Aflion Blush vs. Durock Sea Glass
An in-depth look at the Aflion Blush and the Durock Sea Glass switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two options that stand out are the Aflion Blush and the Durock Sea Glass. The Blush switch, Aflion's best linear offering, is beloved for its smooth and snappy typing experience. Its longer, two-stage spring provides an impressive full and silky feel, while its long pole offers a distinctive poppy sound signature. On the other hand, the Sea Glass switch series by Durock catches attention with its captivating pastel colors. These switches emanate a distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness in their typing experience, while still maintaining smoothness. Despite their relatively light 62g bottom-out force, they manage to feel weightless, defying expectations. Typing on Sea Glass switches also reveals a uniquely hollow sound signature. While these generalities provide some insight into each switch, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these impressions so you can make the best decision according to your preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
58g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
P3+
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Dual-stage stainless steel spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Aflion Blush and the Durock Sea Glass differ in terms of their composition and resulting sound profiles. The Blush features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate's stiffness, providing a clear and resonant sound. In contrast, the Sea Glass has a Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend top housing, offering a pleasant sound profile that is slightly brighter but not overly sharp. While both materials contribute to a desirable sound, the Blush's polycarbonate imparts a more distinct and defined tone compared to the Sea Glass's blend.
Moving on to the bottom housings, the Blush utilizes a nylon material, which results in a deep and fuller sound profile. Nylon, as a softer plastic, absorbs more sound, creating a dulled and rounded sound. Conversely, the Sea Glass combines Polymer nylon and UHMWPE in its bottom housing, providing a unique blend of qualities. The resulting sound profile is also pleasant, with a touch of brightness, but it may not exhibit the same depth and resonance as the Blush's nylon bottom housing. So, while both switches have distinct and enjoyable sound profiles, the Blush's nylon material contributes to a richer and fuller sound compared to the Sea Glass's blend.
Although the top and bottom housings differ between the Aflion Blush and the Durock Sea Glass, there are similarities in their overall performance. While the Blush's polycarbonate top housing offers a sharper sound when releasing a key, the Sea Glass's blend provides a similarly pleasant tone, albeit slightly brighter. Similarly, the Blush's nylon bottom housing creates a deeper and fuller sound, while the Sea Glass's blend produces a sound profile that is also enjoyable but may lack the same level of depth. In both switches, the qualities of the housing materials contribute to the overall sound and feel of the key presses, showcasing the unique characteristics of each switch.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Aflion Blush linear switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, there are some notable differences. The Blush has an actuation force of unavailable grams, whereas the Sea Glass requires a lighter actuation force of 45 grams. This means that the Sea Glass switch will provide a more sensitive and responsive typing experience, as less force is necessary for keystrokes. However, when it comes to bottoming out, both switches have similar medium forces. The Blush has a bottom out force of 58 grams, while the Sea Glass has a slightly heavier bottom out force of 62 grams.
Considering weight as a factor, individuals who prefer a lighter switch may find the Sea Glass to be ideal for prolonged typing sessions or extended gaming sessions. The lower actuation force allows for easier keystrokes, reducing fatigue over time. On the other hand, those seeking a more substantial typing experience may prefer the Blush switch. Its heavier bottom out force adds a satisfying push feel, enhancing the overall typing experience.
In conclusion, the Aflion Blush linear switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch differ in their actuation forces, with the Sea Glass being lighter. However, both switches offer similar medium bottom out forces. Choosing between the two depends on personal preferences for typing experience, with lighter forces being suitable for prolonged usage and heavier forces providing a more substantial feel.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Aflion Blush and the Durock Sea Glass linear switches, it is clear that the Blush has a shorter travel distance of 3.3 mm, while the Sea Glass has a longer travel distance of 3.8 mm. These distances fall within the range of shorter and longer travel distances currently available on the market. Gamers, who prioritize faster response times, may find the shorter travel distance of the Blush more appealing. On the other hand, those seeking a more substantial feel might prefer the longer travel distance offered by the Sea Glass. Both options provide unique experiences, catering to different preferences and needs. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preferences for responsiveness or depth.
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 Durock Sea Glass has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sea Glass for $4.87.
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 signature. This means that it has a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. On the other hand, the sound signature of the Durock Sea Glass linear switch is unknown. It is important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the Aflion Blush switch is described as creamy, silky, and buttery. These descriptors indicate that typing on the Blush switch provides a smooth and effortless experience. It feels like gliding your fingers across the keys with ease, offering a seamless and uniform typing sensation. In contrast, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch is described as frictionless, mild, feathery, and easy-to-press. These qualities suggest that the Sea Glass switch offers a gentle and approachable typing experience. It is exceptionally smooth and effortless, reducing finger fatigue and making it comfortable for extended typing sessions.
Taking all available information into account, the Aflion Blush linear switch stands out for its longer, two-stage spring that provides a smooth, full, and snappy typing feel. It also offers a poppy sound signature, which adds to the overall typing experience. On the other hand, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch is known for its distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness. It possesses a weightlessness that defies expectations and emits a uniquely hollow sound signature. While the specific sound signature of the Sea Glass switch is unknown, it is clear that both switches provide smooth and effortless typing experiences.
If you are seeking a low-pitched, creamy, silky, and buttery typing experience, the Aflion Blush linear switch would be an excellent choice. However, if you prefer a switch that is frictionless, mild, feathery, and easy-to-press, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch could be a great option. It is important to consider personal preferences and other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps to achieve the desired typing experience.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Aflion Blush linear switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, it's important to consider your preferences for bottom-out force, sound, and feel. The Blush switch has a bottom-out force of 58 grams, which is medium, while the Sea Glass switch has a slightly higher bottom-out force of 62 grams. If you prefer a slightly lighter typing experience, the Blush switch might be more suitable for you.
In terms of sound, the Blush switch is described as having a low-pitched tone, which provides a bass-heavy and mellow sound compared to higher-pitched switches. On the other hand, the Sea Glass switch's sound description is not provided, so it may be worth considering whether you prefer a lower or higher-pitched sound.
When it comes to feel, the Blush switch is described as creamy, silky, and buttery, offering a smooth and buttery typing experience. On the other hand, the Sea Glass switch is described as frictionless, mild, feathery, and easy-to-press. If you prefer a switch that offers an exceptionally smooth typing feel and minimizes resistance, the Sea Glass switch might be the better option for you.
Ultimately, the decision between the Aflion Blush linear switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch should be based on your personal preferences for bottom-out force, sound, and feel. Both switches have their unique characteristics, and it's important to choose the one that aligns with your typing preferences.
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