Aflion Blush vs. HMX Vintage Citrus
An in-depth look at the Aflion Blush and the HMX Vintage Citrus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switches, both the Aflion Blush and HMX Vintage Citrus stand out as compelling linear options, each offering distinct advantages tailored to different user preferences. The Aflion Blush is celebrated for its unique two-stage spring design, which results in a smooth, creamy typing experience with a satisfying poppy sound, making it a fantastic choice for those who appreciate a tactile yet unobtrusive keypress. On the other hand, the HMX Vintage Citrus caters specifically to gamers, featuring an incredibly low actuation force of just 1mm, which allows for lightning-fast key responses and a bright, clacky sound that enhances the gaming experience. While the Blush offers a luxurious typing feel suited for extended use, the Vintage Citrus delivers speed and precision critical for competitive gameplay. 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
48g
Bottom-out force
58g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
1.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Total travel
3.00 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
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
22mm single-staged spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Aflion Blush and HMX Vintage Citrus switches showcase compelling contrasts that influence their respective acoustic profiles and overall feel. The Blush features a polycarbonate top housing, which, due to its stiffness, delivers a sharper and crisper sound when typing. This material promotes a higher-pitched audio experience, enhancing the clarity of keystrokes and making it particularly effective for those who appreciate pronounced auditory feedback. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate allows for vibrant RGB lighting effects, adding an aesthetic appeal that complements its acoustic properties.
Conversely, the HMX Vintage Citrus employs a nylon top housing, renowned for its ability to generate a deeper, fuller sound profile. As a softer plastic, nylon absorbs more sound compared to polycarbonate, resulting in a rounder auditory experience. This difference in material emphasizes a more muted sound when typing, appealing to users who prefer a subdued feel. Furthermore, the classic characteristics of nylon contribute to a timeless design, which retains its popularity among switch enthusiasts seeking a warmer typing experience.
Despite the differences in their top housings, both switches share a nylon bottom housing, which contributes similarly to their tonal qualities. This shared material ensures that both switches deliver a consistent deeper sound profile when bottoming out due to nylon's inherent sound-absorbing properties. Therefore, while the Blush’s polycarbonate top provides a brighter sound on release and the Vintage Citrus’s nylon top yields a muted sound, the nylon bottom harmonizes their sound profiles during keystrokes. Ultimately, these differing materials allow users to select a switch that best fits their desired auditory and tactile experience, while still yielding complementary outcomes in bottom-out feedback.
Weight
When comparing the Aflion Blush linear switch and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch, there are notable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Blush switch has an unspecified actuation force but a bottom out force of 58 grams, indicating a medium resistance when fully pressed down. In contrast, the Vintage Citrus features a lighter actuation force of 48 grams and a bottom out force of 53 grams, categorized as medium-light. This means that the Vintage Citrus requires less force to actuate, making it a better option for those who prefer a lighter feel for longer typing sessions or gaming. Conversely, the Aflion Blush, with its heavier bottom out force, offers a more substantial typing experience. Thus, while the Blush's actuation force remains unknown, it is evident that the Vintage Citrus is the lighter switch, appealing to users who enjoy a more responsive typing experience without exerting as much effort. In summary, the differences in their actuation forces affect the overall feel of the switch, with the Vintage Citrus being the better choice for lighter, more responsive engagements and the Blush offering a firmer typing experience.
Travel distance
The Aflion Blush linear switch features a travel distance of 3.3 mm, while the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3 mm. This means that the Blush switch offers a bit more depth in its actuation compared to the Vintage Citrus, making it potentially more suitable for users who appreciate a more pronounced keypress. On the other hand, the Vintage Citrus, with its shorter travel distance, may appeal to gamers or those who prefer quicker and more responsive keystrokes, as the reduced distance can facilitate faster response times. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences regarding key feel and actuation depth.
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 Vintage Citrus has an MSRP of $3.49 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Vintage Citrus for $2.79.
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 switch stands out with its low-pitched tone, offering a more bass-heavy and mellow sound that is perfect for users who prefer a less aggressive auditory experience. This warm sound signature complements its smooth action, creating an inviting typing environment. On the other hand, while the specifics of the Vintage Citrus's sound profile are not detailed, it is characterized as having a bright and clacky sound. This generally suggests a sharper, more pronounced auditory feedback, making it particularly engaging for fast-paced gaming, where sound cues can enhance the overall experience.
When it comes to feel, the Blush switch excels with its creamy, silky, and buttery typing sensation, providing a remarkably smooth and effortless experience with each keystroke. The long, two-stage spring contributes to this fluidity, making it feel as if your fingers are gliding effortlessly across the keys. In contrast, detailed information on the feel of the Vintage Citrus switch is lacking, but given its low actuation force tailored for rapid inputs, it can be inferred that it likely provides a responsive and lightweight experience that is well-suited for gaming.
In conclusion, both the Aflion Blush and HMX Vintage Citrus linear switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences. The Blush provides a smooth, creamy feel paired with a warm, low-pitched sound, making it well-suited for long typing sessions and a comfortable typing experience. Meanwhile, the Vintage Citrus emphasizes speed with its rapid actuation and bright sound, ideal for gamers who thrive on fast inputs. Depending on your priorities—be it a mellow auditory experience or lightning-fast responsiveness—each switch can deliver satisfying results, though they cater to distinct needs.
Conclusion
In summary, when choosing between the Aflion Blush and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switches, it ultimately comes down to your typing needs and personal preferences. If you're looking for a switch that offers a smooth, full, and snappy typing experience with a satisfying, low-pitched sound signature, the Blush, with its medium bottom-out force of 58 grams, would be an excellent choice for you. Its creamy, silky, and buttery feel makes it well-suited for both typing and casual gaming, especially if you appreciate a more mellow acoustic profile while working or playing. On the other hand, if your primary focus is fast-paced gaming, where rapid-key presses and quick response times are crucial, the Vintage Citrus with its notably lighter 53-gram force and low 1mm actuation point will serve you better. The bright, clacky sound and exceptionally smooth push feel of the Citrus will enhance your gaming experience, allowing you to execute speedy inputs with ease. Thus, consider the environment and tasks you prioritize—whether it's typing comfort and acoustic profile with the Blush, or performance and quick actuation with the Citrus—to make the best choice for your mechanical keyboard setup.
Mentioned in this article
