Aflion Iceberg vs. Outemu Spring Breeze
An in-depth look at the Aflion Iceberg and the Outemu Spring Breeze switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the choice often boils down to personal preference regarding tactile feedback and sound. The Aflion Iceberg, a linear switch, is celebrated for its smooth, snappy feel, enhanced by a two-stage spring that provides a satisfying experience with each keystroke. This makes it an excellent choice for gamers and typists who appreciate a quieter typing experience without any audible click but still desire a responsive action. On the other hand, the Outemu Spring Breeze is a clicky switch that offers a more pronounced tactile bump and an audible click that can be satisfying to those who thrive on auditory feedback. While its characteristics make it ideal for typists who enjoy a traditional typing experience, it may not be suitable for quieter environments. Both switches cater to distinctive preferences, highlighting the balance between smoothness and sound. 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
37g
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.50 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
pom
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
20mm two-stage spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Aflion Iceberg and the Outemu Spring Breeze offer notable contrasts, particularly in their top housing composition. The Iceberg features a polycarbonate top housing, which is known for its ability to produce a sharper and crisper sound profile due to the stiffness of the material. This characteristic makes polycarbonate an excellent choice for users who seek an enhanced auditory experience, especially when paired with RGB lighting, as its translucency allows light to pass through effectively. In comparison, the Spring Breeze comes with a nylon top housing, which is traditionally recognized for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon contributes to sound absorption, creating a sound that's rounder and less pronounced. As such, the two switches cater to different auditory preferences: the Iceberg aims for clarity and brightness, while the Spring Breeze fosters warmth and depth.
Despite the differences in their top housing materials, both switches feature nylon as their bottom housing. This similarity plays a significant role in the overall sound and feel of the switches. The nylon bottom housing in both the Iceberg and Spring Breeze contributes to a muted, softer sound profile, capitalizing on the material's ability to absorb sound. This results in a less harsh bottom-out sound when keys are pressed down, delivering a consistent and lively typing experience across both switches. Therefore, while the top housings diverge in their contributions, the use of nylon in the bottom housing will harmonize the deep and rounded sound quality in both options.
In terms of performance during use, the distinct qualities of the top and bottom housings lead to a nuanced typing experience when switching between the Iceberg and Spring Breeze. Users will notice that while pressing a key on the Iceberg may yield a crisp sound when released, the bottom-out feel will still resonate with the softer characteristics delivered by the nylon bottom housing. Conversely, the Spring Breeze’s typing experience will feel fuller and richer, attributable to its nylon top housing combined with the already soft nature of its bottom housing. Thus, the overlapping use of nylon in the bottom housing links the two models, while their differing top housing materials create a duality that enriches the user's tactile and auditory engagement across both devices.
Weight
When comparing the Aflion Iceberg linear switch to the Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch, notable differences emerge in both actuation and bottom out forces. The Iceberg boasts a lighter actuation force of 37 grams, whereas the Spring Breeze requires a slightly heavier actuation force of 40 grams, making the Iceberg more suitable for users who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing sessions. In terms of bottom out force, the Iceberg's 45 grams is also less than the Spring Breeze's 55 grams, reinforcing the Iceberg's overall lighter feel. This means that those who prioritize a softer key press and overall lighter keyboard feel should lean towards the Aflion Iceberg, while those who favor a more substantial key feel with a stronger push will likely prefer the Outemu Spring Breeze. Ultimately, if you're looking for a lighter option for long-term comfort, the Iceberg clearly stands out, whereas the Spring Breeze caters to users seeking a more resistant typing experience.
Travel distance
The Aflion Iceberg linear switch and the Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch both have a travel distance of 4 mm, indicating that they require the same amount of distance to be pressed from the top to the bottom. As a result, users can expect similar tactile feedback and responsiveness from both switches, which can enhance the typing experience. Since their travel distances are equal, both switches will provide a similar sensation when key presses are registered, making them comparable choices for those looking for consistent performance in their keyboard switches.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Aflion Iceberg has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Iceberg for $3.07.
The Outemu Spring Breeze 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 Iceberg linear switch stands out with its clacky and high-pitched characteristics. This creates a sharp and snappy auditory profile when keys are pressed, delivering an engaging and energetic typing experience. The bright and percussive nature of the Iceberg's sound can be particularly satisfying, making it an excellent choice for those who appreciate a lively soundscape in their typing. In contrast, the Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch has no described sound qualities, leaving us without specific insight into its auditory performance. Given that sound is influenced by the keyboard construction and keycaps used, one may need to try the Spring Breeze with different setups to gauge its true sound profile effectively.
In the realm of feel, the Iceberg switch truly shines with descriptors such as snappy, feathery, and subtle. The snappy nature provides a responsive typing sensation attributed to its two-stage spring design, allowing users to experience a lively feedback as they type. The feathery quality means that exerting force on the keys requires minimal effort, which significantly reduces finger fatigue, making it comfortable for long typing sessions. Additionally, the subtle resistance of the Iceberg ensures that the typing experience remains light yet engaging, suitable for various environments. Unfortunately, the Outemu Spring Breeze lacks any specific feel descriptors, leaving questions about its tactile experience and how it stacks up against the Iceberg.
In summary, the Aflion Iceberg linear switch is commendable for its clacky, high-pitched sound and responsive, comfortable feel, making it an appealing choice for those who enjoy a vibrant typing experience. The absence of specific qualities for the Outemu Spring Breeze limits direct comparisons, especially in sound and feel, so potential users may want to experiment with this switch to determine its unique characteristics. Overall, if you prefer a switch with a defined auditory profile and a lively tactile experience, the Iceberg may be the better option, while the Spring Breeze may require further exploration to reveal its true nature.
Conclusion
To conclude, choosing between the Aflion Iceberg linear switch and the Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch largely depends on your personal typing preferences and usage scenarios. If you prefer a lighter feel with a bottom-out force of 45 grams, along with a smooth keystroke that minimizes finger fatigue, then the Iceberg would be the more suitable option for you. Its clacky and high-pitched sound profile adds a lively dimension when typing, making it an excellent choice for rapid typists and gamers who seek a responsive typing experience. On the other hand, if you lean towards a slightly firmer tactile experience with a medium-light bottom-out force of 55 grams, the Outemu Spring Breeze might be your better fit, particularly if you enjoy those satisfying 'clicky' sounds that some find rewarding during their key presses, even though this switch may be less prominent in the market without notable unique characteristics. Ultimately, your decision should hinge on whether you value a softer, smoother typing experience that enables longer sessions with minimal strain or if you prefer the feedback and acoustic satisfaction that comes with a clicky switch.