Aflion Blue Sky vs. Kailh Box Royal
An in-depth look at the Aflion Blue Sky and the Kailh Box Royal switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
If you're in the market for a mechanical keyboard switch that provides an exceptional linear typing experience, the Aflion Blue Sky and the Kailh Box Royal are two options worth considering. The Blue Sky switch, with its long pole stem, offers a crystal clear linear typing experience and a smooth push feel. It is categorized as 'High-pitched', 'Neutral', 'Mild', and 'Polished', offering a unique sound profile. On the other hand, the Box Royal switch is known for its unparalleled tactility, providing a sharp and binary feedback to each keystroke. If you prefer an aggressive tactility, the Box Royal is the perfect switch for you. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can make an informed choice on the best switch for your specific needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
70g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
15mm spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Aflion Blue Sky and the Kailh Box Royal switches are quite different. The Blue Sky features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This material is relatively stiffer, leading to a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, polycarbonate's translucency makes it ideal for RGB lighting purposes. On the other hand, the Box Royal has a nylon top housing. This classic switch housing material offers a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its relatively softer nature, which absorbs more sound and creates a duller and rounder sound. Therefore, the Blue Sky and Box Royal switches will provide distinct auditory experiences when typing.
Moving on to the bottom housings of the switches, we find that both the Blue Sky and the Box Royal utilize nylon. This material choice for the bottom housing contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, as nylon is known for absorbing more sound compared to harder plastics. While the top housing primarily influences the sound when releasing a key, the bottom housing has a more significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on a switch. Therefore, the nylon bottom housings in both the Blue Sky and the Box Royal will provide a similar experience in terms of producing a deeper and fuller sound.
In summary, the housing materials of the Aflion Blue Sky and the Kailh Box Royal switches differ in terms of their top housings. Polycarbonate in the Blue Sky offers a sharper and crisper sound profile, thanks to its stiffer nature. On the other hand, the nylon top housing of the Box Royal provides a deeper and fuller sound due to its softer composition. However, both switches share nylon bottom housings, which contribute to the same deeper and fuller sound profile. Hence, if you are looking for a switch with great auditory feedback, both the Blue Sky and the Box Royal will deliver, albeit with different tonal characteristics based on their respective top housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch, there are a few notable differences. The Aflion Blue Sky has a slightly lighter actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Box Royal's 45 grams, making it easier to trigger keystrokes with a lighter touch. However, when it comes to bottoming out, the Blue Sky requires a higher force of 60 grams, while the Box Royal has a heavier bottom out force of 70 grams. This means that although the Blue Sky may be easier to activate, it requires a bit more pressure to fully press down, providing a more substantial typing experience. On the other hand, the Box Royal offers a slightly heavier actuation force and an even heavier bottom out force, making it ideal for those who prefer a stronger push feel and enjoy a more pronounced tactile feedback. Both switches fall within the medium to medium-heavy range, ensuring a satisfying typing experience, but with subtle variations in terms of weight and force required. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences and typing style.
Travel distance
The Aflion Blue Sky linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm. In terms of travel distance, the Blue Sky switch is longer than the Box Royal switch. The Blue Sky's 4.0 mm travel distance falls into the traditional range, offering a comfortable depth for typing or gaming. On the other hand, the Box Royal switch with its 3.6 mm travel distance is slightly shallower, making it a preferred choice for those seeking faster response times, such as gamers. The shorter travel distance of the Box Royal allows for quicker keystrokes, which can be advantageous in competitive gaming scenarios. However, it is important to note that some individuals might find the shorter travel distance of the Box Royal too abrupt or lacking in satisfying depth. Ultimately, the choice 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 Aflion Blue Sky has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Blue Sky for $4.07.
The Kailh Box Royal comes in at $6.25 per 10 switches.
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 Blue Sky switch produces a high-pitched sound when pressed. This results in a sharp and crisp sound profile, perfect for those who prefer a more vibrant and pronounced sound. On the other hand, the Box Royal switch also produces a high-pitched sound when pressed, offering a similar sharp and crisp sound profile. Both switches will provide a satisfying auditory experience, depending on your personal preference. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Blue Sky switch offers a mild typing experience with a safe, middle-ground zone in terms of its tactile characteristics. This means that the typing experience will be more gentle and approachable to most users. Additionally, the Blue Sky switch is described as polished, indicating a smooth and refined finish. This results in reduced friction and a sleek typing experience. On the other hand, the Box Royal switch is known for its sharp tactile bump, providing a strong and distinct feedback intensity with each keypress. This makes the Box Royal switch ideal for those who prefer a more aggressive tactile experience.
Considering all the available information, the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Blue Sky switch provides a high-pitched sound profile and a mild, polished typing experience. On the other hand, the Box Royal switch offers a similar high-pitched sound profile but with a sharp and strong tactile bump. Both switches are unique in their own way and will cater to different preferences. If you prefer a sharper tactile experience, the Box Royal switch will be an excellent choice. However, if you prefer a more gentle and polished typing experience, the Blue Sky switch will be a suitable option. It's important to consider your personal preferences and typing style when selecting a switch.
Conclusion
To wrap up, if you're looking for a linear typing experience with a medium bottom out force, the Aflion Blue Sky switches would be a great choice. With their long pole stem, these switches offer a smooth and crystal clear typing feel. The sound profile is high-pitched, which produces a sharp and crisp sound when pressed. These switches also have a mild and polished feel, providing a gentle and refined typing experience.
On the other hand, if you prefer a heavy tactile feedback, the Kailh Box Royal switches would be perfect for you. With a medium-heavy bottom out force, these switches offer a sharp and binary tactility that can be felt distinctly with each keypress. The sound profile is also high-pitched, producing a sharp and crisp sound when pressed.
Ultimately, the decision between these two switches depends on your personal preference for typing experience and tactile feedback. If you prefer a linear switch with a smooth and gentle feel, go for the Aflion Blue Sky. If you prefer a tactile switch with a strong and sharp feedback, choose the Kailh Box Royal. So, consider your preferences and choose the switch that best suits your typing style and needs.
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