Aflion Blue Sky vs. Zuoce Lavender
An in-depth look at the Aflion Blue Sky and the Zuoce Lavender switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options to consider are the Aflion Blue Sky and the Zuoce Lavender, both of which are linear switches. The Blue Sky is praised for its crystal clear linear typing experience, thanks to its long pole stem that provides a smooth push feel and a sparkling sound profile. On the other hand, the Lavender stands out for its exceptional smoothness right out of the box, attributed to its proprietary Ly blend, and offers a crisp and clacky sound signature that enhances the typing experience. The Blue Sky is categorized as 'High-pitched', 'Neutral', 'Mild', 'Polished', while the Lavender is categorized as 'Easy-to-press', 'Clacky'. Each switch has its own unique qualities that make it appealing, but diving deeper into the specifics will help you make the best choice for your typing needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
48g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Z1 (Ly blend)
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
21mm double-staged spring
Housing materials
The Aflion Blue Sky and the Zuoce Lavender both feature unique housing materials that contribute to their sound profiles. While the Blue Sky utilizes a polycarbonate top housing for a sharper and crisper sound, the Lavender opts for a POM top housing for a deeper and more muted sound. Both materials offer distinct advantages, with polycarbonate being ideal for RGB lighting due to its translucency, while POM provides a pleasing and unique sound experience.
In terms of bottom housings, the Blue Sky incorporates a nylon material that enhances the typing experience with a deeper and fuller sound profile. In contrast, the Lavender also utilizes POM for its bottom housing, resulting in a similarly deep and muted sound profile. Despite the different materials used for the bottom housings, both switches offer a satisfying typing experience with unique sound characteristics that cater to different preferences.
When comparing the overall sound profiles of the Aflion Blue Sky and the Zuoce Lavender, it is evident that their housing materials play a significant role. While the Blue Sky delivers a sharper and clearer sound due to its polycarbonate top housing, the Lavender offers a deeper and more muted sound with its POM top housing. Similarly, both switches provide a fuller sound experience with their respective bottom housings, whether it be nylon for the Blue Sky or POM for the Lavender. Ultimately, the choice between these switches would come down to personal preference for sound profile and typing feel.
Weight
The actuation force of the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch is 50 grams, while the Zuoce Lavender linear switch has an actuation force of 48 grams. Both switches fall into the medium category in terms of actuation force. When it comes to bottom out force, the Blue Sky requires 60 grams of force, while the Lavender only needs 53 grams, making it a bit lighter. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Lavender switch may be the better option, as it requires less force to bottom out. However, for those who enjoy a more substantial typing feel, the slightly heavier bottom out force of the Blue Sky switch may be preferred. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of typing feel and the desired level of force required for each keystroke.
Travel distance
The Aflion Blue Sky linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Zuoce Lavender linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. In this case, the Blue Sky has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Lavender. The Blue Sky's 4 mm travel distance is more traditional, providing a deeper key press experience, which some may find more satisfying. On the other hand, the Lavender's shorter 3.4 mm travel distance is preferred by gamers for its faster response times. Both switches offer different experiences in terms of key press depth, with the Blue Sky offering a deeper feel and the Lavender providing a quicker response. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference regarding key press depth and responsiveness.
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 Zuoce Lavender has an MSRP of $2.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Lavender for $1.99.
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 offers a high-pitched and neutral sound profile, producing a sharp and crisp sound when pressed. On the other hand, the Zuoce Lavender linear switch provides a clacky sound signature, resulting in a sharper and snappier noise with each keystroke. The choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference, with the Blue Sky offering a more moderate sound profile compared to the Lavender's distinct clackiness. Keep in mind that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by the keyboard board and keycaps used.
Moving on to feel, the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch offers a mild and polished typing experience, with gentle characteristics that make it approachable to most users. The switch provides a smooth and refined finish, resulting in a sleek typing feel with reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Zuoce Lavender linear switch is easy-to-press, offering gentle resistance during key presses and requiring minimal force to activate. This light actuation force makes typing effortless and comfortable, reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. Both switches provide a satisfying typing experience but cater to different preferences in terms of resistance and feedback.
In conclusion, the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the Zuoce Lavender linear switch each offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Blue Sky provides a neutral and mild sound profile with a polished typing experience, the Lavender offers a clacky sound signature with an easy-to-press typing feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for sound and typing experience, ensuring that users can select the switch that best suits their needs and preferences. Additionally, both switches provide reliable linear actuation, ensuring consistent performance for those seeking a linear switch option.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the Zuoce Lavender linear switch, you should consider the bottom out force, sound profile, and typing feel that best suits your preferences and needs. If you prefer a slightly heavier bottom out force and a high-pitched sound profile with a polished typing experience, the Blue Sky switch may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force, a clacky sound profile, and easy-to-press typing feel, the Lavender switch might be more suitable. It ultimately comes down to personal preference and what type of typing experience you are looking for.
Mentioned in this article
