Aflion Carrot vs. Cherry MX Black
An in-depth look at the Aflion Carrot and the Cherry MX Black switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options are the Aflion Carrot and the Cherry MX Black. The Carrot is a tactile switch, known for its bouncy tactile experience thanks to its long, two-stage spring. It also offers a mid-pitched and firm sound profile, making it quite clacky and snappy. On the other hand, the MX Black from Cherry is a linear switch that has been further improved with Cherry's Hyperglide tooling. These switches provide a classic textured smoothness, giving you a satisfying typing experience. They also produce a deep sound profile that is familiar and comforting. Both switches have their merits and choosing between them depends on your personal preferences. However, let's explore these switches further to help you make an informed decision based on what suits you best.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
37g
Actuation force
60g
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
80g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
No
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
20mm two-stage spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Aflion Carrot and the Cherry MX Black switches differ significantly. The Carrot features a polycarbonate top housing, while the MX Black utilizes a nylon top housing. Polycarbonate, being a stiffer plastic, creates a sharper and crisper sound profile, especially when combined with RGB lighting. In contrast, the nylon top housing of the MX Black produces a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its absorption of more sound. While both materials serve their purpose in enhancing the sound, the polycarbonate top housing of the Carrot emphasizes clarity and resonance, while the nylon top housing of the MX Black focuses on creating a more rounded and dulled sound.
Moving on to the bottom housing, both the Carrot and the MX Black switches utilize a nylon material. Nylon is well-known as a classic switch housing material, and both switches benefit from its properties. The nylon bottom housing elicits a deep and full sound profile, creating a rounded and dulled sound. As nylon is a softer plastic and absorbs more sound, it contributes to the overall switch experience by enhancing the sound when pressing down on the keys. Therefore, in terms of bottom housing, both the Carrot and the MX Black switches provide similar results, as they both benefit from nylon's ability to produce a deeper and fuller sound profile.
In terms of overall switch experience, the housing materials of the Aflion Carrot and the Cherry MX Black switches play a crucial role. While the Carrot utilizes polycarbonate for the top housing and nylon for the bottom housing, the MX Black employs nylon for both top and bottom housings. The key difference lies in the sound profile achieved with these materials. The Carrot, with its polycarbonate top housing, produces a sharper and crisper sound when keys are released, complementing its clear and resonant nature. In contrast, the MX Black, with its nylon top housing, creates a deeper and fuller sound. However, when it comes to the bottom-out sound and feel of the keys, both switches exhibit a similar deep and full sound profile due to their shared nylon bottom housing material.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Aflion Carrot tactile switch and the Cherry MX Black linear switch, it is evident that they offer different experiences to users. The Aflion Carrot has a relatively lighter actuation force of 37 grams, making it easier to trigger keystrokes with minimal effort. In contrast, the Cherry MX Black requires a heavier actuation force of 60 grams, providing a more substantial push feel during typing.
Furthermore, the bottom out force of the Aflion Carrot is 45 grams, slightly higher than its actuation force. This ensures that users have a tactile feedback when they fully press down on the keys, giving a sense of completion to each keystroke. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Black has a significantly heavier bottom out force of 80 grams, requiring a more forceful press to fully activate the keys.
Considering weight preferences, those who prefer a lighter typing experience for extended periods may opt for the Aflion Carrot with its lower actuation and bottom out forces. This is particularly suitable for individuals using their keyboards extensively at work or during long gaming sessions. However, users who desire a more substantial and heavier push feel during typing may find the Cherry MX Black more suitable due to its heavier actuation and bottom out forces.
Despite these differences, it is important to note that both switches offer a satisfying typing experience based on individual preferences. Whether one seeks a lighter touch or a more forceful push, each switch provides a distinct tactile response, allowing users to achieve similar results in their typing experience, albeit with varying levels of actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
Both the Aflion Carrot tactile switch and the Cherry MX Black linear switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key, you will feel the same distance of travel for both switches. Therefore, in terms of travel distance, both switches will provide a similar experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Aflion Carrot has an MSRP of $4.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Carrot for $3.57.
The Cherry MX Black comes in at $4.00 per 10 switches.
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 Carrot tactile switch is known for producing a clacky and high-pitched sound. This switch gives a sharp and snappy sound when pressed, which can be described as crisp, bright, and percussive. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Black linear switch offers a low-pitched sound profile. These switches have a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used. Overall, if you prefer a sharper and crisper sound, the Carrot switch would be a better choice, while those who prefer a more bass-heavy and mellow sound may lean towards the MX Black.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Aflion Carrot tactile switch is highly regarded for its bouncy and snappy qualities. This switch provides a spring-like or elastic feedback sensation, giving the keys a lively feel and a rebound effect when pressed. Additionally, the Carrot switch features a stepped design, meaning it has two stages of tactile feedback, providing a more mild and nuanced typing experience. This switch can also be described as feathery, as it requires little force to actuate and reduces finger fatigue. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Black linear switch is known for being textured and stiff. These switches have noticeable friction when pressed, providing a textured and scratchy feel. They also require a higher amount of force to actuate and bottom-out compared to other switches. Therefore, if you prefer a bouncy and light typing experience, the Carrot switch would be a suitable choice, while those who prefer a more textured and firm feel may opt for the MX Black.
Considering all the available information, the Aflion Carrot tactile switch and the Cherry MX Black linear switch offer distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Carrot switch provides a clacky and high-pitched sound profile, along with a bouncy and snappy feel. It has a stepped design with two stages of tactile feedback and a feathery actuation force. On the other hand, the MX Black switch offers a low-pitched sound profile and a textured, stiff feel. If you are looking for a switch with a sharp and crisp sound, a bouncy and elastic feel, and a lighter actuation force, the Carrot switch would be an excellent choice. However, if you prefer a switch with a mellow tone, noticeable friction, and a higher actuation force, the MX Black switch would be more suitable. Nevertheless, it's important to consider personal preferences and how these switches would interact with your choice of keyboard board and keycaps to achieve the desired typing experience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when it comes to choosing between the Aflion Carrot tactile switch and the Cherry MX Black linear switch, it ultimately depends on your personal preferences and typing needs. If you prefer a lighter typing experience with a bouncy and snappy feel, along with a mid-pitched and firm sound profile, the Carrot switch might be the ideal choice for you. This switch offers a unique tactile experience and is suitable for extended typing sessions due to its feathery and subtle feel. Additionally, if you enjoy clacky or marbly sound profiles, the Carrot switch would be a good fit.
On the other hand, if you prefer a heavier typing experience with a deep sound profile and a smoother, friction-free feel, the MX Black switch might be more suitable for you. With its higher bottom out force and classic textured smoothness, this switch provides a mellow tone and a familiar typing experience. However, it's important to note that the MX Black switch is described as stiff, meaning it requires more force to actuate and bottom out.
To sum up, if you prioritize a lighter and bouncier feel with a unique tactile experience, along with a mid-pitched and firm sound profile, the Aflion Carrot tactile switch would be a great choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a heavier typing experience with a deep sound profile and a smoother, friction-free feel, the Cherry MX Black linear switch might be more suitable for you. Ultimately, the decision should be based on your personal preferences and typing style.
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