Aflion Carrot vs. Gateron Magnetic Jade

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboards, switch choice plays a crucial role in the typing experience, and two popular options to consider are the Aflion Carrot and the Gateron Magnetic Jade. The Carrot, known for its fun tactile feel, features a long, two-stage spring that creates a uniquely bouncy and snappy tactile sensation, making it ideal for those who enjoy a more pronounced feedback while typing. Its mid-pitched and firm sound profile adds an engaging auditory element to each keystroke. In contrast, the Gateron Magnetic Jade switches leverage hall effect technology to deliver a bright and clacky sound, making them an excellent upgrade for users seeking a superior typing experience with enhanced acoustics. While both switches offer distinct auditory qualities, the Carrot emphasizes a tactile and bouncy interaction, whereas the Magnetic Jade focuses on smoothness and acoustic performance. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your preferences.

By the numbers

Aflion Carrot Tactile

Gateron Magnetic Jade Hall Effect

$4.60

$3.57 per 10

$8.00 per 10

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Housing materials

The Aflion Carrot and Gateron Magnetic Jade switches both feature polycarbonate top housings, resulting in a sharp, high-pitched, and crisp sound profile. The stiffness of polycarbonate enhances the clarity and resonance of the acoustic qualities of each switch, making them suitable for users who prefer a more pronounced sound when typing. Moreover, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it an excellent choice for those who utilize RGB lighting in their setups, as it allows light to pass through beautifully. This similarity ensures that both switches create a vibrant display when illuminated, enhancing the overall visual experience while maintaining auditory characteristics.

Contrastingly, the bottom housing of the switches introduces a discernible difference in sound quality and feel. Both the Carrot and the Magnetic Jade utilize nylon for their bottom housings, which is known for its acoustic properties that result in a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is primarily due to nylon's softer texture, which absorbs sound waves more effectively than harder plastics like polycarbonate. As a result, while the sound generated during the act of bottoming out a key may be subtler and rounder, the polycarbonate top housing still retains that crisp, high-end sound when releasing the key. Thus, the combination of nylon and polycarbonate in both cases yields a comprehensive auditory experience that balances clarity with depth.

Ultimately, the synergy of these materials in the Aflion Carrot and Gateron Magnetic Jade switches creates a harmonious typing experience. With the polycarbonate top housing contributing a sharp and clear sound upon release, and the nylon bottom housing offering a deeper and fuller profile upon bottoming out, users are privy to a well-rounded auditory feedback. The similar construction approach in terms of the top housing results in a uniform quality in terms of responsiveness and sound effects during use, while the variation introduced in the bottom housing allows for a diversified tactile experience. This thoughtful combination ensures that both switches not only provide consistent performance but also cater to varying preferences in sound and feel.

Weight

The Aflion Carrot tactile switch and the Gateron Magnetic Jade hall effect switch exhibit differing actuation and bottom out forces, catering to varied preferences in typing experience. The Carrot requires a lighter actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, making it a suitable choice for those who favor a more effortless typing experience, particularly beneficial for long work or gaming sessions. In contrast, the Magnetic Jade switch features a slightly heavier actuation force of 30 grams, but it has a bottom out force of 55 grams, which leans towards a medium-light feel. As such, the Magnetic Jade offers a more substantial keystroke sensation, appealing to users who prefer a stronger push feel. Therefore, while the actuation force of the Carrot is greater than that of the Jade, the Jade's bottom out force is heavier, indicating that users may experience a different tactile feedback related to their preferences and typing styles.

Travel distance

The Aflion Carrot tactile switch features a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Gateron Magnetic Jade hall effect switch has a shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. This makes the Carrot a better choice for those who prefer a more substantial depth in their keystrokes, offering a traditional feel that many find satisfying. On the other hand, the Magnetic Jade, with its 3.5 mm travel distance, caters to gamers and users who favor quicker response times and a more abrupt keypress. Therefore, if responsiveness is your priority, the shorter travel distance of the Magnetic Jade may be more appealing. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on whether you value depth or speed in your typing experience.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, both the Aflion Carrot and Gateron Magnetic Jade switches produce a bright and high-pitched sound profile, appealing to those who prefer a more crisp and lively auditory experience. The Carrot is characterized by a mid-pitched and firm tone that gives it a unique resonance, while also allowing for a clacky quality that reflects a sharp and snappy sound with each keystroke. On the other hand, the Magnetic Jade switches excel in their clackiness, offering excellent acoustic properties that enhance the overall typing experience. Both switches promise a sound that is distinct yet similar, making them suitable choices for users who appreciate articulate feedback; however, the specifics of the sound profile can be influenced by the keyboard and keycap combination used.

When considering the tactile feel, the Carrot switch stands out due to its bouncy, snappy, and stepped characteristics. The long, two-stage spring provides a lively feedback sensation, ensuring users experience a delightful rebound upon pressing the keys, contributing to a dynamic and engaging typing feel. Conversely, the Magnetic Jade switches are described as polished and silky, leading to a smooth and refined typing experience with reduced friction. This combination offers a sleek interface, focusing more on a seamless key travel without the pronounced tactile feedback that defines the Carrot's character. Thus, while both switches deliver a satisfying typing experience, they cater to different preferences: the Carrot favors a lively bounce, while the Magnetic Jade leans towards smoothness.

In conclusion, both the Aflion Carrot and Gateron Magnetic Jade switches present appealing qualities suited to different typing preferences. The Carrot excels in delivering a bouncy and tactile feel, paired with a sharp and somewhat firm sound profile. In contrast, the Magnetic Jade switches offer a silky smooth typing experience and notably bright acoustics. Ultimately, your choice between these two switches will depend on whether you prioritize a dynamic tactile feedback or a seamless, polished action. Regardless, both options will provide an enjoyable keyboard experience, making them excellent choices for newcomers exploring the world of mechanical keyboards.

Conclusion

To conclude, your choice between the Aflion Carrot tactile switch and the Gateron Magnetic Jade hall effect switch boils down to your specific preferences in typing feel and acoustic feedback. If you prioritize a light actuation force and enjoy a bouncy, snappy tactile experience, the Carrot switch may be your best option. It's particularly suitable for those who prefer a lively and engaging typing experience, as well as a mid-pitched, firm sound profile that makes each keystroke satisfying without being overly loud. Conversely, if you're looking for a switch that delivers a polished feel and a slightly heavier bottom-out force, the Magnetic Jade will likely appeal more to you. With its bright, clacky sound and silky smooth typing experience, it caters well to users who enjoy precise feedback and acoustics, making it an excellent choice for both gaming and typing. So, consider what matters most to you—whether it's the springiness and light touch of the Carrot or the refined smoothness and acoustic clarity of the Magnetic Jade—and choose accordingly for your ideal keyboard experience.

Mentioned in this article

Aflion Carrot Tactile

$4.60

$3.57 per 10

Learn more

Gateron Magnetic Jade Hall Effect

$8.00 per 10

Learn more