Aflion Blush vs. Outemu Silent Grey
An in-depth look at the Aflion Blush and the Outemu Silent Grey switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between the Aflion Blush linear switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch, you'll find two distinct options to consider for your mechanical keyboard. The Blush switch by Aflion is renowned for its smooth and snappy feel, thanks to its longer, two-stage spring and poppy sound signature. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Grey offers a quiet and highly tactile typing experience with a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke. While the Blush is categorized as 'Low-pitched', 'Creamy', 'Silky', 'Buttery', the Silent Grey's characteristics are not specified. Both switches have their own unique appeal, making it important to delve deeper into their specific features to determine the best fit for your typing preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
58g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
1.60 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 Silent Grey both feature polycarbonate top housings, which create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to the material's stiffness. This results in a more clear and resonant sound when typing on switches with these housings. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate is especially useful for switches that incorporate RGB lighting, as it allows the light to shine through the housing. With both switches employing the same material for their top housings, users can expect similar sound profiles and aesthetics in terms of clarity and resonance.
In terms of the bottom housing material, the Aflion Blush and Outemu Silent Grey both utilize nylon, which produces a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. Nylon is softer than polycarbonate and absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound that complements the sharpness of the polycarbonate top housing. The combination of these two materials in the bottom housing provides a balanced typing experience with a mix of clear and resonant sounds from the top housing and deep and fuller sounds from the bottom housing.
Overall, the housing materials used in the Aflion Blush and the Outemu Silent Grey play a crucial role in shaping the sound profile and typing experience of each switch. While both switches share polycarbonate top housings for a sharp and crisp sound, they differ in their bottom housing material with nylon for a deeper and fuller sound. These differences result in variations in sound texture and feel when typing on the switches, offering users the opportunity to customize their typing experience based on their preferences for sound profiles.
Weight
The Aflion Blush linear switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch both offer a medium actuation force, but they differ in bottom out force. The Blush has an actuation force of None grams, making it lighter in this aspect compared to the Silent Grey, which has an actuation force of 50 grams. However, in terms of bottom out force, the Blush requires 58 grams, while the Silent Grey is heavier at 65 grams. This means that the Silent Grey provides a more substantial typing experience with its heavier bottom out force, while the Blush may offer a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on the individual's preference for a lighter or heavier typing feel.
Travel distance
The Aflion Blush linear switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm, making it shorter than the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch with a travel distance of 4 mm. The shorter travel distance of the Blush may appeal to gamers looking for faster response times, while the longer travel distance of the Silent Grey may provide a more satisfying typing experience for those who prefer deeper key presses. Overall, choosing between these two switches will depend on individual preferences for travel distance and typing feel.
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 Silent Grey 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
In terms of sound, the Aflion Blush linear switch is best known for its low-pitched and poppy sound signature, which offers a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch is known for being quiet, but specific details on its sound characteristics are unknown. It is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps being used.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Aflion Blush linear switch is described as creamy, silky, and buttery, offering a smooth and buttery typing experience with a silky sensation and effortless keystrokes. These qualities indicate a high level of smoothness and fluidity in typing. On the contrary, specific descriptions of the feel of the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch are not provided. For individuals seeking a satisfyingly smooth typing experience, the Blush switch may be the preferred choice.
In conclusion, the Aflion Blush linear switch offers a low-pitched sound with a creamy, silky, and buttery typing feel, providing a satisfyingly smooth and effortless typing experience with a poppy sound signature. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch is known for its quiet operation and tactile feedback, although specific details on sound and feel are lacking. Depending on personal preferences for sound and feel, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different typing preferences, allowing individuals to choose the switch that best suits their needs.
Conclusion
Ultimately, when deciding between the Aflion Blush linear switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch, it all comes down to your personal preferences. If you prioritize a smooth, snappy feel with a poppy sound signature and a low-pitched tone, then the Blush switch might be the perfect choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a highly tactile typing experience with a pronounced bump and a quiet operation, then the Silent Grey switch could be more suited to your needs. Consider the bottom out force, sound, and feel descriptions of each switch to determine which one aligns best with your typing style and preferences. Ultimately, the decision is yours to make based on what feels most comfortable and enjoyable to you.
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