Aflion Blush vs. TTC Silent Red
An in-depth look at the Aflion Blush and the TTC Silent Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options to consider are the Aflion Blush and the TTC Silent Red. The Aflion Blush is best known for its impressive smoothness and snappy type feel, thanks to its longer, two-stage spring. Additionally, its long pole creates a unique poppy sound signature. On the other hand, if you're in search of a switch that provides a seamless typing experience without all the noise, the TTC Silent Red is the ideal choice. With a muted sound profile, these switches are perfect for office or shared living space use. The Silent Reds offer a smooth and consistent feel throughout, with a padded bottom-out feel for maximum comfort. While both switches have their own standout features, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
58g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
1.90 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
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Dual-stage stainless steel spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Aflion Blush and the TTC Silent Red switches share several similarities. Both switches feature a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the relatively stiffer nature of polycarbonate plastic, which produces a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of the polycarbonate top housing makes it especially suitable for incorporating RGB lighting effects. Therefore, users of both the Blush and Silent Red can expect similar results in terms of sound and aesthetic appeal.
However, the key point of differentiation lies in the bottom housing material. The Blush utilizes a nylon bottom housing, while the Silent Red also employs nylon for its bottom housing. Nylon is renowned for its ability to enhance the typing experience by eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is because nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Consequently, the bottom housing of both switches significantly impacts the bottom-out sound and feel when the keys are pressed down.
Furthermore, the influence of the top housing material becomes evident when releasing a key. Although both switches feature a polycarbonate top housing, slight variations in the thickness or construction of the top housing between the Blush and Silent Red can potentially lead to differences in the sound when letting go of a key. Therefore, users can anticipate a nuanced distinction in sound between the two switches upon key release.
In summary, while both the Aflion Blush and TTC Silent Red switches share a polycarbonate top housing that results in similar sound profiles and aesthetic benefits, the use of nylon for the bottom housing distinguishes the two. Nylon enhances the typing experience by producing a deeper and fuller sound, making the Blush and Silent Red differ in terms of bottom-out sound and feel. Additionally, variations in the top housing may also impact the sound when keys are released.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Aflion Blush linear switch and the TTC Silent Red linear switch, there are some notable differences. The actuation force of the Blush is unavailable, making it difficult to directly compare with the Silent Red's 45 grams. However, both switches fall within the medium range for actuation force.
On the other hand, when considering the bottom out force, the Blush requires 58 grams of force, which is slightly lighter than the Silent Red's 63.5 grams. This means that the Silent Red provides a slightly heavier typing experience when fully pressed down.
When it comes to weight, the preference varies among individuals. Some may prefer a lighter weight to allow for longer typing sessions, especially for work or extended gaming sessions. In this case, both switches can provide a similar result as their actuation forces are in the medium range. However, those who prefer a more substantial typing experience may opt for the Silent Red, as it has a medium-heavy bottom out force, providing a stronger push feel.
In summary, while the actuation force of the Aflion Blush is unavailable for comparison, both switches can offer a similar typing experience due to their medium actuation forces. However, the TTC Silent Red has a slightly heavier bottom out force, making it a suitable choice for individuals who prefer a stronger push feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for typing weight and force.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Aflion Blush linear switch and the TTC Silent Red linear switch, it is clear that the Silent Red has a longer travel distance of 3.7 mm compared to the Blush's 3.3 mm. If you prefer a switch with a shorter travel distance, the Blush would be the better option for you. Gamers often prefer switches with shorter travel distances as it allows for faster response times. However, for those who prefer a more substantial feel when pressing down on a key, the longer travel distance provided by the Silent Red may be preferred. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference and the desired level of 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 TTC Silent Red has an MSRP of $5.28 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Red for $4.38.
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
When it comes to sound, the Aflion Blush switch has a low-pitched tone. This means that it provides a bass-heavy and mellow sound compared to higher-pitched switches. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Red switch is described as muted, producing a softer and quieter sound than regular mechanical switches. These muted switches are perfect for environments like offices or shared living spaces where noise is a concern. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps being used.
In terms of feel, the Aflion Blush switch offers a creamy, silky, and buttery typing experience. The switch is designed to be smooth and buttery, providing a seamless and effortless keystroke sensation. With a long, two-stage spring and a long pole, the Blush switch delivers an impressively smooth and snappy typing feel. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Red switch is described as buttery, mild, and polished. It offers a smooth and refined typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. The switch has a consistent feel from top to bottom, and it provides a padded bottom-out feel for maximum comfort.
Taking all the available information into account, we can conclude that both the Aflion Blush and TTC Silent Red switches offer smooth and linear typing experiences. The Blush switch stands out with its longer, two-stage spring and long pole, providing a snappy and full type feel. It also has a low-pitched sound signature. On the other hand, the Silent Red switch is known for its muted sound profile and smooth, consistent feel. It offers a padded bottom-out feeling for added comfort. If you're looking for a linear switch with a smooth typing experience and quiet operation, both options are excellent choices, and you can expect similar results in terms of feel, albeit with slight differences in sound.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you're looking for a linear switch with a medium bottom out force and a smooth, full, and snappy typing feel, the Aflion Blush switch is an excellent choice. With its longer, two-stage spring and long pole, this switch offers impressive smoothness and a poppy sound signature. The Blush switch is best known for its creamy, silky, and buttery feel, providing a seamless and effortless typing sensation. On the other hand, if you prioritize a quiet typing experience, the TTC Silent Red switch is the perfect option. With a muted sound profile, these switches minimize noise and are ideal for office or shared living spaces. The Silent Red switch also offers a smooth and consistent feel from top to bottom, with a padded bottom-out feel for maximum comfort. In terms of sound, the Blush switch has a low-pitched tone, while the Silent Red switch produces a softer and quieter sound. Ultimately, your choice between the Aflion Blush and TTC Silent Red switches will depend on your preferences for bottom out force, typing feel, and sound profile. It's important to consider your environment and personal preferences when making a decision, as both switches have their unique qualities that can enhance your typing experience.
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