Aflion Blue Sky vs. KTT Sea Salt Lemon
An in-depth look at the Aflion Blue Sky and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, two options that often stand out are the Aflion Blue Sky and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon, both of which are linear switches. The Blue Sky is renowned for its long pole stem, offering a crystal clear linear typing experience. With a sparkling sound profile and an exquisitely smooth push feel, this switch is categorized as high-pitched, neutral, mild, and polished. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Lemon is known for its progressive spring and KTT's dry-lube design, resulting in a buttery smooth typing experience. Categorized as low-pitched, neutral, and mild, these switches from KTT showcase what a linear switch can truly be. Both switches have unique characteristics that make them worthy contenders, however, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
45g
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
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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
15mm spring
Spring
13mm progressive spring
Housing materials
The Aflion Blue Sky and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon both have polycarbonate top housings, which result in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The use of polycarbonate, being a relatively stiffer plastic, creates a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucent nature of polycarbonate is especially advantageous for those planning to use RGB lighting. Therefore, both switches offer similar sound profiles and visual effects when it comes to the top housing.
On the other hand, both switches also utilize nylon for their bottom housings. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. The nylon bottom housing creates a duller and rounder sound when typing on the switches. Thus, in terms of the bottom housing, the Aflion Blue Sky and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon offer a similar sound experience.
While the top and bottom housings differ between the two switches, it is important to note the impact each housing material has on the overall sound and feel of the switch. The bottom housing primarily affects the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on the switch, while the top housing has a greater impact on the sound when releasing a key. Both switches provide unique characteristics due to their different housing materials, offering a diverse typing experience for users.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch, it becomes evident that they have slightly different force requirements. The Blue Sky requires an actuation force of 50 grams, while the Sea Salt Lemon requires a slightly lighter force of 45 grams. Both switches fall under the medium category in terms of actuation force. Moving on to the bottom out force, the Blue Sky has a heavier requirement of 60 grams, while the Sea Salt Lemon requires 53 grams, making it slightly lighter.
Considering weight as a factor, those who prefer a lighter typing experience would find the Sea Salt Lemon to be more suitable, as it has a lower actuation force and a lighter bottom out force. This allows for longer periods of typing without causing fatigue, making it ideal for both work-related tasks and extended gaming sessions. On the other hand, for individuals who enjoy a more substantial and tactile typing experience, the Blue Sky with its heavier actuation and bottom out force would be a better choice. The extra force required provides a stronger push feel, enhancing the overall typing experience.
In conclusion, while the Blue Sky and Sea Salt Lemon linear switches have slightly different force requirements, they both fall within the medium category in terms of actuation force. The Sea Salt Lemon provides a lighter typing experience, suitable for longer usage periods, while the Blue Sky offers a more substantial feel for those seeking a stronger keystroke response.
Travel distance
Both the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either switch, you will feel the same distance traveled from the top to the bottom. Therefore, both switches offer a consistent tactile experience in terms of travel distance.
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 KTT Sea Salt Lemon comes in at $2.80 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
When comparing the sound qualities of the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch, they exhibit different characteristics. The Blue Sky switch is described as having a high-pitched sound profile, producing a sharp and crisp sound when pressed. This sound profile is ideal for those who prefer a more rich and bassy sound. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Lemon switch offers a low-pitched tone, which is more bass-heavy and mellow compared to the Blue Sky switch. Both switches are categorized as having a neutral sound profile, meaning they have a moderate actuation force requirement and are suitable for a variety of purposes. However, it is important to note that the sound of the switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, both the Blue Sky and Sea Salt Lemon switches provide a mild typing experience, offering a more gentle feel compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. This makes them suitable for most users as their qualities are within a safe middle-ground zone. Additionally, the Blue Sky switch is described as having a polished finish, resulting in a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. The Sea Salt Lemon switch's feel is not mentioned in the provided information.
Considering all the available information, the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch is best known for its crystal clear linear typing experience, high-pitched sound profile, mild and polished feel. The KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch, on the other hand, offers a lovely representation of a linear switch with its progressive spring and buttery smooth typing experience. While they differ in sound and feel, both switches have a neutral sound profile and provide a mild typing experience. Therefore, if you prefer a high-pitched sound with a polished feel, the Blue Sky switch would be a suitable choice. If you prefer a low-pitched sound and the exact feel is not a significant factor for you, the Sea Salt Lemon switch would also provide similar results.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a delightful linear switch with a medium bottom out force, the Aflion Blue Sky switch is a great choice. With its long pole stem, these switches provide a crystal clear linear typing experience and offer a sparkling sound profile. The Blue Sky switch also has a smooth push feel, thanks to its refined finish and reduced friction.
On the other hand, if you prefer a linear switch with a slightly lighter bottom out force, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switch is worth considering. These switches feature a progressive spring and KTT's dry-lube design, resulting in a buttery smooth typing experience. The Sea Salt Lemon switch also offers a more mellow and bass-heavy sound profile, which may be appealing to some users.
Ultimately, the choice between the Aflion Blue Sky and KTT Sea Salt Lemon switches depends on your personal preferences. If you enjoy a clearer and crisper sound with a medium bottom out force, go for the Blue Sky. However, if you prefer a smoother and mellower typing experience with a slightly lighter bottom out force, the Sea Salt Lemon switch is a great option for you. Both switches provide a pleasant and approachable typing experience, making them suitable for various users, whether beginner or advanced.
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