Gateron Aliaz vs. Huano Sakura
An in-depth look at the Gateron Aliaz and the Huano Sakura switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch, understanding the distinct characteristics of each option can greatly enhance your typing experience. The Gateron Aliaz switches stand out for their silent operation and tactile feedback, making them an ideal choice for quiet environments like offices. With a medium-heavy weight, they provide a satisfying, pronounced feel to each keystroke, which is categorized as silky, muted, and polished. Conversely, the Huano Sakura switches offer a feather-light touch and medium acoustics, making them perfect for those who engage in lengthy typing sessions without the distraction of loud keystrokes. While the Aliaz excels in providing feedback with a quieter operation, the Sakura prioritizes ease and comfort over long durations. 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
35g
Bottom-out force
75g
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
POK
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
23mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
The Gateron Aliaz and Huano Sakura switches are designed with distinct housing materials that noticeably influence their sound profiles and overall typing experience. The Aliaz features a polycarbonate top and bottom housing, which is known for producing a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, the Aliaz is designed to provide a clear and resonant sound, particularly useful for enthusiasts who desire an enhanced auditory feedback in their typing experience. The translucency of polycarbonate also lends itself well to RGB lighting, allowing for vibrant illumination effects that are aesthetically appealing.
In contrast, the Huano Sakura utilizes a POK material for its top housing, which contributes to a smooth and clacky typing feel. While POK boasts a slightly higher coefficient of friction than other materials, it excels in durability, with remarkable wear resistance and shock resistance properties that surpass those of Nylon and POM. The bottom housing of the Sakura is crafted from Nylon, a classic material that adds a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature, which absorbs more sound. The combination of POK and Nylon in the Sakura provides a unique balance that delivers a different auditory experience compared to the Aliaz, specifically by offering a more muted sound on the bottom out due to the Nylon.
Ultimately, both switch designs reflect the influence of their respective materials, and this results in a layered sound experience. For the Aliaz, the robust clarity of the polycarbonate top and bottom housing creates a uniformity in sound that is crisp and bright across the board. Meanwhile, the Sakura's dual-material construction offers a distinction between the sharpness of the POK top and the deeper tones produced by the Nylon bottom housing. If users seek specific auditory characteristics or tactile feedback, these differences become especially crucial. However, if both switches have similar applications and setups, coupling the Aliaz's top housing with Nylon or the Sakura's top with polycarbonate could yield a mixture of sound qualities that can still produce enjoyable results, showing how both switches' materials affect the overall typing dynamics.
Weight
When comparing the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch to the Huano Sakura linear switch, significant differences in both actuation force and bottom out force are evident. The Aliaz has a notably heavier actuation force of 60 grams and a bottom out force of 75 grams, making it better suited for those who enjoy a more substantial typing experience. In contrast, the Sakura boasts a much lighter actuation force of just 35 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, appealing to users who prefer less resistance, which can be beneficial during extended typing sessions or long gaming marathons. As a result, typists looking for a softer touch may gravitate towards the Sakura, while those who appreciate a firmer push should consider the Aliaz. Overall, the Aliaz is the heavier option whereas the Sakura is distinctly lighter, providing unique tactile feedback based on personal preference.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch and the Huano Sakura linear switch, there is a distinct difference. The Aliaz features a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Sakura has a shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm. This makes the Aliaz the longer option, providing a more pronounced tactile experience for those who prefer a deeper key press. In contrast, the Sakura’s 3.6 mm travel distance caters to users who favor quicker response times, making it appealing for gaming and fast-paced typing. Ultimately, if you favor a more responsive feel, the Sakura is the better choice; however, if you appreciate a more substantial depth, the Aliaz would be preferable. Therefore, your preference for either switch may significantly influence your overall typing or gaming experience.
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 Huano Sakura comes in at $3.50 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 switches are engineered for quiet operation, making them particularly suitable for office settings or any environment where noise levels need to be kept to a minimum. They produce a muted sound profile, which significantly reduces the typical mechanical sound associated with keystrokes. In contrast, the Huano Sakura switches, while not specifically described, offer medium acoustics that suggest a balance between quiet operation and audible feedback. Though the exact sound character of the Sakura switches remains unspecified, they are likely to produce a noise level that is more noticeable than the Aliaz but still manageable for extended typing in quieter spaces.
In terms of feel, the Aliaz switches stand out with their silky and polished characteristics, providing an exceptionally smooth and refined typing experience. The medium-heavy weight enhances the tactile feedback, making each keystroke feel substantial and satisfying without being overly burdensome. This smoothness minimizes resistance, allowing for effortless key travel. On the other hand, the Sakura switches are noted for their feather-light touch, which suggests a very different typing experience that could favor swift, agile strokes over the more deliberate pressing of the Aliaz. The absence of a specified tactile feedback for the Sakura makes it difficult to draw precise comparisons, but the overall typing sensation is likely to be lighter and potentially less tactile than that of the Aliaz.
In conclusion, the Gateron Aliaz and Huano Sakura switches cater to different preferences. The Aliaz excels in creating a silent, tactile experience with a polished feel, making them perfect for those who appreciate a more pronounced key response without the accompanying noise. Meanwhile, the Sakura switches offer a lighter touch and medium sound, appealing to users who prioritize speed and efficiency in their typing. Ultimately, choosing between these switches will depend on individual typing style and environment, but both can deliver satisfying results tailored to varying needs.
Conclusion
To conclude, the choice between Gateron Aliaz tactile switches and Huano Sakura linear switches largely depends on your typing preferences and the environments in which you'll be using your keyboard. If you find yourself in quiet settings, such as an office, and you prefer a switch that offers a tactile feel without the accompanying noise, the Aliaz will serve you well with its muted sound profile and silky, polished typing experience. The heavier bottom-out force also provides a gratifying resistance, making it ideal for those who enjoy a more pronounced feedback with each keystroke. On the other hand, if you prioritize speed and stamina in your typing sessions, the light 45-gram bottom-out force of the Sakura is designed to minimize fatigue, allowing for rapid key presses while still maintaining a moderate acoustic output. This makes the Sakura particularly suitable for gamers or those who engage in lengthy typing tasks. In essence, your decision should align with whether you value a heavier tactile response and quiet operation with the Aliaz, or if you favor a lighter touch and quicker key actuation with the Sakura.
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