Aflion Blush vs. Outemu Black
An in-depth look at the Aflion Blush and the Outemu Black switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Aflion Blush and Outemu Black both offer a linear typing experience. The Aflion Blush is praised for its smooth and snappy feel, thanks to its longer, two-stage spring design. Additionally, its long pole contributes to a poppy sound signature, making typing on this switch a satisfying experience. On the other hand, the Outemu Black provides a straightforward linear feel without any additional features that stand out. If you prefer a switch with a low-pitched, creamy, silky, and buttery feel, the Blush might be the better choice for you. 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
65g
Bottom-out force
58g
Bottom-out force
82g
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
2.50 mm
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
Polycarbonate
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 Outemu Black both feature polycarbonate top housings, which produce a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate's stiffness, which creates a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting, enhancing their aesthetic appeal. Despite their similarities in top housing material, the Blush and Black may differ in their bottom housing material.
In contrast, the Aflion Blush and the Outemu Black both utilize nylon as their bottom housing material. Nylon is known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature, which absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics. This leads to a duller and rounder sound when typing on switches with nylon bottom housings. While both switches share this characteristic in their bottom housings, the impact of the material will be felt more when pressing down on the switch, affecting the bottom-out sound and feel.
Overall, the Blush and Black switches demonstrate how the choice of housing materials can affect the sound profile and typing experience of a switch. While they both offer sharp and crisp sound profiles due to their polycarbonate top housings, they each provide a unique typing experience based on their nylon bottom housings. The split qualities of the housing materials between the top and bottom of the switch highlight the importance of considering both components when selecting a switch for specific preferences in sound and feel.
Weight
The Aflion Blush linear switch and the Outemu Black linear switch differ in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Blush has a significantly lighter actuation force of None grams compared to the Black's 65 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Blush requires 58 grams while the Black demands a heavier 82 grams. This means that the Blush provides a lighter touch for typing, making it more suitable for extended use during work or gaming sessions. On the other hand, the Black offers a more substantial typing experience with its heavier bottom out force. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on the user's preference for actuation and bottom out forces, with the Blush being lighter and the Black being heavier.
Travel distance
The Aflion Blush linear switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm, which is shorter than the Outemu Black linear switch with a travel distance of 4 mm. The Blush offers a quicker response time due to its shorter travel distance, making it a popular choice among gamers. On the other hand, the Black switch provides a deeper key press feel due to its longer travel distance. Both switches have their advantages depending on personal preference, with the Blush being more suitable for those prioritizing speed and the Black for those who prefer a more substantial key press experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to individual typing or gaming preferences.
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 Outemu Black comes in at $3.10 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
Overall, the Aflion Blush linear switch stands out for its smooth, full, and snappy feel due to its longer two-stage spring and long pole design, providing a poppy sound signature. The switch offers a creamy, silky, and buttery typing experience that is likened to gliding fingers across keys with ease. On the other hand, the Outemu Black linear switch does not have as much information available, making it difficult to directly compare. However, based on the qualities of the Blush switch, it can be expected that the Black switch would deliver a similar typing experience in terms of sound and feel. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to individual preferences, so choosing between the two would depend on personal preference and typing style.
Conclusion
To sum up, when it comes to choosing between the Aflion Blush linear switch and the Outemu Black linear switch, you should consider the differences in bottom out force, sound, and feel. If you prefer a medium bottom out force and are looking for a smooth and snappy typing experience with a poppy sound signature, then the Aflion Blush switch might be the best choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a heavier bottom out force and are less concerned about specific sound and feel characteristics, the Outemu Black switch may suit your preferences better. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal typing preferences and what you value most in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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