Gateron Aliaz vs. Cherry Nixie
An in-depth look at the Gateron Aliaz and the Cherry Nixie switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Gateron Aliaz and Cherry Nixie mechanical keyboard switches, it's evident that both offer unique features catered to different preferences. The Aliaz switch is tailored for quiet environments, providing a medium-heavy weight that gives each keystroke a substantial feel while maintaining silence. On the other hand, the Cherry Nixie is known for its revered classic status and textured typing experience, incorporating updated materials and springs for a blend of tradition and modern innovation. While the Aliaz offers a more muted and polished typing experience, the Nixie provides a thocky and low-pitched feel. 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
63.5g
Bottom-out force
75g
Bottom-out force
80g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Gateron Aliaz and the Cherry Nixie switches, it is evident that they both prioritize sound profile and aesthetics. The Aliaz switches use polycarbonate for both the top and bottom housings, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, which allows for a clear and resonant sound. On the other hand, the Nixie switches utilize nylon for both the top and bottom housings, leading to a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon's softer nature absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound compared to polycarbonate.
However, despite their differences in housing material, both the Aliaz and Nixie switches provide unique qualities to the overall typing experience. The polycarbonate top housing of the Aliaz allows for a brighter sound profile, while the nylon top housing of the Nixie produces a deeper sound. Similarly, the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Aliaz contributes to a sharper sound when bottoming out keys, while the nylon bottom housing of the Nixie creates a fuller sound. These contrasting qualities showcase how different material choices can impact the overall sound and feel of a mechanical keyboard switch.
Ultimately, whether you choose the Gateron Aliaz or the Cherry Nixie switches, your typing experience will be influenced by the housing materials used. The Aliaz's polycarbonate housing offers a clear and resonant sound with a sharper pitch, ideal for those who prefer a crisper typing experience. On the other hand, the Nixie's nylon housing provides a deeper and fuller sound with a duller tone, catering to users who enjoy a more mellow typing feel. Both switches showcase the importance of housing materials in creating a unique typing experience, with each material bringing its own distinct characteristics to the table.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch and the Cherry Nixie linear switch, the Aliaz is lighter in terms of actuation force at 60 grams compared to the Nixie's 63.5 grams. However, both switches have heavy bottom out forces, with the Aliaz at 75 grams and the Nixie at 80 grams. This means that while the Aliaz may require less force to trigger a keystroke, both switches have a substantial amount of force needed to fully press the key down. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience for longer periods of time, the Aliaz may be the preferred choice. However, for those who enjoy a more substantial push feel, the Nixie may be the better option. Ultimately, the weight of the actuation and bottom out forces should be taken into consideration based on individual preferences for typing or gaming experiences.
Travel distance
Both the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch and the Cherry Nixie linear switch have a travel distance of 4 mm, making them equal in this aspect. This means that when you press down on a key using either switch, you will experience the same distance travelled from the top to the bottom. This similarity in travel distance ensures that users will get a consistent typing experience regardless of which switch they choose. Overall, the travel distance of both switches is the same, making them a suitable choice for those who prefer a standard distance for their key presses.
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 Cherry Nixie has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Nixie for $4.19.
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 tactile switch offers a muted typing experience, ideal for quiet environments like offices. On the other hand, the Cherry Nixie linear switch provides a thocky and low-pitched sound that is deep and satisfying. Both switches offer unique sound profiles depending on personal preference and surrounding noise levels, with the Aliaz being quieter and the Nixie offering a more traditional mechanical keyboard sound.
In terms of feel, the Gateron Aliaz switch boasts a silky and polished typing experience, providing smooth key travel and reduced friction. In contrast, the Cherry Nixie switch is described as having a textured feel, offering a more tactile typing experience with noticeable friction when pressed. The Aliaz switch focuses on smoothness and refinement, while the Nixie switch caters to those who appreciate a textured typing experience.
Considering all the available information, the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch and the Cherry Nixie linear switch offer distinct qualities in sound and feel. The Aliaz switch excels in providing a quiet and smooth typing experience, perfect for those who desire a medium-heavy weight switch with muted feedback. On the other hand, the Nixie switch showcases a traditional thocky sound and a textured feel, appealing to users who prefer a substantial and tactile typing sensation. Depending on personal preference for sound and feel, both switches offer their unique strengths to cater to different preferences, ensuring a satisfying typing experience regardless of choice.
Conclusion
In closing, when considering whether to choose the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch or the Cherry Nixie linear switch, you should take into account your preference for typing feel and sound. If you value a smooth and polished typing experience with a muted sound profile, then the Aliaz switches would be the ideal choice for you, especially in quiet office settings. On the other hand, if you enjoy a textured typing feel with a thocky and low-pitched sound profile, the Cherry Nixie switches, with their heavy bottom out force, would provide a traditional yet modern typing experience that many enthusiasts appreciate. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches comes down to personal preference in tactile feel and auditory feedback.
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