Aflion Carrot vs. Outemu Yellow Silver
An in-depth look at the Aflion Carrot and the Outemu Yellow Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options are the Aflion Carrot and the Outemu Yellow Silver. The Carrot is best known for its unique tactile experience. With a long, two-stage spring, this switch offers a bouncy feeling that adds a touch of fun to your typing. Additionally, it provides a mid-pitched and firm sound profile, creating a satisfying auditory experience. On the other hand, the Yellow Silver from Outemu is renowned for its consistent quality. With a light actuation force and a neutral sound profile, it is a favorite among gamers and typists who value speed and responsiveness. When considering which switch to choose, it is important to dive deeper beyond these generalities and explore the specific characteristics that suit your preferences and 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
1.30 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
20mm two-stage spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Aflion Carrot and the Outemu Yellow Silver both utilize polycarbonate as the material for their top housings. This commonality means that they will both provide a sharp, high-pitched, and crisp sound profile. The stiffness of polycarbonate lends itself to a clear and resonant sound, making it a favorable choice for switches that aim for enhanced sound quality. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate allows for the use of RGB lighting, further enhancing the aesthetic appeal of these switches.
Moving on to the bottom housings, both the Carrot and the Yellow Silver employ nylon as their chosen material. This decision is based on the fact that nylon possesses the ability to absorb sound more effectively than harder plastics, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. The relatively softer nature of nylon contributes to a duller and rounder sound, giving a sense of depth and richness to each keystroke. The choice of nylon showcases a classic and time-tested approach to switch housing material.
It is important to note that although the top and bottom housings differ between the Carrot and the Yellow Silver, their qualities are not exclusive to one another. When pressing down on either of these switches, the impact of the bottom housing will play a significant role in determining the bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, the top housing's influence will be more prevalent when releasing the key, affecting the sound produced. Despite these differences, the overall sound profile and qualities of both switches will be comparable due to their use of polycarbonate and nylon respectively.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Aflion Carrot tactile switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch, it becomes clear that there are some notable differences between the two. The Carrot, with its actuation force of 37 grams and bottom out force of 45 grams, is relatively light in terms of the force required to trigger a keystroke and press all the way down. On the other hand, the Yellow Silver has a slightly higher actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams, making it a bit heavier compared to the Carrot.
For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Carrot switch would be a suitable choice as its lighter actuation and bottom out forces enable users to type for longer periods without fatigue. This makes it ideal for individuals who have long work sessions or spend extended periods gaming on their keyboards.
However, for those seeking a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel, the Yellow Silver switch would be a better option. With its slightly heavier actuation and bottom out forces, users can expect a more pronounced tactile feedback and a satisfying keystroke feel.
It is worth noting that although the forces of the Carrot and Yellow Silver switches differ, they still fall within the similar range, ensuring that users will have a comparable typing experience. Regardless of the choice between these two switches, users can achieve satisfying results depending on their personal preferences and the level of force they desire in their typing experience.
Travel distance
Both the Aflion Carrot tactile switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch have a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either switch, you will feel an equal distance of 4 mm being traveled from the top to the bottom. Therefore, the travel distance for both switches is the same, ensuring similar results in terms of key press feedback and user experience.
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 Outemu Yellow Silver comes in at $3.40 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
In terms of sound, the Aflion Carrot tactile switch is best known for its unique combination of a clacky, marbly, and high-pitched sound profile. When pressed, these switches produce a sharp and snappy sound that can be described as crisp, bright, and percussive. This makes them suitable for users who enjoy a more distinct and lively auditory experience. On the other hand, the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch is described as having a neutral sound profile. This means that it has a moderate sound without any specific characteristics. While the exact sound produced by the Yellow Silver switch is unknown, it is likely to be more subdued compared to the Carrot switch. Keep in mind that the sound of a switch is also influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
Moving on to feel, the Aflion Carrot tactile switch offers a bouncy, snappy, stepped, feathery, and subtle typing experience. The long, two-stage spring in these switches provides a unique and spring-like feedback sensation, giving the keys a lively and rebounding feel when pressed. This switch is also exceptionally light to press, requiring little exertion from the fingers, which reduces finger fatigue and makes it comfortable for extended typing sessions. Additionally, its subtle resistance and gentle typing feel make it suitable for shared spaces. Conversely, the feel of the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch is not described. However, based on the information provided, it is likely to offer a smooth and linear typing experience with no tactile feedback.
In conclusion, the Aflion Carrot tactile switch stands out for its distinctive sound and feel qualities. It offers a bouncy and lively typing experience with a unique combination of a clacky, marbly, and high-pitched sound profile. On the other hand, the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch is not specifically described in terms of sound or feel, but it is known to have a neutral sound profile and a light actuation force. Although the specific sound and feel characteristics of the Yellow Silver switch are not provided, it is expected to provide a smooth and responsive typing experience favored by gamers and typists who prefer speediness. Overall, while the Carrot and Yellow Silver switches differ in their subjective qualities, both can offer satisfactory results for users seeking tactile or linear options respectively.
Conclusion
In closing, if you are looking for a fun and unique tactile experience with a light bottom out force, the Aflion Carrot switch would be a great choice for you. Its bouncy and snappy feel, along with a mid-pitched and firm sound profile, offers a lively and satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, if you prioritize speediness and responsiveness, the Outemu Yellow Silver switch is worth considering. With its light actuation force and neutral sound profile, this switch is favorable for gamers and typists who prefer a fast and precise typing experience. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches depends on your personal preferences and typing style.