Aflion Blue Sky vs. Durock White Lotus

Overview

When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options that often come up for comparison are the Aflion Blue Sky and the Durock White Lotus. The Blue Sky is a linear switch known for providing a crystal clear and smooth typing experience. Its long pole stem offers an exquisitely smooth push feel, making it a delight for those who prefer linear switches. On the other hand, the White Lotus is a tactile switch designed with the discerning typist in mind. It strikes the perfect balance between tactility and ease of use, making it an excellent choice for work and extended typing sessions. Additionally, its removable light column allows for vibrant and luminous RGB lighting effects, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of your keyboard setup. However, let's dive deeper beyond these generalities so you can make the best decision based on your preferences.

By the numbers

Aflion Blue Sky Linear

Durock White Lotus Tactile

$6.00

$4.07 per 10

$5.60

$4.57 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The Aflion Blue Sky and the Durock White Lotus have different materials used for their top housings. The Blue Sky utilizes polycarbonate, which creates a sharper and crisper sound profile. It is known for its translucent quality, making it ideal for incorporating RGB lighting. The White Lotus, on the other hand, features a modified PC and UPE Blend top housing, which gives it a unique and premium feel. While both materials serve the purpose of providing a sturdy top housing, they offer distinct sound profiles and aesthetic experiences. If you prefer a clearer and resonant sound with the option for RGB lighting, the Blue Sky's polycarbonate top housing would suit your needs. Alternatively, if you value a premium feel and a different sound profile, the White Lotus with its modified PC and UPE Blend top housing would be a better fit.

When it comes to the bottom housings, both the Blue Sky and the White Lotus utilize nylon. Typing on switches with nylon bottom housings elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is because nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. While the materials used for their bottom housings are the same, the overall sound experience may differ based on other factors in the switch design. Nonetheless, if you prioritize a deeper and fuller sound when typing, both the Blue Sky and the White Lotus with their nylon bottom housings would provide similar results.

It is worth mentioning that the qualities brought by the top and bottom housings are split between the two parts of the switch. When using either the Blue Sky or the White Lotus, you'll feel the impact of the bottom housing when pressing down on a key, affecting the bottom-out sound and feel. On the other hand, the sound produced when you release a key will be influenced more by the top housing. This distinction highlights the importance of considering each housing material's specific characteristics and how they contribute to the overall typing experience.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the Durock White Lotus tactile switch, we find both similarities and differences between the two. In terms of actuation force, the Blue Sky requires 50 grams of force to trigger a keystroke, while the White Lotus requires a slightly lighter 46 grams. This means that the White Lotus has a slightly lighter touch when it comes to initiating a keystroke. However, when it comes to bottoming out, or pressing all the way down, the Blue Sky requires 60 grams of force, while the White Lotus requires 56 grams. This indicates that the Blue Sky has a heavier bottom out feel compared to the White Lotus.

Considering weight, some individuals may prefer a lighter switch to allow for longer typing sessions, especially in a work or gaming environment. In this aspect, the White Lotus would be ideal, as it requires a lighter actuation force. However, for those seeking a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel, the Blue Sky would be the better choice, as it has a heavier bottom out force. In both cases, individuals can achieve similar results, either by selecting the lighter White Lotus switch or by applying slightly more force with the Blue Sky switch to achieve a comparable typing experience. Overall, it ultimately depends on personal preference and whether one prioritizes a lighter touch or a more substantial typing feel.

Travel distance

Both the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the Durock White Lotus tactile switch have a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either of these switches, you will feel the same distance of travel. Therefore, both switches provide a consistent tactile experience in terms of travel distance.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch is best described as having a high-pitched sound profile. This means that when pressed, the Blue Sky switch produces a sharp and crisp sound. If you prefer switches with a more rich and bassy sound, the Blue Sky might not be the best choice. On the other hand, the Durock White Lotus tactile switch has a low-pitched sound profile, which typically features a more bass-heavy and mellow tone. The White Lotus switch has a sound that is not resonant, making it suitable for shared spaces. Both switches are described as having a neutral sound profile, which means they have a moderate sound and actuation force requirement, making them suitable for most purposes.

In terms of feel, the Blue Sky switch offers a mild and polished typing experience. With its mild characteristics, the Blue Sky switch provides a gentle typing experience that is approachable to most users. The switch has a safe and middle-ground quality in terms of sound and feel. Additionally, the Blue Sky switch is described as polished, meaning it has a smooth and refined finish that results in a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.

On the other hand, the Durock White Lotus switch has a more easy-to-press feel. These switches offer gentle resistance during key presses, requiring minimal force to activate. The light actuation force makes typing effortless and comfortable, reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. The White Lotus switch also has a mild and subtle feel, maintaining a light typing feel without being too feather-light. Overall, the White Lotus switch enhances the typing experience by offering a responsive and low-impact feel.

In conclusion, the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the Durock White Lotus tactile switch offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Blue Sky switch has a high-pitched sound profile and provides a mild and polished typing experience. On the other hand, the White Lotus switch has a low-pitched sound profile, a gentle and easy-to-press feel, and a subtle typing experience. Choosing between these switches depends on personal preference and the desired typing experience. If you prefer a sharp and crisp sound with a polished feel, the Blue Sky switch is a great option. If you prefer a more bass-heavy and mellow sound with an easy-to-press feel, the White Lotus switch is the way to go.

Conclusion

In closing, when choosing between the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the Durock White Lotus tactile switch, it ultimately comes down to your preferences and typing needs. If you prioritize a crystal clear linear typing experience with a sparkling sound profile and exquisite smoothness, the Blue Sky switch is a great choice. With its medium bottom out force of 60 grams, this switch offers a neutral sound profile and a mild feel that stands in a safe, middle-ground zone.

On the other hand, if you desire a delicate tactility that strikes the perfect balance, making it ideal for work and extended typing sessions without overwhelming you, the White Lotus switch is worth considering. With a medium-light bottom out force of 56 grams, it offers a removable light column that allows for vibrantly luminous RGB lighting effects, adding a captivating glow to your keyboard setup. The White Lotus switch provides a tranquil typing experience with its low-pitched sound profile and easy-to-press, mild, and subtle feel.

Ultimately, both switches have their own unique qualities and advantages. Consider what you value most in a keyboard switch, whether it's the type of sound, the level of tactility, or the overall feel. By understanding your preferences and typing requirements, you can make an informed decision and choose the switch that will enhance your typing experience.

Mentioned in this article

Aflion Blue Sky Linear

$6.00

$4.07 per 10

Learn more

Durock White Lotus Tactile

$5.60

$4.57 per 10

Learn more