Durock Black Lotus vs. Aflion Blue Sky

Overview

When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options that often come up for consideration are the Durock Black Lotus and the Aflion Blue Sky. Both switches fall under the linear category, providing a consistent and smooth typing experience. The Black Lotus is renowned for its silky smooth feel and unmatched precision, with reduced housing and stem wobble for maximum typing pleasure. With a 55g actuation weight, it strikes a balanced middle ground, not too heavy nor too light. Additionally, the unique light column within the switch offers customizable in-switch lighting and is fully removable. On the other hand, the Blue Sky switch boasts a crystal-clear linear typing experience, thanks to its long pole stem. It offers a sparkling sound profile and exquisitely smooth push feel. Categorized as 'High-pitched', 'Neutral', 'Mild', and 'Polished', the Blue Sky switch provides a neutral and pleasant typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities, so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your needs.

By the numbers

Durock Black Lotus Linear

Aflion Blue Sky Linear

$5.60

$4.57 per 10

$6.00

$4.07 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The housing materials of the Durock Black Lotus and the Aflion Blue Sky switches have some similarities and differences. In terms of the top housing, the Black Lotus utilizes a Modified PC and UPE Blend, giving it a unique and premium feel. On the other hand, the Blue Sky features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Both materials offer distinct characteristics when it comes to the sound produced by the switches. However, if you are looking for a switch that showcases RGB lighting, the Blue Sky's translucent polycarbonate top housing would be the better choice.

Moving on to the bottom housing, both the Black Lotus and the Blue Sky switches employ nylon as the material. Typing on switches with nylon bottom housings elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its relatively softer plastic that absorbs more sound. This creates a duller and rounder sound compared to harder plastics. Therefore, both switches offer a similar typing experience in terms of the sound produced when bottoming out the keys.

It's important to note that the qualities brought by the housing materials are divided between the top and bottom of the switches. The bottom housing has a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when you press down on a key, while the top housing affects the sound when you release a key. Therefore, depending on the focus of your preference, whether it be the feel when pressing down or the sound when releasing a key, you can choose between the two switches accordingly.

Weight

When comparing the Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch, there are notable differences in their actuation force and bottom out force. The Black Lotus has a slightly higher actuation force of 55 grams compared to the Blue Sky's 50 grams. However, both switches fall within the medium weight range. In terms of bottom out force, the Black Lotus requires a heavier force of 63.5 grams, while the Blue Sky requires a slightly lighter force of 60 grams. This means that typing with the Black Lotus may provide a more substantial and tactile experience, while the Blue Sky offers a slightly lighter touch. Both switches cater to different preferences, with the Black Lotus appealing to those who desire a stronger push feel and the Blue Sky being well-suited for users who prefer a slightly lighter typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference, but regardless of the switch selected, users can expect similar results in terms of actuation and bottom out forces within the medium weight range.

Travel distance

Both the Durock Black Lotus linear 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 with either switch, you will feel the key travel a total distance of 4 mm from the top to the bottom. Therefore, both switches will provide a similar experience in terms of travel distance. Neither switch is shorter or longer than the other, as they both have the same travel distance.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Durock Black Lotus and the Aflion Blue Sky switches offer different profiles. The Black Lotus sound profile is not specifically mentioned in the information provided. On the other hand, the Blue Sky switches are described as having a high-pitched sound, which produces a sharp and crisp sound when pressed. This may be appealing for those who prefer a brighter sound profile over a richer and bassier one. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by factors such as the choice of keyboard and keycaps, so individual results may vary.

Moving on to feel, the Black Lotus switches are described as offering a silky smooth feel and unparalleled precision. These switches are designed to minimize housing and stem wobble, providing maximum typing pleasure. The feel is further enhanced by the absence of resistance when pressing and releasing the keys. The Black Lotus switches are also referred to as buttery, implying a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. Overall, the Black Lotus switches aim to deliver a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation.

Similarly, the Aflion Blue Sky switches are also described as offering a mild and polished typing experience. Like the Black Lotus, they provide a smooth and refined finish, resulting in a sleek typing experience. The combination of reduced friction and smooth key travel contributes to the overall feel of the switches. The mild characteristic indicates that the Blue Sky switches offer a gentle typing experience, suitable for most users. Overall, the Blue Sky switches aim to provide a safe, middle-ground feel that can be enjoyed by a wide range of users.

Taking into account all the available information, the Durock Black Lotus and Aflion Blue Sky switches offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the sound profile of the Black Lotus is unknown, the Blue Sky switches are described as having a high-pitched sound. As for feel, both switches aim to provide a smooth and polished typing experience, with the Black Lotus emphasizing unparalleled precision and the Blue Sky offering a mild and approachable feel.

Both switches have their own unique characteristics, so the ultimate choice would depend on personal preference. If you prefer a switch with a crystal clear linear typing experience and a high-pitched sound, the Aflion Blue Sky switches may be the better option. However, if you prioritize a silky smooth feel, unparalleled precision, and a buttery typing experience, the Durock Black Lotus switches would be a great choice. Keep in mind that individual results may vary based on factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.

Conclusion

To sum up, when choosing between the Durock Black Lotus and the Aflion Blue Sky linear switches, it ultimately depends on your personal preferences and typing style. If you prioritize a slightly heavier bottom out force and enjoy a smooth and precise typing experience, the Black Lotus might be the ideal choice for you. With its 63.5-gram bottom out force, silky smooth feel, and unparalleled precision, these switches offer a comfortable and satisfying typing experience. Additionally, the unique light column provides in-switch lighting that can be fully removed if desired.

On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force and crave a crystal clear linear typing experience, the Blue Sky switches may be more suitable for you. With their 60-gram bottom out force and long pole stem, these switches deliver a sparkling sound profile and an exquisitely smooth push feel. They offer a moderate actuation force requirement and a neutral sound profile, making them suitable for various typing purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced user, or plan to use them at home or work.

Both switches provide a mild typing experience, which is approachable to most users. They also feature a polished finish that results in a sleek and refined typing experience, characterized by reduced friction and smooth key travel. Both switches are described as having a neutral sound profile, but the Blue Sky switches additionally have a high-pitched option for those who prefer a sharper and crisper sound when typing.

Overall, it is important to consider your personal preferences in terms of bottom out force, typing feel, and sound profile when choosing between the Durock Black Lotus and Aflion Blue Sky linear switches. Both switches offer unique features that can enhance your typing pleasure, so take your time to evaluate your needs and select the one that aligns best with your preferences and typing style.

Mentioned in this article

Durock Black Lotus Linear

$5.60

$4.57 per 10

Learn more

Aflion Blue Sky Linear

$6.00

$4.07 per 10

Learn more