Aflion Blue Sky vs. Cherry MX Brown
An in-depth look at the Aflion Blue Sky and the Cherry MX Brown switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options that often come up in discussions are the Aflion Blue Sky and the Cherry MX Brown. The Blue Sky is a linear switch that is best known for its long pole stem, providing users with a crystal clear typing experience. This switch selection offers a sparkling sound profile and an exquisitely smooth push feel. On the other hand, the MX Brown is a tactile switch that is characterized by its subtlety. With relatively light typing experience, gentle tactility, and subdued audio feedback, these Cherry MX Browns offer a more understated typing experience. While both switches have their unique qualities, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
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
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Aflion Blue Sky and the Cherry MX Brown switches differ in terms of the materials used. The Blue Sky features a polycarbonate top housing, which is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate's stiffness, which allows for a clear and resonant sound. On the other hand, the MX Brown utilizes a nylon top housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Therefore, when it comes to sound characteristics, the polycarbonate top housing of the Blue Sky offers a sharper and more resonant sound, while the nylon top housing of the MX Brown creates a deeper and fuller sound.
In terms of aesthetics, the Blue Sky's polycarbonate top housing provides an advantage when it comes to using RGB lighting. Its translucency allows for a better representation of vibrant colors and illuminations. On the other hand, the MX Brown's nylon top housing does not offer the same level of translucency. Therefore, if RGB lighting is a priority, the Blue Sky with its polycarbonate top housing is a better choice.
When comparing the bottom housings of the two switches, both the Blue Sky and the MX Brown utilize nylon as the material. The nylon bottom housing of each switch provides a deeper and fuller sound profile, thanks to its sound absorption properties. As both switches use the same housing material for the bottom, the sound characteristics would be similar in terms of depth and fullness when typing on either switch.
Overall, while the polycarbonate top housing of the Blue Sky and the nylon top housing of the MX Brown offer distinct sound profiles, the bottom nylon housings of both switches provide similar depth and fullness in terms of sound when typing. Additionally, the Blue Sky's polycarbonate top housing offers an advantage in terms of aesthetics when it comes to RGB lighting.
Weight
When comparing the actuation and bottom out forces of the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch, there are notable similarities and differences. In terms of actuation force, the Blue Sky requires 50 grams of force, while the MX Brown needs 45 grams of force for keystroke activation, making the MX Brown slightly lighter. Both switches fall into the medium range, providing a balanced typing experience. Similarly, the bottom out forces of the Blue Sky and MX Brown are 60 grams and 55 grams, respectively, indicating a similar level of resistance when pressing the keys all the way down. For those who prefer lighter switches, the MX Brown may be the favorable choice due to its slightly lower actuation force. However, for individuals seeking a more substantial typing experience, the Blue Sky's heavier actuation force may be more satisfying. Overall, both switches offer a comfortable level of actuation and bottom out force, with slight variances that cater to individuals with specific preferences.
Travel distance
The travel distance of a switch is an important factor to consider when comparing different keyboard switches. The Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch both have a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key equipped with either of these switches, you will experience the same distance of travel, resulting in similar tactile feedback. Therefore, in terms of travel distance, both switches are equivalent and will offer a comparable typing 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 Cherry MX Brown comes in at $4.00 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
The Aflion Blue Sky linear switch is best known for its crystal clear linear typing experience, offering a sparkling sound profile and exquisitely smooth push feel. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch is known for its subtlety, providing a relatively light typing experience with gentle tactility and subdued audio feedback.
In terms of sound, the Blue Sky switch produces a high-pitched sound when pressed, delivering a sharp and crisp sound profile. This would be ideal for those who prefer a more rich and bassy sound profile. On the other hand, the MX Brown switch offers a bassy sound profile with a lower frequency range, creating a deeper and richer tone during key presses. Both switches have distinct sound characteristics, catering to different preferences.
When considering the feel of the switches, the Blue Sky switch offers a mild typing experience, providing a more gentle feel compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. Its qualities stand in a safe, middle-ground zone that would be approachable to most users. Additionally, the Blue Sky switch is described as polished, indicating a smooth and refined finish that results in a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
In contrast, the MX Brown switch is described as textured, meaning it has noticeable friction when pressed. Some users may prefer this subtle texture, while others might prefer a smoother, friction-free typing experience. The MX Brown switch adds a tactile element to the typing experience, offering a gentle tactility that can enhance typing accuracy for those who enjoy the feedback.
Overall, the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch have different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Blue Sky switch offers a high-pitched sound profile, a mild and polished feel, and a linear typing experience. On the other hand, the MX Brown switch provides a bassy sound profile, a textured feel, and a tactile typing experience. Based on your personal preferences, you can choose the switch that suits your desired typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a crystal clear linear typing experience with a medium bottom out force, the Aflion Blue Sky switch is an excellent choice. These switches offer a sparkling sound profile and an exquisitely smooth push feel, making them perfect for those who prefer a more subtle and refined typing experience. On the other hand, if you value subtlety and a relatively light typing experience with gentle tactility, the Cherry MX Brown switch is the way to go. With its medium-light bottom out force, these switches provide a subdued audio feedback and a comfortable typing experience. In terms of sound, the Blue Sky switch offers a high-pitched and neutral sound profile, which is crisp and suitable for various purposes. Meanwhile, the MX Brown switch provides a bassy and low-pitched sound profile, offering a deeper and richer tone. When it comes to feel, the Blue Sky switch is mild and polished, ensuring a gentle typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. Conversely, the MX Brown switch is textured, which means it has noticeable friction when pressed. Ultimately, the choice between the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch depends on your preference for typing experience, sound profile, and feel. Overall, both switches have their unique characteristics and are suited for different individuals and typing preferences.
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