Aflion Blue Sky vs. Kailh Box Navy

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, there are a wide variety of options available to cater to each individual's preferences. Two popular options are the Aflion Blue Sky, a linear switch, and the Kailh Box Navy, a clicky switch. The Blue Sky switch is revered for its long pole stem, offering a crystal clear linear typing experience. This switch is known for its high-pitched and neutral sound profile, providing a mild and polished feel when typing. On the other hand, the Box Navy switch is perfect for those who enjoy a heavy typing experience and appreciate the distinct sound and tactility of a clicky switch. This switch is reminiscent of the vintage buckling keyboards of the 80s, providing a sharp, resonant, and invigorating sound profile. It offers a crunchy and stiff feel while typing. 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

Aflion Blue Sky Linear

Kailh Box Navy Clicky

$6.00

$4.07 per 10

$5.50 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The Aflion Blue Sky and the Kailh Box Navy both utilize polycarbonate as their top housing material. This choice provides a similar result in terms of sound profile, as polycarbonate is known to create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate contributes to a clearer and resonant sound profile. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches that plan to incorporate RGB lighting. Therefore, both the Blue Sky and the Box Navy benefit from the use of polycarbonate in their top housings, ensuring an enhanced auditory experience.

In terms of the bottom housing material, both the Blue Sky and the Box Navy feature nylon. This choice results in a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing on these switches. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics, creating a rounder and duller sound. As a classic switch housing material, nylon brings these qualities to both the Blue Sky and the Box Navy, providing a satisfying typing experience with a deeper sound profile.

While the top and bottom housings differ between the Blue Sky and the Box Navy, the impact of each housing material on the switch's performance is distinct. The bottom housing has a more noticeable effect on the bottom-out sound and feel, influencing the typing experience when the key is fully pressed down. On the other hand, the top housing plays a significant role in the sound produced when releasing the key. Therefore, even with different housing materials, both the Blue Sky and the Box Navy ensure a well-rounded auditory experience, with each housing material contributing to various aspects of the switch's sound profile.

Weight

When comparing the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the Kailh Box Navy clicky switch, there are significant differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Blue Sky has a lighter actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Box Navy's 60 grams. This means that the Blue Sky requires less force to trigger a keystroke, which can be advantageous for those who prefer a lighter typing experience, allowing them to type for longer periods without fatigue. On the other hand, the Box Navy has a heavier bottom out force of 90 grams compared to the Blue Sky's 60 grams. This indicates that pressing the Box Navy switch all the way down requires more force, providing a more substantial and tactile typing experience. For individuals who prefer a stronger push feel and enjoy the satisfaction of a heavier switch, the Box Navy would be the preferable choice. It is worth noting that both switches fall within the medium to heavy range, offering a solid typing experience regardless of the preference for lighter or heavier switches.

Travel distance

The Aflion Blue Sky linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, which is considered a more traditional travel distance. On the other hand, the Kailh Box Navy clicky switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm. This means that if you prefer a shorter travel distance for faster response times, the Box Navy switch would be the better choice. Gamers, in particular, tend to favor shorter travel distances for quick and precise key presses. However, if you prefer a switch with a deeper and more substantial press, the Blue Sky switch with its 4 mm travel distance would be more suitable. It is important to consider your personal preference and typing style when choosing between these two switches.

Price comparison

Typing experience

The Blue Sky linear switch is best known for its crystal clear linear typing experience. It has a high-pitched sound profile, which produces a sharp and crisp sound when pressed. This sound is perfect for those who prefer a higher-pitched sound rather than a rich and bassy one. In terms of feel, the Blue Sky switch offers a mild and polished typing experience. It has a gentle and approachable feel, with reduced friction and smooth key travel. Overall, the Blue Sky switch provides a smooth and refined typing experience with a high-pitched sound.

On the other hand, the Kailh Box Navy clicky switch is best known for its heavy typing experience and vintage sound signature. The Box Navy switch has a resonant sound profile, giving a higher-pitched sound and an immersive auditory experience. It also has a crunchy feel, reminiscent of stepping on piles of crisp and crunchy autumn leaves. The Box Navy switch offers a sharp tactile feedback, with a pronounced tactile bump that can be felt distinctly with each keypress. It provides an invigorating and immersive typing sensation due to its snappy and reactive feel. These switches require a higher amount of force to actuate and bottom-out, making them a stiff switch.

In conclusion, the Blue Sky linear switch and the Kailh Box Navy clicky switch offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Blue Sky switch provides a crystal clear and high-pitched sound with a smooth and polished typing experience. On the other hand, the Box Navy switch offers a vintage, resonant, and crunchy sound with a sharp and invigorating tactile feel. Depending on the user's preference for sound and feel, they can choose the switch that suits their typing style. Remember that the sound of a switch can also vary depending on other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.

Conclusion

In summary, if you prefer a medium bottom out force and a crystal clear linear typing experience with a sparkling sound profile, the Aflion Blue Sky switches are the way to go. They offer a smooth push feel and a gentle typing experience, making them approachable to most users. These switches have a neutral sound profile, which appeals to those who prefer a moderate sound without a rich and bassy quality. On the other hand, if you are looking for a heavy typing experience with a vintage clicky switch sound signature, then the Kailh Box Navy switches are the perfect fit for you. With a bottom out force of 90 grams, they provide a satisfying and immersive auditory experience with their resonant and crunchy sound profile. These switches also offer a sharp and crisp tactile bump, creating a sharp and invigorating typing sensation. However, keep in mind that they require a higher amount of force to actuate and bottom out. Ultimately, the choice between the Aflion Blue Sky and the Kailh Box Navy switches depends on your preferences for bottom out force, sound profile, and typing experience.

Mentioned in this article

Aflion Blue Sky Linear

$6.00

$4.07 per 10

Learn more

Kailh Box Navy Clicky

$5.50 per 10

Learn more