Aflion Blush vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue
An in-depth look at the Aflion Blush and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
If you're in the market for a new mechanical keyboard switch, two options to consider are the Aflion Blush and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue, both of which belong to the linear switch category. The Aflion Blush is known for its impressively smooth and snappy typing experience, thanks to its longer, two-stage spring. With a long pole design, it also offers a distinctive poppy sound. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue boasts a deep and thocky sound profile, immersing users in a satisfying typing experience. Its lengthened single-stage spring provides a bouncy feel, and the switch strikes a balance with its standard spring weight, making it accessible to a wide range of users. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
59g
Bottom-out force
58g
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 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 the Everglide Tourmaline Blue both feature polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, crisper sound profile. The use of polycarbonate in both switches results in a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it beneficial for those who plan to use RGB lighting. Therefore, both switches will produce similar results when it comes to sound and aesthetic appeal with RGB lighting.
However, the housing materials differ when it comes to the bottom housing. The Blush utilizes a nylon bottom housing, which gives it a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound. In contrast, the Tourmaline Blue features a polycarbonate bottom housing, which contributes to a sharper and crisper sound profile. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate enhances clarity and resonance. When typing on the Blush, the bottom housing's qualities are more noticeable in terms of the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing has more impact on the sound when releasing a key.
In summary, both the Aflion Blush and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue have polycarbonate top housing that offers similar benefits in terms of sound and aesthetics. However, their housing materials differ when it comes to the bottom. The Blush's nylon bottom housing produces a deeper and fuller sound, while the Tourmaline Blue's polycarbonate bottom housing contributes to a sharper and crisper sound. The differences in sound profile are more noticeable when pressing down and releasing keys on the switches.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Aflion Blush linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, there are a few notable differences. The actuation force of the Blush switch is unavailable, making it difficult to directly compare to the Tourmaline Blue's 59-gram actuation force. However, it can be inferred that both switches have a similar actuation force as they are described as medium in terms of their bottom out force.
In terms of bottom out force, the Aflion Blush switch requires 58 grams of force, which can be considered medium. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switch has a heavier bottom out force of 67 grams, classifying it as medium-heavy.
Considering weight preferences, those who prefer a lighter typing experience may opt for the Aflion Blush switch due to its potentially lower actuation force. This lighter weight can be beneficial for extended typing sessions or long gaming sessions. However, individuals who desire a more substantial typing experience and enjoy a stronger push feel may lean towards the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switch with its higher bottom out force.
Both switches offer different experiences in terms of actuation and bottom out forces. The Blush switch's lighter actuation force, albeit unknown, and medium bottom out force allows for comfortable and manageable typing, while the Tourmaline Blue switch provides a slightly heavier actuation force and medium-heavy bottom out force for individuals who prefer a more tactile and robust typing experience.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Aflion Blush linear switch is 3.3 mm, while the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. The Blush has a slightly shorter travel distance compared to the Tourmaline Blue. The traditional travel distance for switches is 4.0 mm, with 3.0 mm being the most shallow. However, shorter travel distances have gained popularity, especially among gamers who prefer faster response times. If you prioritize responsiveness, opting for the Blush with its shorter travel distance would be a suitable choice. On the other hand, some individuals might find the shorter travel distance of the Blush too abrupt and prefer a more substantial key press. In this case, the Tourmaline Blue with its longer travel distance would be a better option. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and the desired 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 Everglide Tourmaline Blue has an MSRP of $6.86 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Tourmaline Blue for $3.89.
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 linear switch is known for its low-pitched sound profile. This means that it produces a bass-heavy and mellow tone, giving it a distinct and soothing sound. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch is described as having a neutral sound profile. This means that it has a moderate sound profile that is suitable for most purposes. It strikes a balance between being too loud or too quiet, making it a versatile option for different users. However, it is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Aflion Blush linear switch offers a creamy, silky, and buttery typing experience. This switch is known for its smooth and buttery feel, which is achieved through lubrication applied at the factory or specific materials used. Typing on the Blush switch feels like gliding your fingers effortlessly across the keys, melting into each keystroke. Similarly, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switch is also described as buttery, providing a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. Additionally, it is easy to press, offering gentle resistance and requiring minimal force to activate. This results in an effortless and comfortable typing experience, reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. Overall, the Tourmaline Blue switch provides a responsive and low-impact typing feel. Both switches offer a pleasant and enjoyable typing experience, with the main difference being the specific qualities that contribute to the overall feel.
In conclusion, the Aflion Blush linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch have their own unique characteristics when it comes to sound and feel. The Blush switch offers a low-pitched sound profile and a creamy, silky, and buttery typing experience. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue switch has a neutral sound profile and provides a buttery feel along with being easy to press. While they may have some similar qualities, they offer distinct experiences that cater to different preferences. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preferences and the desired typing experience.
Conclusion
In closing, if you're looking for a smooth and snappy typing experience with a poppy sound signature, the Aflion Blush linear switch would be the ideal choice for you. With its medium bottom out force of 58 grams and creamy, silky, and buttery feel, you can expect a seamless and effortless typing sensation. Additionally, the low-pitched sound profile adds to the overall mellow and bass-heavy tone, creating a pleasant auditory experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a deep and thocky sound profile with a bouncy feel, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch is the way to go. With a slightly higher medium-heavy bottom out force of 67 grams, these switches strike a balance between responsiveness and accessibility. The easy-to-press and mild characteristics of the Tourmaline Blue switches ensure a comfortable and low-impact typing experience suitable for beginners and advanced users alike. Ultimately, both switches offer unique features and advantages, so your decision should be based on your personal preferences and typing style.
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