Aflion Foggy Shadow vs. Outemu Milk Blue
An in-depth look at the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the Outemu Milk Blue switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the Outemu Milk Blue offer unique features catering to different preferences. The Foggy Shadow by Aflion is a tactile switch renowned for its light tactile bump and a 63.5g bottom-out force, providing a balanced performance with a medium weight feel. On the other hand, the Outemu Milk Blue is a clicky switch that may suit those who prefer a more audible typing experience. While the Foggy Shadow is categorized as 'Low-pitched' and 'Neutral', the Milk Blue does not fall under any specific category. Each switch has its own appeal and advantages, but diving deeper into their specifics will help you make the best decision based on your individual preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
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 double-stage spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
Both the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the Outemu Milk Blue feature polycarbonate top housings, which create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The stiffness of polycarbonate contributes to a clear and resonant sound. Aesthetically, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting. The similarity in top housing material ensures that users will experience a consistent sound profile across both switches.
On the other hand, the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the Outemu Milk Blue differ in their bottom housing material. The Foggy Shadow utilizes a nylon bottom housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile due to nylon's softer plastic nature that absorbs more sound. Conversely, the Milk Blue also features a nylon bottom housing, providing a similar typing experience with a deep and round sound profile. The use of nylon in the bottom housing ensures that both switches deliver a satisfying typing experience, albeit with slight variations in sound quality.
Overall, the combination of polycarbonate top housings and nylon bottom housings in the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the Outemu Milk Blue offer users a balanced typing experience. The qualities of each housing material complement each other, with the top housing influencing the sound upon key release and the bottom housing affecting the bottom-out sound and feel. Despite the differences in bottom housing material, both switches provide a pleasant typing experience with distinct but equally desirable sound profiles.
Weight
The Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch and the Outemu Milk Blue clicky switch have different actuation and bottom out forces. The Foggy Shadow has a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, while the Milk Blue has an actuation force of 50 grams. This makes the Foggy Shadow the heavier switch when comparing bottom out forces, and the Milk Blue the lighter switch in terms of actuation force. However, since one force is unknown for each switch, it is challenging to determine which one is overall lighter or heavier. In terms of preference, those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Milk Blue, while those who prefer a more substantial typing feel may opt for the Foggy Shadow. Regardless, both switches offer a different typing experience due to their varying actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
In comparing the travel distance of the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch and the Outemu Milk Blue clicky switch, it is clear that the Foggy Shadow has a shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Milk Blue has a longer travel distance of 4 mm. The Foggy Shadow's shorter travel distance may appeal to those looking for faster response times, such as gamers, while the Milk Blue's longer travel distance may provide a more satisfying key press for those who prefer a deeper feel. Both switches offer unique advantages based on their travel distances, with the shorter distance of the Foggy Shadow catering to a different preference than the longer distance of the Milk Blue. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preference for key press depth and responsiveness.
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 Outemu Milk Blue comes in at $3.10 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
The Aflion Foggy Shadow and the Outemu Milk Blue switches offer different subjective qualities when it comes to sound. The Foggy Shadow has a low-pitched sound profile, providing a bass-heavy and mellow tone, while also being described as neutral, making it suitable for a wide range of uses. On the other hand, information regarding the sound of the Milk Blue switch is not available. When it comes to feel, details are not provided for either switch. However, based on the known information, it can be inferred that the Foggy Shadow offers a light tactile bump with a medium weight bottom-out force, highlighting a balanced performance approach from Aflion. In conclusion, while the sound profile of the Foggy Shadow is known to be low-pitched and neutral, the feel characteristics of both switches remain unknown. Depending on personal preference and usage scenarios, users can expect different experiences between the two switches, with the Foggy Shadow offering a potentially more balanced and versatile option compared to the Milk Blue.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch and the Outemu Milk Blue clicky switch, consider the following factors. If you are looking for a medium-heavy switch with a light tactile bump and balanced performance, the Foggy Shadow may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a clicky switch with no specified bottom out force and are not concerned about tactile feedback, the Milk Blue could be a suitable option. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your preference for typing experience, sound profile, and desired level of feedback. Choose wisely to ensure an optimal typing experience with your mechanical keyboard.
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