Aflion Blue Sky vs. Gateron Glory Yellow

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Aflion Blue Sky and Gateron Glory Yellow linear switches both offer unique attributes that cater to different typing preferences. The Blue Sky, renowned for its long pole stem, provides a crystal clear linear typing experience characterized by a sparkling sound profile and an exquisitely smooth push feel. This switch is often appreciated for its refined touch, making it a great choice for typists who value an airy keystroke with a mild and polished acoustic feedback. On the other hand, the Gateron Glory Yellow switch stands out as the heavier option in its lineup, delivering a satisfying keystroke with a pleasing travel distance. This switch is designed for those seeking a more substantial typing feel that enhances the overall comfort during long typing sessions. While both switches offer smooth, linear typing experiences, they cater to different tactile preferences and sound profiles. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that fits your needs.

By the numbers

Aflion Blue Sky Linear

Gateron Glory Yellow Linear

$6.00

$4.07 per 10

$4.50

$4.19 per 10

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Housing materials

When analyzing the housing materials of the Aflion Blue Sky and the Gateron Glory Yellow switches, a distinct contrast arises in their top housings. The Blue Sky utilizes polycarbonate, a stiffer plastic known for producing a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile. This material enhances the resonance of keystrokes, contributing to a crisper auditory experience. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it an ideal choice for RGB lighting, as it effectively diffuses the illumination and showcases the switch's aesthetic. In stark contrast, the Glory Yellow is crafted with a nylon top housing, which is softer and absorbs sound, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. The choice of nylon for the top housing leads to a rounder auditory experience, creating a significant difference between the two switches in terms of sound dynamics when a key is released.

Despite the differences in their top housing materials, both the Blue Sky and Glory Yellow switches share a commonality in their bottom housings, both made from nylon. This similarity means that, when it comes to the bottom-out sound and feel of keystrokes, the switches will produce comparable results. Both switches benefit from nylon’s characteristics: being a softer plastic, it absorbs sound effectively, yielding a deeper, more muted quality. This shared element in their construction ensures that while the top housing influences the initial sound and tactile feedback upon pressing a key, both switches will evoke similar sensations as users approach the bottom of the keypress.

Ultimately, the interplay between the top and bottom housings defines user experience in both switches. The Blue Sky's polycarbonate top combines high-pitch clarity with the fuller sound from its nylon bottom, creating a unique auditory signature. Conversely, the Glory Yellow's softer nylon top complements its nylon bottom to deliver a consistently smooth and muted sound profile throughout the keystroke. Therefore, while the keypress experiences are shaped differently due to the varying top housing materials, both switches still provide satisfying tactile feedback and sound characteristics, ensuring a fulfilling typing experience, albeit with unique auditory nuances.

Weight

When comparing the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the Gateron Glory Yellow linear switch, both switches have an identical actuation force of 50 grams, making them equally responsive for triggering keystrokes. This similarity means users can expect comparable performance in terms of typing effort. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Blue Sky switch has a bottom out force of 60 grams, indicating a firmer feel when the key is pressed all the way down. In contrast, the Gateron Glory Yellow's bottom out force is unknown, leaving a gap in understanding its tactile feedback at full depression. Given that the Blue Sky is the only switch with a specified bottom out force, it is considered the heavier option, while the actuation force of both switches categorizes them as lighter choices. Users who prefer a lighter switch for prolonged use may lean towards either option, but those desiring a stronger push feel should take note of the Blue Sky's heavier bottom out force.

Travel distance

Both the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the Gateron Glory Yellow linear switch have identical travel distances of 4 mm. This means that users can expect a similar feel and responsiveness when pressing down on the keys for both switches. With their travel distances being equal, users can achieve similar typing experiences in terms of the depth and actuation of the switches. Therefore, whether one chooses the Blue Sky or the Glory Yellow, the keypress will provide the same travel sensation, ensuring a consistent performance across both options.

Price comparison

Typing experience

The sound profile of the Aflion Blue Sky switch is notably high-pitched, producing a sharp and crisp sound with each keystroke. This sound signature is ideal for users who prefer a less rich and bass-heavy auditory experience, making it a good choice for those who favor a more delicate and sparkling auditory environment. Additionally, the Blue Sky also offers a neutral sound option, suitable for a wide range of environments, whether at home or in an office setting. In contrast, the Gateron Glory Yellow switch does not have specific sound characteristics listed, which leaves its auditory qualities somewhat unknown. However, it's important to note that sound can also be influenced by the keyboard's construction and the material of the keycaps, meaning the overall experience will vary depending on these factors.

When it comes to feel, the Blue Sky switch is characterized by its mild and polished touch. The mild aspect provides a gentle typing experience that caters to a broad audience, making it approachable for both new and seasoned users. The polished finish contributes to a smooth and refined key travel, thanks to reduced friction that enhances the overall typing experience. On the other hand, details regarding the feel of the Gateron Glory Yellow switch remain unspecified, which creates a gap in direct comparison. Without definitive descriptors, it's challenging to assess how the Glory Yellow's tactile quality stacks up against the Blue Sky's smooth and polished characteristics.

In conclusion, the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch stands out with its high-pitched sound and gentle, polished feel, making it an attractive choice for users who value both acoustic clarity and a refined typing experience. While the Gateron Glory Yellow switch lacks defined qualities in terms of sound and feel, the overall typing experience can be comparable depending on the specific keyboard setup used. Ultimately, both switches are designed to deliver a pleasant typing experience, but individual preferences for sound and tactile feedback may significantly influence a user's final choice.

Conclusion

To conclude, your choice between the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the Gateron Glory Yellow linear switch ultimately depends on your specific preferences and typing needs. If you enjoy a crisp sound profile with a smooth and polished typing feel, the Blue Sky would be an excellent fit. Its medium bottom-out force of 60 grams makes it versatile for a variety of typing styles, whether you're a casual user or someone who heavily types throughout the day. It's also suitable for environments where sound sensitivity might be a concern, thanks to its high-pitched yet mild audio characteristics. On the other hand, if you prefer a heavier keystroke and are looking for an enjoyable typing experience with a satisfying feel, the Glory Yellow could be your go-to option. It offers a smooth keystroke with appealing travel distance, making it ideal for those who enjoy a more tactile typing experience. Ultimately, your decision should reflect what aspects of typing are most important to you: the distinctive sound and refined feel of the Blue Sky or the heavier, smoother keystroke of the Glory Yellow.

Mentioned in this article

Aflion Blue Sky Linear

$6.00

$4.07 per 10

Learn more

Gateron Glory Yellow Linear

$4.50

$4.19 per 10

Learn more