Aflion Blue Sky vs. Gateron Smoothie
An in-depth look at the Aflion Blue Sky and the Gateron Smoothie switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Aflion Blue Sky and the Gateron Smoothie both offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Blue Sky is a linear switch with a long pole stem, providing a crystal clear typing experience with a sparkling sound profile and smooth push feel. On the other hand, the Smoothie is an all-POM switch known for its thocky sound signature, remarkable smoothness, and lightweight touch. While the Blue Sky is categorized as high-pitched, neutral, mild, and polished, the Smoothie is described as buttery, thocky, low-pitched, creamy, subdued, and silky. The Blue Sky may be preferred by those who appreciate a more polished and high-pitched typing experience, while the Smoothie could appeal to users seeking a smoother and lower-pitched feel. 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
40g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 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
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
15mm spring
Spring
22mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Aflion Blue Sky and the Gateron Smoothie, it is evident that both switches feature a polycarbonate top housing. The Blue Sky's polycarbonate top housing is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile, ideal for RGB lighting due to its translucency. On the other hand, the Smoothie's POM top housing produces a deeper and more muted sound profile. While both materials are durable and provide a unique sound experience, the polycarbonate offers a clear and resonant sound, whereas the POM delivers a more muffled and subdued tone.
Moving on to the bottom housing, the Blue Sky utilizes a nylon material that elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound and creates a rounder tone. In contrast, the Smoothie also incorporates POM for its bottom housing, resulting in a similar deep and muted sound profile. Both housings contribute to the overall typing experience by influencing the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch. While the nylon bottom housing offers a duller sound, the POM bottom housing provides a unique and pleasing tone that adds to the overall typing experience.
Overall, the choice of housing material greatly impacts the sound profile and feel of a mechanical switch. While the Blue Sky and the Smoothie differ in their top and bottom housing materials, they both aim to provide a satisfying typing experience. The split qualities between the top and bottom housings allow for a balance between impact and sound when pressing down on a key. Whether it be the sharper sound of polycarbonate or the deeper tone of POM, each housing material brings its own unique characteristics to these mechanical switches.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie linear switch, it is evident that the Smoothie has a lighter actuation force of 40 grams compared to the Blue Sky's 50 grams. However, the bottom out force for the Blue Sky is 60 grams, while the bottom out force for the Smoothie is unavailable. This suggests that the Blue Sky may provide a more substantial typing experience due to its higher bottom out force, while the Smoothie offers a lighter touch for longer typing sessions. Both switches cater to different preferences in terms of typing feel and force required for key presses. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on whether the user prefers a lighter or heavier typing experience.
Travel distance
The Aflion Blue Sky linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Gateron Smoothie linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm. Therefore, the Blue Sky has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Smoothie. The 4.0mm travel distance of the Blue Sky is a more traditional length, providing a deeper key press feel, which may be preferred by those who like more feedback when typing. On the other hand, the 3.6mm travel distance of the Smoothie is slightly shallower, making it a good option for those who require faster response times, such as gamers. Both switches offer different feels and benefits, so the choice between the two ultimately comes down to personal preference based on the desired 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 Gateron Smoothie has an MSRP of $3.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Smoothie for $2.60.
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 is known for its high-pitched and neutral sound profile, producing a sharp and crisp sound when pressed. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie linear switch offers a thocky, low-pitched, and subdued sound signature, creating a deep, rich, and satisfying sound experience. If you prefer a sharper sound, the Blue Sky may be more suitable, while the Smoothie offers a deeper and more mellow tone. Both switches offer unique sound profiles, allowing users to choose based on their sound preferences.
In terms of feel, the Blue Sky linear switch is described as mild and polished, providing a gentle typing experience with a smooth and refined finish. Meanwhile, the Gateron Smoothie linear switch offers a buttery, creamy, and silky typing sensation, delivering a seamless and effortless keystroke experience. Whether you prefer a more gentle typing feel or a smoother keystroke, both switches cater to different preferences in typing experience. Ultimately, choosing between the two would depend on your personal preference for typing feel.
In conclusion, the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie linear switch offer unique sound and feel qualities that cater to different preferences. While the Blue Sky excels in creating a high-pitched and nuanced typing sound, the Smoothie provides a thocky and buttery typing experience. Both switches offer smooth key travel and refined finishes, ensuring a satisfying typing experience. Whichever switch you choose, you can expect a high-quality linear switch that delivers on sound and feel preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie linear switch, consider your preferences for typing experience. If you value a crystal clear linear typing experience with medium bottom out force and a high-pitched sound profile, the Blue Sky may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a thocky sound signature, remarkable smoothness, and a lightweight touch with no specified bottom out force, the Gateron Smoothie could be the better option. Ultimately, your decision should be based on what feel and sound profile you prefer in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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