Aflion Foggy Shadow vs. TTC Silent Red
An in-depth look at the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the TTC Silent Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the TTC Silent Red offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Foggy Shadow by Aflion stands out for its light tactile bump and medium weight, appealing to those who enjoy a balanced typing experience. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Red is praised for its smooth and silent typing experience, ideal for office or shared living spaces where noise is a concern. 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
63.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.70 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
The Aflion Foggy Shadow and the TTC Silent Red both utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The translucency of polycarbonate allows for RGB lighting to shine through, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of both switches. However, the difference lies in their bottom housing material. The Foggy Shadow features a nylon bottom housing, which creates a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature that absorbs more sound. In comparison, the Silent Red also utilizes a nylon bottom housing, providing a similar typing experience with a rounder sound profile.
While both switches share the same top housing material, the Aflion Foggy Shadow's nylon bottom housing creates a distinct typing experience compared to the TTC Silent Red. The softer nature of nylon in the bottom housing of the Foggy Shadow absorbs more sound, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. Conversely, the Silent Red also benefits from a nylon bottom housing, offering a similar typing experience with a duller and rounder sound. This difference highlights how the choice of bottom housing material can impact the overall sound and feel of a mechanical switch.
In conclusion, the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the TTC Silent Red showcase the importance of housing materials in determining the sound profile of mechanical switches. While both switches utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, the distinction lies in their bottom housing material. The Foggy Shadow's nylon bottom housing creates a deeper and fuller sound, while the Silent Red's nylon bottom housing offers a rounder sound profile. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on the desired typing experience, with the bottom housing playing a significant role in shaping the overall sound and feel.
Weight
In comparing the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch and the TTC Silent Red linear switch, we can see that the actuation force and bottom out force play a significant role in their performance. The Foggy Shadow has a bottom-out force of 63.5 grams, while the Silent Red has a lower actuation force of 45 grams. This means that the Silent Red requires less force to trigger a keystroke compared to the Foggy Shadow. However, both switches have the same bottom-out force, which means that once you press all the way down, you'll get a similar typing experience in terms of resistance. The lighter actuation force of the Silent Red makes it more suitable for prolonged typing sessions and gaming, while the heavier bottom-out force of the Foggy Shadow provides a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on your personal preference for actuation force and bottom-out force.
Travel distance
Both the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch and the TTC Silent Red linear switch have relatively short travel distances compared to traditional switches. The Aflion Foggy Shadow has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the TTC Silent Red has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.7 mm. Gamers looking for a quicker response time may prefer the shorter travel distance of the Aflion Foggy Shadow, as it allows for faster key presses. On the other hand, those who prefer a more substantial and deliberate key press may opt for the slightly longer travel distance of the TTC Silent Red. Overall, both switches offer a different feel and experience based on their travel distance, catering to individual preferences for typing or gaming.
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 TTC Silent Red has an MSRP of $5.28 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Red for $4.38.
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 Foggy Shadow tactile switch offers a low-pitched sound profile, which provides a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Red linear switch is known for its muted sound profile, producing a softer and quieter sound compared to a regular mechanical switch. Both switches aim to reduce noise, making them suitable for office or shared living spaces. The choice of keyboard and keycaps will also play a role in the overall sound of the switches, so consider these factors when making your decision.
Moving on to feel, the Foggy Shadow does not have any specific descriptors provided, so we can infer that it offers a smooth and consistent typing experience with a light tactile bump. On the other hand, the Silent Red switch is described as buttery, providing a smooth and fluid keystroke experience from top to bottom. Additionally, it offers a mild typing experience with a polished finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. The padded bottom-out feel adds to the overall comfort of typing on these switches.
In conclusion, both the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch and the TTC Silent Red linear switch offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences. While the Foggy Shadow provides a light tactile bump with a low-pitched sound profile, the Silent Red offers a buttery and polished typing experience with a muted sound profile. Consider your preferences for sound, feel, and overall typing experience when choosing between these two switches to ensure you get the desired outcome. However, if you prefer a quiet typing experience with a smooth and consistent feel, both switches can provide similar results in different ways.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch and the TTC Silent Red linear switch, consider the following guidelines. If you prioritize a light tactile bump and a low-pitched sound profile, the Foggy Shadow may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you value a smooth and seamless typing experience with a muted sound profile, the Silent Red switch could be more suitable. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your preferences for tactile feedback and sound levels. Both switches offer their unique advantages, so choose the one that aligns with your typing preferences and environment.
Mentioned in this article
