Aflion Blush vs. HMX Twilight
An in-depth look at the Aflion Blush and the HMX Twilight switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the choice between the Aflion Blush and the HMX Twilight presents enthusiasts with distinct experiences, particularly within the realm of linear switches. The Blush is celebrated for its smooth, full, and snappy typing feel, attributed to its long, two-stage spring that contributes to a delightful poppy sound signature. It embodies qualities like being low-pitched, creamy, silky, and buttery, making it a great choice for those who prioritize a tactile yet serene typing experience. In contrast, the HMX Twilight features an extended 3.85mm travel distance, which delivers a quieter sound profile while still embracing the clacky character that HMX switches are known for. This switch is ideal for users seeking a balance of responsiveness and subtlety in their keystrokes. Both switches have unique attributes that cater to different preferences, offering a delightful typing experience for various users. 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
42g
Bottom-out force
58g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Total travel
3.85 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Dual-stage stainless steel spring
Spring
20mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
The Aflion Blush and HMX Twilight switches exhibit distinct characteristics in their top housing materials, which significantly affect their acoustic profiles. The Blush features a polycarbonate top housing, renowned for its stiffness that imparts a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This quality is particularly beneficial for users who prefer a clear and resonant typing experience, especially when using RGB lighting, as polycarbonate's translucency enhances the aesthetic aspect. In contrast, the HMX Twilight incorporates a nylon top housing, which is cherished in the mechanical keyboard community for its ability to generate a deeper, fuller sound profile. The inherent softness of nylon absorbs sound waves, resulting in a duller and rounder auditory experience. Thus, while both switches aim for pleasant sound outputs, the Blush leans toward brightness and clarity, while the Twilight offers warmth and depth.
On the other hand, both switches feature nylon for their bottom housing, creating a uniformity in that aspect. In both cases, the nylon’s softer material absorbs sound, delivering a deeper and fuller typing experience regardless of the specific switch model. This shared characteristic ensures that when the keys bottom out, users will notice a consistent sound profile that embodies a rounder and less piercing sound. Therefore, while the top housings decisively influence the sound upon key release—creating noticeable differences between the two switches—the bottom housings preserve a level of auditory consistency due to their identical nylon composition.
The overall typing experience produced by the Aflion Blush and HMX Twilight can be seen as a spectrum shaped by their housing materials. The Blush's polycarbonate top creates a lively and vibrant auditory signature, while the nylon bottom balances the sound with a warm tone. Conversely, the Twilight's nylon top housing encourages a more muted sound that is complemented by its nylon bottom housing for a rich, cohesive auditory profile. Hence, users looking for characteristically different typing experiences will find that the Blush excels in brightness, whereas the Twilight provides a more subdued, rounded experience. As a result, the combination of materials in each switch leads to unique sound profiles, allowing users to choose based on their preferences for either clarity or warmth.
Weight
The Aflion Blush linear switch and the HMX Twilight linear switch showcase distinct characteristics regarding their actuation and bottom out forces, which cater to different user preferences. The Blush switch has an unknown actuation force but a bottom out force of 58 grams, indicating a medium resistance, while the Twilight boasts a lighter actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams. This difference suggests that the Twilight is the lighter option, making it suitable for users who prefer a softer touch for extended typing sessions or prolonged gaming. In contrast, the Blush's heavier bottom out force offers a more substantial typing experience, appealing to those who favor a stronger keystroke feedback. If the Blush's actuation force were known and matched the Twilight's, users could expect similar trigger responses, but given the information provided, the two switches clearly cater to different tactile preferences and force sensitivities in their designs.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Aflion Blush linear switch and the HMX Twilight linear switch, it is evident that the Blush switch features a shorter travel distance of 3.3 mm, whereas the Twilight switch has a longer travel distance of 3.85 mm. This difference reflects the preferences of different users; the shallower 3.3 mm travel of the Blush is likely to cater to gamers seeking quicker response times and more immediate feedback. In contrast, the Twilight's 3.85 mm travel may appeal to those who favor a more substantial feel and depth when pressing keys, providing a more tactile experience. Thus, if you’re looking for a more responsive feel, the Aflion Blush would be the preferred choice, while the HMX Twilight would be better suited for individuals who appreciate a deeper key press.
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 HMX Twilight has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Twilight for $3.29.
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 comparing the sound profiles of the Aflion Blush and HMX Twilight linear switches, it's clear that each offers a distinct auditory experience. The Blush is characterized by a low-pitched sound signature, giving it a bass-heavy and mellow tone that complements its responsive feel. This poppy sound, resulting from the switch's long pole design, adds a pleasant auditory feedback for typists who enjoy hearing their keystrokes. In contrast, the Twilight boasts a slightly quieter operation attributed to its extended 3.85mm travel distance. While specific sound descriptors for the Twilight weren't provided, the quieter characteristics suggest a subtlety that may appeal to those who prefer a less pronounced auditory feedback while typing.
In terms of feel, the Blush switch excels with descriptors like creamy, silky, and buttery, signifying an exceptionally smooth and luxurious typing experience. This smoothness is likely enhanced by either factory-applied lubricants or the materials used in its construction. Each keystroke feels like gliding across the keys, creating a seamless experience that typists often seek. Unfortunately, the feel of the Twilight switch lacks specific descriptors, leaving its tactile experience more ambiguous; therefore, it is challenging to compare it directly to the Blush in this regard.
In summary, if you're looking for a satisfying auditory and tactile experience, the Aflion Blush linear switch stands out with its rich sound and luxurious feel. The HMX Twilight linear switch, while quieter, may appeal to those seeking a more subtle experience, although its exact feel remains undefined. Ultimately, if you appreciate smoothness and a poppy sound, the Blush is likely your best bet, while the Twilight might suit those who prefer a quieter typing environment.
Conclusion
To conclude, choosing between the Aflion Blush linear switch and the HMX Twilight linear switch hinges on your typing preferences and use case. If you enjoy a creamy, silky, and buttery typing experience with a poppy sound signature, and prefer a medium actuation force, the Blush switch will likely be your go-to choice. Its longer two-stage spring and 58g bottom-out force create a smoothness that is ideal for extended typing sessions, making it particularly suitable for writers, programmers, or anyone who spends considerable time on their keyboard. Conversely, if you prefer a lighter touch with less resistance, and value a quieter operation without sacrificing the clacky characteristics of linear switches, the HMX Twilight switch may be the better fit. With a bottom-out force of 50g and an extended travel distance, this switch provides a unique balance of comfort and sound, perfect for gaming or fast-paced typing tasks where quick key actions are essential. Ultimately, your choice will come down to whether you prioritize a more textured and tactile experience or a lighter, quieter one.
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