Aflion Blush vs. Cherry MX Brown
An in-depth look at the Aflion Blush and the Cherry MX Brown switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Aflion Blush and the Cherry MX Brown are two popular mechanical keyboard switches, each offering a unique typing experience. The Blush is a linear switch, known for its smooth and snappy feel, thanks to its longer, two-stage spring. It also provides a distinct poppy sound signature, adding a touch of character to the typing experience. On the other hand, the MX Brown is a tactile switch, offering a lighter typing experience with subtle tactility and subdued audio feedback. These switches are best suited for those who prefer a softer and more nuanced typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these 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
55g
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Dual-stage stainless steel spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Aflion Blush and the Cherry MX Brown differ in their housing materials. The Blush features a polycarbonate top housing, while the MX Brown utilizes a nylon top housing. The polycarbonate top housing of the Blush creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Its translucency makes it particularly suitable for RGB lighting. On the other hand, the nylon top housing of the MX Brown elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. Being a softer plastic, nylon absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound overall.
Moving on to the bottom housings, both the Blush and the MX Brown employ nylon as the material. Nylon is known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer composition and sound absorption properties. Thus, in terms of the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on the switch, both switches are likely to offer similar results.
It is important to note that the qualities of the housing materials are divided between the top and bottom of the switch. When releasing a key, the polycarbonate top housing of the Blush will have more influence on the sound produced, while the nylon top housing of the MX Brown will impact the sound profile. However, the impact on sound when pressing down on a key will be more prominent from the bottom housing of each switch. Overall, while the Blush and the MX Brown differ in their housing materials, they both excel in creating distinct sound profiles that cater to different preferences.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Aflion Blush linear switch and the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch, there are some noticeable differences. The actuation force of the Blush switch is unavailable grams, while the MX Brown switch requires 45 grams of force for actuation. Both switches fall within the medium range in terms of actuation force. However, when it comes to the bottom out force, the Blush switch has a slightly heavier force of 58 grams, while the MX Brown switch has a lighter bottom out force of 55 grams, classifying it as medium-light.
For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the MX Brown switch might be a better choice as it requires less force for actuation and bottoming out. This can be advantageous for extended typing sessions or long gaming sessions where comfort and fatigue reduction are important factors. On the other hand, individuals who enjoy a more substantial typing feel may lean towards the Aflion Blush switch. Its heavier bottom out force could provide a more satisfying push feel, offering a greater tactile feedback during keystrokes.
Although the specific actuation force of the Blush switch is not available, it is clear that both switches fall within a similar range of actuation forces. Therefore, users can expect comparable results in terms of triggering a keystroke. Ultimately, the decision between these switches will depend on personal preference for typing experience and specific requirements for typing duration.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Aflion Blush linear switch is 3.3 mm, while the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that the MX Brown has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Blush. A travel distance of 4.0 mm is considered more traditional, while 3.0 mm is the most shallow. However, in recent times, shorter travel distances have become popular, especially among gamers who prefer faster response times. If you prioritize responsiveness, the Blush with its 3.3 mm travel distance would be a suitable choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a deeper and more substantial feel when pressing down on the key, the MX Brown with its longer 4 mm travel distance may be more to your liking. Both switches offer different experiences, so it ultimately depends on personal preference.
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 Cherry MX Brown comes in at $4.00 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
The Aflion Blush linear switch is best known for its smooth and snappy feel, thanks to its longer, two-stage spring. This switch offers a satisfying typing experience with a full and snappy feel. It also produces a distinctive poppy sound signature.
On the other hand, the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch is known for its subtle qualities. It provides a relatively light typing experience with gentle tactility and subdued audio feedback. This switch offers a more understated feel compared to the Blush switch.
In terms of sound, the Blush switch has a low-pitched sound profile, which typically features a more bass-heavy and mellow tone. The MX Brown switch, on the other hand, is described as bassy and low-pitched, offering a deeper and richer sound during key presses.
When it comes to feel, the Blush switch is described as creamy, silky, and buttery. These descriptors indicate that this switch offers a smooth and effortless typing experience, akin to gliding your fingers across the keys with ease. The MX Brown switch, in contrast, is known for having a textured or scratchy feel. Some users prefer the subtle friction it provides, while others prefer a smoother typing experience.
In conclusion, the Aflion Blush linear switch and the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch offer different subjective qualities. The Blush switch provides a smooth and snappy feel with a poppy sound signature. In contrast, the MX Brown switch offers a lighter typing experience with gentle tactility and subdued audio feedback. While they may have some similarities in terms of being low-pitched in sound, the overall feel and sound profile differ between the two switches.
Conclusion
In closing, if you prioritize a smooth and snappy typing experience with a poppy sound, the Aflion Blush linear switch is the way to go. With its longer two-stage spring and long pole, this switch offers an impressively smooth and full typing feel. Additionally, its creamy, silky, and buttery descriptions emphasize the seamless and effortless keystrokes you can expect. On the other hand, if subtlety is what you value in a switch, the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch is the better choice. These switches provide a relatively light typing experience with gentle tactility and subdued audio feedback. They offer a textured feel, which may be preferred by some users who appreciate noticeable friction when pressing the keys. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences and priorities when it comes to sound and feel.
Mentioned in this article
