Aflion Carrot vs. HMX Perky
An in-depth look at the Aflion Carrot and the HMX Perky switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the choice between tactile and linear can significantly influence your typing experience, and that's where the Aflion Carrot and HMX Perky come into play. The Aflion Carrot is celebrated for its fun, bouncy tactile feedback thanks to its long, two-stage spring, providing a unique mid-pitched and firm sound profile that many users find delightfully engaging. This switch excels in environments where a pronounced tactile response is desirable, making it a solid choice for typists who appreciate a responsive and climactic feel with each keystroke. In contrast, the HMX Perky offers a smoother typing experience characterized by its softer nylon housing, shortening the travel distance for a more condensed feel—ideal for those seeking efficiency and a more subdued auditory profile. As a linear switch, the Perky is perfect for users who prioritize a quiet workspace and swift key actuation. Both switches cater to distinct preferences, highlighting the diversity in mechanical keyboard experiences. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
37g
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
T2
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
22mm extended single-stage spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Aflion Carrot and the HMX Perky exemplify contrasting approaches in switch design that significantly affect the typing experience. The Carrot features a polycarbonate top housing, known for its stiffness and translucency. This design decision enhances the clarity and resonance of the keypress sound, producing a sharper, higher-pitched auditory feedback. Combined with the Carrot’s nylon bottom housing, which lends a deeper, rounder sound due to its softer plastic composition, the overall acoustic profile of the Carrot balances crispness during release and fullness upon bottoming out. This dual-material approach allows for a dynamic sound characteristic that caters to different tactile sensations while typing, culminating in a nuanced auditory experience.
In comparison, the HMX Perky relies on a completely nylon top housing, which serves to absorb more sound. This choice shifts the auditory profile toward a more subdued and rounded sound, creating a softer feel when typing. While the bottom housing of the Perky is also nylon, harmonizing with the softer qualities of the top housing, it effectively combines to minimize the sharpness in sound typically associated with polycarbonate. The use of nylon throughout enhances the overall depth and warmth of sound, promoting an engaging typist experience that is distinguished by a more muted auditory feedback than that produced by the Carrot.
Despite the differences in the top housings of the two switches, the nylon bottom housings in both the Carrot and the Perky share a common effect that reminds typists of the classic qualities of a nylon switch. As such, this similarity ensures that both switches offer a deep and fuller sound profile when keys bottom out. The dynamic qualities of each switch are therefore dependent not only on the distinct acoustic properties of the top housing material but also on the shared characteristics of the nylon bottom housing, ensuring that both switches can deliver satisfying sounds and sensations, though they arrive at these outcomes through distinctly different material strategies.
Weight
When comparing the Aflion Carrot tactile switch and the HMX Perky linear switch, notable differences in actuation and bottom out forces emerge, though both switches are considered light overall. The Carrot has an actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, while the Perky features a slightly heavier actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams. This means that the Aflion Carrot switch offers a lighter and easier keystroke, making it a suitable choice for users who type for extended periods or engage in long gaming sessions. Conversely, the HMX Perky switch provides a more substantial feel due to its heavier forces, appealing to those who prefer a stronger tactile response. Thus, while both switches are light in terms of force, the Carrot is the lighter option, making it more ergonomic for prolonged use, while the Perky delivers a firmer typing experience for enthusiasts who favor a stronger push feel.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Aflion Carrot tactile switch and the HMX Perky linear switch, it is clear that they cater to different preferences in typing experience. The Carrot switch features a travel distance of 4 mm, making it a more traditional choice that offers a deeper click for those who enjoy a more tactile feedback and hearty depth in their keystrokes. In contrast, the Perky switch has a shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm, appealing to gamers and users who prefer quicker, more responsive keystrokes for faster action. This shorter distance may feel more abrupt to some, but it enhances the speed of response times. Therefore, for those prioritizing a more traditional and robust feel, the Carrot's 4 mm travel distance would be the ideal choice, whereas the Perky's 3.4 mm distance is better suited for those who value rapid responsiveness in their typing.
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 HMX Perky has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Perky for $2.99.
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 comparing the sound profiles of the Aflion Carrot tactile switch and the HMX Perky linear switch, both exhibit a clacky characteristic, producing a sharp and snappy sound when pressed. The Carrot is noted for its mid-pitched and firm sound, which can lend a more pronounced auditory feedback to typing. On the other hand, both switches share a bright and crisp tonality, making them enjoyable for users who appreciate a percussive typing experience. However, since sound also depends on the keyboard's construction and keycap choice, users can expect a similar acoustical quality from both switches, albeit potentially influenced by these additional factors.
In terms of feel, the Aflion Carrot switch is distinguished by its bouncy, snappy, and stepped characteristics. This switch’s long, two-stage spring allows for a lively typing experience, providing a clear tactile feedback during key presses, which many users find engaging and responsive. Conversely, the HMX Perky switch delivers a polished and silky typing sensation, ensuring a smooth travel and minimal friction with each keystroke. While the Carrot offers a more dynamic feedback with its tactile bump and bounce, the Perky tends towards a more refined and effortless feel, perfect for those who prioritize smoothness. The differing tactile responses suggest that users will enjoy varied typing experiences between these two switches, catering to different preferences.
In conclusion, both switches present unique sound and feel qualities that cater to different types of typists. The Carrot offers a fun and responsive tactile experience with a satisfying auditory feedback, while the Perky excels in smoothness and a more condensed typing profile. While there's overlap in their clackiness, the fundamental differences in tactile feedback set them apart. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on whether the user prefers bounciness and tactility or a silky, smooth experience during their typing sessions.
Conclusion
In summary, the choice between the Aflion Carrot tactile switch and the HMX Perky linear switch ultimately hinges on your personal typing preferences and the types of activities you engage in. If you enjoy a more dynamic, engaging typing experience, the Carrot's bouncy tactile feel and the snappy feedback can make every keystroke feel lively, ideal for gaming or writing where a tactile response enhances your interaction with the keyboard. Its clacky, high-pitched sound profile adds to the fun, making each press rewarding, which can be particularly satisfying in a solo environment. Conversely, if you prioritize a polished and smooth typing experience, the Perky switch may be your best option. With its deeper satisfaction stemming from the silky feel and reduced travel distance, it's perfect for long hours of typing or professional work where noise levels and keypress smoothness matter. In a shared workspace or a quiet setting, the Perky’s more subdued sound profile would likely help maintain a conducive environment. Therefore, consider what you value more in your typing experience—whether it's the playful bounce of the Carrot or the sleek fluidity of the Perky—and choose accordingly.
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