Aflion Blue Sky vs. Akko Fairy
An in-depth look at the Aflion Blue Sky and the Akko Fairy switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular choices are the Aflion Blue Sky and the Akko Fairy. The Blue Sky is praised for its crystal clear linear typing experience, offering a sparkling sound profile and smooth push feel. It is categorized as high-pitched, neutral, mild, and polished. On the other hand, the Fairy switches from Akko are known for their factory-applied lubrication, providing a smooth typing experience ideal for office settings. These switches have a medium weight that strikes a perfect balance between resistance and comfort. Categorized as polished, muted, mild, neutral, and subtle, the Fairy switches are designed for extended use and alignment with professional tasks. Each switch offers unique features and advantages for different preferences and needs. 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
50g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
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
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
15mm spring
Spring
17mm stainless steel spring
Housing materials
The Aflion Blue Sky and Akko Fairy both use different housing materials for their switches, with the Blue Sky featuring a polycarbonate top housing and nylon bottom housing, while the Fairy has nylon for both the top and bottom housing. The use of polycarbonate in the Blue Sky's top housing creates a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile, ideal for those looking for a more clear and resonant sound. On the other hand, the nylon top housing of the Fairy offers a deeper and fuller sound profile, thanks to its softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound.
While both switches utilize nylon for their bottom housing, providing a deeper and fuller sound profile, the Blue Sky's combination with a polycarbonate top housing offers a unique blend of characteristics. The split between the bottom and top housing materials in the Blue Sky switch allows for a more nuanced typing experience, with the bottom housing impacting the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing affects the sound when releasing a key. Conversely, the Fairy's consistent use of nylon for both top and bottom housing ensures a more uniform sound and feel throughout typing.
In conclusion, the choice between the Aflion Blue Sky and Akko Fairy ultimately comes down to personal preference in sound profile and typing experience. While the Blue Sky's mix of polycarbonate and nylon provides a unique blend of characteristics, the Fairy's consistent use of nylon ensures a more uniform sound. Both switches offer distinct qualities based on their housing materials, allowing users to tailor their typing experience to their preferences. Ultimately, whether opting for the sharper, crisper sound of the Blue Sky or the deeper, fuller sound of the Fairy, users can expect a premium typing experience with either switch.
Weight
The Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the Akko Fairy linear switch have identical actuation and bottom out forces, both requiring 50 grams to actuate and 60 grams to bottom out. This means that users can expect similar typing experiences in terms of force feedback when using either switch. The medium weight of both switches may appeal to users who prefer a balance between lighter and heavier switches, providing a comfortable typing experience for extended periods. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches may come down to factors such as design, price, and availability, as the actuation and bottom out forces are the same for both options.
Travel distance
The Aflion Blue Sky linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Akko Fairy linear switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm. This means that the Blue Sky has a slightly longer travel distance than the Fairy. The Blue Sky's 4 mm distance is more traditional, offering a bit more depth when pressing down on a key, which some users may prefer for a more tactile feel. On the other hand, the Fairy's 3.3 mm distance is slightly shorter, making it a better option for those who prioritize faster response times, such as for gaming. Both switches offer a different experience in terms of travel distance, so choosing between the two would depend on personal preference for either a longer or shorter travel distance.
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 Akko Fairy has an MSRP of $4.22 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Fairy for $3.10.
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 Aflion Blue Sky linear switch offers a high-pitched and sharp sound profile, which is ideal for those who prefer a clear and crisp typing experience. On the other hand, the Akko Fairy linear switch provides a muted and softer sound compared to other switches, making it a great option for quieter environments like offices. Both switches fall under the category of neutral sound profiles, suitable for a wide range of users and settings. The ultimate sound experience will also depend on the keyboard and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, both the Blue Sky and Fairy switches are described as polished, offering smooth and refined typing experiences due to factory-applied lubrication. The Blue Sky switch provides a mild and gentle typing experience, while the Fairy switch strikes a perfect balance between resistance and comfort, making it suitable for extended use without causing fatigue. The subtle resistance of the Fairy switch also ensures a light typing feel, making it suitable for shared spaces.
Overall, the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the Akko Fairy linear switch both offer high-quality typing experiences with smooth and polished feel. While the Blue Sky switch leans towards a clearer and crisper sound profile with a mild feel, the Fairy switch focuses on providing a muted sound and a balanced typing experience. Depending on personal preferences and the working environment, both switches are excellent choices that will deliver satisfactory results in terms of sound and feel.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the Akko Fairy linear switch, consider the following guidelines: If you prioritize a crystal clear linear typing experience with a sparkling sound profile and smooth push feel, the Blue Sky may be the ideal option for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for a switch with factory-applied lubrication for a smooth typing experience in office settings, with a balance of resistance and comfort for extended use, then the Akko Fairy switch would be more suitable. Ultimately, your choice should be based on your preferences for sound profile, typing feel, and the specific environment in which you will be using the keyboard.
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