Aflion Iceberg vs. TTC Silent Bluish White (V2)

Overview

Introducing the Aflion Iceberg, a linear switch, and the TTC Silent Bluish White, a tactile switch, two mechanical keyboard switches that offer unique features for an enhanced typing experience. Aflion, a relatively new switch manufacturer, has garnered attention with its exceptional Iceberg switches, which serve as a testament to the quality of their offerings. The Iceberg boasts a smooth profile and a fulfilling feel, thanks to its two-stage spring mechanism. Categorized as 'Clacky', 'High-pitched', 'Snappy', 'Feathery', and 'Subtle', these switches provide a satisfying and precise typing experience. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Bluish White switch offers a medium tactile feel, providing a satisfying level of resistance when pressed. Its design focuses on quietness, making it suitable for office or shared living spaces, and is categorized as 'Buttery', 'Mild', 'Stepped', 'Muted', 'Subtle', and 'Polished'. However, let's delve deeper beyond these generalities to help you decide which switch would best suit your needs.

By the numbers

Aflion Iceberg Linear

TTC Silent Bluish White (V2) Tactile

$3.50

$3.07 per 10

$6.60

$4.63 per 10

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Housing materials

The Aflion Iceberg and TTC Silent Bluish White both utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, resulting in similar qualities. Polycarbonate, being a relatively stiffer plastic, produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This makes it ideal for users who prefer a clearer and more resonant sound when typing. Additionally, the translucent nature of polycarbonate makes it compatible with RGB lighting, providing a visually appealing experience. Therefore, both switches offer similar results when it comes to sound quality and aesthetics due to their polycarbonate top housing.

In terms of the bottom housing, the Iceberg features a nylon material, while the Silent Bluish White also utilizes nylon for its bottom housing. Nylon, being a softer plastic, contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing on switches. The material absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Both switches offer this quality, ensuring users a satisfying typing experience with a rich sound profile. Whether it's the Iceberg or the Silent Bluish White, the nylon bottom housing delivers similar results in terms of sound quality.

Considering the different characteristics of the top and bottom housings, the impact on the overall sound profile and feel of a switch can vary. When pressing down on the switch, the qualities of the bottom housing, in this case, nylon, become more prominent, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel. On the other hand, the top housing, made of polycarbonate in both switches, has a greater effect on the sound produced when releasing a key. Therefore, users can expect differences in sound and feel depending on the specific housing material used in the top and bottom of the switch.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Aflion Iceberg linear switch and the TTC Silent Bluish White tactile switch, we can see some similarities and differences. In terms of weight, both switches can be considered light. The Iceberg has an actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, while the Silent Bluish White has an actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams. Although the Silent Bluish White requires slightly more force to actuate and bottom out, both switches fall within the lighter range. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, either switch would be suitable. However, if one desires a stronger push feel for a more substantial typing experience, they may opt for switches with heavier forces. Ultimately, both switches offer a relatively light actuation and bottom out force, providing users with a comfortable typing experience for extended periods of time.

Travel distance

The Aflion Iceberg linear switch has a travel distance of 4.0 mm, which is a more traditional and slightly longer distance compared to the TTC Silent Bluish White tactile switch, which has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. Both switches offer a noticeable travel distance that allows you to feel the keypress, but the Iceberg provides a slightly deeper and more pronounced experience. If you prefer a faster response time, the shorter travel distance of the Silent Bluish White may be more suitable for you, especially if you are a gamer looking for quick reactions. On the other hand, if you prefer a more substantial and satisfying keypress, the Iceberg offers a slightly longer travel distance that provides a sense of depth when pressing down on the keys. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference and the desired feel during typing or gaming.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Iceberg switches from Aflion have a clacky and high-pitched sound profile. This means that when pressed, these switches produce a crisp and bright sound that is sharp and percussive. On the other hand, the Silent Bluish White switches from TTC are described as muted, producing a softer and quieter sound compared to regular or clacky switches. This makes them ideal for situations where noise reduction is important, such as in an office or shared living space. It's important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors like the keyboard board and keycaps used. With both switches, you can achieve satisfying results in terms of sound, but the Iceberg will give you a sharper, more pronounced sound while the Silent Bluish Whites will provide a quieter and more muted experience.

In terms of feel, the Iceberg switches are described as snappy, feathery, and subtle. The snappy feel is due to the two-stage spring design, providing a super responsive typing experience. The feathery feel refers to the light actuation force required, reducing finger fatigue and making it comfortable for extended typing sessions. The subtle feel indicates a gentle resistance without being too heavy, and the sound signature is not resonant, making it suitable for shared spaces. On the other hand, the Silent Bluish White switches are described as buttery, mild, stepped, subtle, and polished. The buttery feel implies a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, providing a seamless and effortless typing sensation. The mild feel offers a gentler typing experience, with qualities that stand in a safe middle-ground zone. The stepped feel indicates a tactile sensation with two stages, allowing for some pre-travel and/or post-travel. The subtle feel maintains a light resistance and a suitable sound signature for shared spaces. Lastly, the polished feel suggests a smooth and refined finish, resulting in a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.

Overall, the Iceberg linear switch from Aflion provides a satisfying smoothness and a fulfilling feel due to its two-stage spring design. It offers a snappy, feathery, and subtle typing experience. On the other hand, the Silent Bluish White tactile switch from TTC offers a medium tactile feel with a satisfying level of resistance. It provides a buttery, mild, stepped, subtle, and polished typing experience while being designed to be as quiet as possible. If you're looking for a switch with a sharper sound and a snappy feel, the Iceberg is a great choice. But if you prefer a quieter sound and a smoother feel, the Silent Bluish Whites are the way to go. Both options offer their unique qualities, ensuring a precise and comfortable typing experience.

Conclusion

To sum up, when choosing between the Aflion Iceberg linear switch and the TTC Silent Bluish White tactile switch, it ultimately depends on your personal preferences and needs.

If you prioritize a light typing experience with minimal resistance, the Iceberg switches would be a great choice for you. With a bottom out force of 45 grams, they offer a feathery feel that reduces finger fatigue and is comfortable for extended typing sessions. The Iceberg switches are also described as snappy, providing a super responsive typing experience. However, it's important to note that they produce a clacky and high-pitched sound, which may not be ideal for those who prefer quieter switches.

On the other hand, if you value a precise and comfortable typing experience with an emphasis on quietness, the TTC Silent Bluish White switches are a better option. With a bottom out force of 50 grams, they offer a mild typing experience that is approachable to most users. These switches are designed to be as quiet as possible, making them perfect for office or shared living space use. They are described as buttery, providing a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, and stepped, which means you can feel some pre-travel and/or post-travel. The Silent Bluish White switches are also polished, resulting in a sleek and refined typing experience.

In the end, whether you choose the Iceberg linear switches or the Silent Bluish White tactile switches, you can expect high-quality switches from reputable manufacturers. Consider your preferences for typing feel, sound, and noise level to make the best decision for your mechanical keyboard setup.

Mentioned in this article

Aflion Iceberg Linear

$3.50

$3.07 per 10

Learn more

TTC Silent Bluish White (V2) Tactile

$6.60

$4.63 per 10

Learn more