Aflion Carrot vs. HMX Silent Sakura - 43g

Overview

When it comes to choosing mechanical keyboard switches, the Aflion Carrot and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g stand out for their distinctive characteristics tailored to different typing preferences. The Aflion Carrot is celebrated for its bouncy tactile feel, characterized by a long, two-stage spring that delivers a mid-pitched, firm sound that many users find exciting during each keystroke. This switch is ideal for those who enjoy a more interactive and responsive typing experience, often appealing to gamers and heavy typists who appreciate audible feedback. In contrast, the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g offers a serene, whisper-quiet typing experience, focusing on comfort and noise reduction. With an ultra-light 43g bottom-out force, it’s perfect for light typists seeking a muted environment that doesn’t compromise performance. While the Carrot switch captures the fun and spirited feel favored by tactile enthusiasts, the Silent Sakura caters to those who prioritize tranquility and ease of use. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for you.

By the numbers

Aflion Carrot Tactile

HMX Silent Sakura - 43g Linear

$4.60

$3.57 per 10

$3.50 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The Aflion Carrot and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g exhibit contrasting characteristics in their choice of housing materials, which significantly affects their overall sound profiles. The Carrot utilizes a polycarbonate top housing that is known for producing a sharper and more resonant sound, thanks to the material's stiffer nature. This stiffness enhances clarity, resulting in a crisper audio output, making it especially suitable for use with RGB lighting due to its translucency. In contrast, the Silent Sakura features a nylon top housing, which yields a deeper, rounder sound profile. The softer plastic of nylon absorbs more sound, leading to a more muted auditory experience when compared to polycarbonate. Thus, the top housing of each switch contributes uniquely to the sound perception, influencing how the user experiences the tactile and acoustic feedback during typing.

When it comes to their bottom housings, the roles of material characteristics are almost reversed. The Carrot's bottom housing is made from nylon, promoting a deeper and fuller sound that further emphasizes the softer qualities of the material. Conversely, the Silent Sakura employs a polycarbonate bottom housing, which sharpens the acoustic output, providing a brighter, more precise auditory response. This contrast in bottom housing materials indicates that when actuating a key, the Carrot's sound will be more muted as a result of the nylon bottom while the Silent Sakura will create a more pronounced and crisp sound. As users bottom out their keys, the bottom housing becomes particularly significant in determining the impact and sonic characteristics of the switches.

Despite the differences in their sound profiles, users can still achieve similar typing experiences with the Aflion Carrot and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g. The combination of the materials ensures that each switch delivers a unique feel and sound, thanks to the interaction between the softer nylon and the stiffer polycarbonate in both switches. Therefore, while the Aflion Carrot produces sharper sounds when keys are released due to its polycarbonate top housing and a deeper sound while bottoming out owing to its nylon bottom housing, the Silent Sakura generates a fulfilling and bright tonal quality throughout the keystroke dynamics. Ultimately, whether one prefers the crispness of polycarbonate or the warmth of nylon, both switches can provide satisfying feedback and a gratifying typing experience.

Weight

The Aflion Carrot tactile switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g linear switch present a comparable actuation force; both require 37 grams to trigger a keystroke, making them similarly light in terms of actuation. However, their bottom out forces differ: the Carrot switch bottoms out at 45 grams, while the Silent Sakura bottoms out at 43 grams. This means that the Carrot switch provides a slightly heavier feel when fully pressed down. Consequently, while both switches allow for prolonged typing or gaming sessions due to their low actuation force, the Carrot switch offers a more substantial resistance at the bottom, which might appeal to those who prefer a firmer typing experience. In summary, the Carrot is the heavier switch when it comes to bottoming out, while both switches have the same actuation force.

Travel distance

Both the Aflion Carrot tactile switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g linear switch share an identical travel distance of 4 mm. This similarity means that users can expect comparable feedback and actuation depth when pressing down on keys equipped with either switch. Since both switches have the same travel distance, typing and gaming experiences would feel quite similar, allowing for ease of transition between the two if desired.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Aflion Carrot tactile switch produces a distinctly bright and clacky sound profile, characterized by a sharp and snappy response that adds an energetic atmosphere to typing. Its mid-pitched tones resonate well for those who enjoy the crisp, percussive qualities of a traditional mechanical keyboard. In contrast, the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g linear switch is designed for a considerably quieter experience, delivering a muted sound that echoes the gentle tapping of raindrops. This makes it ideal for environments where discretion is paramount, as the Silent Sakura minimizes the typical noise associated with mechanical keyboards, allowing for focused typing sessions without disturbing those nearby.

Regarding feel, the Carrot switch offers a unique tactile experience thanks to its long, two-stage spring, which results in a bouncy and snappy sensation that makes each keystroke feel lively and responsive. This design also incorporates a stepped tactile feedback, providing a clear but mild distinction at the actuation point. On the other hand, the Silent Sakura switch is polished and incredibly easy to press, delivering a smooth and light typing experience with a gentle resistance that facilitates effortless keystrokes. Despite being a linear switch, it also retains a subtle feel, making it user-friendly for prolonged use while ensuring a non-disruptive performance.

In summary, the Aflion Carrot switch is best suited for users who appreciate a more expressive, tactile, and auditory experience during typing, while the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g serves those who prioritize a quiet and comfortable typing environment. Though each switch caters to different preferences in both sound and feel, choosing between them will ultimately depend on your personal style and the specific typing experience you are looking to achieve. If balance between tactile feedback and noise level is your goal, you might find that both switches have respective qualities that could meet your needs, allowing you to tailor your keyboard experience to your liking.

Conclusion

To sum up, when choosing between the Aflion Carrot tactile switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g linear switch, your personal typing style and environment will play crucial roles in your decision. If you enjoy a playful and dynamic typing experience with a pronounced tactile feedback, the Carrot switch is an excellent option. Its bouncy and snappy feel, combined with a clacky sound profile, makes it particularly fun for typing enthusiasts and gamers who thrive on an engaging auditory experience. However, if you find yourself in a shared workspace or simply desire a serene typing atmosphere, the Silent Sakura - 43g would be your best bet. With its whisper-quiet operation and smooth key travel, this switch is ideal for light typists who appreciate a subtle and refined touch, allowing you to type comfortably for extended periods without disturbing those around you. Ultimately, consider how you plan to use your keyboard, whether you prioritize tactile feedback and sound or a quiet, smooth typing experience, to guide your choice effectively.

Mentioned in this article

Aflion Carrot Tactile

$4.60

$3.57 per 10

Learn more

HMX Silent Sakura - 43g Linear

$3.50 per 10

Learn more