Aflion Blush vs. KTT Strawberry
An in-depth look at the Aflion Blush and the KTT Strawberry switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, two standout options are the Aflion Blush and the KTT Strawberry, both of which are linear switches. The Blush is renowned for its impressive smoothness and snappy typing feel, thanks to its longer, two-stage spring. With a long pole, it offers a satisfying poppy sound signature. On the other hand, the Strawberry is loved for its smooth actuation, comfortable feel, and reliable performance. With attractive pink and clear housings, it adds a touch of aesthetics to your keyboard setup. The Blush is characterized as having a low-pitched, creamy, silky, buttery feel, while the Strawberry is described as low-pitched, frictionless, silky, buttery, polished. However, let's dive deeper beyond these generalities to help you decide on the best switch for your specific preferences and typing needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
58g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Dual-stage stainless steel spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The Aflion Blush and KTT Strawberry share similar top housing materials, as both switches utilize polycarbonate for their top housings. This choice of material results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile for both switches. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it particularly suitable for switches that incorporate RGB lighting. Therefore, users can expect similar sound and aesthetic experiences from both the Blush and Strawberry due to their shared polycarbonate top housing.
However, the bottom housing materials of the Blush and Strawberry differ. While the Blush employs a nylon bottom housing, the Strawberry uses a polycarbonate bottom housing. Typing on switches with nylon bottom housings elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is because nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound and creates a duller and rounder sound. In contrast, polycarbonate bottom housings contribute to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The material's rigidity allows for a clearer and more resonant sound. Therefore, users can expect a distinct difference in the sound profile when typing on the bottom housings of the Blush and Strawberry.
When pressing down on either the Blush or Strawberry switch, the qualities of the bottom housing will be more noticeable, as the bottom housing has a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, the top housing will primarily influence the sound when releasing a key. Therefore, while both switches may have similar top housings, the different bottom housing materials will contribute to varying experiences when using these switches.
In summary, the Aflion Blush and KTT Strawberry share similar top housing materials, which leads to comparable sound and aesthetic effects. However, their bottom housing materials differ, with the Blush utilizing nylon for a deeper and fuller sound and the Strawberry using polycarbonate for a sharper and crisper sound. Ultimately, the combination of top and bottom housing materials in each switch creates distinct experiences, with the bottom housing playing a more significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel and the top housing impacting the sound upon key release.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Aflion Blush linear switch and the KTT Strawberry linear switch, there are a few notable differences. The actuation force of the Blush is not specified, while the Strawberry has an actuation force of 43 grams. Both switches have a medium bottom out force, with the Blush at 58 grams and the Strawberry slightly heavier at 62 grams.
For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Strawberry may be the better option as it has a lower actuation force. This can allow for longer periods of typing without feeling fatigued. On the other hand, if a stronger push feel is desired for a more substantial typing experience, the Blush or the Strawberry can fulfill this preference, as their bottom out forces are relatively similar.
While the actuation force of the Blush is unknown, it is worth noting that both switches fall within the medium range for bottom out force. This means that regardless of the specific actuation force, users can expect similar results in terms of the force required to fully press the keys down.
Ultimately, the decision between the Aflion Blush and the KTT Strawberry will depend on personal preferences. Those who prioritize a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Strawberry, while those who prefer a slightly heavier feel can opt for the Blush or the Strawberry with its slightly higher bottom out force.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Aflion Blush linear switch and the KTT Strawberry linear switch, it is clear that there is a difference in the distances traveled by each switch. The Blush has a travel distance of 3.3 mm, while the Strawberry has a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that the Strawberry has a slightly longer travel distance than the Blush. While 4.0mm is considered the most traditional travel distance and 3.0mm is the most shallow, it is important to note that shorter travel distances have become increasingly popular, especially among gamers who prefer faster response times. Therefore, if you prioritize responsiveness, the Blush with its shorter travel distance may be the better option for you. However, some individuals may find short travel distances to feel too abrupt and prefer a switch with a longer travel distance for a more substantial feel. In this case, the Strawberry with its longer travel distance would be the preferred choice. Ultimately, the decision should be based on personal preference and the desired typing or gaming experience one is seeking.
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 KTT Strawberry comes in at $4.91 per 10 switches.
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, both the Aflion Blush linear switch and the KTT Strawberry linear switch are described as low-pitched. Low-pitched switches typically feature a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the choice of keyboard board and keycaps. Therefore, while both switches have a low-pitched sound signature, the overall sound experience may vary depending on the setup.
Moving on to feel, the Aflion Blush switch is described with terms like "creamy," "silky," and "buttery." These descriptors indicate that the Blush switch offers a smooth and effortless typing experience. It provides a silky sensation, as if gliding your fingers across the keys with ease. This is attributed to factors such as the application of lubricant at the factory and specific materials used in the switch construction. On the other hand, the KTT Strawberry switch is described as "frictionless," "silky," "buttery," and "polished." These terms also indicate a smooth typing experience with minimized resistance and friction. The Strawberry switch offers fluid travel and a sleek typing experience due to materials used and/or factory lubing.
In conclusion, the Aflion Blush linear switch and the KTT Strawberry linear switch share similar qualities in terms of sound and feel. Both switches have a low-pitched sound profile and offer a smooth and effortless typing experience. The Blush switch highlights its longer, two-stage spring, providing an impressively smooth and snappy type feel, while the Strawberry switch is loved for its smooth actuation, comfortable feel, and reliable performance. Whether you choose the Blush or Strawberry switch, you can expect a satisfying and enjoyable typing experience. Remember, to fully optimize the sound and feel, consider pairing these switches with a compatible keyboard board and keycaps.
Conclusion
In closing, if you are seeking a medium-bottom out force linear switch that offers a smooth, full, and snappy typing experience with a poppy sound signature, then the Aflion Blush switch might just be the perfect choice for you. With its longer, two-stage spring and creamy, silky, and buttery feel, typing on the Blush switch will feel like gliding your fingers effortlessly across the keys. Additionally, the low-pitched sound of the Blush switch adds to the overall mellow and bass-heavy typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-bottom out force linear switch with a smooth actuation and comfortable feel, coupled with a frictionless, silky, buttery, and polished feel, then the KTT Strawberry switch is the one for you. Its attractive pink and clear housings add to its appeal, while the low-pitched sound provides a soothing tone while typing. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches depends on your personal preference for typing experience and sound, so choose the one that aligns with your needs and enjoy a delightful typing journey.