Aflion Carrot vs. HMX Swift
An in-depth look at the Aflion Carrot and the HMX Swift switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options stand out: the Aflion Carrot and the HMX Swift. The Carrot is a tactile switch renowned for its bouncy two-stage spring that provides users with a unique tactile experience. Its firm sound profile adds to the overall typing experience, making it a popular choice for those who enjoy a bit of feedback while typing. On the other hand, the Swift is a linear switch that offers a deeper sound profile thanks to its full nylon housings. The silky smoothness of the Swift switch, combined with its delicate 42g actuation force, provides a different typing experience, perfect for those who prefer a smoother keypress. While both switches have their unique characteristics and benefits, it ultimately comes down to personal preference. 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
42g
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.90 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Ly
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 spring
Housing materials
The Aflion Carrot and the HMX Swift both use nylon for their bottom housing, which results in a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. This is because nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound than harder plastics, creating a duller and rounder sound. However, the Carrot uses a polycarbonate top housing, which produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its stiffness. In contrast, the Swift utilizes a nylon top housing, which also contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile like its bottom housing. This difference in top housing material could lead to a slightly varied typing experience between the two switches.
While both the Carrot and the Swift share the use of nylon for their bottom housing, their top housing materials set them apart in terms of sound profile. The polycarbonate top housing of the Carrot creates a more resonant and clear sound compared to the nylon top housing of the Swift. The translucency of polycarbonate also makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting, providing an added aesthetic appeal. On the other hand, the nylon top housing of the Swift absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound profile. These differences in top housing materials showcase how variations in housing materials can impact the overall sound and feel of a switch.
In summary, while both the Aflion Carrot and the HMX Swift use nylon for their bottom housing, their top housing materials differ significantly. The polycarbonate top housing of the Carrot creates a sharper and crisper sound profile, while the nylon top housing of the Swift produces a deeper and fuller sound. This difference in top housing material influences the overall typing experience of the switches, with the Carrot providing a more resonant and clear sound compared to the Swift's duller and rounder sound. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for sound profile and typing feel.
Weight
When comparing the Aflion Carrot tactile switch and the HMX Swift linear switch, it is evident that the Carrot has a lighter actuation force and bottom out force compared to the Swift. The Carrot has an actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, while the Swift has an actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams. The Carrot offers a lighter typing experience, which may be preferred for longer typing sessions or gaming, while the Swift provides a slightly heavier push feel for those looking for a more substantial typing experience. Both switches fall on the lighter end of the force spectrum, making them suitable for those who prefer a more effortless keystroke. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Aflion Carrot tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, which is slightly longer than the 3.9 mm travel distance of the HMX Swift linear switch. Despite this small difference, both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances for mechanical keyboards. Gamers may prefer the shorter travel distance of the Swift for quicker response times, while those who prefer a more substantial keypress experience may opt for the slightly longer travel distance of the Carrot. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for keypress depth and responsiveness.
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 Swift has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Swift 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
In terms of sound, the Aflion Carrot tactile switch is known for its clacky and marbly sound profile, offering a sharp and resonant sound when pressed. On the other hand, the HMX Swift linear switch is also described as clacky, providing a crisp and percussive sound experience. Both switches seem to offer a similar sound profile with their sharp and bright characteristics.
Moving on to the feel, the Aflion Carrot switch is praised for its bouncy and snappy tactile feedback, giving users a lively and responsive typing experience. In contrast, the HMX Swift switch is known for being easy-to-press and feathery, requiring minimal force to activate and reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. While the Carrot switch offers a more bouncy and dynamic typing feel, the Swift switch focuses more on ease of pressing and light actuation force.
In conclusion, both the Aflion Carrot tactile switch and the HMX Swift linear switch offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Carrot switch provides a bouncy and tactile typing experience with a mid-pitched sound profile, while the Swift switch delivers a smooth and easy-to-press feel with a deeper sound profile. Depending on personal preferences for typing experience and sound, either switch could be a great choice for newcomers looking to explore different mechanical keyboard switches. Ultimately, both switches seem to offer quality performance in their respective categories, ensuring a satisfying typing experience for users.
Conclusion
Ultimately, when considering whether to choose the Aflion Carrot tactile switch or the HMX Swift linear switch, it all comes down to your personal preferences. If you value a bouncy and tactile typing experience with a firm sound profile, then the Carrot switch with its 45g bottom out force may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a smoother and quieter typing experience with a silky smooth feel and a 50g bottom out force, then the HMX Swift switch may be more to your liking. Consider the sound and feel descriptions of each switch to determine which aligns more with your typing style and preferences. Both switches offer unique characteristics that can enhance your overall typing experience, so choose the one that best suits your needs.
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