United States: Free shipping on orders over $49

Aflion Blush vs. Dareu Master

An in-depth look at the Aflion Blush and the Dareu Master switches—which one is the best fit for you?

Overview

When it comes to choosing between the Aflion Blush and the Dareu Master mechanical keyboard switches, both linear switches offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Blush is renowned for its smooth and snappy feel, thanks to its longer two-stage spring and long pole design, resulting in a low-pitched, creamy, silky, and buttery typing experience. On the other hand, the Master switch from Dareu provides a medium-weight option with a classic clacky sound signature and exceptional smoothness during operation, categorized as clacky, mild, and polished. While the Blush excels in offering a poppy sound signature and impressive smoothness, the Master provides a classic typing experience with a medium weight. 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

45g

Bottom-out force

58g

Bottom-out force

N/A

Pre-travel

N/A

Pre-travel

2.00 mm

Total travel

3.30 mm

Total travel

3.40 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

POM

Bottom housing material

Nylon

Bottom housing material

POM

Mount type

PCB (5-pin)

Mount type

PCB (5-pin)

Spring

Dual-stage stainless steel spring

Spring

Stainless steel

Housing materials

The Aflion Blush and Dareu Master both utilize different materials for their top and bottom housings, resulting in distinct sound profiles and typing experiences. The Blush features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched sound with a clear and resonant profile. On the other hand, the Master's POM top housing produces a deeper and more muted sound. In terms of aesthetics, the Blush's polycarbonate housing is translucent, making it ideal for RGB lighting effects, while the Master's POM housing offers a unique and pleasing sound experience. Despite these differences, both materials contribute to an overall high-quality typing experience.

Moving on to the bottom housings, the Blush utilizes nylon, known for its classic sound profile that is deeper and fuller due to its softer nature and ability to absorb more sound. Similarly, the Master's POM bottom housing also contributes to a deep and muted sound profile. While the top housing determines the sound when a key is released, the bottom housing has a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when a key is pressed. Both the Blush and Master leverage these housing materials to provide a satisfying typing experience that caters to different preferences and needs.

Overall, the Aflion Blush and Dareu Master showcase the importance of housing materials in determining the sound profile and typing feel of mechanical switches. While the Blush's polycarbonate and nylon housings offer a sharper, clearer sound and a softer, fuller typing experience, the Master's POM housing provides a unique, deep, and muted sound profile. Despite their differences, both keyboards emphasize the significance of housing materials in creating a personalized and enjoyable typing experience for users, showcasing the versatility and impact of material choices in mechanical keyboards.

Weight

Comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Aflion Blush linear switch and the Dareu Master linear switch, we can see that the Blush has a lower bottom out force of 58 grams, while the Master has a lower actuation force of 45 grams. This means that the Blush will require a lighter touch to trigger a keystroke, but will feel more substantial when bottoming out, while the Master will have a slightly heavier actuation force but a force for bottoming out is unknown. In terms of weight, the Blush could be considered lighter due to its lower actuation force, making it ideal for longer typing sessions, while the Master may appeal to those who prefer a stronger push feel for a more substantial typing experience. Overall, both switches offer unique strengths depending on individual preferences, with each providing a different typing experience.

Travel distance

The Aflion Blush linear switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm, while the Dareu Master linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. Both switches have relatively short travel distances compared to the traditional 4.0 mm distance. Gamers may appreciate the shorter travel distance of the Blush for faster response times, while those who prefer a more substantial key press may opt for the Master with its slightly longer travel distance. In general, the difference of 0.1 mm between the two switches may not be noticeable to most users, and both switches should provide similar results in terms of key actuation. Ultimately, the choice between the Blush and the Master will depend on individual preferences for key feel and responsiveness.

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 Dareu Master has an MSRP of $7.78 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Master for $4.76.

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, the Aflion Blush linear switch offers a low-pitched sound, which typically features a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. On the other hand, the Dareu Master linear switch is known for its clacky sound signature, producing a sharp and snappy sound when pressed. Both switches provide distinct sound profiles that will cater to different preferences, with the Blush offering a more subdued tone and the Master offering a crisp and percussive sound.

When it comes to feel, the Aflion Blush linear switch is described as creamy, silky, and buttery, providing a smooth and buttery typing experience that feels like gliding your fingers effortlessly across the keys. In contrast, the Dareu Master linear switch is characterized as mild and polished, offering a gentle typing experience with a smooth and refined finish that results in sleek key travel. Both switches excel in providing a comfortable typing feel, with the Blush focusing on smoothness and the Master on a polished and gentle typing experience.

Overall, the Aflion Blush linear switch and the Dareu Master linear switch offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Blush stands out with its fuller and snappy feel along with a low-pitched sound signature, the Master impresses with a medium weight and a classic clacky sound. Depending on personal preferences for sound and typing feel, users can choose between the two switches to achieve a satisfying mechanical keyboard experience. It is worth noting that other factors such as choice of keyboard and keycaps will also play a role in the overall sound and feel of these switches, but both options offer quality and distinct characteristics that will enhance any typing experience.

Conclusion

In closing, when deciding between the Aflion Blush linear switch and the Dareu Master linear switch, consider your preferences for bottom out force, sound, and feel. If you prefer a medium bottom out force and a smooth, snappy feel with a poppy sound signature, the Aflion Blush switch may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a classic clacky sound and exceptional smoothness, the Dareu Master switch, with its medium weight and polished feel, might be more to your liking. Ultimately, your decision should be based on what type of typing experience you prefer and what qualities are most important to you in a mechanical keyboard switch.

Mentioned in this article