Aflion Blush vs. TKC Kiwi
An in-depth look at the Aflion Blush and the TKC Kiwi switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options to consider are the Aflion Blush and the TKC Kiwi. The Blush is a linear switch, known for its smooth and snappy typing experience. With a longer, two-stage spring and a long pole, this switch offers a full and satisfying feel, accompanied by a poppy sound signature. On the other hand, the Kiwi is a tactile switch that enhances your typing experience with a medium to medium-strong bump at the top of each key press. It delivers a snappy sound profile and comes lightly factory lubed for effortless typing right out of the box. While these general characteristics may give you an idea of what each switch offers, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities to help you determine the best switch for your specific needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
58g
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
3.30 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
UHWMPE
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
UHWMPE
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Dual-stage stainless steel spring
Spring
Gold coated spring
Housing materials
The Aflion Blush and the TKC Kiwi differ significantly in their housing materials. The Blush features a polycarbonate top housing, while the Kiwi utilizes a UHWMPE top housing. Polycarbonate is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, making it ideal for those who prefer a more clear and resonant typing experience. On the other hand, UHWMPE offers a very bright sound signature, generating resonant clacks when typing. While both materials result in distinctive sound profiles, the Blush's polycarbonate top housing tends to be more popular among users who want to enhance their typing experience with RGB lighting, thanks to its translucent properties.
Moving on to the bottom housing, the Blush consists of a nylon material, while the Kiwi incorporates UHWMPE. Nylon is considered a classic switch housing material, known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is due to nylon being softer and absorbing more sound compared to harder plastics, leading to a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the UHWMPE bottom housing of the Kiwi contributes to its overall bright sound signature, resulting in resonant clacks while typing. These differences in housing materials demonstrate that both switches offer distinct sound profiles based on the materials used in their bottom housings.
When it comes to the overall feel and sound of the switch, the Aflion Blush's qualities are split between its top and bottom housing. The bottom housing of the Blush has a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when a key is pressed down. Meanwhile, the top housing influences the sound when the key is released, likely providing a sharper and more resonant sound. Conversely, the TKC Kiwi's UHWMPE housing material impacts both the bottom-out feeling and the sound, giving it a vibrant and resonant clack. Despite these differences, both switches offer unique sound profiles influenced by their respective housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Aflion Blush linear switch and the TKC Kiwi tactile switch, there are noticeable differences. The Blush has an actuation force that is currently unavailable in grams, making it difficult to directly compare. However, its bottom out force is 58 grams, which is considered medium. On the other hand, the Kiwi has an actuation force of 43 grams, making it lighter than the Blush, while its bottom out force is 67 grams, putting it in the medium-heavy category.
For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Kiwi's lighter actuation force may be more suitable as it requires less force to trigger a keystroke. This can be advantageous for individuals who require extended periods of typing, such as in professional environments or during marathon gaming sessions.
On the contrary, the Blush, with its medium actuation force, may offer a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel. This can provide a tactile feedback that some individuals find satisfying and enhances the overall typing experience.
While both switches fall within the medium category for bottom out force, the Kiwi's 67 gram force is higher than the Blush's 58 gram force. Thus, for those who value a heftier keystroke and desire a more substantial feeling when pressing the keys all the way down, the Kiwi may be the preferable option.
In conclusion, the lighter actuation force of the TKC Kiwi and the heavier bottom out force make it a suitable choice for individuals seeking a lighter typing experience or prefer a stronger push feel. Meanwhile, the Aflion Blush's actuation force remains unknown, and its medium bottom out force provides a satisfying middle ground for those in search of a well-balanced typing experience.
Travel distance
The Aflion Blush linear switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm, while the TKC Kiwi tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. Both switches have shorter travel distances compared to the traditional 4.0 mm distance. If you are a gamer looking for faster response times, the Blush with its shorter travel distance would be a suitable choice. However, if you prefer a more substantial and deep key press, the Kiwi with its longer travel distance may be more to your liking. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on individual preferences for responsiveness and depth.
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 TKC Kiwi comes in at $8.00 per 10 switches.
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
In terms of sound, both the Aflion Blush and the TKC Kiwi switches have a low-pitched sound profile. This means that they both feature a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. However, the Kiwi switch also has a descriptor of "neutral", indicating that it has a moderate sound profile suitable for most intents and purposes. It's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the Aflion Blush switch is described as "creamy," "silky," and "buttery." This implies that it offers a smooth and buttery typing experience, with a seamless, effortless, and uniform sensation. The TKC Kiwi switch, on the other hand, is described as "stepped," "accented," and "polished." This indicates that it provides a tactile feedback with a medium to medium-strong bump, without being overwhelming. The Kiwi switch also offers reduced friction and smooth key travel, thanks to the polished finish and factory lubing.
Considering the available information, the Aflion Blush switch is best known for its smooth and snappy feel, with a longer, two-stage spring that provides a full and satisfying typing experience. Its long pole also adds a poppy sound signature. On the other hand, the TKC Kiwi switch is designed to enhance typing experience with a medium to medium-strong tactile bump at the top of each key press. It offers a snappy sound profile and comes lightly factory lubed, ensuring a smooth and effortless typing experience out of the box.
Overall, if you are looking for a linear switch with a smooth and snappy type feel and a poppy sound signature, the Aflion Blush would be a great choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a tactile switch with a medium to medium-strong bump, along with a snappy sound profile and polished finish, the TKC Kiwi switch would be a suitable option. Both switches offer unique subjective qualities that can enhance your typing experience. Regardless of the choice, it's important to consider your personal preferences and the other components of your keyboard setup to achieve the desired result.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a linear switch with a medium bottom out force and a smooth and snappy typing experience, the Aflion Blush switch would be a great choice for you. The Blush switch stands out for its longer, two-stage spring that provides an impressively smooth and full feel, accompanied by a poppy sound signature. On the other hand, if you prefer a tactile switch with a slightly higher bottom out force and a satisfyingly snappy sound profile, the TKC Kiwi switch would be more suitable. The Kiwi switch offers a medium to medium-strong bump at the top of each key press, enhancing your typing experience. Moreover, it is lightly factory lubed, ensuring a smooth and effortless typing experience right out of the box. In terms of sound, both switches have a low-pitched profile, providing a bass-heavy and mellow tone. As for the feel, the Blush switch offers a creamy, silky, and buttery typing experience, while the Kiwi switch provides a stepped, accented, and polished feel. Overall, the choice between the Blush and Kiwi switches ultimately depends on whether you prioritize a linear or tactile switch and your preference for typing experience.
Mentioned in this article
