Aflion Blush vs. Cherry MX Orange

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, choosing the right one can significantly enhance your typing or gaming experience. The Aflion Blush, a linear switch, stands out for its impressively smooth and snappy typing feel, courtesy of its longer two-stage spring and long pole design, which also delivers a low-pitched, creamy sound signature. This switch is ideal for those who favor a refined typing experience without tactile bumps or clicks, making it a great choice for both gamers and typists seeking a quiet operation. In contrast, the Cherry MX Orange switch, a reissue of the original MX Orange developed by Hirose, boasts a solid reputation for reliability and performance, enhanced with modern engineering for today's gamers and enthusiasts. While both switches offer linear smoothness, the Blush tends to have a more pronounced sound profile, whereas the MX Orange focuses on a robust and familiar feel. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the right switch for you.

By the numbers

Aflion Blush Linear

Cherry MX Orange Linear

$6.00

$4.07 per 10

$4.10

$3.89 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the Aflion Blush and the Cherry MX Orange switches, the first notable difference lies in the top housings. The Aflion Blush features a polycarbonate top housing, known for producing a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is largely due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, which enhances the clarity and resonance of the sound produced during use. In contrast, the Cherry MX Orange employs a nylon top housing that results in a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon's softer composition absorbs sound, creating a rounder and more muted auditory experience. Thus, while the Blush emphasizes brightness and clarity, the MX Orange offers warmth and depth—indicating that users may prefer one over the other based on their sound profile preferences.

Both switches share nylon for their bottom housings, which means they will produce similar effects in this respect. The nylon bottom housing plays a crucial role in the overall sound profile when the key is bottomed out—generating a more muted and rounded feel in both cases. For users typing on either switch, the shared material will elicit that characteristic deeper sound, allowing a consistent experience with the bottoming out effect across both models. This suggests that despite the difference in top housing materials, the tonal qualities during key presses will share similarities due to the HVAC from the nylon.

In summary, the key contrasts between the Aflion Blush and the Cherry MX Orange primarily stem from their respective top housing materials. The polycarbonate top of the Blush creates a brighter sound, enhancing the auditory feedback when keys are released, while the nylon top of the MX Orange promotes a fuller sound profile that emphasizes warmth. Nevertheless, they converge in their use of nylon for their bottom housings, leading to a consistent sound experience when the keys are pressed down. Thus, if a user seeks a blend of traits, they can expect the best of both worlds: the clarity of the Blush's top paired with the depth of the MX Orange's bottom, resulting in an engaging typing experience regardless of the switch chosen.

Weight

When comparing the actuation and bottom out forces of the Aflion Blush linear switch and the Cherry MX Orange linear switch, we find notable differences that impact user experience. The Aflion Blush features a bottom out force of 58 grams, indicating a medium level of resistance when fully pressed down. However, its actuation force remains unspecified, making it difficult to ascertain how it compares to the Cherry MX Orange. In contrast, the Cherry MX Orange has a well-defined actuation force of 55 grams, requiring a slightly lighter touch to trigger a keystroke, while its bottom out force remains unknown. This means that users seeking a lighter switch for extended typing or gaming sessions may find the MX Orange preferable due to its specified actuation force, while those who enjoy a more substantial feel might lean towards the Blush, albeit it’s harder to make a direct comparison given its unknown actuation force. Overall, the Blush is likely to be the heavier switch due to its known bottom out force, while the lighter feel of the MX Orange could be more comfortable for longer use.

Travel distance

The Aflion Blush linear switch features a travel distance of 3.3 mm, while the Cherry MX Orange linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. This makes the Blush the shorter option, offering a more responsive feel which can benefit gamers looking for quicker actuation. In contrast, the MX Orange, with its longer 4 mm travel, may provide a more satisfying tactile experience for users who prefer a deeper keypress. Thus, consumers can choose based on their personal preference: shorter travel for a snappier response or a longer travel for a more substantial feel when typing.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Aflion Blush linear switch delivers a low-pitched tone that resonates with a bass-heavy, mellow quality. This sound signature contributes to a more satisfying auditory experience while typing, making each keystroke feel robust and grounded. The Blush's poppy sound further enhances its character, providing a distinctive auditory feedback that many users find appealing. On the other hand, while details about the sound profile of the Cherry MX Orange linear switch are not provided, it’s important to note that sound characteristics can also be influenced by the choice of keyboard and keycaps, suggesting that the MX Orange could potentially have its own unique qualities that may differ from the Blush.

When it comes to feel, the Blush stands out with descriptors such as creamy, silky, and buttery, indicating an exceptionally smooth and luxurious typing experience. Users can expect a nearly effortless engagement with each keystroke, as the longer two-stage spring combined with the comprehensive design allows for a seamless transition between key presses. This results in a typing experience that's not just smooth but feels more fluid and pliant, giving a unique tactile pleasure. On the other hand, there is no detailed description available for the feel of the Cherry MX Orange switch, which leaves its tactile experience unspecified. Nonetheless, it’s worth noting that Cherry MX switches are traditionally well-regarded for their consistent performance.

In conclusion, the Aflion Blush linear switch offers a combination of low-pitched sound and an indulgently smooth typing experience with its creamy, silky, and buttery qualities. In contrast, while the sound attributes of the Cherry MX Orange are less defined, it is historically a reliable option in the mechanical keyboard landscape. The variability of sound and feel suggests that while the Blush is distinctly characterized, the MX Orange retains an element of uncertainty, making it crucial for users to consider their personal preferences and typing styles when choosing between these two switches.

Conclusion

To conclude, the choice between the Aflion Blush linear switch and the Cherry MX Orange linear switch ultimately depends on your personal preferences and typing style. If you value a smooth and creamy typing experience with a snappy feel and a low-pitched sound signature, the Blush switch would be the ideal choice for you. Its medium bottom-out force of 58 grams makes it suitable for both casual typing and gaming without feeling overly taxing on your fingers. On the other hand, if you are looking for a more classic typing experience inspired by the original MX Orange switches, the Cherry MX Orange might be more up your alley, especially if you appreciate its enhanced design that caters to long-term usability. While its specific bottom-out force isn't disclosed, this switch is known for its linear properties that offer a balanced feel, making it suitable for various tasks. Ultimately, consider your usage scenarios—whether it’s intense gaming, typing long documents, or simply enjoying the tactile feedback—as both switches have unique traits that can significantly impact your experience.

Mentioned in this article

Aflion Blush Linear

$6.00

$4.07 per 10

Learn more

Cherry MX Orange Linear

$4.10

$3.89 per 10

Learn more