Gateron Aliaz vs. Kailh Plum
An in-depth look at the Gateron Aliaz and the Kailh Plum switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to compare and contrast are the Gateron Aliaz and the Kailh Plum, both tactile switches. The Aliaz switch is ideal for quiet environments like offices, boasting a silent design, medium-heavy weight, and a pronounced typing feedback without the noise. On the other hand, the Kailh Plum offers a unique experience with its hefty feel and subtle tactile bump, deviating from the typical correlation between tactility and weightiness in tactile switches. While the Aliaz switch is more "Silky", "Muted", and "Polished", the Plum switch is characterized as "Neutral", "Mild", and "Stepped". These general pointers can help determine which switch might suit your preferences, but further exploration and understanding of each switch's specific features are crucial to making the best decision for your typing experience. 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
75g
Bottom-out force
70g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.70 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Gateron Aliaz and the Kailh Plum both utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, resulting in a similar sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate being a stiffer plastic, leading to a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting, providing a visually appealing element to the switches. However, the Aliaz stands out with its polycarbonate bottom housing, while the Plum features a nylon bottom housing. The Aliaz's polycarbonate bottom housing contributes to a sharper sound profile, while the Plum's nylon bottom housing offers a deeper and fuller sound due to its softer nature and ability to absorb more sound.
While both the Gateron Aliaz and the Kailh Plum share similar qualities in their polycarbonate top housing, they diverge in their choice of bottom housing material. The Aliaz's polycarbonate bottom housing complements its top housing, creating a cohesive sound experience with a clear and resonant tone. On the other hand, the Plum's nylon bottom housing provides a different sound profile with a deeper and fuller tone, thanks to nylon's softer nature and sound-absorbing properties. This contrast in bottom housing materials allows for a unique typing experience between the two switches, catering to different preferences in sound and feel.
In terms of typing experience, the bottom housing material plays a significant role in the overall sound and feel of a switch. With the Gateron Aliaz's polycarbonate bottom housing impacting the bottom-out sound and feel, users can expect a sharper and clearer typing experience. Conversely, the Kailh Plum's nylon bottom housing influences the sound when pressing down on the keys, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. The split between the top and bottom housing materials in these switches highlights how different materials can contribute to varying typing experiences, giving users the option to choose based on their sound preference and typing feel.
Weight
When comparing the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch to the Kailh Plum tactile switch, one notable difference is in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Aliaz has a heavier actuation force of 60 grams and a bottom out force of 75 grams, while the Plum has a medium-heavy bottom out force of 70 grams with an unknown actuation force. This means that the Aliaz requires more force to start a keystroke and to fully press it, resulting in a more substantial typing experience compared to the Plum. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Plum for its slightly lower bottom out force, while those who enjoy a heavier push feel may opt for the Aliaz. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on personal preference and typing style.
Travel distance
The Gateron Aliaz tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Kailh Plum tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm. In this case, the Plum has a shorter travel distance compared to the Aliaz. The Aliaz offers a more traditional travel distance of 4 mm, providing a deeper key press feel, while the Plum's 3.6 mm travel distance offers a slightly shallower key press. Gamers might prefer the Plum for its faster response time due to the shorter travel distance, while those who prefer a more substantial key press may opt for the Aliaz. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for key press depth and speed.
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 Kailh Plum comes in at $6.25 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 Gateron Aliaz switch is known for its muted nature, providing a softer and quieter typing experience ideal for office environments. On the other hand, the Kailh Plum switch offers a neutral sound profile that is enjoyable and suitable for various settings. Both switches will offer a pleasant typing experience, with the Aliaz being quieter and the Plum being more neutral.
In terms of feel, the Aliaz switch is described as silky and polished, offering an exceptionally smooth and refined typing experience with minimal resistance. In contrast, the Kailh Plum switch provides a mild and stepped feel, giving a gentle typing experience with a unique two-stage tactile sensation. While both switches offer a different feel, they both aim to provide a comfortable and approachable typing experience based on their distinct characteristics.
Overall, the Gateron Aliaz and Kailh Plum switches offer different but equally valuable qualities in sound and feel. The Aliaz is tailored for quiet environments with a medium-heavy weight for a substantial feel, while the Plum features a unique hefty feel without a huge tactile bump, providing a different tactile experience. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preference for sound, feel, and typing experience.
Conclusion
To wrap up, when deciding between the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch and Kailh Plum tactile switch, consider the environment in which you will be using the keyboard. If you are in a quiet setting such as an office and prefer a heavier keystroke feel with a more pronounced typing feedback, the Aliaz switch may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for a unique tactile experience with a moderate actuation force requirement and a neutral sound profile, the Plum switch could be more suitable. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for typing feel, sound level, and the specific environment in which you will be using the keyboard.
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