Aflion Foggy Shadow vs. Outemu Silent White
An in-depth look at the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the Outemu Silent White switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the Outemu Silent White offer distinct experiences for users to consider. The Aflion Foggy Shadow, a tactile switch, is praised for its light tactile bump and 63.5g bottom-out force, providing a perfect balance of feedback and actuation force. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent White, a linear switch, lacks a noticeable tactile bump and offers a smooth keystroke experience. While the Foggy Shadow may appeal to those looking for a tactile typing experience, the Silent White might be preferred by users who prioritize a quieter and smoother typing experience. 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
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.30 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
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
20mm double-stage spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Aflion Foggy Shadow and the Outemu Silent White both feature polycarbonate top housings, which create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to the stiffness of the material. This results in a more clear and resonant sound when typing on switches with polycarbonate housings. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches designed to be used with RGB lighting. Both switches provide a similar sound profile and aesthetic appeal due to their polycarbonate top housings.
However, the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the Outemu Silent White differ in their bottom housing materials. The Foggy Shadow utilizes a nylon bottom housing, which creates a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the Silent White also features a nylon bottom housing, offering a similar typing experience with a deep and full sound profile. Despite the difference in bottom housing materials, both switches provide a satisfying typing experience with their nylon components.
Overall, the differences in housing materials between the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the Outemu Silent White affect the sound profile and feel of the switches in various ways. While their polycarbonate top housings result in a similar sharp and crisp sound, the nylon bottom housings provide a deeper and fuller sound to enhance the typing experience. The split qualities between the top and bottom housings allow for a balance between impact and release sound when typing on these switches. Whether you prefer a sharper sound with polycarbonate or a fuller sound with nylon, both switches offer a unique typing experience based on their housing materials.
Weight
The Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch and the Outemu Silent White linear switch both have different actuation forces and bottom out forces, with the Silent White being the lighter of the two. The Foggy Shadow has an actuation force of None grams, making it unclear, while the Silent White has an actuation force of 45 grams. When it comes to bottom out force, the Foggy Shadow requires 63.5 grams, which is slightly heavier than the Silent White's 60 grams. This means that the Foggy Shadow provides a more substantial typing experience due to its heavier bottom out force, while the Silent White offers a lighter touch for longer typing or gaming sessions. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, slightly longer than the Outemu Silent White linear switch with a travel distance of 3.3 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are currently popular among gamers for increased responsiveness. The Foggy Shadow provides a slightly deeper press compared to the Silent White, offering a more substantial feel when typing. However, the difference in travel distance is minimal, and both switches would provide similar results in terms of speed and feedback. Ultimately, the choice between the two would depend on personal preference for a slightly firmer keypress with the Foggy Shadow or a slightly lighter touch with the Silent White.
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 Silent White 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
When it comes to sound, the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch provides a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, offering a mellow tone that is suitable for various settings. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent White linear switch does not have any specific sound characteristics mentioned. Both switches may provide a similar sound experience depending on the user's setup, such as the keyboard case and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, there is no specific information provided about the tactile feel of the Foggy Shadow or the linear feel of the Silent White switch. Without this information, it is challenging to make a direct comparison between the two switches. However, both switches are likely to offer a distinct tactile or linear feel characteristic to their design.
Overall, the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch and the Outemu Silent White linear switch each offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences and typing styles. The Foggy Shadow stands out for its light tactile bump and medium weight, while the Silent White switch is known for its silence. It is important for newcomers to consider their priorities in terms of sound, feel, and performance when choosing between these two switches, as both can provide a satisfying typing experience depending on individual preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a tactile switch with a light tactile bump and medium weight bottom-out force, the Aflion Foggy Shadow would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a linear switch with a slightly lighter bottom-out force, the Outemu Silent White would be more suitable. Both switches offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel, so it ultimately depends on your personal preferences and typing style. Consider your typing habits and needs before making a decision between the Foggy Shadow and the Silent White. Choose the switch that aligns best with your preferences for a satisfying typing experience.
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