Aflion Blush vs. Gateron Smoothie
An in-depth look at the Aflion Blush and the Gateron Smoothie switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Aflion Blush linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie linear switch, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences. The Aflion Blush is praised for its longer, two-stage spring that provides a smooth, full, and snappy typing experience, along with a poppy sound signature. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie stands out for its all-POM construction, offering a thocky sound signature, exceptional smoothness, and a lightweight touch. Both switches are characterized by their buttery feel and low-pitched sound, but the Blush leans towards a creamy and silky texture, while the Smoothie offers a more subdued feel. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
58g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Total travel
3.60 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
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Dual-stage stainless steel spring
Spring
22mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
The Aflion Blush and the Gateron Smoothie both offer unique qualities in their housing materials. The Blush features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile, while the Smoothie's POM top housing produces a deeper and more muted sound. Both materials have their own distinct characteristics that cater to different preferences in sound output. While the Blush's top housing is clear and great for RGB lighting, the Smoothie's POM housing offers a pleasing and unique sound experience.
In terms of the bottom housing material, the Blush uses nylon which produces a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic and sound absorption properties. Similarly, the Smoothie's POM bottom housing contributes to a deeper and more muted sound experience. Both switches prioritize sound quality with their choice of housing materials, catering to users who appreciate a specific sound profile in their mechanical keyboards. The differences in material between the top and bottom housings of these switches offer a balanced sound output, ensuring that both the bottom-out sound and the key release sound are of high quality.
Overall, the Aflion Blush and the Gateron Smoothie showcase the importance of housing materials in creating a unique sound experience for mechanical keyboard users. While the Blush emphasizes a clear and crisp sound with its polycarbonate top housing, the Smoothie focuses on a deeper and more muted sound quality with its POM housing. Both switches excel in delivering a pleasing sound profile that caters to different preferences, showcasing the versatility and importance of housing materials in enhancing the overall typing experience. Whether you prefer a sharper, higher-pitched sound or a deeper, more muted sound, both switches offer a premium typing experience with their carefully selected housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Aflion Blush linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie linear switch, it is evident that the Blush has a bottom out force of 58 grams, while the actuation force is not specified. On the other hand, the Smoothie has an actuation force of 40 grams, but the bottom out force is unknown. This makes the Blush heavier in terms of bottom out force than the Smoothie, which may appeal to users who prefer a more substantial typing experience. Both switches have unique characteristics that cater to different preferences. The Blush, with its medium bottom out force, offers a balance between responsiveness and feedback, while the Smoothie, with its lighter actuation force, may be favored by those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on the user's personal typing preferences and requirements.
Travel distance
The Aflion Blush linear switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm, while the Gateron Smoothie linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm. In this case, the Smoothie has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Blush. Both switches fall within the shorter end of the spectrum in terms of travel distance, making them ideal for users who prefer faster response times, such as gamers. However, if you prefer a bit more depth and feedback when typing, you may lean towards the Gateron Smoothie due to its longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and the type of typing experience you are looking for.
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 Gateron Smoothie has an MSRP of $3.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Smoothie for $2.60.
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 known for its low-pitched and poppy sound signature, providing a bass-heavy and mellow tone with a satisfying pop when pressed. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie linear switch is described as thocky, low-pitched, and subdued, offering a deep, rich, and satisfying sound with a more dampened and subtle sound profile. Depending on your preference for sound, the Blush may be more suitable for those who prefer a poppy tone, while the Smoothie is ideal for those who enjoy a deeper and more subdued sound experience.
When it comes to feel, both the Blush and Smoothie switches are described as creamy, silky, and buttery, offering a smooth and buttery typing experience with lubricant applied in the switch at the factory. Typing on these switches is likened to gliding your fingers effortlessly across the keys, providing a seamless and uniform typing sensation. With similar descriptors for feel, it is likely that you will get a comparable typing experience in terms of smoothness and ease of keystrokes with either the Blush or Smoothie switch.
Overall, the Aflion Blush linear switch is best known for its smooth, full, and snappy feel with a poppy sound signature, while the Gateron Smoothie linear switch stands out for its thocky sound profile, remarkable smoothness, and lightweight touch. Depending on your preference for sound and feel, either switch can provide a satisfying typing experience, with the Blush offering a more pronounced pop in sound, and the Smoothie delivering a deeper and more subdued sound. Ultimately, your choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference for sound and feel.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Aflion Blush linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie linear switch, it ultimately comes down to personal preference and what you prioritize in a switch. If you're looking for a medium bottom out force and enjoy a full, smooth, and snappy typing experience with a poppy sound signature, then the Blush switch might be the perfect fit for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a lightweight touch, remarkable smoothness, and a thocky sound signature, then the Gateron Smoothie switch could be more to your liking. Consider the sound and feel descriptions of each switch to determine which aligns best with your typing preferences. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different typing styles, so choose the one that suits your needs best.
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