Aflion Blush vs. Jwick Semi-Silent Linear
An in-depth look at the Aflion Blush and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Aflion Blush and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear. The Blush is renowned for its exceptional linear performance, thanks to its longer, two-stage spring that provides an impressively smooth and snappy typing experience. Additionally, its long pole produces a distinctive poppy sound signature. On the other hand, the Semi-Silent Linear stands out for its innovative design, combining whisper-quiet topping-out sound with a clacky bottom-out sound. This switch offers a silky smooth typing feel that strikes the right balance, avoiding an overly polished sensation. The Blush is often described as low-pitched, creamy, silky, and buttery, while the Semi-Silent Linear is categorized as subdued, neutral, mild, snappy, buttery, and polished. However, let's dive deeper beyond these generalities to help you decide on the best switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
58g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
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
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Dual-stage stainless steel spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Aflion Blush and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear have similar housing materials in terms of their polycarbonate top housing. This material provides both switches with a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is because polycarbonate is a relatively stiffer plastic, which leads to a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate is especially useful if you plan to use RGB lighting. Therefore, both switches will offer comparable results when it comes to sound and aesthetics due to their polycarbonate top housing.
However, when it comes to the nylon bottom housing, the Blush and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear diverge. The Blush utilizes a nylon bottom housing, which elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is because nylon is a relatively softer plastic that absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. In contrast, the Semi-Silent Linear also has a nylon bottom housing, offering a similar deep and fuller sound profile.
When considering the overall experience of using these switches, the qualities of the housing materials are split between the top and bottom of the switch. The bottom housing has a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when you press down on the switch. On the other hand, the top housing influences the sound when you release a key. Therefore, while both switches may have different bottom housing materials, the overall typing experience and sound profiles of the Aflion Blush and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear can still be quite similar due to the shared polycarbonate top housing.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Aflion Blush linear switch and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear linear switch, we encounter a similarity. Both switches have an actuation force that is unavailable, making it difficult to compare them directly. However, in terms of bottom out force, the Blush switch requires 58 grams, which is considered medium, while the Semi-Silent Linear switch requires 62 grams, also categorized as medium.
In terms of weight, a lighter switch like the Blush can be appealing to those who prefer extended typing sessions or long gaming sessions. The lighter actuation force may allow for easier keystrokes and reduced fatigue over time. On the other hand, some users may prefer a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel, which would require a heavier force. For these individuals, the Semi-Silent Linear switch with its slightly heavier bottom out force may provide the desired typing experience.
While the actuation forces remain unknown, the similarity in the medium bottom out forces of the two switches suggests that users can expect a similar level of resistance when fully pressing down on the keys. Ultimately, the choice between the Aflion Blush and Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switches may come down to personal preference regarding the desired weight and typing experience.
Travel distance
When it comes to the travel distance of the Aflion Blush linear switch and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear linear switch, there is a noticeable difference in length. The Blush has a travel distance of 3.3 mm, while the Semi-Silent Linear has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.7 mm. Both switches have shorter travel distances compared to the traditional 4.0mm, which is commonly found in keyboards. Gamers who value quick response times may prefer the Blush with its shorter travel distance, as it allows for faster key presses. On the other hand, those who prefer a more substantial feel when pressing down on a key may lean towards the Semi-Silent Linear with its longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on individual preferences and whether one prioritizes quickness or a more satisfying depth in their typing experience.
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 Jwick Semi-Silent Linear has an MSRP of $6.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Semi-Silent Linear for $5.27.
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
The Aflion Blush linear switch is best known for its smooth, full, and snappy type feel. This is attributed to its longer, two-stage spring and long pole. Additionally, the Blush switch provides a poppy sound signature. It can be described as having a low-pitched sound, which typically features a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. The Blush switch also offers a creamy, silky, and buttery feel. This translates to a smooth and buttery typing experience, minimal resistance when pressing and releasing keys, and a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation.
On the other hand, the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear linear switch stands out for its innovative design. It has a semi-silent label because it produces a whisper-quiet topping-out sound while maintaining a clacky bottom-out sound. The Semi-Silent Linear switch offers a subdued sound, which means it produces a dampened sound when pressed. It has a more subtle sound signature compared to most switches. The Semi-Silent Linear switch also provides a silky and mild feel. This means it offers a smooth typing experience with a gentle touch. It is approachable to most users as its qualities stand in a safe, middle-ground zone.
In conclusion, both the Aflion Blush linear switch and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear linear switch have their unique qualities. The Blush switch excels in providing a full, snappy type feel with a low-pitched and poppy sound signature. It offers a creamy, silky, and buttery typing experience. On the other hand, the Semi-Silent Linear switch features a semi-silent design with a subdued sound. It offers a silky and mild feel, providing a smooth typing experience without being completely silent. Depending on personal preference and intended usage, both switches can deliver satisfying results. If you're looking for a smooth and fluid typing experience, both switches can provide similar results with their buttery feel. However, it's important to note that the sound and feel of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Aflion Blush linear switch and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear linear switch, consider both the sound and feel you desire in a switch. The Blush switch offers a low-pitched sound with a creamy, silky, and buttery typing experience. It is best known for its impressively smooth and snappy feel, making it a great choice for those who prefer a poppy sound signature. On the other hand, the Semi-Silent Linear switch provides a more subdued sound and a mild typing experience. It is described as silky, snappy, and buttery, offering a smooth and refined finish. This switch is innovative with its semi-silent label, providing a whisper-quiet topping-out sound while maintaining a clacky bottom-out sound. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on your personal preferences for sound and feel. Whether you prefer a low-pitched, poppy sound with a creamy typing experience or a more subdued sound with a silky and snappy feel, both switches offer unique qualities for your mechanical keyboard setup.
Mentioned in this article
