Aflion Blush vs. TKC Tangerine
An in-depth look at the Aflion Blush and the TKC Tangerine switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options that deserve consideration are the Aflion Blush and the TKC Tangerine. The Blush, a linear switch, is highly regarded for its smooth and snappy typing experience. With a longer, two-stage spring, this switch offers an impressively smooth and full feel, while its long pole produces a poppy sound signature. On the other hand, the Tangerine, also a linear switch, promises to elevate your typing experience to the next level. The UHWMPE housings of the Tangerine provide an incredibly smooth feel with each keystroke, making typing a true pleasure. Additionally, the Tangerine offers a fairly high-pitched clack, adding a unique touch to the typing experience. However, let's dive deeper into the characteristics of each switch to help you make an informed decision that suits your preferences.
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
N/A
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
UHWMPE
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
UHWMPE
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Dual-stage stainless steel spring
Spring
Gold coated spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Aflion Blush and the TKC Tangerine bring unique characteristics to the switches, resulting in different sound profiles. The Blush features a polycarbonate top housing, which enhances the sound by creating a sharper and crisper profile. On the other hand, the Tangerine utilizes a UHWMPE top housing, providing a bright sound signature and resonant clacks during typing. While both materials contribute to the overall sound, the Blush's polycarbonate delivers a higher-pitched tone, while the Tangerine's UHWMPE offers a more vibrant and distinctive sound experience.
In terms of the bottom housing, the Blush employs a nylon material known for its ability to produce a deeper and fuller sound profile. As a softer plastic, nylon absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. In contrast, the Tangerine features a UHWMPE bottom housing, which amplifies the switch's bright sound signature and adds to the resonant clacks. Although both materials offer distinct sound profiles, the Blush's nylon bottom housing contributes to a deeper and fuller sound, while the Tangerine's UHWMPE creates a brighter and more resonant typing experience.
Notably, when a switch has different top and bottom housings, the qualities of each material are divided between the top and bottom of the switch. This means that the bottom housing has a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when the switch is pressed, while the top housing influences the sound when a key is released. Therefore, whether it's the Aflion Blush or the TKC Tangerine, understanding the combination of these housing materials is crucial for achieving the desired sound profile during typing. It is worth noting that both switches offer unique and satisfying auditory experiences, allowing enthusiasts to choose based on their preferences.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Aflion Blush linear switch and the TKC Tangerine linear switch, it is important to note that the specific values for the actuation force are unavailable for both switches. However, the bottom out force for the Blush is 58 grams, which is classified as medium, while the Tangerine has a bottom out force of 62 grams, also considered medium. Despite the lack of information on actuation force, it can be inferred that both switches have a similar push feel, as they both fall into the medium range for bottom out force.
Considering weight, individuals who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Blush switch, as it allows for longer periods of typing without fatigue. This lightness could be beneficial for those who bring their keyboard to work or engage in extended gaming sessions. On the other hand, those who desire a more substantial typing experience and prefer a stronger push feel might opt for the Tangerine switch, with its slightly heavier bottom out force. This heavier force can provide a more satisfying tactile feedback while typing.
In summary, while the specific actuation force for both switches is unknown, the Aflion Blush and TKC Tangerine switches offer similar results in terms of push feel due to their medium bottom out forces. The Blush is lighter in terms of bottom out force, making it suitable for prolonged typing sessions, while the Tangerine provides a stronger push feel for a more substantial typing experience.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Aflion Blush linear switch is 3.3 mm, while the TKC Tangerine linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. In terms of travel distance, the Tangerine switch has a longer travel distance compared to the Blush switch. The Tangerine switch falls into the more traditional range with 4 mm, providing a deeper and more substantial feeling when pressed. On the other hand, the Blush switch offers a shorter travel distance at 3.3 mm, which appeals to gamers looking for faster response times. The shorter travel distance of the Blush switch allows for quicker keystrokes, enhancing the overall responsiveness. Ultimately, the choice between the Blush and Tangerine switches depends on personal preference and whether one prioritizes a deeper, more tactile experience or a shorter, faster response time.
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 TKC Tangerine comes in at $6.30 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, the Blush switch by Aflion offers a low-pitched tone. This means that it has a more bass-heavy and mellow sound compared to higher-pitched switches. On the other hand, the Tangerine switch is known for its high-pitched sound, which produces a sharp and crisp tone when pressed. If you prefer a rich and bassy sound profile, the Blush switch would be a better choice. However, it's important to consider that the sound of the switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, both the Blush and Tangerine switches offer a smooth and effortless typing experience. The Blush switch is described as creamy, silky, and buttery. This means that it provides a smooth and buttery typing experience, with a silky sensation that feels like gliding your fingers effortlessly across the keys. Similarly, the Tangerine switch is described as frictionless, buttery, and polished, offering an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience. Both switches minimize resistance and provide a seamless and uniform typing sensation.
Overall, both the Blush and Tangerine switches excel in their respective qualities. The Blush switch stands out for its smooth, full, and snappy type feel, while the Tangerine switch takes typing experience to the next level with its incredibly smooth feel. Although the Blush switch has a low-pitched sound and the Tangerine switch has a high-pitched sound, both switches offer a smooth and effortless typing experience. Therefore, if you are looking for similar results in terms of sound and feel, either switch would be a great choice for achieving a satisfying typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a medium bottom out force linear switch with an impressively smooth and snappy typing feel, the Aflion Blush linear switch would be a great choice for you. Its longer, two-stage spring and long pole provide a full and poppy sound signature. The Blush switch is known for its creamy, silky, and buttery typing experience, offering a smooth and effortless sensation when typing. Additionally, the Blush is described as having a low-pitched sound, which results in a more bass-heavy and mellow tone.
On the other hand, if you want to elevate your typing experience to the next level with a linear switch that offers a smooth feel, the TKC Tangerine linear switch should be your go-to option. The Tangerine switch is known for its incredibly smooth keystrokes and the use of UHWMPE housings, which is a rarity in bespoke switches. Typing on the Tangerine switch provides a pleasure-filled experience with a fairly high-pitched clack. It is described as having a high-pitched sound, producing a sharp and crisp sound when pressed.
Ultimately, the decision between the Aflion Blush linear switch and the TKC Tangerine linear switch depends on your personal preferences. If you prefer a switch with a low-pitched sound and a creamy, silky, or buttery typing feel, the Blush switch would be a great fit. However, if you enjoy a high-pitched sound and a frictionless, buttery, or polished typing experience, the Tangerine switch would be the ideal choice for you.
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