Aflion Blue Sky vs. Akko Penguin
An in-depth look at the Aflion Blue Sky and the Akko Penguin switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the decision often comes down to personal preference and intended use. On one hand, the Aflion Blue Sky switch offers a linear typing experience with a smooth push feel and a high-pitched sound profile. This switch is perfect for those who enjoy a more polished and neutral typing experience. On the other hand, the Akko Penguin switch provides a tactile typing experience with a rounded tactile bump, ideal for those who prefer a more subtle and muted typing feedback. The medium weight of the Penguin switch strikes a balance between responsiveness and comfort, making it a great choice for long typing sessions. 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
43g
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
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Aflion Blue Sky and Akko Penguin both feature unique housing materials that contribute to their distinct sound profiles. The Blue Sky utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which is known for creating a sharper and crisper sound. In contrast, the Penguin features a nylon top housing that produces a deeper and fuller sound. While polycarbonate offers a more resonant sound due to its stiffness, nylon absorbs more sound to create a rounder tone. These differences in top housing material result in contrasting auditory experiences for users of each switch.
Both the Blue Sky and Penguin switches share a nylon bottom housing, which contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile in both switches. This similarity in bottom housing material leads to a consistent typing experience in terms of sound for users of both switches. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and more muted sound compared to switches with harder bottom housings. Despite having different top housings, the shared nylon bottom housing ensures that users can expect a similar typing experience when it comes to the sound produced while typing on these switches.
Overall, the housing materials of the Aflion Blue Sky and Akko Penguin switches play a crucial role in shaping their sound profiles. The contrasting properties of polycarbonate and nylon in the top housing of each switch lead to distinct auditory experiences for users. While the Blue Sky's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper sound, the Penguin's nylon top housing produces a deeper tone. However, the shared nylon bottom housing ensures a consistent typing experience in terms of sound for both switches. Whether you prefer a crisper sound profile or a fuller sound, the choice between these switches ultimately comes down to personal preference based on housing materials and their impact on sound.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the Akko Penguin tactile switch, it is clear that the Blue Sky requires a slightly heavier actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Penguin's 43 grams. However, both switches have the same bottom out force of 60 grams. This means that while the initial push on the Blue Sky switch may feel a bit heavier, both switches will ultimately provide a similar typing experience once the key is fully pressed. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Akko Penguin switch due to its lower actuation force, while users who enjoy a stronger push feel may opt for the Aflion Blue Sky switch. Both switches offer a medium bottom out force, ensuring a consistent typing experience regardless of the initial actuation force. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will come down to personal preference for lighter or heavier typing feedback.
Travel distance
The Aflion Blue Sky linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, making it the longer of the two switches compared to the Akko Penguin tactile switch which has a travel distance of 3.3 mm. The Blue Sky switch offers a bit more depth when pressed compared to the Penguin switch. Gamers who prioritize speed and responsiveness may prefer the shorter travel distance of the Penguin switch, while those who prefer a more substantial feel when typing may lean towards the Blue Sky switch. Both switches offer different tactile experiences based on their travel distances, allowing users to choose based on their personal preferences for typing or gaming.
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 Penguin has an MSRP of $4.22 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Penguin 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 crisp sound profile, perfect for those who prefer a sharper typing sound. On the other hand, the Akko Penguin tactile switch provides a muted and quieter typing experience, ideal for office environments or shared spaces where noise reduction is essential. Both switches fall within the neutral category, making them versatile options suitable for a wide range of users and settings.
In terms of feel, both the Blue Sky and Penguin switches offer a polished typing experience, resulting in smooth key travel and reduced friction during use. The Blue Sky switch is described as mild, providing a gentle typing experience that appeals to a broad range of users. Meanwhile, the Akko Penguin switch offers a feathery lightness in keystrokes, which reduces finger fatigue and makes it comfortable for prolonged typing sessions. Overall, both switches strike a balance between comfort and performance, catering to different preferences in tactile feedback.
In conclusion, the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the Akko Penguin tactile switch each bring unique qualities to the table. The Blue Sky excels in offering a high-pitched sound profile and a mild, polished typing experience, while the Penguin shines in providing a muted sound profile and a feathery, polished feel. Depending on your preference for sound and tactile feedback, both switches offer reliable performance and versatility for various typing needs. Whether you choose the Blue Sky or Penguin switch, you can expect a satisfying typing experience tailored to your specific preferences.
Conclusion
Ultimately, when deciding between the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the Akko Penguin tactile switch, your choice should be based on your preference for sound and feel. If you are looking for a high-pitched, neutral sound profile and a mild, polished feel, then the Blue Sky switch would be the ideal option for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a muted, neutral sound profile and a polished, mild, feathery, or subtle feel, the Akko Penguin switch would be the better fit. Consider your typing environment and personal preference for sound and feel when making your decision between these two switches.
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