Aflion Blush vs. Aflion Windy Shadow
An in-depth look at the Aflion Blush and the Aflion Windy Shadow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Aflion Blush and the Aflion Windy Shadow both offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The blush, a linear switch, is praised for its impressively smooth and snappy feel, thanks to its longer, two-stage spring. Additionally, its long pole provides a distinctive poppy sound signature. On the other hand, the windy shadow, also a linear switch, stands out for its neutral sound profile and a distinctive bounce from its extended spring. With a 55g bottom-out, they offer a comfortably medium-light typing experience. Each switch is categorized by its own characteristics, with the blush being described as 'low-pitched, creamy, silky, buttery' and the windy shadow as 'low-pitched, mild, neutral'. While both switches have their own appeal, diving deeper into their specifics will help you make the best decision based on your individual preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
58g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
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
19.7mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The Aflion Blush and Aflion Windy Shadow both utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This material is known for its stiffness, which leads to a clear and resonant sound profile. Additionally, polycarbonate's translucency makes it ideal for switches designed to incorporate RGB lighting. However, while both switches share this feature, their bottom housings differ. The Blush's nylon bottom housing produces a deeper and fuller sound profile, as nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. In contrast, the Windy Shadow also features a nylon bottom housing, providing a similar typing experience in terms of sound profile.
Despite their similarities in top housing material, the Aflion Blush and Aflion Windy Shadow showcase how different bottom housing materials can impact sound and feel. The split qualities between the top and bottom housings can be felt when typing on these switches, with the bottom housing influencing the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing affects the sound when releasing a key. Both switches offer a unique typing experience based on their choice of materials, with the Blush delivering a deeper and fuller sound due to its nylon bottom housing, while the Windy Shadow provides a crisper and higher-pitched sound from its polycarbonate top housing.
In conclusion, the Aflion Blush and Aflion Windy Shadow demonstrate the importance of housing materials in determining the sound profile of mechanical switches. While their polycarbonate top housings create a sharp and clear sound, their nylon bottom housings offer different sound characteristics. The Blush's deeper and fuller sound from the nylon bottom housing contrasts with the Windy Shadow's rounder sound profile from the same material. Ultimately, the combination of top and bottom housing materials plays a significant role in shaping the overall typing experience and sound profile of these switches.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Aflion Blush linear switch and the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch, we see that both switches have an actuation force of None grams, meaning they require the same amount of force to trigger a keystroke. However, the Blush has a bottom out force of 58 grams, making it slightly heavier compared to the Windy Shadow, which has a bottom out force of 55 grams. This difference is subtle but may be noticeable to users who prefer a lighter or heavier typing experience. Those who prefer a more substantial typing experience may lean towards the Blush, while those who prefer a lighter touch may prefer the Windy Shadow. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on the user's preference for actuation and bottom out force.
Travel distance
The Aflion Blush linear switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm, while the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. Both switches have relatively short travel distances, making them ideal for gamers looking for quick response times. The Blush's shorter travel distance of 3.3 mm may appeal to those who prioritize speed and agility in their gameplay, while the Windy Shadow's slightly longer travel distance of 3.5 mm provides a bit more depth and feedback for users who prefer a more traditional feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for travel distance and 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 Aflion Windy Shadow has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Windy Shadow for $3.91.
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 offers a low-pitched and poppy sound signature, providing a bass-heavy and mellow tone with a touch of crispness. On the other hand, the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch also boasts a low-pitched sound profile but with a more neutral attribute, presenting a balanced tone that suits various preferences. The sound produced by these switches will ultimately be influenced by factors such as the keyboard layout and keycap material chosen.
In terms of feel, the Aflion Blush linear switch is described as creamy, silky, and buttery, providing a smooth and effortless typing experience that feels like gliding your fingers across the keys. In contrast, the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch offers a mild typing sensation, with a gentler touch compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. Both switches aim to provide a comfortable and satisfying typing experience, catering to different preferences in terms of tactile feedback.
Overall, both the Aflion Blush and Aflion Windy Shadow linear switches offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Blush switch excels in providing a snappy feel and a poppy sound, while the Windy Shadow switch offers a more balanced sound profile and a mild typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will come down to personal preference in terms of sound, feel, and overall typing experience. Whether you opt for the Blush or Windy Shadow, you can expect a high-quality linear switch that enhances your typing performance.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a linear switch with a medium bottom out force and a smooth, full feel, then the Aflion Blush linear switch might be the right choice for you. The Blush switch offers a snappy typing experience with a unique poppy sound signature, making it a great option for those who prefer a creamy, silky, or buttery typing feel. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly lighter bottom out force and a neutral sound profile with a distinctive bounce, then the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch could be more suited to your preferences. The Windy Shadow switch offers a mild typing experience that is approachable to most users, making it a versatile option for various typing needs. Ultimately, the choice between the Blush and Windy Shadow switches will depend on your personal preference for bottom out force, sound profile, and typing feel.
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