Aflion Blue Sky vs. Everglide Rice Pudding

Overview

When it comes to selecting the ideal mechanical keyboard switch, the Aflion Blue Sky and the Everglide Rice Pudding present two distinctive options suited for different typing preferences. The Aflion Blue Sky, with its long pole stem, is celebrated for providing a crystal clear linear typing experience, characterized by a smooth push feel and a high-pitched, polished sound profile. This makes it a fantastic choice for typists who favor a quiet but consistently fluid keystroke without tactile interruptions. On the other hand, the Everglide Rice Pudding features a hall effect design that ensures a balanced typing experience, offering both satisfying feedback and a deeper sound that many users find appealing. Its compatibility with Wooting's innovative keyboards further enhances its versatility, making it an excellent option for enthusiasts who crave both performance and adaptability. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Aflion Blue Sky Linear

Everglide Rice Pudding Hall Effect

$6.00

$4.07 per 10

$8.00

$6.79 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The Aflion Blue Sky and the Everglide Rice Pudding share a notable similarity in their top housing materials, as both utilize polycarbonate. This choice in material results in a sound profile characterized by sharpness, high-pitched clarity, and resonance. Polycarbonate’s rigidity contributes to this crisp sound quality, making it an ideal choice for enthusiasts who appreciate a more vibrant auditory experience when typing. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate enhances the aesthetic aspect of both switches, allowing for effective RGB lighting effects, which is particularly appealing to users looking to personalize their keyboard setups.

In contrast, the bottom housings of the Aflion Blue Sky and the Everglide Rice Pudding utilize nylon, a material renowned for its characteristics that produce a deeper, fuller sound profile. The use of nylon as a softer plastic absorbs more sound, resulting in a warmer, rounder typing experience. This contrast between the stiffer polycarbonate top and the softer nylon bottom leads to a unique combination of auditory qualities: while the top housing focuses on the clarity and brightness of key releases, the bottom housing provides a grounded, rich sound when keys are bottomed out. Thus, when typing on either switch, one can expect a harmonious balance of high-pitched clarity and deep warmth.

Overall, although the Aflion Blue Sky and Everglide Rice Pudding switches employ different materials for their bottom housings, the pairing of polycarbonate tops with nylon bottoms ensures that users can achieve a well-rounded auditory experience with both switches. The shared polycarbonate top allows for crisp sound during key releases, while the nylon bottoms contribute to a deeper tonal quality upon key activation. Hence, despite the differences in bottom housing material, users can expect similar typing performances that boast a combination of sharpness and depth, enhancing the overall experience of both switch options.

Weight

When comparing the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch, there are notable differences in both actuation force and bottom out force. The Blue Sky offers a medium actuation force of 50 grams, while the Rice Pudding provides a lighter actuation force of 38 grams, making it more suitable for users who prefer a less strenuous typing experience. In terms of bottom out force, the Blue Sky reaches 60 grams compared to the 48 grams of the Rice Pudding, reinforcing the latter's appeal to those seeking a lighter touch. As a result, the Aflion Blue Sky is the heavier option among the two, ideal for users who favor a more substantial typing feel. Conversely, the Everglide Rice Pudding, with its lighter force requirements, caters to those looking for easier prolonged usage, particularly beneficial for extended work or gaming sessions.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distance of the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch with that of the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch, we notice a distinct difference: the Blue Sky has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Rice Pudding measures 3.5 mm. This makes the Rice Pudding the shorter option, appealing to users who favor quicker response times, particularly in gaming scenarios. Conversely, the Blue Sky's 4 mm travel distance offers a more pronounced tactile experience, which might be preferred by those who enjoy a deeper, more satisfying press. Ultimately, your choice between these switches will depend on whether you prioritize responsiveness or a more substantial key feel; the shorter travel distance of the Rice Pudding lends itself to faster actuation, while the Blue Sky may deliver a more robust, traditional typing experience.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch offers a distinctive high-pitched and neutral auditory profile. The high-pitched aspect produces a crisp and sharp sound that can appeal to those who prefer a clearer audio feedback during typing. The neutral character adds versatility, making them suitable for various environments, whether at home or in the office. In contrast, the Everglide Rice Pudding switch is noted for delivering a deep sound, providing a rich auditory experience that contrasts with the Blue Sky's clearer notes. While the specific sound characteristics of the Rice Pudding aren’t detailed, it is described as a balanced typing experience, which suggests it might blend deeper tones with some clarity, offering a satisfying resonance.

Regarding feel, the Blue Sky switches excel with their mild and polished characteristics. Users can expect a gentle and refined typing experience, as the smooth key travel minimizes friction and enhances comfort during extended typing sessions. The polished nature is likely the result of quality materials and potentially factory lubing, contributing to an exceptionally smooth operation. Unfortunately, no specific feel characteristics are detailed for the Rice Pudding switches, leaving a gap in comparative insight for tactile qualities.

In conclusion, the Aflion Blue Sky and Everglide Rice Pudding switches provide distinctive auditory and tactile experiences. While the Blue Sky is characterized by its high-pitched, crisp sound and smoothly refined feel, the Rice Pudding boasts a deeper sound profile, with a balance that may appeal to users looking for a precise typing experience. Without specific data on the Rice Pudding's feel qualities, it’s difficult to make a comprehensive comparison in that area. Ultimately, each switch offers unique strengths, and potential users might choose based on their sound preferences and typing style, or seek similar results through their respective qualities.

Conclusion

In conclusion, when deciding between the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch, it really comes down to your personal preferences and specific use cases. If you value a medium actuation force and enjoy a smooth, polished typing experience accompanied by a high-pitched sound profile, the Blue Sky switch may be the right choice for you. Its long pole stem ensures a clear linear actuation that can appeal to typists who prefer a brighter auditory experience. On the other hand, if you’re looking for something lighter with a balance of precision and satisfaction, the Rice Pudding switch stands out. With a lower actuation force and a distinct deep sound, it offers a great feel and versatility, especially if you plan to use it with Wooting keyboards or value smooth operation above all. In essence, choose the Blue Sky for an engaging, crisp typing experience, while opting for the Rice Pudding for a lighter, more versatile option that provides an enjoyable blend of smoothness and sound.

Mentioned in this article

Aflion Blue Sky Linear

$6.00

$4.07 per 10

Learn more

Everglide Rice Pudding Hall Effect

$8.00

$6.79 per 10

Learn more