Aflion Blush vs. Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, enthusiasts often find themselves choosing between a multitude of options, each with its own unique characteristics. The Aflion Blush stands out as a top linear switch, renowned for its impressive two-stage spring that offers a smooth, full, and snappy typing experience. Its long pole design contributes to a distinctively poppy sound signature, described as low-pitched, creamy, silky, and buttery, making it an excellent choice for those seeking both tactile pleasure and auditory satisfaction. On the other hand, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie presents a compelling alternative, featuring a medium-weight all-POM construction that connects top-tier quality with affordability. Known for its thocky sound profile and outstanding smoothness, this switch is perfect for users who prefer a deeper sound and a consistent typing feel without stretching their budgets. Both switches cater well to different preferences and typing styles; 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

Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie Linear

$6.00

$4.07 per 10

$3.00

$2.70 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The Aflion Blush and Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie differ significantly in terms of their top housing materials, which ultimately affects their sound profiles. The Blush features a polycarbonate top housing, known for producing a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate’s stiffer structure that enhances resonance, making it especially suitable for users who favor a more vibrant auditory experience. Its translucency also allows for better RGB lighting effects, adding an aesthetic dimension that is appealing for visually-oriented setups. In contrast, the Sea Salt Smoothie's POM top housing generates a deeper and more muted sound profile, which contrasts the Blush's bright auditory signature. POM, while durable, lacks the same level of resonance, creating a different typing experience that prioritizes warmth over clarity.

When considering the bottom housing materials, both switches converge in terms of sound quality. The Blush utilizes a nylon bottom housing, praised for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound. Nylon's softer plastic characteristics mean it absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller, rounder auditory experience that complements the sharper top housing of the switch. The Sea Salt Smoothie, on the other hand, deploys POM for its bottom housing as well, which also produces a deep sound profile that is relatively muted. Therefore, while both the Blush and Sea Salt Smoothie exhibit different top housing materials that lead to distinct sound profiles, the nylon and POM used in the bottom housing of the Blush and Sea Salt Smoothie create a consistent deep and muted auditory experience overall.

In summary, the combination of materials utilized in both switches plays a crucial role in shaping their unique sound characteristics. While the Blush's polycarbonate top housing delivers a bright and resonant sound that may appeal to those seeking a more aggressive auditory feedback, the Sea Salt Smoothie's POM top housing caters to users preferring a softer, more subdued experience. However, both designs incorporate bottom housings—nylon for the Blush and POM for the Sea Salt Smoothie—that contribute to a consistently deep and full sound profile. Thus, users can expect a rounded typing experience distinct to each switch while enjoying similar satisfying auditory results on bottoming out, regardless of the chosen housing configuration.

Weight

When comparing the Aflion Blush linear switch to the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch, there are notable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Blush switch has an unspecified actuation force but features a bottom out force of 58 grams, which falls into the medium range, offering a balanced experience for users. In contrast, the Sea Salt Smoothie has a lighter actuation force of 48 grams, making it easier to press down during typing or gaming sessions, although its bottom out force remains unknown. This means that while the Blush might appeal to those who prefer a heavier feel for a more substantial typing experience, the Sea Salt Smoothie is likely better suited for users who favor a lighter touch for prolonged use without fatigue. Since the actuation force for the Blush is unknown, we cannot determine direct similarities in actuation comparisons. However, the Blush will generally feel heavier than the Sea Salt Smoothie in terms of actuation due to its unknown weight, while the bottom out force of the Blush is significantly established at 58 grams, contributing to its overall feel.

Travel distance

When comparing the Aflion Blush linear switch and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch, it is clear that they differ in travel distance, with the Blush measuring 3.3 mm and the Sea Salt Smoothie at 3.7 mm. This makes the Blush the shorter of the two switches, which can appeal to gamers or users who favor quicker response times. In contrast, the Sea Salt Smoothie, with its longer travel distance, may provide a more substantial tactile feedback that some users prefer, as it offers a deeper keystroke experience. Ultimately, if you're looking for a snappier feel and responsiveness, the Blush is the way to go, while the Sea Salt Smoothie might suit those who appreciate a bit more depth in their keystrokes.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Aflion Blush switch is characterized by a low-pitched sound profile that provides a bass-heavy and mellow tone, creating a warm auditory experience during typing. The specific design elements of this switch, including its longer two-stage spring and long pole, contribute to its poppy sound signature, making each keystroke feel lively yet grounded. In contrast, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie has a thocky sound profile, which suggests a deeper and more resonant acoustic quality. Similar to the Blush, the sound experience of the Sea Salt Smoothie can be influenced by the keyboard and keycap choice, but both switches offer distinct auditory characteristics that cater to different preferences.

In terms of feel, the Aflion Blush switch stands out with its exceptionally creamy, silky, and buttery typing experience. This smoothness results from thoughtful design and potentially factory lubrication, allowing for a typing sensation that feels effortless and fluid. Users can expect a soft gliding of fingers across the keys, making each keystroke mild and pleasant. On the other hand, while the feel of the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie isn't explicitly detailed, given its reputation for smoothness, it's reasonable to infer that it also offers a satisfying typing experience. This suggests that both switches would likely provide an enjoyable tactile sensation, albeit the exact qualities might differ in nuances.

In conclusion, while the Aflion Blush and Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switches deliver unique sound profiles—each catering to differing auditory tastes—they both promise smooth typing experiences that appeal to users seeking fluidity in their keystrokes. If you prioritize a low-pitched, poppy sound, the Blush is an intriguing choice, while the thocky tonal characteristics of the Sea Salt Smoothie may be more to your liking. Ultimately, both switches exemplify quality and craftsmanship, ensuring that whether you choose one over the other, you'll encounter a satisfying experience in sound and feel.

Conclusion

To conclude, your choice between the Aflion Blush linear switch and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch will largely depend on your preferences in terms of feel, sound, and application. If you're looking for a switch that delivers a medium bottom-out force and offers a unique combination of smoothness and a satisfying pop sound—along with a creamy and silky typing experience—the Aflion Blush might just be your top pick. It's particularly well-suited for users who appreciate a tactile sensation with a hint of auditory feedback, making it ideal for both typing and gaming. On the other hand, if you prioritize a thocky sound profile and are in search of a switch that maintains exceptional smoothness at a more affordable price point, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie could be the better choice for you. While its exact bottom-out force remains unknown, the overall quality and sound experience it provides can enhance your typing enjoyment, particularly if you prefer a more subdued acoustic character. Ultimately, taking the time to consider what qualities matter most to you will guide you toward the switch that best fits your typing style and experience.

Mentioned in this article

Aflion Blush Linear

$6.00

$4.07 per 10

Learn more

Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie Linear

$3.00

$2.70 per 10

Learn more