Aflion Blue Sky vs. Sarokeys Strawberry Wine (V2)
An in-depth look at the Aflion Blue Sky and the Sarokeys Strawberry Wine (V2) switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Aflion Blue Sky and Sarokeys Strawberry Wine (V2) are both linear mechanical keyboard switches with their own unique characteristics. The Blue Sky stands out 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 Sarokeys Strawberry Wine (V2) is praised for its resonant and clacky notes, along with an impeccable factory lube job that ensures each keystroke is silky smooth. While the Blue Sky is categorized as 'High-pitched', 'Neutral', 'Mild', 'Polished', the Strawberry Wine (V2) is categorized as 'Clacky', 'Resonant', 'Silky', 'High-pitched'. Each switch has its own advantages, but 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
52g
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
Y3
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Ly
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
15mm spring
Spring
Single-staged 21mm lengthened spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Aflion Blue Sky and the Sarokeys Strawberry Wine (V2), it is evident that they both share a polycarbonate top housing. This means that both switches will offer a sharper, higher-pitched, and clearer sound profile due to the stiffness of the polycarbonate material. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it especially useful for switches that incorporate RGB lighting. However, where they differ is in the bottom housing material. The Blue Sky features a nylon bottom housing, which creates a deeper and fuller sound profile by absorbing more sound compared to harder plastics. On the other hand, the Strawberry Wine (V2) also utilizes a nylon bottom housing, providing a similar deep and full sound but with a more muted quality.
Despite both switches utilizing a nylon bottom housing, the Aflion Blue Sky and Sarokeys Strawberry Wine (V2) still present differences in their overall sound profile. This is due to the fact that the top housing material plays a significant role in shaping the sound when pressing and releasing a key. With the Blue Sky's polycarbonate top housing, users can expect a crisper sound when letting go of a key, whereas the POM top housing of the Strawberry Wine (V2) produces a deeper and more muted sound. This contrast showcases how subtle variations in housing materials can impact the overall auditory experience of typing on a mechanical keyboard.
Ultimately, the choice between the Aflion Blue Sky and the Sarokeys Strawberry Wine (V2) comes down to personal preference in sound profile. While they both offer a unique typing experience with their housing materials, the distinct characteristics of polycarbonate and POM in the top housing contribute to their individual sound signatures. Whether one prefers a sharper and clearer sound from the Blue Sky or a deeper and more muted sound from the Strawberry Wine (V2), both switches provide a high-quality typing experience with their combination of different housing materials.
Weight
The actuation force and bottom out force of the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the Sarokeys Strawberry Wine (V2) linear switch offer a notable contrast in weight. The Blue Sky requires an actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams, providing a medium level of resistance. In comparison, the Strawberry Wine (V2) is lighter, with an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams. This difference in weight means that the Blue Sky offers a slightly heavier typing experience, ideal for those who prefer a more substantial push feel. On the other hand, the Strawberry Wine (V2) provides a lighter touch, making it suitable for longer typing sessions or intense gaming marathons. Overall, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for typing weight, with the Blue Sky being the heavier option and the Strawberry Wine (V2) offering a lighter touch.
Travel distance
In comparing the travel distance of the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the Sarokeys Strawberry Wine (V2) linear switch, it is evident that the Blue Sky has a longer travel distance of 4 mm compared to the Strawberry Wine's 3.4 mm. The Blue Sky's 4.0mm travel distance offers a more traditional feel, while the 3.0 mm of the Strawberry Wine is shallower. Gamers who prioritize fast response times tend to favor shorter travel distances, making the Strawberry Wine a preferred choice for them. On the other hand, those who enjoy a deeper key press may find the Blue Sky more suitable. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference and whether one prioritizes responsiveness or a more substantial key press.
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 Sarokeys Strawberry Wine (V2) has an MSRP of $4.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Strawberry Wine (V2) for $4.35.
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 best suited for those who prefer a high-pitched and neutral sound profile, offering a sharp and crisp typing experience without being overly bassy. On the other hand, the Sarokeys Strawberry Wine (V2) linear switch is ideal for users who enjoy a clacky, resonant, and high-pitched sound with a crisp and bright tone. Depending on your preference for sound, you can achieve different auditory experiences with these two switches.
Moving on to feel, the Blue Sky switch is designed to provide a mild and polished typing experience, offering a gentle and refined feel that falls within a safe middle-ground zone in terms of tactile feedback. In contrast, the Sarokeys Strawberry Wine (V2) switch offers a silky smooth typing experience thanks to an impeccable factory lube job, minimizing resistance and enhancing overall smoothness. If you prioritize a more polished and mild typing feel, the Blue Sky switch may be the better choice for you, whereas the Strawberry Wine (V2) switch is perfect for those who prefer a silky smooth keypress.
In conclusion, the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the Sarokeys Strawberry Wine (V2) linear switch each offer unique sound and feel qualities that cater to different preferences. While the Blue Sky switch provides a high-pitched and polished typing experience, the Strawberry Wine (V2) switch delivers a clacky and silky smooth feel. Ultimately, the decision between these switches will depend on whether you prioritize sound, feel, or a combination of both in your mechanical keyboard setup. Regardless of your choice, both switches offer exceptional quality and performance that will enhance your typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the Sarokeys Strawberry Wine (V2) linear switch, consider your preference for bottom out force and typing experience. If you prefer a medium bottom out force of 60 grams and enjoy a linear typing experience with a high-pitched sound profile and polished feel, then the Blue Sky switch is the way to go. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force of 50 grams and enjoy a resonant and clacky sound profile with a silky smooth typing feel, then the Sarokeys Strawberry Wine (V2) switch would be the better choice for you. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal typing preferences and the overall typing experience you are looking for in a mechanical keyboard switch.
Mentioned in this article
