Aflion Carrot vs. HMX Lucky

Overview

When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch, the selection process involves understanding your personal preferences, performance needs, and the overall typing experience you desire. Two noteworthy contenders in this realm are the Aflion Carrot, a tactile switch, and the HMX Lucky, a linear switch. The Carrot switch stands out with its long, two-stage spring that delivers a uniquely bouncy tactile feedback, accompanied by a mid-pitched and firm sound profile, making it a lively choice for those who enjoy a more engaging typing experience. Conversely, the HMX Lucky switch is crafted with lighter, glittery nylon housings that promote a neutral and deeply satisfying typing feel, ideal for users seeking smoother keystrokes without the interruption of tactile bumps. While both switches provide distinct advantages—one emphasizing tactile feedback and an energetic sound, and the other prioritizing a polished, silky typing experience—they cater to different user preferences. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits you best.

By the numbers

Aflion Carrot Tactile

HMX Lucky Linear

$4.60

$3.57 per 10

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the Aflion Carrot and the HMX Lucky, it is notable that they diverge significantly in their top housing materials. The Carrot utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which is known for producing a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its rigidity. This sturdiness contributes to a clearer and more resonant auditory experience, making polycarbonate an optimal choice for key switches intended for use with RGB lighting, as its translucency enhances visual effects. In contrast, the Lucky opts for a nylon top housing, which is characterized by its softer material. This results in a deeper and fuller sound profile, as nylon absorbs sound waves rather than reflecting them, creating a more textured auditory experience that tends to be perceived as rounder and less aggressive.

On the other hand, both the Aflion Carrot and the HMX Lucky employ nylon for their bottom housings. As previously noted, nylon is a classic switch housing material, and its use in both switches ultimately leads to a similar auditory experience from the bottom housing perspective. Because nylon absorbs more sound due to its softer nature, users can expect a consistent low-end depth and fullness regardless of the top housing material. This shared characteristic means that when typing on either switch, the bottom-out sound will convey a richness that enhances the overall tactile feedback and auditory satisfaction, irrespective of the disparities present in the top housing.

The combined effect of these differing materials illustrates how the top and bottom housing materials in each switch contribute to the overall sound profile and feel of the switch. In the Aflion Carrot, the polycarbonate top housing delivers a pronounced clarity in the return sound while the nylon bottom adds depth to the bottom-out sound. Conversely, the HMX Lucky's nylon top housing consistently reinforces a rounded auditory experience with the nylon bottom also offering a rich depth. Thus, both switches present unique characteristics in terms of the initial key press and key release experiences, allowing enthusiasts to choose based on their sound and feel preferences while still achieving the fullness that nylon provides at the bottom.

Weight

The Aflion Carrot tactile switch and the HMX Lucky linear switch are comparable in that both have the same actuation force of 37 grams, making them equally light in terms of the force required to trigger a keystroke. This characteristic is beneficial for those who prefer extended typing or gaming sessions, as it minimizes finger fatigue. However, the bottom out forces differ slightly; the Carrot has a bottom out force of 45 grams, while the Lucky has a lower bottom out force of 43 grams. This means that while both switches are light to actuate, the Carrot requires a bit more force to reach the bottom of the switch compared to the Lucky. Consequently, for users seeking a slightly more substantial typing experience, the Carrot may feel heavier at the bottom out stage, while the Lucky offers a slightly lighter feel overall.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Aflion Carrot tactile switch and the HMX Lucky linear switch, there is a noticeable difference. The Carrot has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Lucky features a shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm. This makes the Carrot the switch with the longer travel distance, appealing to users who prefer a more pronounced tactile experience when typing. In contrast, the Lucky's shorter travel distance aligns with the current trend favored by gamers seeking faster response times. If you prioritize quick input and responsiveness, the Lucky may be the better choice; however, if you enjoy a deeper press, the Carrot would likely provide a more satisfying feel. Ultimately, choosing between the two will depend on personal preference regarding switch depth and responsiveness.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When comparing the sound profiles of the Aflion Carrot tactile switch and the HMX Lucky linear switch, both are characterized as clacky. The Carrot's sound is noted to be mid-pitched and firm, providing a crisp, bright, and percussive auditory experience that many enthusiasts find engaging. This clackiness often adds a layer of satisfaction during typing. Similarly, the Lucky switch also produces a sharp and snappy sound, falling into the same clacky category and therefore delivering a similarly crisp auditory feedback. However, the overall tonal quality can be influenced by the specific keyboard build and keycap materials used.

In terms of feel, the Carrot switch stands out with its unique bouncy and snappy characteristics, attributed to its long, two-stage spring design. Users will experience a lively rebound when keys are pressed, which can make typing feel more dynamic and responsive. Additionally, the stepped tactile feedback allows for nuanced feel during each keystroke. The Lucky switch, while also described as bouncy, is distinguished by its silky and polished sensation. This gives it an exceptionally smooth typing experience, with reduced resistance, enhancing comfort during prolonged use. The Lucky switch may feel less tactile than the Carrot, though both switches aim to minimize finger fatigue and maximize typing enjoyment.

In conclusion, both the Aflion Carrot tactile switch and the HMX Lucky linear switch have much to offer, particularly in terms of sound and the overall typing experience. They share similarities in auditory feedback, providing a satisfying clack with each keystroke. However, their tactile sensations diverge, as the Carrot emphasizes a more pronounced tactile feedback with a lively and bouncy feel, whereas the Lucky switch delivers a smoother and more polished typing experience. Choosing between the two ultimately depends on personal preference for tactile responsiveness versus smoothness during typing.

Conclusion

To conclude, the choice between the Aflion Carrot tactile switch and the HMX Lucky linear switch ultimately hinges on your personal preferences and typing needs. If you enjoy a bouncy and snappy tactile feedback, the Carrot switch is an excellent option that provides a unique two-stage spring experience, making each keystroke feel lively and engaging. The mid-pitched, firm sound profile, combined with its clacky noise, can add an enjoyable acoustic element to your typing sessions, perfect for those who appreciate a more active auditory experience. Conversely, if you prefer a smoother and more neutral typing feel, the HMX Lucky switch would be the better choice. With its silky and polished characteristics, this switch offers a refined and satisfying typing experience, accompanied by a lighter action that's great for extended use without fatigue. Additionally, its clacky sound can still provide a satisfying auditory feedback without being overly intrusive. Ultimately, consider your typing style, sound preferences, and whether you seek a tactile or linear feel, as this will guide you in choosing the switch that best fits your needs.

Mentioned in this article

Aflion Carrot Tactile

$4.60

$3.57 per 10

Learn more

HMX Lucky Linear

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

Learn more