Hutt switch presents a resonant sound profile, which is higher-pitched and clean, offering a different auditory experience. Depending on personal preference and the specific setup of your keyboard, both switches can provide a satisfying sound experience, with the Aliaz being more subdued and the Hutt being more immersive in its sound profile.
In terms of feel, the Gateron Aliaz provides a silky and polished typing experience, offering an exceptionally smooth and refined keypress. The reduced friction and smooth key travel make typing on the Aliaz switches a pleasure. On the contrary, the Bsun Hutt switch is described as snappy, invigorating, sharp, and accented, providing a tactile and responsive feel with a pronounced feedback. The distinct tactile bump of the Hutt switch creates a lively typing sensation that can enhance the overall typing experience.
In conclusion, both the Gateron Aliaz and Bsun Hutt switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences in sound and feel. The Aliaz is more tailored towards a quiet and smooth typing experience, while the Hutt provides a more tactile and responsive feel with a distinct sound profile. Whether you prefer a muted and refined typing experience or a resonant and invigorating one, both switches can deliver a satisfying typing experience based on your personal preferences. Ultimately, trying out both switches on your own keyboard setup will help you determine which one suits your typing style and preferences best.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Gateron Aliaz and the Bsun Hutt tactile switches, consider your preferences and needs. If you work in a quiet environment like an office and prefer a heavier key feel with a muted sound profile, the Aliaz switch may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy a lighter bottom out force and a more resonant sound profile with a snappier and sharper tactile feedback, the Bsun Hutt switch could be more suitable for your typing style. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences, so choose the one that best aligns with your typing preferences and environment.
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