Everglide Bamboo Green vs. Aflion Blue Sky

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options that often come up in discussions are the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Aflion Blue Sky. The Bamboo Green switch is well-known for its clacky sound signature and crisp, sparkling tactility. With a categorization of "stepped", "high-pitched", "accented", "sharp", "resonant", and "polished", it offers a unique typing experience. On the other hand, the Blue Sky switch stands out with its long pole stem, providing a crystal clear linear typing experience. It boasts a sparkling sound profile and an exquisitely smooth push feel. Categorized as "high-pitched", "neutral", "mild", and "polished", the Blue Sky switch offers a different set of features compared to the Bamboo Green. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for you.

By the numbers

Everglide Bamboo Green Tactile

Aflion Blue Sky Linear

$9.67

$7.19 per 10

$6.00

$4.07 per 10

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Housing materials

The housing materials of the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Aflion Blue Sky differ in various aspects. The Bamboo Green features a PBT top housing, which offers a neutral sound profile that is neither crisp nor dull. In contrast, the Blue Sky utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate contributes to a more clear and resonant sound, making it a great choice for switches with RGB lighting.

Moving on to the bottom housings, the Bamboo Green and the Blue Sky also diverge in their materials. The Bamboo Green utilizes a PBT bottom housing, which provides a neutral sound profile similar to its top housing. On the other hand, the Blue Sky employs a nylon bottom housing, which generates a deeper and fuller sound. The softer nature of nylon allows it to absorb more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound compared to harder plastics.

Considering the impact on sound and feel, the differences in top and bottom housings are notable. When pressing down on the switch, the qualities of the bottom housing become more apparent, as it influences the bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, the top housing plays a larger role in the sound when releasing a key. Therefore, the use of different materials for top and bottom housings in a switch like the Bamboo Green or the Blue Sky can split the qualities each housing material brings, resulting in a combination of their respective sound profiles.

Weight

When comparing the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch, there are some noticeable differences in their actuation force and bottom out force. The Bamboo Green requires a lighter actuation force of 43 grams compared to the Blue Sky's 50 grams. This means that the Bamboo Green switch is slightly easier to trigger when typing. However, both switches have a medium bottom out force, with the Bamboo Green measuring at 62 grams and the Blue Sky at 60 grams. This indicates that both switches provide a similar resistance when fully pressed down.

The difference in actuation force between the Bamboo Green and the Blue Sky may result in a slightly lighter typing experience for the Bamboo Green. This can be beneficial for those who prefer a lighter touch, allowing them to type for longer periods without experiencing fatigue. On the other hand, the slightly higher actuation force of the Blue Sky may appeal to individuals seeking a more substantial typing experience, requiring a stronger push for each keystroke.

Overall, while the actuation force of the Bamboo Green is lighter than that of the Blue Sky, both switches offer a comparable bottom out force. Therefore, individuals seeking a similar typing experience in terms of resistance while fully pressing down can select either switch without a significant difference in their results.

Travel distance

Both the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch have a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key equipped with either of these switches, you will feel the switch travel a distance of 4 mm from the top to the bottom. Therefore, both switches offer a similar typing experience in terms of travel distance.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch is best known for its clacky sound signature. The sound produced by these switches is high-pitched, sharp, and crisp. This creates an immersive auditory experience and adds a sparkly element to the typing sound. On the other hand, the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch offers a different sound profile. It also falls into the high-pitched category, producing a sharp and crisp sound when pressed. However, it is described as having a more neutral sound profile. This means that it has a moderate sound that is suitable for most purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced user, and whether you plan to use them at home or work. It is important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used. Therefore, depending on the overall setup, both switches can provide similar results in terms of sound.

Moving on to feel, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch offers a stepped and accented tactile experience. Stepped switches have two stages, providing a mild sensation that includes pre-travel and/or post-travel. The accented feature indicates that these switches provide a medium level of tactility, neither overwhelming nor subtle. They offer a strong and crisp tactile bump that can be distinctly felt with each keypress. Additionally, the Bamboo Green switches are described as polished, which means they have a smooth and refined finish. This leads to reduced friction and a sleek typing experience. On the other hand, the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch is characterized by a mild feel. This means that it provides a more gentle typing experience compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. Similar to the Bamboo Green, the Blue Sky switches are also described as polished, resulting in a smooth and refined finish that reduces friction and ensures smooth key travel. Both switches provide a pleasant and approachable typing experience, with the Bamboo Green offering a more pronounced tactile feedback compared to the Blue Sky's linear action.

In conclusion, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch is known for its clacky sound signature and crisp tactile feedback, thanks to its stepped and accented feel. It offers a high-pitched sound profile and a strong tactile bump. On the other hand, the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch provides a crystal clear linear typing experience with a more neutral sound and a mild, gentle feel. Both switches have polished finishes, ensuring reduced friction and smooth key travel. Depending on your preferences, the Bamboo Green switches may be preferred for those who enjoy a more distinct tactile experience and a clacky sound, while the Blue Sky switches cater to those who prefer a smooth linear feel and a more moderate sound profile. However, they both offer qualities that make for a satisfying typing experience.

Conclusion

To sum up, if you are looking for a tactile switch with a medium bottom out force, the Everglide Bamboo Green would be a great choice. These switches are best known for their clacky sound signature and crisp and sparkling tactility. When typing on Bamboo Greens, you can expect a high-pitched and resonant sound profile, providing an immersive auditory experience. Additionally, these switches have a stepped and accented feel, offering a medium amount of tactility that is neither overwhelming nor subtle. On the other hand, if you prefer a linear switch with a similar medium bottom out force, the Aflion Blue Sky would be a suitable option. Blue Sky switches offer a crystal clear typing experience with a sparkling sound profile. They have a high-pitched sound when pressed and a polished feel, resulting in a smooth and refined typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on whether you prefer tactile or linear switches and the specific sound and feel you desire in your mechanical keyboard.

Mentioned in this article

Everglide Bamboo Green Tactile

$9.67

$7.19 per 10

Learn more

Aflion Blue Sky Linear

$6.00

$4.07 per 10

Learn more