Bsun Hutt vs. Aflion Windy Shadow
An in-depth look at the Bsun Hutt and the Aflion Windy Shadow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options that stand out are the Bsun Hutt, a tactile switch, and the Aflion Windy Shadow, a linear switch. The Hutt switch is renowned for its medium-heavy spring and pronounced tactile bump, resulting in a satisfying typing experience with a balanced sound profile. On the other hand, the Windy Shadow by Aflion offers a neutral sound profile and a distinctive bounce from its extended spring, delivering a comfortable medium-light typing feel at a 55g bottom-out. While the Hutt switch is described as snappy, invigorating, sharp, accented, resonant, the Windy Shadow is characterized as low-pitched, mild, neutral. Each switch has its own unique features and benefits, making them suitable for different preferences and typing styles. However, let's explore beyond generalities so you can make the best decision on the switch that suits your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
40g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
49g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POK
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
20.5mm single-staged spring
Spring
19.7mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The Bsun Hutt and the Aflion Windy Shadow both utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, which results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the relatively stiffer nature of polycarbonate, allowing for a more clear and resonant sound output. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches intended for use with RGB lighting. In terms of aesthetics and sound quality, both switches benefit from the use of polycarbonate in their top housing.
On the other hand, the Bsun Hutt and the Aflion Windy Shadow differ in their choice of bottom housing material, with the Hutt utilizing nylon and the Windy Shadow also opting for nylon. Nylon is a classic switch housing material known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. This is because nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound than harder plastics, leading to a duller and rounder sound output. Despite both switches featuring nylon bottom housings, the impact of this material on the overall sound and feel of the switch cannot be overlooked.
Overall, the differences in housing materials between the Bsun Hutt and the Aflion Windy Shadow contribute to their unique sound profiles and typing experiences. While both switches share the use of polycarbonate for their top housing, the choice of nylon for the bottom housing sets them apart in terms of sound depth and texture. The split between the qualities of the top and bottom housings influences the overall typing feel and sound output of each switch, showcasing the importance of housing materials in the design and performance of mechanical keyboards.
Weight
The Bsun Hutt tactile switch has a lighter actuation force of 40 grams and a bottom out force of 49 grams, making it a good option for those who prefer a lighter touch for longer typing sessions or gaming. In contrast, the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch has a medium-light bottom out force of 55 grams, with the actuation force being unspecified. This makes the Windy Shadow a slightly heavier option compared to the Hutt. Those who prefer a more substantial typing experience may appreciate the slightly heavier bottom out force of the Windy Shadow. Overall, the Hutt is lighter in both actuation and bottom out force, while the Windy Shadow provides a slightly heavier typing experience.
Travel distance
The Bsun Hutt tactile switch and the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch both have a travel distance of 3.5mm, making them equal in this aspect. This means that users can expect a similar tactile experience when pressing down on keys using either of these switches. The travel distance plays a crucial role in determining the typing feel and responsiveness of a keyboard, and with both switches having the same travel distance, users can expect consistent results in terms of keypress feedback and actuation. Overall, the Bsun Hutt and Aflion Windy Shadow switches offer a similar typing experience due to their equal travel distance, making them both reliable choices for keyboard enthusiasts.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Bsun Hutt has an MSRP of $6.20 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Hutt for $5.39.
The Aflion Windy 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 Windy Shadow for $3.91.
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 Bsun Hutt tactile switch is known for its resonant and sharp sound profile, providing an immersive auditory experience that is clean and distinct. On the other hand, the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch offers a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, delivering a more bass-heavy and mellow tone suitable for various typing environments. While the Hutt switch leans towards a higher-pitched sound, the Windy Shadow switch provides a more balanced and moderate sound experience. The choice between the two would ultimately depend on personal preference and the overall sound profile desired for the typing experience.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Bsun Hutt tactile switch is characterized by its snappy, invigorating, sharp, and accented tactile feedback, offering a lively and pronounced typing sensation with a distinct tactile bump. In contrast, the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch provides a mild typing experience, with a gentle and approachable feel that falls within a safe middle-ground zone of tactility. While the Hutt switch is known for its more intense tactile feedback, the Windy Shadow switch offers a smoother and softer typing experience that may appeal to those who prefer a gentler touch. Ultimately, the decision between the two would depend on the individual's preference for tactile feedback and typing style.
Taking into consideration the information provided, the Bsun Hutt tactile switch and the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Hutt switch provides a resonant and sharp sound profile paired with a snappy and invigorating tactile feel, while the Windy Shadow switch offers a low-pitched, neutral sound profile with a mild and gentle typing experience. Depending on whether the user prefers a more intense tactile bump and resonant sound or a smoother and softer typing feel, they can choose the switch that best suits their preferences. However, both switches promise an enjoyable and distinctive typing experience, catering to different preferences within the mechanical keyboard community.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering whether to choose the Bsun Hutt tactile switch or the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch, it is important to take into account your preferences for typing experience. If you prefer a lighter bottom-out force and a distinctive tactile bump with a balanced sound profile, the Hutt switch would be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-light bottom-out force with a neutral sound profile and a gentle typing experience, the Windy Shadow switch would be more suitable. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal typing style and the kind of sound and feel you prefer in your mechanical keyboard switches.
Mentioned in this article
