Aflion Carrot vs. Cherry MX Brown
An in-depth look at the Aflion Carrot and the Cherry MX Brown switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Aflion Carrot and the Cherry MX Brown. The Carrot is known for its fun and bouncy tactile experience, thanks to its unique long two-stage spring. Additionally, it delivers a firm and mid-pitched sound profile. On the other hand, the MX Brown switches can be summed up in one word: subtlety. They provide a light typing experience with gentle tactility and subdued audio feedback. While the Carrot offers a range of qualities such as being clacky, marbly, high-pitched, bouncy, snappy, stepped, feathery, and subtle, the MX Brown switches are known for being textured, bassy, and low-pitched. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on personal preference and specific typing needs. However, let's delve deeper beyond these generalities to help you make the best decision for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
37g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
55g
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 Brown have distinct differences in terms of the sounds they produce and their physical properties. Starting with the top housing, the Carrot utilizes polycarbonate, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. This is because polycarbonate is a stiffer plastic, providing a more clear and resonant sound profile. In contrast, the MX Brown employs a nylon top housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound and produces a duller and rounder tone. Despite these disparities, both materials are effective for housing switches, and they share the common trait of transmitting adequate lighting if RGB lighting is incorporated.
Moving on to the bottom housing, both the Carrot and the MX Brown utilize nylon, which again highlights the classic nature of this material in switch housing. Nylon creates a deeper and fuller sound profile, similar to its effect on the top housing. Its softness allows for more sound absorption, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. While the bottom housing mainly influences the bottom-out sound and feel when the switch is pressed down, it still exhibits these consistent characteristics between the two switches.
In summary, the Aflion Carrot and the Cherry MX Brown differ in their top housing materials, with the Carrot employing polycarbonate for a sharper sound profile, and the MX Brown using nylon for a deeper tone. However, they share the same nylon bottom housing, which contributes to the overall deep and full sound experience. Both switches showcase the benefits of their respective housing materials, creating unique sound profiles and ensuring a satisfying typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the Aflion Carrot tactile switch to the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch, there are notable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Carrot has a lighter actuation force of 37 grams compared to the MX Brown's 45 grams. This means that the Carrot requires less force to trigger a keystroke, providing a lighter and more responsive typing experience. On the other hand, the MX Brown has a heavier bottom out force of 55 grams, while the Carrot has a bottom out force of 45 grams. This means that the MX Brown requires more force to fully press the key down, resulting in a more substantial and tactile typing feel.
For those who prefer a lighter typing experience and value extended typing sessions or gaming sessions without fatigue, the Aflion Carrot tactile switch would be a suitable choice. With its lower actuation and bottom out forces, it offers a more effortless and comfortable typing experience. However, individuals who enjoy a stronger push feel and desire a more substantial typing experience may prefer the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch. With its slightly heavier actuation and bottom out forces, it provides a more pronounced tactile feedback and a satisfying keystroke experience.
Overall, the choice between the Aflion Carrot and Cherry MX Brown boils down to personal preference. Considering the weight and force of each switch is important, as it directly affects the typing experience and the level of fatigue experienced during prolonged sessions. Both switches offer their own unique advantages, and selecting either will ultimately provide the desired results, albeit with slight differences in the typing feel.
Travel distance
The travel distance of a switch refers to the distance the switch travels from the top to the bottom, which is the distance one feels when pressing down on a key. In the case of the Aflion Carrot tactile switch and the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch, both switches have a travel distance of 4 mm. Therefore, both switches provide a similar tactile experience in terms of the distance traveled. The Carrot and MX Brown switches offer the same travel distance, ensuring consistent feedback when typing or gaming.
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 Brown 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 Carrot switch is best described as clacky, marbly, and high-pitched. It produces a sharp and snappy sound that can be characterized as crisp, bright, and percussive. On the other hand, the MX Brown switch is described as bassy and low-pitched, providing a deeper and richer sound profile with a lower frequency range. Keep in mind that the sound of a switch is also influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen.
In terms of feel, the Carrot switch offers a bouncy, snappy, stepped, feathery, and subtle typing experience. It has a unique two-stage spring that provides a lively and elastic feedback sensation, giving users a bouncy tactile experience. The longer or dual-staged springs of the Carrot switch contribute to its snappy and super responsive feel. Additionally, it has a stepped feel with some pre-travel and/or post-travel, making the keystrokes feel more mild. The Carrot switch is also exceptionally light to press, requiring little exertion and reducing finger fatigue. It maintains a light typing feel with a gentle resistance, perfect for extended typing sessions. On the other hand, the MX Brown switch is described as textured, meaning it has noticeable friction when pressed. This can provide a subtle texture preferred by some users, while others may prefer a smoother, friction-free typing experience.
In conclusion, the Aflion Carrot switch offers a fun and unique tactile experience with its bouncy and snappy feel. It produces a mid-pitched and firm sound profile that is clacky, marbly, and high-pitched. The Cherry MX Brown switch, on the other hand, offers a more subtle and gentle typing experience with a subdued audio feedback. Its sound profile is described as bassy and low-pitched. While both switches provide tactile feedback, the choice between them will depend on the user's preference for sound, feel, and any other factors such as board and keycap choices. Ultimately, the Carrot switch provides a more lively and energetic typing experience, while the MX Brown switch offers a more subdued and subtle feel.
Conclusion
To wrap up, when considering whether to choose the Aflion Carrot tactile switch or the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch, it is important to evaluate your preferences in terms of force, sound, and feel. If you prefer a lighter bottom out force, the Carrot with its 45-gram bottom out force would be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly heavier bottom out force, the MX Brown with its 55-gram bottom out force would be more suitable. The Carrot switch offers a unique bouncy tactile experience with a mid-pitched and firm sound profile, making it a fun option for those looking for a lively and crisp typing experience. In contrast, the MX Brown switch is known for its subtlety, providing a relatively light typing experience with gentle tactility and subdued audio feedback. Furthermore, if you prefer a switch with a clacky, marbly, or high-pitched sound profile, the Carrot would be the better choice, while the MX Brown offers a bassy or low-pitched sound profile. In terms of feel, the Carrot provides a bouncy, snappy, stepped, feathery, or subtle typing experience, catering to different preferences for feedback and key response. On the other hand, the MX Brown offers a textured feel, which may appeal to users who enjoy noticeable friction during key presses. Ultimately, the choice between the Aflion Carrot and the Cherry MX Brown will depend on your personal preferences for force, sound, and feel, so be sure to consider these factors when deciding on the right switch for you.
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