Aflion Foggy Shadow vs. Jwick Splash Brothers
An in-depth look at the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the Jwick Splash Brothers switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Introducing two unique mechanical keyboard switches, the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the Jwick Splash Brothers. The Foggy Shadow, a tactile switch from Aflion, boasts a light tactile bump and a medium weight of 63.5g, showcasing Aflion's dedication to balanced performance. On the other hand, the Splash Brothers, a linear switch from Jwick, offers a shorter activation and a distinctive typing feel with a creamy sound signature. While both switches have their own strengths, such as the Foggy Shadow's low-pitched and neutral characteristics and the Splash Brothers' neutral, mild, snappy, bouncy, subtle, and polished features, the decision ultimately comes down to personal preference. 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.50 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
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
20mm double-stage spring
Spring
Extended long spring
Housing materials
The Aflion Foggy Shadow and the Jwick Splash Brothers both feature polycarbonate top housings, which result in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, which creates a clear and resonant sound when typing on the switches. Aesthetically, the translucency of polycarbonate is beneficial for RGB lighting effects. However, the differences between the two switches lie in their nylon bottom housings. The Foggy Shadow's nylon bottom housing provides a deeper and fuller sound profile, while the Splash Brothers's nylon bottom housing absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound.
While both the Foggy Shadow and the Splash Brothers utilize polycarbonate top housings for a similar sound profile, the choice of nylon for the bottom housing sets them apart in terms of sound characteristics. The split qualities of the bottom and top housings impact the overall typing experience differently for each switch. When pressing down on the switches, the qualities of the nylon bottom housing play a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel. On the other hand, the top housing's polycarbonate material influences the sound when releasing a key. This distinction showcases how the materials used in different parts of the switch housing can affect the overall typing experience and sound profile.
In summary, the Aflion Foggy Shadow and Jwick Splash Brothers offer similar benefits with their polycarbonate top housings creating a sharp, higher-pitched sound profile ideal for RGB lighting. However, the nylon bottom housings provide a contrast in sound characteristics, with the Foggy Shadow offering a deeper and fuller sound compared to the Splash Brothers's duller and rounder sound. The split qualities of the top and bottom housings demonstrate how each material contributes differently to the overall typing experience, showcasing the importance of housing materials in determining sound profiles and tactile feedback.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch and the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch, it is evident that they have different force requirements. The Foggy Shadow has a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, making it medium-heavy, while the Splash Brothers has a bottom out force of 48 grams, making it lighter. Since their actuation forces are both unknown, we can assume they are similar. The weight of a switch is crucial as it impacts typing comfort and endurance. Some may prefer the lighter feel of the Splash Brothers for extended typing or gaming sessions, while others may opt for the heavier Foggy Shadow for a more robust typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference regarding actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch and the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch both have a travel distance of 3.5 mm, making them equal in this aspect. This means that when you press down on a key equipped with either of these switches, you will experience the same amount of travel distance. Both switches offer a comfortable and consistent typing experience due to their identical travel distances. However, despite having the same travel distance, the design and feel of the switches may differ based on their respective tactile and linear characteristics. Overall, users can expect a consistent typing experience from both switches due to their equal travel distances.
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 Jwick Splash Brothers comes in at $2.49 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 Foggy Shadow offers a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, with a more bass-heavy and mellow tone that is suitable for most purposes. On the other hand, the Jwick Splash Brothers also falls under the category of a neutral sound profile, offering a creamy and moderate sound signature. Both switches provide a pleasant and versatile sound experience, making them suitable for different environments and preferences depending on other factors like the keyboard and keycaps used.
Moving on to feel, unfortunately, there is no specific information available for the Aflion Foggy Shadow switch. On the contrary, the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch is described as mild, snappy, bouncy, subtle, and polished. This indicates that the Splash Brothers provide a gentle and responsive typing experience with a lively feel and smooth key travel. These qualities make the Splash Brothers a comfortable and enjoyable switch to type on, catering to a wide range of users due to its balanced characteristics.
In conclusion, while both the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch and the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel, they both strive to provide an enjoyable typing experience. The Foggy Shadow leans towards a low-pitched sound with a light tactile bump and a medium-weight feel, showcasing Aflion's commitment to balanced performance. Meanwhile, the Splash Brothers excels in providing a snappy and bouncy typing experience with a creamy sound signature and versatile feel. Ultimately, choosing between these switches will depend on individual preferences and the specific typing experience one is seeking.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch and the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch, it ultimately depends on your preferences and typing style. If you prefer a medium-heavy switch with a light tactile bump and a low-pitched sound profile, the Foggy Shadow may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter switch with a creamy sound signature and a mild, snappy, bouncy, subtle, and polished typing feel, the Splash Brothers could be more suited to your liking. Consider your bottom-out force preference, sound preference, and typing feel preference before making your decision. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different needs and preferences in the mechanical keyboard community.
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