PH Studio Aniya vs. Aflion Blue Sky
An in-depth look at the PH Studio Aniya and the Aflion Blue Sky switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The PH Studio Aniya and the Aflion Blue Sky are two mechanical keyboard switches that offer unique qualities for different typing preferences. The Aniya, a linear switch, is praised for its harmonious balance in sound profile, leaning towards a more pronounced clacky sound without being overwhelmingly loud. With a smooth feel and medium-light actuation, it provides a delightful typing experience. On the other hand, the Blue Sky, also a linear switch, stands out for its crystal clear typing experience with a sparkling sound profile and smooth push feel. While the Aniya boasts qualities such as being clacky and creamy, the Blue Sky is described as high-pitched and neutral. Both switches have their own set of characteristics that may appeal to different users. 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
42g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.20 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Single stage lengthened 20mm spring
Spring
15mm spring
Housing materials
The PH Studio Aniya and the Aflion Blue Sky both offer unique sound profiles based on their housing materials. The Aniya's POM top and bottom housing create a pleasing and deep sound, while the Blue Sky's polycarbonate top housing produces a sharper and crisper sound. In terms of aesthetics, the clear polycarbonate top housing of the Blue Sky allows for RGB lighting, adding a visual element to the switch that the Aniya may lack. However, the Aniya's POM bottom housing provides a deeper and fuller sound compared to the nylon bottom housing of the Blue Sky, creating a more rounded sound profile.
While both switches offer unique sounds based on their housing materials, the impact of each material differs in how it affects the overall sound profile. The stiffness of polycarbonate in the Blue Sky's top housing creates a clear and resonant sound when pressing down on the switch, while the softer nylon bottom housing absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound profile. In contrast, the POM housing of the Aniya impacts the sound when both pressing down on a key and when letting go, creating a more balanced and muted sound overall. This difference in how the housing materials interact with the key press can drastically change the typing experience for users.
Overall, the choice between the PH Studio Aniya and the Aflion Blue Sky ultimately comes down to personal preference in sound profile and typing experience. While the Aniya offers a more balanced sound with its POM housing for both the top and bottom, the Blue Sky provides a sharper and crisper sound with its polycarbonate top housing and nylon bottom housing. Whether you prefer a deeper, fuller sound or a clearer, resonant sound, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences in typing and sound aesthetics. Ultimately, experimenting with both switches may be the best way to determine which housing material suits your typing style and sound preferences.
Weight
In comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the PH Studio Aniya linear switch and the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch, it is evident that the Aniya is lighter in both aspects. The Aniya has an actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, while the Blue Sky has an actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams. The lighter actuation and bottom out forces of the Aniya make it more suitable for those who prefer a lighter typing experience, allowing for longer periods of typing without fatigue. On the other hand, the Blue Sky offers a slightly heavier actuation and bottom out force, providing a more substantial and tactile typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference in terms of typing feel and pressure required for keystrokes.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the PH Studio Aniya linear switch is 3.2 mm, while the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. The Aniya has a shorter travel distance, making it more suitable for those seeking faster response times, such as gamers. On the other hand, the Blue Sky switch has a longer travel distance, providing a more substantial feel for those who prefer a deeper keystroke. Both switches offer different experiences based on their travel distances, catering to individual preferences for responsiveness and key feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on whether you prioritize speed or depth in your typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The PH Studio Aniya has an MSRP of $4.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Aniya for $4.20.
The Aflion Blue Sky has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Blue Sky for $4.07.
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
In terms of sound, the PH Studio Aniya linear switch is best characterized by its clacky sound profile, offering a sharp and snappy sound when pressed. While it leans towards a more pronounced sound profile, it is not excessively high-pitched, providing an audible yet pleasant auditory experience. On the other hand, the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch boasts a high-pitched sound profile that is crystal clear and sparkling, delivering a delightful typing experience. The Blue Sky switch offers a more neutral sound compared to the Aniya, making it suitable for a wide range of users and preferences, depending on the choice of board and keycaps utilized.
When it comes to feel, the Aniya linear switch is distinguished by its creamy and polished typing experience, offering a smooth and buttery feel with minimal friction. The use of Ly as the stem material contributes to the remarkably smooth feel of the Aniya switch, coupled with a medium-light actuation that enhances the overall typing experience. In contrast, the Aflion Blue Sky switch provides a mild and polished feel, offering a gentle typing experience that is approachable to most users. Both switches prioritize smooth key travel and reduced friction, ensuring a pleasurable typing experience for users.
In conclusion, although the PH Studio Aniya linear switch and the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch offer slightly different sound and feel profiles, both switches prioritize smoothness and pleasant typing experiences. The Aniya excels in providing a clacky sound profile and a creamy, polished feel, while the Blue Sky impresses with its high-pitched sound and mild, polished feel. Ultimately, selecting between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and overall typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between PH Studio Aniya linear switches and Aflion Blue Sky linear switches, consider the differences in bottom out force, sound profile, and typing feel. If you prefer a lighter actuation force of 50 grams and enjoy a more pronounced clacky sound profile with a smooth feel, the Aniya switches would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium actuation force of 60 grams and a crystal clear linear typing experience with a gentle feel, the Blue Sky switches might be more suitable for your preferences. Ultimately, your decision should be based on what type of typing experience you value the most - whether it's a harmonious balance of sound and smoothness with the Aniya switches or a sparkly sound profile and refined feel with the Blue Sky switches. Choose wisely based on your personal preferences and typing style.
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