Gateron Baby Kangaroo (V2) vs. Aflion Blue Sky
An in-depth look at the Gateron Baby Kangaroo (V2) and the Aflion Blue Sky switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Introducing two remarkable mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Baby Kangaroo and the Aflion Blue Sky. Each switch provides a distinctive typing experience that caters to different preferences. The Baby Kangaroo switch stands out with its crisp and light tactility, delivering a delightful sensation with every keystroke. Its unique marbley sound profile adds a touch of elegance to your typing experience. On the other hand, the Blue Sky switch boasts a linear typing experience, thanks to its long pole stem. With this switch, you can expect a crystal-clear and smooth push feel. The sparkling sound profile adds a touch of sophistication to your keystrokes. However, let's dive deeper beyond these generalities to explore the specific characteristics of each switch, helping you make an informed choice for your ideal mechanical keyboard switch.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
59g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm double-stage gold-plated
Spring
15mm spring
Housing materials
The Gateron Baby Kangaroo and the Aflion Blue Sky both feature polycarbonate top housings. This material choice results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile for both switches. The translucency of polycarbonate makes it especially useful for those planning to use RGB lighting. Aesthetically, these switches will provide a similar visual effect.
On the other hand, the Baby Kangaroo utilizes a nylon bottom housing, while the Blue Sky also incorporates nylon for its bottom housing material. Nylon is a classic switch housing material known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile. The relatively softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound overall. Both switches benefit from these characteristics, offering a satisfying typing experience.
When it comes to the overall feel and sound of the switches, the qualities of the top and bottom housings play distinct roles. The bottom housing has a more significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when you press down on the switch. Conversely, the top housing influences the sound when you release a key. Therefore, although their housing materials differ between the top and bottom, the Baby Kangaroo and Blue Sky switches provide a similar overall typing experience, combining the unique qualities of both materials.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Baby Kangaroo tactile switch and the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch, there are some notable differences. The Baby Kangaroo has a slightly heavier actuation force of 59 grams compared to the Blue Sky's 50 grams, making it a bit more resistant to accidental keystrokes. However, both switches offer a medium actuation force, which provides a good balance between responsiveness and typing comfort.
In terms of bottom out force, the Baby Kangaroo requires 67 grams to fully depress the key, while the Blue Sky requires 60 grams. This means that the Blue Sky has a slightly lighter bottom out force, providing a smoother typing experience for those who prefer a lighter touch.
Considering weight, it is worth noting that the actuation and bottom out forces of both switches are within a similar range. Therefore, regardless of whether you choose the Gateron Baby Kangaroo or the Aflion Blue Sky, you can expect comparable results in terms of typing effort. The decision ultimately comes down to personal preference – those who prefer a slightly heavier and more substantial typing experience may opt for the Baby Kangaroo, while those who prefer a lighter touch might prefer the Blue Sky.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Gateron Baby Kangaroo tactile switch is 3.4 mm, while the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that the Blue Sky switch has a longer travel distance compared to the Baby Kangaroo switch. 4.0 mm is the most traditional travel distance, while 3.0 mm is the most shallow. Gamers tend to prefer shorter travel distances as it allows for faster response times. So, if you are looking for a more responsive switch, the Baby Kangaroo with its shorter travel distance would be a good choice. However, for those who prefer a deeper key press, the Blue Sky switch with its longer travel distance may be more suitable. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference and the desired typing or gaming experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Baby Kangaroo (V2) has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Baby Kangaroo (V2) for $5.50.
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 Gateron Baby Kangaroo tactile switch is best described as clacky, marbly, high-pitched, and resonant. The sound produced by these switches is sharp, crisp, and percussive, akin to tapping on a rock-solid piece of marble or the collision of billiard balls. It offers a higher-pitched sound profile that provides an immersive auditory experience. On the other hand, the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch is characterized as high-pitched and neutral. These switches produce a sharp and crisp sound when pressed, which is suitable for those who prefer a less rich and bassy sound profile. The neutral sound profile makes it versatile for various purposes, whether it be for beginners or advanced users, and whether it is intended for home or work use.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Gateron Baby Kangaroo tactile switch provides a snappy, bouncy, and polished typing experience. These switches are highly responsive, often due to longer or dual-staged springs, giving the typing experience a lively feel. The keys offer a spring-like, elastic feedback sensation and have a smooth and refined finish, resulting in sleek and frictionless key travel. Similarly, the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch offers a mild and polished typing experience. It provides a more gentle typing experience compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. The sound and feel of these switches are approachable to most users, lying in a safe middle-ground zone. Like the Baby Kangaroo, the Blue Sky switch also features a polished finish for reduced friction and smooth key travel.
Based on the provided information, the Gateron Baby Kangaroo tactile switch and the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Baby Kangaroo switch produces a clacky, marbly, high-pitched, and resonant sound profile, while providing a snappy, bouncy, and polished typing experience. On the other hand, the Aflion Blue Sky switch offers a high-pitched and neutral sound profile, along with a mild and polished typing experience. Both switches offer a smooth and refined finish for reduced friction and smooth key travel. Depending on the user's preferences for sound and typing feel, they can choose the appropriate switch. However, it should be noted that individual factors such as the choice of keyboard and keycaps can also influence the overall sound and feel of the switches. So, while the subjective qualities may differ, with careful selection of other components, similar results can be achieved with both the Gateron Baby Kangaroo tactile switch and the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch.
Conclusion
In closing, when choosing between the Gateron Baby Kangaroo tactile switch and the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your preferences and typing style. If you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force and enjoy a crisp, light switch-like tactility with a marbley sound profile, then the Baby Kangaroo switch would be a great choice for you. It offers a clacky and marbly sound profile, along with a snappy and bouncy feel that provides a more responsive and lively typing experience.
On the other hand, if you prefer a medium bottom out force and a crystal clear linear typing experience, then the Blue Sky switch would be a better fit. It offers a high-pitched sound profile and a sparkling sound that is both sharp and crisp. The Blue Sky switch has a mild and polished feel, providing a more gentle typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
Ultimately, both switches have their unique characteristics and advantages. The Baby Kangaroo switch excels in offering a tactile typing experience with a lively feel and a marbly sound profile, while the Blue Sky switch provides a linear typing experience with a sharp sound and a polished feel. Consider your sound and feel preferences when making your decision, and choose the switch that best aligns with your typing style and preferences.
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