Aflion Blue Sky vs. Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboards, the choice of switches can dramatically influence your typing experience, and two popular options stand out: the Aflion Blue Sky and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie, both of which are linear switches. The Aflion Blue Sky is distinguished by its long pole stem, offering a crystal clear linear typing experience that is enhanced by a sparkling sound profile and a remarkably smooth push feel. Its sound characteristics can be described as high-pitched, neutral, mild, and polished. On the other hand, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie boasts a medium weight and is constructed entirely from POM, offering a thocky sound profile while delivering exceptional smoothness. This switch is particularly appealing to budget-conscious users who refuse to compromise on quality. While the Blue Sky is perfect for those seeking clarity and a refined auditory experience, the Sea Salt Smoothie caters to those who prefer a more pronounced, textured feedback without breaking the bank. However, let’s dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for your needs.

By the numbers

Aflion Blue Sky Linear

Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie Linear

$6.00

$4.07 per 10

$3.00

$2.70 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The Aflion Blue Sky and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie both utilize distinct materials in their housing construction, thereby influencing their sound profiles and tactile experiences. The Blue Sky's top housing is made from polycarbonate, a material known for its rigidity and ability to produce a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile. This characteristic is particularly pronounced when the switch features a clear housing, which effectively showcases RGB lighting effects, enhancing its aesthetic appeal. Contrasting this, the Sea Salt Smoothie's top housing is crafted from POM, a material that offers a deeper and more muted sound profile. Although both housings serve as the upper components of the switches, their differing material properties lead to a varied auditory experience when typing.

In terms of bottom housing, the Blue Sky employs nylon, a classic material that conveys a deeper and fuller sound. Nylon's softer nature allows it to absorb sound more effectively than harder plastics, resulting in a rounder auditory output. Meanwhile, the Sea Salt Smoothie also uses POM for its bottom housing, which similarly contributes to a unique sound character, though on the muted side. This resemblance suggests that while both switches provide a deeper sound, the Blue Sky's nylon housing generally lends a richer tone compared to the POM material used in the Sea Salt Smoothie. The differences in bottom housing material affect the typing experience, particularly the bottom-out sound and feel.

When compared side-by-side, the interplay of the two materials in each switch significantly affects the overall sound and typing experience. The Blue Sky’s polycarbonate top housing emphasizes a crisp sound while the nylon bottom creates a warmer resonance, providing a well-rounded auditory experience. Conversely, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie’s dual POM construction yields a consistent sound signature that is notably more subdued. Thus, while both switches offer varying depths in sound, they approach these results through different material choices, making them appealing for different preferences in typing feedback and sound. Ultimately, the distinction lies not only in the materials themselves but in how these materials interact within each housing to produce unique acoustic qualities.

Weight

When comparing the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch to the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch, there are notable differences in their actuation forces. The Blue Sky features a slightly heavier actuation force of 50 grams, while the Sea Salt Smoothie is lighter at 48 grams. This means that typists and gamers seeking a more effortless keypress may prefer the Sea Salt Smoothie for its lower actuation requirement. However, the bottom out force for the Sea Salt Smoothie is unknown, which makes it difficult to fully assess its tactile feedback when the key is pressed to the maximum depth. In contrast, the Blue Sky has a bottom out force of 60 grams, providing a more substantial feel upon depressing the key completely. Consequently, users who appreciate a heavier switch for a more pronounced typing experience may gravitate towards the Aflion Blue Sky, while those seeking comfort during prolonged use might prefer the lighter actuation of the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie. Thus, while the Blue Sky is the heavier option overall due to its actuation and bottom out forces, the Sea Salt Smoothie offers advantages in terms of a lighter touch, albeit with an unknown bottoming out characteristic.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distance of the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch, the Aflion Blue Sky boasts a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie measures at 3.7 mm. This means that the Aflion Blue Sky has a longer travel distance, providing a more substantial feel when pressed, which can cater to those who prefer a deeper keypress. On the other hand, the shorter travel distance of the Sea Salt Smoothie may appeal to gamers seeking quicker response times, as the keys register with less travel needed. Therefore, if you lean towards a more responsive experience, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie would be the better choice, whereas those who enjoy a more pronounced key engagement might find the Aflion Blue Sky preferable.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When comparing the sound profiles of the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch, the Blue Sky is noted for its high-pitched, sparkling sound. This characteristic results in a sharp and crisp auditory feedback that can be particularly satisfying for those who prefer a more agile sound rather than the richer bassy tones found in other switches. While there is no specific description available for the Sea Salt Smoothie's sound profile, it can be inferred that it may differ from the Blue Sky's bright tones, potentially offering a deeper thocky sound, which tends to provide a distinct auditory experience during typing.

In terms of feel, the Aflion Blue Sky excels with its mild and polished characteristics. The mildness of this switch provides a gentle typing experience, making it approachable for users at any skill level. The polished nature implies a refined finish with smooth key travel, largely due to possibly enhanced materials and factory lubing, leading to minimal friction upon actuation. On the other hand, there’s no detailed information regarding the specific feel of the Sea Salt Smoothie, leaving room for unknowns in terms of user experience, but it generally aligns with Gateron’s reputation for smooth operation.

In conclusion, while the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch is appreciated for its high-pitched, crisp sound and refined, smooth feel, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie appears to offer a compelling alternative with its potentially unique thocky sound profile. The Blue Sky is excellent for those who favor a bright auditory experience combined with a gentle touch, while the Sea Salt Smoothie could introduce a different sound dynamic, although the specifics of its feel remain uncertain. Both switches cater to users looking for quality linear switches, with the possibility of achieving similar typing experiences depending on personal preference for sound and tactile feedback.

Conclusion

To conclude, choosing between the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and intended usage. If you value a crystal clear typing experience with a high-pitched sound profile and smooth key travel, the Blue Sky is your ideal choice; it caters well to those who appreciate a mild and polished feel, making it versatile enough for a home or office setting. On the other hand, if you seek a switch that provides a thocky sound profile and offers exceptional smoothness while maintaining a medium weight at a competitive price, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie will suit your needs. Its unknown bottom-out force might intrigue you if you enjoy exploring switches that can provide a surprise in terms of actuation. Ultimately, consider the balance of sound and feel you desire in your typing experience, as both switches bring unique characteristics to your mechanical keyboard setup.

Mentioned in this article

Aflion Blue Sky Linear

$6.00

$4.07 per 10

Learn more

Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie Linear

$3.00

$2.70 per 10

Learn more