Aflion Blue Sky vs. Gateron Smoothie Silver
An in-depth look at the Aflion Blue Sky and the Gateron Smoothie Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When looking at two popular linear mechanical keyboard switches, the Aflion Blue Sky and the Gateron Smoothie Silver, there are distinct differences to consider. The Aflion Blue Sky is known for its long pole stem, offering a crystal clear linear typing experience with a sparkling sound profile and smooth push feel. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie Silver stands out for its all-POM construction, providing a short travel distance for quick actuation, thocky sound, smoothness, and feather-light touch. 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
45g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.20 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 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
When comparing the housing materials of the Aflion Blue Sky and the Gateron Smoothie Silver, we can see that they both utilize different materials for their top and bottom housings. The Blue Sky features a polycarbonate top housing, which gives it a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile perfect for RGB lighting effects. In contrast, the Smoothie Silver uses a POM top housing, providing a deeper and more muted sound. Both materials offer unique sound profiles, but the polycarbonate of the Blue Sky leans towards a clearer and more resonant sound, while the POM of the Smoothie Silver offers a deeper and more subdued tone.
Moving on to the bottom housings, the Blue Sky uses a nylon material that enhances the sound with a deeper and fuller profile. Nylon's softer properties absorb more sound, resulting in a rounder and duller sound which can be particularly satisfying for typists. On the other hand, the Smoothie Silver also utilizes POM for its bottom housing, contributing to the pleasing and unique sound profile of the switch. Although both materials aim for a deeper sound, the nylon of the Blue Sky may offer a slightly different feel and sound compared to the POM of the Smoothie Silver.
In conclusion, the Aflion Blue Sky and the Gateron Smoothie Silver showcase differences in their housing materials, particularly in the top and bottom housings. While the Blue Sky's polycarbonate top housing produces a sharper and crisper sound, the Smoothie Silver's POM top housing offers a deeper and more muted tone. Similarly, the nylon bottom housing of the Blue Sky provides a fuller sound, while the POM bottom housing of the Smoothie Silver contributes to its unique sound profile. Both switches offer distinct qualities based on their housing materials, catering to different preferences for sound and typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch, it can be seen that the Blue Sky requires a slightly heavier actuation force of 50 grams in comparison to the Smoothie Silver's 45 grams. However, the bottom out force for the Blue Sky is also heavier at 60 grams, while the bottom out force of the Smoothie Silver is not available. This means that the Blue Sky switch provides a more substantial typing experience with both the actuation and bottom out forces being on the heavier side. On the other hand, the Smoothie Silver switch offers a lighter actuation force which may be preferred by those looking for a lighter typing feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for typing experience and the desired force of keystrokes.
Travel distance
The Aflion Blue Sky linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. In this case, the Smoothie Silver has a shorter travel distance compared to the Blue Sky. The Blue Sky with its 4mm travel distance is more suitable for those who prefer a bit more depth and feedback when typing, whereas the Smoothie Silver with its 3.4mm travel distance is ideal for those looking for a quicker response time, which is favored by gamers. Both switches provide a smooth linear feel, but the slight difference in travel distance can make a noticeable impact on the typing experience based on individual preferences.
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 Silver 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 Silver 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 offers a high-pitched profile, producing a sharp and crisp sound when pressed. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch's sound characteristics are unknown. It's important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard PCB and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Aflion Blue Sky switch provides a mild typing experience, offering a gentle feel that most users will find approachable. Additionally, these switches are described as polished, meaning they have a smooth and refined finish leading to a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. However, the tactile qualities of the Gateron Smoothie Silver switch are unknown.
Overall, while the sound profile of the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch may be high-pitched and the feel may be mild and polished, the specific sound and feel characteristics of the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch remain unclear. Therefore, if you are looking for a linear switch with a clear sound and smooth feel, the Aflion Blue Sky may be the ideal choice. If you prefer a switch with unknown sound and feel qualities but want a lightning-fast actuation and feather-light touch, the Gateron Smoothie Silver could also provide a satisfactory typing experience. Ultimately, selecting between these two switches will depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and typing performance.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch, consider the typing experience you prefer. If you enjoy a crystal clear and smooth linear typing experience with a medium bottom out force, then the Blue Sky switch is a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lightning-fast actuation with a thocky sound and feather-light touch, then the Smoothie Silver switch would be more suitable. Keep in mind the differences in sound and feel described for each switch to make the decision that best suits your typing preferences. Ultimately, your choice should reflect what typing experience you value the most.
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