Aflion Foggy Shadow vs. KTT Mint
An in-depth look at the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the KTT Mint switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Aflion Foggy Shadow and the KTT Mint are two distinct mechanical keyboard switches that cater to different preferences. The Foggy Shadow, a tactile switch from Aflion, boasts a light tactile bump with a 63.5g bottom-out force, striking a balance between responsiveness and comfort. On the other hand, the KTT Mint is a linear switch known for its smooth typing experience and poppy thockiness due to its long pole stem design. While the Foggy Shadow offers a light tactile feedback, the Mint provides a more consistent typing feel. 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
N/A
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
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 double-stage spring
Spring
15mm spring
Housing materials
Both the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the KTT Mint utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Polycarbonate's stiffness contributes to a clear and resonant sound, making it a popular choice for switches with RGB lighting. However, while both switches share this common feature, they may differ in their bottom housing material. The Foggy Shadow employs a nylon bottom housing, providing a deeper and fuller sound profile due to nylon's softer nature and sound-absorbing properties. On the other hand, the Mint also features a nylon bottom housing, delivering a similar typing experience with a dulled and rounder sound.
In terms of design and aesthetics, both the Foggy Shadow and the Mint benefit from polycarbonate top housings that enhance the appearance of the switches, especially when paired with RGB lighting. The use of clear housing material allows for a visually appealing and translucent look that adds to the overall appeal of the switches. While the top housing material may be the same for both switches, the choice of nylon for the bottom housing sets them apart in terms of sound profile. The split between the qualities of the top and bottom housing materials impacts the typing experience, with the bottom housing influencing the bottom-out sound and feel while the top housing affects the sound upon key release.
Overall, the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the KTT Mint offer similar sound profiles and aesthetics with their polycarbonate top housings. Both switches provide a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound experience that is enhanced by the use of polycarbonate material. However, the difference in bottom housing material, with both switches utilizing nylon, may result in subtle variations in sound quality. Despite this slight difference, both switches are designed to deliver a satisfying typing experience with a unique blend of materials that cater to the preferences of mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Weight
The Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch and the KTT Mint linear switch have different actuation and bottom out forces. The Foggy Shadow has an actuation force of None grams, making it unclear how much force is needed to trigger a keystroke, while the Mint requires 45 grams to actuate. When it comes to bottoming out, the Foggy Shadow requires 63.5 grams, which can be considered medium-heavy, whereas the Mint only needs 53 grams, falling into the medium-light category. In terms of weight, the Mint is lighter overall, which may be preferable for extended typing sessions or gaming. The Foggy Shadow, on the other hand, offers a heavier typing experience, which some users may find more satisfying. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will come down to personal preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, making it shorter than the KTT Mint linear switch, which has a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that the KTT Mint switch has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Foggy Shadow switch. The shorter travel distance of the Foggy Shadow switch may appeal to gamers looking for faster response times, while the longer travel distance of the Mint switch may provide a more substantial feeling when typing or gaming. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Aflion Foggy Shadow has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Foggy Shadow for $3.91.
The KTT Mint comes in at $2.91 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
When it comes to sound, both the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the KTT Mint switches are described as low-pitched and neutral. This means that they offer a bass-heavy and mellow tone and have a moderate actuation force requirement, making them suitable for a variety of users and purposes. Keep in mind that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by the keyboard and keycaps used.
Moving on to feel, the Foggy Shadow switch does not have any specific descriptors provided, while the KTT Mint switch is known for its mild and polished characteristics. The mild feel of the Mint switch offers a gentle typing experience that should be approachable to most users, along with a polished finish that provides smooth key travel and reduced friction.
In conclusion, both the Aflion Foggy Shadow and KTT Mint switches offer low-pitched sound profiles, making them ideal for those who prefer a more bass-heavy tone. While the Foggy Shadow's feel is not explicitly described, the Mint switch's mild and polished qualities ensure a comfortable typing experience with smooth key travel. Ultimately, choosing between these switches may come down to personal preference in terms of sound and feel, but both are sure to provide a satisfying typing experience.
Conclusion
In summary, when considering whether to choose the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch or the KTT Mint linear switch, you should take into account your preference for tactile feedback and bottom out force. If you enjoy a light tactile bump with a medium-heavy bottom out force, the Foggy Shadow may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth linear switch with a lighter bottom out force, the Mint could be a better fit. Additionally, consider the sound and feel characteristics of each switch to ensure they align with your typing style and preferences. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches comes down to personal preference and the typing experience you are looking for.
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