Aflion Carrot vs. HMX KD200

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, enthusiasts often find themselves weighing the benefits of tactile versus linear options, and two notable choices in this realm are the Aflion Carrot and the HMX KD200. The Aflion Carrot, a tactile switch, is celebrated for its distinctive two-stage spring design, which provides a bouncy and enjoyable tactile feedback that many typists adore. Its mid-pitched, firm sound profile offers a playful auditory experience, making it an excellent choice for those who appreciate clear feedback while they type. On the other hand, the HMX KD200 stands out as the clackiest member of the HMX Film switch family, appealing to users who crave a louder, more pronounced keystroke with each press. While the Carrot excels in offering tactile satisfaction and a lively sound, the KD200 delivers a straightforward, smooth experience ideal for those who prefer a seamless typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your needs.

By the numbers

Aflion Carrot Tactile

HMX KD200 Linear

$4.60

$3.57 per 10

$3.50

$3.29 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

When examining the housing materials of the Aflion Carrot and the HMX KD200 switches, notable contrasts in their top housings emerge. The Carrot utilizes polycarbonate, a stiffer plastic known for producing a sharper and crisper sound profile. This material’s rigidity enhances clarity and resonance, making it particularly advantageous for those who prefer an articulate keypress sound. Additionally, the polycarbonate’s translucency makes it ideal for setups with RGB lighting, allowing for vibrant illumination effects that enrich the overall aesthetic of a keyboard. In contrast, the KD200 employs a nylon top housing, which is inherently softer and facilitates a deeper, fuller sound. Nylon’s ability to absorb sound contributes to a more muted auditory experience, producing softer, rounder keypresses. This fundamental difference in top housing materials significantly influences the acoustic characteristics and user experience of typing on both switch types.

The bottom housings of the Aflion Carrot and HMX KD200 switches share a commonality, as both utilize nylon materials. This consistency means that both switches possess similar underlying acoustic qualities. The nylon bottom housing contributes to a duller and fuller sound profile, which resonates well with users who appreciate a softer key feel. Both switches will exhibit similar sound characteristics when pressed down and will feel comparably satisfying upon bottoming out. Though the top housing materials diverge in their acoustic properties, the pairing of nylon in the bottom housing ensures that both switches deliver a consistent auditory sensation when engaged, grounding their sound with a unified foundation regardless of the differences seen in their top housing materials.

Ultimately, the interplay between the distinct top housing materials of each switch and the shared nylon bottom housing creates a varied yet complementary typing experience. The Carrot's polycarbonate top may lend a more pronounced sound during release, while the KD200's nylon top will create a softer sound signature during the same action. This variation signifies that the switches cater to different preferences—whether one seeks the crispness of polycarbonate or the warmth of nylon. Nevertheless, the nylon bottom housing in both switches ensures that the deeper sound profiles anchor the overall typing experience, offering a unique contrast that can equally appeal to different users while maintaining a coherent auditory experience.

Weight

The Aflion Carrot tactile switch and the HMX KD200 linear switch offer contrasting actuation and bottom out forces, which cater to different user preferences. The Carrot features a lighter actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, making it an excellent choice for users who prioritize longer typing sessions or casual gaming. In comparison, the KD200 has a slightly heavier actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, appealing to those who prefer a more substantial tactile experience when typing. While both switches are classified as light, the Carrot is the lighter option overall, making it suitable for users who may be sensitive to finger fatigue. For those who appreciate a firmer keystroke feel, the KD200 provides that extra weight, resulting in a different typing experience.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Aflion Carrot tactile switch and the HMX KD200 linear switch, the differences are quite distinct. The Carrot features a travel distance of 4 mm, which aligns with the more traditional preference for a deeper feel, allowing for a more pronounced tactile response. In contrast, the KD200 offers a shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm, catering to those who favor quicker keypresses and faster response times, often preferred by gamers. Therefore, if you prioritize a more responsive action, the KD200 would be the better choice due to its shorter travel distance. Conversely, if you enjoy a more substantial depth in your keystrokes, the Carrot's 4 mm travel distance would provide that experience. Overall, the Carrot is the longer switch, while the KD200 is the shorter one, reflecting differing preferences in key feel and responsiveness.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Aflion Carrot switch and the HMX KD200 have distinct characteristics. The Carrot is known for producing a mid-pitched, firm sound profile that is bright, crisp, and percussive, making it a clacky switch that results in a sharp and snappy auditory feedback when pressed. In contrast, while the KD200 is referred to as the clackiest member of its switch family, specific descriptors of its sound are not provided. However, both switches may produce a lively sound, and the overall auditory experience can greatly depend on factors such as the keyboard’s construction and the type of keycaps used.

In terms of feel, the Carrot switch stands out with its notably bouncy tactile experience, thanks to its long, dual-stage spring. This gives users a lively sensation with a rebound effect when typing, creating a snappy and responsive feedback. The tactile feel is described as stepped, offering a distinct two-stage action that allows for a mild but noticeable bump during the keystroke. Additionally, the Carrot can be described as lightly pressing due to its feathery and subtle characteristics, which contribute to reduced finger fatigue during prolonged use. Unfortunately, the KD200 lacks specific descriptors regarding its feel, which makes it challenging to directly compare its tactile experience with that of the Carrot.

Overall, the Aflion Carrot and HMX KD200 switches offer different yet intriguing auditory and tactile qualities. The Carrot switch is characterized by its pronounced and enjoyable sound, alongside a bouncy, snappy tactile experience perfect for those who appreciate feedback during typing. While the KD200 possesses a reputation for its clackiness, the absence of detailed descriptors on its sound and feel means that potential users may need to explore it further in practice. Whether one prefers the Carrot’s lively tactile experience or the KD200's clacky reputation, the choice will ultimately depend on personal typing preference and the harmony achieved with other keyboard components.

Conclusion

To conclude, your choice between the Aflion Carrot tactile switch and the HMX KD200 linear switch ultimately depends on your personal preferences and typing style. If you enjoy a playful and dynamic typing experience filled with feedback, the Carrot is the ideal choice. With its light actuation force of 45 grams and bouncy, snappy feel, it provides an engaging tactile feedback that makes typing feel lively and enjoyable, making it great for both typing and gaming. Its mid-pitched, firm sound profile strikes a balance that is both satisfying and less intrusive, making it suitable for shared spaces. On the other hand, if you prefer a more straightforward, smooth experience with pronounced acoustics, the clackiest member of the HMX family, the KD200, is your go-to switch. With its slightly heavier actuation force of 50 grams, it still feels light, but the focus is on delivering a crisp, loud sound with a linear feel that is ideal for those who revel in a robust auditory feedback. Thus, consider the Carrot for fun and tactile engagement, while the KD200 caters to those who prioritize sound and smoothness over tactile feedback.

Mentioned in this article

Aflion Carrot Tactile

$4.60

$3.57 per 10

Learn more

HMX KD200 Linear

$3.50

$3.29 per 10

Learn more