Aflion Carrot vs. Durock Piano

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Aflion Carrot and the Durock Piano offer contrasting experiences that cater to different preferences. The Carrot is a tactile switch that is best known for its uniquely bouncy tactile experience provided by its long, two-stage spring. It offers users a mid-pitched and firm sound profile, making typing on it quite enjoyable. On the other hand, the Piano is a linear switch that stands out for its proprietary material blend, which ensures a pleasant typing experience. With the Piano, users can expect a gliding push feel and a deep, creamy sound signature. While the Carrot focuses on delivering a tactile and snappy typing sensation, the Piano emphasizes a frictionless and silky smooth input. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for your specific needs.

By the numbers

Aflion Carrot Tactile

Durock Piano Linear

$4.60

$3.57 per 10

$6.70

$5.57 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The housing materials of the Aflion Carrot and the Durock Piano differ in terms of their composition and resulting sound profiles. The Carrot utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which lends it a sharper and crisper sound profile. This is because polycarbonate is a relatively stiffer plastic, enhancing clarity and resonance. In contrast, the Piano features a proprietary POM blend top housing, offering a uniquely satisfying and deep sound profile. While the specific details of the POM blend are unknown, it undoubtedly contributes to the Piano's distinctive sound quality.

Moving to the bottom housings, the Carrot incorporates a nylon material. Nylon is a classic switch housing material known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile. Its relatively softer composition absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Meanwhile, the Durock Piano employs its proprietary POM blend for the bottom housing. Similar to the top housing, this blend contributes to the Piano's satisfying and deep sound profile, although the exact specifications of the blend remain undisclosed.

When it comes to how the top and bottom housings impact the overall sound, both switches follow a similar pattern. The bottom housing, whether nylon or the undisclosed POM blend, primarily influences the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch when it is pressed down. On the other hand, the top housing, whether polycarbonate or the proprietary POM blend, has a more significant impact on the sound produced when a key is released. These differences indicate that both the Carrot and the Piano offer distinct sound experiences, albeit through different housing materials.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Aflion Carrot tactile switch and the Durock Piano linear switch, it is evident that there are notable differences between the two. The Carrot switch has a relatively lighter actuation force of 37 grams, making it easier to trigger a keystroke. In contrast, the actuation force of the Piano switch is unknown, leaving us unsure if it is lighter, heavier, or similar to the Carrot.

Moving on to the bottom out force, the Carrot switch requires a force of 45 grams to bottom out, which is still quite light and contributes to a smooth typing experience. On the other hand, the Piano switch exerts a significantly heavier bottom out force of 63.5 grams, falling into the medium-heavy category. This provides a more substantial typing experience, ideal for those who prefer a stronger push feel on their keyboard.

Considering the weight aspect, individuals who favor lighter switches may find the Carrot switch appealing as it enables them to type for extended periods comfortably. This makes it suitable for keyboards used in work environments or during long gaming sessions. Conversely, individuals seeking a more substantial typing experience may gravitate towards the Piano switch, with its heavier bottom out force resulting in a more pronounced sensation while typing.

In summary, while the actuation force of the Carrot switch is known and considered light, the actuation force of the Piano switch remains unknown. However, the bottom out force of the Piano switch is noticeably heavier compared to the Carrot. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on personal preference and the desired typing experience - lighter for longevity or heavier for a more substantial feel.

Travel distance

The travel distance of a switch is an important factor to consider when choosing a keyboard switch. In the case of the Aflion Carrot tactile switch and the Durock Piano linear switch, both have a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key equipped with either of these switches, you will have a similar tactile response and feel a consistent 4 mm of travel. Therefore, in terms of travel distance, both switches offer the same result and you can expect a similar typing experience from both of them.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Aflion Carrot tactile switch is known for its mid-pitched and firm sound profile, described as clacky, marbly, and high-pitched. The sound produced by these switches is sharp, snappy, crisp, bright, and percussive. On the other hand, the Durock Piano linear switch offers a deep and creamy sound signature, characterized as bassy. The sound of the Piano switches is rich and has a lower frequency range. It is important to note that the sound of switches can be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.

When it comes to feel, the Aflion Carrot tactile switch provides a uniquely bouncy tactile experience. These switches offer a spring-like or elastic feedback sensation, giving the keys a lively feel and rebound when pressed. They are also described as snappy, thanks to longer or dual-staged springs that enhance the typing experience. Additionally, Carrot switches are stepped, meaning they have two stages of tactile feedback, providing a more mild experience compared to hypertactile switches. Carrot switches are also feathery, requiring little exertion from the fingers and reducing finger fatigue. Lastly, they can be described as subtle, with gentle resistance and a light typing feel, making them suitable for shared spaces.

On the other hand, the Durock Piano linear switch is known for its frictionless and silky feel. These switches offer an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience, minimizing any sense of resistance or friction when pressing the keys. They provide a fluid travel and enhance the overall smoothness of the typing feel.

In conclusion, the Aflion Carrot tactile switch and Durock Piano linear switch offer different subjective qualities. The Carrot switch provides a bouncy and snappy tactile experience with a mid-pitched and firm sound profile. On the other hand, the Piano switch offers a frictionless and silky smooth typing feel with a deep and creamy sound signature. It's important to consider personal preferences when selecting between the two, as some individuals may prefer the unique bouncy feel and sound of the Carrot switches, while others may prefer the smoothness and depth of the Piano switches. However, it's worth noting that both switches offer unique qualities that would enhance the typing experience, allowing users to achieve their desired results.

Conclusion

To sum up, if you are looking for a fun and bouncy tactile experience, along with a mid-pitched and firm sound profile, the Aflion Carrot tactile switch would be a great choice for you. The Carrot switch has a bottom out force of 45 grams, which is light and provides a feathery feel, reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. It also has a clacky and marbly sound profile, adding a crisp and bright sound to your typing.

On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth and effortless typing experience with a deep and creamy sound signature, the Durock Piano linear switch would be the better option. With a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, the Piano switch offers a medium-heavy feel which some users may find more satisfying. It is described as frictionless and silky, providing a gliding push feel and minimizing any sense of resistance or friction when pressing the keys.

Ultimately, the choice between the Aflion Carrot tactile switch and the Durock Piano linear switch depends on your personal preferences. If you enjoy a bouncy tactile experience and a lighter sound profile, the Carrot switch is an excellent choice. However, if you prefer a smooth linear feel and a deeper sound, the Piano switch would be more suitable. Consider your typing style, sound preferences, and desired typing experience when making your decision.

Mentioned in this article

Aflion Carrot Tactile

$4.60

$3.57 per 10

Learn more

Durock Piano Linear

$6.70

$5.57 per 10

Learn more