Aflion Blush vs. Aflion Foggy Shadow
An in-depth look at the Aflion Blush and the Aflion Foggy Shadow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Aflion Blush and Aflion Foggy Shadow offer unique characteristics to suit different preferences. The Blush, a linear switch, is praised for its smooth and snappy feel, thanks to its longer, two-stage spring design that provides a satisfying typing experience. Additionally, the Blush's long pole creates a distinct poppy sound signature, making it a favorite among users looking for a tactile typing experience. On the other hand, the Foggy Shadow, a tactile switch, boasts a very light tactile bump and a 63.5g bottom-out force, striking a perfect balance between weight and performance. The Foggy Shadow exemplifies Aflion's dedication to creating innovative switches with a neutral sound profile. Both switches have their own unique qualities that cater to different preferences and typing styles. 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
N/A
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
58g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Dual-stage stainless steel spring
Spring
20mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The Aflion Blush and Aflion Foggy Shadow both feature polycarbonate top housings, which result in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to the material's stiffness. This makes them ideal for switches with RGB lighting as the translucency of polycarbonate enhances the visual appeal. Despite the similar properties of their top housings, the key difference lies in their nylon bottom housings. The Blush's nylon bottom housing creates a deeper and fuller sound profile by absorbing more sound, while the Foggy Shadow's nylon bottom housing offers a similar effect, giving a duller and rounder sound to typing.
In terms of sound profile and feel, the Aflion Blush and Aflion Foggy Shadow exhibit similarities due to their shared use of polycarbonate top housings. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate contributes to a clear and resonant sound upon keystrokes, making them suitable for users who appreciate a more defined typing experience. However, the distinction in their nylon bottom housings results in a variation in the sound characteristics when pressing down on the switch. The Blush's nylon bottom housing provides a unique deep and full sound, while the Foggy Shadow's nylon bottom housing offers a duller and rounder sound, creating a diverse typing experience.
While both the Aflion Blush and Aflion Foggy Shadow boast polycarbonate top housings for a similar sound profile, their differing nylon bottom housings offer contrasting typing experiences. The Blush's nylon bottom housing emphasizes a deeper and fuller sound, while the Foggy Shadow's nylon bottom housing creates a duller and rounder tone. These variations showcase how the combination of different housing materials can impact the overall sound and feel of a switch, allowing users to choose based on their preferred typing sound and experience. Ultimately, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to individual preferences in mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Aflion Blush linear switch and the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch, it is important to note that the actuation force for both switches is not specified. However, the Blush has a bottom out force of 58 grams, which is considered medium, while the Foggy Shadow has a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, making it medium-heavy. The lighter bottom out force of the Blush may be more appealing to those who prefer a lighter typing experience for extended periods, ideal for work or long gaming sessions. On the other hand, the heavier bottom out force of the Foggy Shadow provides a more substantial typing feel for those who prefer a stronger push. Both switches offer a similar actuation force, making it likely that users will get similar results in terms of triggering a keystroke. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference for a lighter or heavier typing experience.
Travel distance
The Aflion Blush linear switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm, while the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. This means that the Foggy Shadow has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Blush. In terms of traditional standards, both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are becoming increasingly popular, especially among gamers looking for faster response times. However, the difference of 0.2 mm between the two switches may be noticeable to some users. Those who prefer a slightly deeper keypress may lean towards the Foggy Shadow, while those who prefer a slightly shallower keypress may prefer the Blush. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of typing or gaming experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Aflion Blush has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Blush for $4.07.
The Aflion Foggy Shadow has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Foggy Shadow for $3.91.
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
The Aflion Blush linear switch offers a low-pitched sound profile with a poppy signature due to its long pole design. When it comes to feel, users describe the Blush as offering a creamy, silky, and buttery typing experience, thanks to its long two-stage spring that provides a smooth, full, and snappy feel. On the other hand, the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch is known for its light tactile bump and 63.5g bottom-out force, hitting a sweet spot of medium weight. While the sound of both switches is described as low-pitched, the Blush offers a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to the Foggy Shadow, which has a more neutral sound profile suitable for various uses. In terms of feel, the Blush provides a smooth and buttery typing experience, while information on the Foggy Shadow's tactile feel is unknown. Overall, the Aflion Blush linear switch seems to excel in providing a smooth and satisfying typing experience with a distinct sound signature, while the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch offers a balanced tactile feedback with a medium weight actuation force. Both switches have their strengths, so choosing between them will depend on personal preferences for sound and feel.
Conclusion
Bringing it all together, when deciding between the Aflion Blush linear switch and the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch, your choice will ultimately come down to your preference for typing experience. If you prioritize a smooth, snappy feel with a poppy sound signature, then the Blush linear switch with its 58 gram bottom out force may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a light tactile bump with a slightly heavier 63.5 gram bottom out force, the Foggy Shadow tactile switch could be more suited to your typing style. Consider the type of sound and feel you prefer in a switch in order to make the best decision for your mechanical keyboard setup.
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