Everglide Bamboo Green vs. Aflion Windy Shadow
An in-depth look at the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Aflion Windy Shadow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When looking for a mechanical keyboard switch, the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Aflion Windy Shadow offer unique characteristics to consider. The Bamboo Green is a tactile switch that provides users with a clacky sound signature and a crisp, sparkling tactility. On the other hand, the Windy Shadow is a linear switch that boasts a neutral sound profile and a distinctive bounce from its extended spring. While the Bamboo Green offers a more accented and sharp typing experience, the Windy Shadow provides a milder and more neutral feel. 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
43g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
PBT
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
PBT
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
19.7mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The Everglide Bamboo Green and the Aflion Windy Shadow both offer unique housing materials that contribute to their sound profiles. The Bamboo Green features a PBT top housing, which provides a neutral sound profile that is neither too crisp nor too dull. On the other hand, the Windy Shadow utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, resulting in a sharper and crisper sound profile. While the Bamboo Green's PBT material is relatively unseen in switch housings, the polycarbonate material used in the Windy Shadow creates a more resonant sound due to its stiffness. Overall, the top housing materials of these switches play a significant role in determining their sound profiles.
Moving on to the bottom housings, the Everglide Bamboo Green continues with a PBT material, maintaining its neutral sound profile. In contrast, the Aflion Windy Shadow incorporates a nylon bottom housing, which elicits a deeper and fuller sound when typing. Nylon is known for its softer nature, which absorbs more sound and creates a duller and rounder sound profile compared to harder plastics like PBT. The choice of bottom housing material adds a different dimension to the sound profile of each switch, with the Bamboo Green focusing on neutrality while the Windy Shadow enhances depth and fullness.
While the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Aflion Windy Shadow differ in their choice of housing materials, ultimately, both switches aim to provide a quality typing experience. The split between top and bottom housing materials in a switch can significantly impact the overall sound and feel of the switch. The bottom housing material, whether PBT or nylon, will influence the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on a key, while the top housing material, whether PBT or polycarbonate, will affect the sound when letting go of a key. Despite these differences, both switches are designed to offer a combination of tactile feel and satisfying sound for users to enjoy.
Weight
The Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch has a higher actuation force of 43 grams compared to the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch, which has an unknown actuation force. However, the bottom out force of the Bamboo Green is heavier at 62 grams, while the Windy Shadow has a bottom out force of 55 grams. Despite the difference in actuation force, both switches fall into the medium category. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Windy Shadow, while individuals looking for a more substantial keystroke may opt for the Bamboo Green. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and typing style.
Travel distance
Comparing the travel distance of the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch, we see that the Bamboo Green has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Windy Shadow has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. The Windy Shadow offers a slightly shorter travel distance compared to the Bamboo Green. This means that the Windy Shadow may provide a quicker and more responsive typing experience, which could be preferred by gamers or those looking for a faster keypress. On the other hand, the Bamboo Green's slightly longer travel distance may offer a more substantial and tactile feeling when typing, which could be preferred by those who enjoy a more pronounced key press sensation. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Bamboo Green has an MSRP of $9.67 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Bamboo Green for $7.19.
The Aflion Windy Shadow has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Windy Shadow for $3.91.
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 Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch offers a high-pitched and resonant profile, producing a sharp and crisp sound signature that is immersive and clean. On the other hand, the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch provides a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, featuring a more bass-heavy and mellow tone that is suitable for various purposes. Both switches offer distinct sound qualities that cater to different preferences, with the Bamboo Green leaning towards a sharper sound and the Windy Shadow offering a more moderate and versatile option. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference and the overall sound profile desired for the typing experience.
In terms of feel, the Everglide Bamboo Green switch is known for its stepped, accented, sharp, and polished tactile qualities, providing a unique tactile experience with a distinct bump and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Aflion Windy Shadow switch offers a mild tactile feel, delivering a more gentle typing experience that falls in a safe, middle-ground zone in terms of feedback intensity. Both switches offer different tactile characteristics, with the Bamboo Green emphasizing a more pronounced and sharp feedback, while the Windy Shadow provides a softer and gentler typing experience. Choosing between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for tactile feedback and typing comfort.
Overall, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Bamboo Green provides a sharper sound with stepped, accented, sharp, and polished tactile feedback, catering to those who prefer a more distinct and intense typing experience. On the other hand, the Windy Shadow offers a more mellow sound profile with a mild tactile feel, appealing to users looking for a gentler and versatile typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preferences for sound, feel, and overall typing experience. Regardless of the choice made, both switches are sure to provide a satisfying and reliable mechanical keyboard experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch, consider your preference for sound and feel. If you enjoy a clacky sound with a crisp and sparkling tactility, the Bamboo Green may be the switch for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a neutral sound profile with a distinctive bounce and a medium-light bottom-out force, the Windy Shadow could be the better choice. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences, so make sure to choose the one that aligns best with your typing style and preferences.
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