Aflion Blue Sky vs. Bsun Kiki Red
An in-depth look at the Aflion Blue Sky and the Bsun Kiki Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch with the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch, it is clear that they both offer unique advantages for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. The Blue Sky switch stands out for its crystal clear linear typing experience with a sparkling sound profile and smooth push feel, making it a great choice for those who prefer a high-pitched and polished switch. On the other hand, the Kiki Red switch from BSUN offers a finely-tuned typing experience with a comfortably high-pitched and clacky nuance, along with all-POM housings for a unique sound signature. The use of Ly in the stems also adds exceptional smoothness during actuation, making it a preferred choice for those who appreciate subtlety in auditory feedback and finesse in performance. 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
42g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
15mm spring
Spring
20.4mm single-stage nickel-plated spring
Housing materials
The Aflion Blue Sky and the Bsun Kiki Red both offer unique housing materials that contribute to their sound profiles. The Blue Sky features a polycarbonate top housing, which produces a sharper and crisper sound compared to the Kiki Red's POM top housing, which creates a deeper and more muted sound. While the Blue Sky's nylon bottom housing provides a deeper and fuller sound due to its softer plastic material, the Kiki Red's POM bottom housing offers a similar deep and muted sound profile. Despite the differences in sound profiles between the two switches, both switches offer unique and pleasing sound experiences due to their respective housing materials.
In terms of aesthetics, the Aflion Blue Sky's polycarbonate top housing provides a translucent look that is ideal for RGB lighting, while the Bsun Kiki Red's POM top housing offers a more opaque appearance. The use of polycarbonate in the Blue Sky switch allows for the RGB lighting to shine through, creating a visually appealing effect. On the other hand, the Kiki Red's POM top housing offers a more solid and traditional look without the translucency. Both switches offer different aesthetic options to cater to individual preferences, with the Blue Sky providing a more modern and colorful look and the Kiki Red offering a more classic and understated appearance.
When it comes to the overall feel of the switches, the housing materials play a significant role in the typing experience. The Blue Sky's nylon bottom housing creates a duller and rounder sound profile, affecting the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch. In contrast, the Kiki Red's POM bottom housing contributes to a deeper and more muted sound, influencing the overall typing experience as well. While the top and bottom housings of each switch offer slightly different sound characteristics, both switches provide a satisfying typing experience with their unique housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch, it is evident that the actuation and bottom out forces play a significant role in determining the typing experience. The Blue Sky has a higher actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Kiki Red's 42 grams, making it slightly heavier. Similarly, the Blue Sky requires 60 grams of force to bottom out, while the Kiki Red only needs 50 grams, making it the lighter option. For those who prefer a more substantial typing experience, the Blue Sky would be the preferred choice due to its higher actuation and bottom out forces. However, for users who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing sessions, the Kiki Red would be more suitable. Ultimately, the weight of the actuation and bottom out forces should be considered based on individual preferences for typing comfort and efficiency.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch is 4 mm, while the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm. In this case, the Blue Sky has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Kiki Red. A 0.4 mm may not seem like a significant difference, but it can affect the overall feel and response of the switch. The Blue Sky would provide a slightly deeper press, while the Kiki Red would offer a slightly shallower press. Both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, making them suitable for a variety of users. Ultimately, the choice between the two would depend on personal preference and whether you prefer a slightly longer or shorter travel distance for your 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 Bsun Kiki Red has an MSRP of $4.70 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Kiki Red for $3.83.
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
In terms of sound, the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch features a high-pitched and neutral sound profile, providing a sharp and crisp typing experience that caters to those who prefer a clearer sound without excessive bass. On the other hand, the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch offers a clacky sound, producing a sharp and percussive tone that is bright and snappy. Both switches bring distinct sound qualities to the table, with the Blue Sky focusing on a higher pitch and clarity, while the Kiki Red emphasizes a more tactile and bright sound profile.
When it comes to feel, the Aflion Blue Sky switch is described as mild and polished, offering a gentler typing experience with a smooth and refined finish that reduces friction and provides a sleek key travel. Conversely, the Bsun Kiki Red switch boasts a creamy and frictionless feel, providing a buttery smooth typing sensation that glides effortlessly with minimal resistance. Both switches excel in delivering a smooth typing experience, with the Blue Sky emphasizing a safe and middle-ground feel, while the Kiki Red offers a silky and responsive typing feel that minimizes finger fatigue during extended use.
Overall, the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch each bring unique sound and feel qualities to the table, appealing to different preferences within the mechanical keyboard community. While the Blue Sky excels in providing a high-pitched and polished sound and feel experience, the Kiki Red stands out with its clacky and creamy typing sensation. Depending on individual preferences for sound and feel, both switches offer a premium typing experience with their distinct characteristics, ensuring that users will achieve satisfying results no matter which one they choose.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when choosing between the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch, consider the following guidelines. Opt for the Blue Sky if you prefer a medium bottom out force of 60 grams, a high-pitched sound profile, and a mild, polished typing experience. The Blue Sky offers a linear typing experience with a smooth push feel and a sparkling sound. On the other hand, select the Kiki Red if you prefer a lighter bottom-out force of 50 grams, a clacky sound profile, and a creamy, frictionless typing experience. The Kiki Red offers a finely-tuned typing experience with a comfortably high-pitched sound and all-POM housings for a unique sound signature. Ultimately, your choice between these two switches will depend on your preference for bottom-out force, sound profile, and typing feel.
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