Gateron Baby Kangaroo (V2) vs. Aflion Blush
An in-depth look at the Gateron Baby Kangaroo (V2) and the Aflion Blush switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
If you're in the market for a new mechanical keyboard switch, the Gateron Baby Kangaroo and the Aflion Blush are two fantastic options to consider. The Baby Kangaroo, a tactile switch, offers a unique experience with its crisp and light switch-like tactility. Along with its distinctive marbley sound profile, this switch provides a clacky, high-pitched, and snappy feel. On the other hand, the Blush, a linear switch, stands out with its impressively smooth and full typing experience, thanks to its longer, two-stage spring. The Blush switch also offers a buttery and silky feel, accompanied by a low-pitched and poppy sound signature, making it Aflion's best linear offering. These general characteristics make both switches appealing, but let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
59g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
58g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm double-stage gold-plated
Spring
Dual-stage stainless steel spring
Housing materials
The Gateron Baby Kangaroo and the Aflion Blush both feature polycarbonate top housing, which contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is because polycarbonate is a stiffer plastic, resulting in a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate is particularly useful if you plan to use RGB lighting in your keyboard setup. Therefore, both switches will provide similar results in terms of sound and aesthetics due to their polycarbonate top housing.
Another commonality between the two switches is their use of nylon as the bottom housing material. Nylon is known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing on switches. This is because nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics, creating a duller and rounder sound. As such, both the Baby Kangaroo and the Blush will offer a similar typing experience with a deeper and fuller sound thanks to their nylon bottom housing.
However, it is important to note that the top and bottom housings of a switch play different roles in the overall typing experience. While the bottom housing primarily influences the bottom-out sound and feel, the top housing has a greater impact on the sound when releasing a key. Therefore, even though they share housing materials in common, the Baby Kangaroo and the Blush may still exhibit some subtle differences in sound and feel due to variations in their top and bottom housings.
In summary, both the Gateron Baby Kangaroo and the Aflion Blush feature polycarbonate top housing, providing a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, as well as nylon bottom housing, offering a deeper and fuller sound experience. While their housing materials are the same, the specific design and composition of the top and bottom housings may still result in slight variations in sound and feel. However, overall, users can expect a similar typing experience with both switches, characterized by clear and resonant sound and a deeper, fuller sound profile.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Baby Kangaroo tactile switch and the Aflion Blush linear switch, we can observe some similarities and differences. In terms of weight, the Baby Kangaroo is slightly heavier, with an actuation force of 59 grams and a bottom out force of 67 grams, which falls in the medium-heavy range. On the other hand, the Blush has an actuation force of an unknown value, making it difficult to compare directly, but its bottom out force is 58 grams, which is in the medium range.
For those who prefer a lighter touch, the Baby Kangaroo may be more suitable as it requires a slightly lighter force to trigger the keystroke. This can be advantageous for extended typing sessions or prolonged gaming sessions, where the lighter actuation force allows for easier typing and reduced finger fatigue. However, if a more substantial typing experience is desired, the Blush may be preferred as it has a slightly heavier bottom out force. This heavier force can provide a stronger push feel, giving a more satisfying tactile experience with each keystroke.
It is worth noting that without knowledge of the Blush's actuation force, we cannot make a direct comparison in terms of actuation force between the two switches. However, if the actuation forces of both switches happen to be similar, the results in terms of typing experience would likely be comparable as well. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches would depend on individual preferences, with the Baby Kangaroo being slightly heavier and the Blush falling into the medium range for bottom out force.
Travel distance
The Gateron Baby Kangaroo tactile switch and the Aflion Blush linear switch have slightly different travel distances. The Baby Kangaroo has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Blush has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.3 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are becoming increasingly popular, especially among gamers who value faster response times. If you prefer a more responsive typing or gaming experience, the Baby Kangaroo with its slightly longer travel distance may be a better option. However, it is essential to note that some individuals may find short travel distances to feel too abrupt. If you prefer a switch with a bit more depth, the Blush with its slightly shorter travel distance could be a suitable choice. Ultimately, the decision 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 Blush has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Blush 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
The Gateron Baby Kangaroo tactile switch is best known for its crisp and light switch-like tactility, accompanied by a marbley sound profile. The sound of the Baby Kangaroo switch can be described as clacky, marbly, high-pitched, and resonant. Clacky switches produce a sharp and snappy sound when pressed, while marbly switches are resonant and clean, similar to the sound of tapping on a solid piece of marble or billiard balls colliding. The high-pitched sound profile adds to the sharp and crisp sound of the switch when pressed, providing an immersive auditory experience.
On the other hand, the Aflion Blush linear switch is known for its smooth, full, and snappy feel, thanks to its longer two-stage spring. The Blush switch offers a snappy and bouncy typing experience, giving a spring-like or elastic feedback sensation. The sound of the Blush switch is described as low-pitched, featuring a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches.
In summary, the Gateron Baby Kangaroo tactile switch provides a unique sound experience with its clacky, marbly, high-pitched, and resonant properties. It offers a crisp and bright sound profile that can be likened to the tapping of marble or colliding billiard balls. On the other hand, the Aflion Blush linear switch offers a smooth and full typing experience with its snappy, bouncy, and creamy feel. The low-pitched sound of the Blush switch adds a bass-heavy and mellow tone to the typing experience. Both switches provide distinct qualities that cater to different preferences, allowing users to choose based on their desired sound and feel. If you are seeking a switch with a crisp and light tactility accompanied by a marbley sound, the Gateron Baby Kangaroo is recommended. If you prefer a smoother and snappy typing experience with a mellow and low-pitched sound, the Aflion Blush linear switch would be a great choice.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a medium-heavy tactile switch with a crisp, light tactility and a marbley sound profile, then the Gateron Baby Kangaroo switch is the right choice for you. It provides a clacky and high-pitched sound when pressed, along with a snappy and bouncy feel. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium linear switch with a smooth, full, and snappy type feel, then the Aflion Blush switch is the way to go. It offers a low-pitched sound and a creamy, silky, or buttery typing experience. Consider your preferences for bottom out force, sound, and feel when deciding between these two switches. Ultimately, it is important to choose the switch that aligns with your desired typing experience.
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