Aflion Iceberg vs. TTC Venus
An in-depth look at the Aflion Iceberg and the TTC Venus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Aflion Iceberg and the TTC Venus mechanical keyboard switches, it's clear that both offer distinct qualities that cater to different preferences and typing styles. The Iceberg, a linear switch from Aflion, boasts a smooth and satisfying feel thanks to its two-stage spring mechanism. Known for its 'Clacky', 'High-pitched', 'Snappy', 'Feathery', and 'Subtle' characteristics, the Iceberg is a great option for those who enjoy a range of tactile sensations during typing. On the other hand, the TTC Venus, also a linear switch, offers a unique internal configuration that provides a buttery, frictionless glide coupled with a captivating "Q-texture". With its 'Buttery', 'Gummy', 'Frictionless', 'Low-pitched', 'Mild', 'Muted', 'Neutral', 'Polished', 'Subdued', and 'Thocky' characteristics, the Venus promises effortless typing and a subdued auditory experience. 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
45g
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
52g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 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
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
20mm two-stage spring
Spring
Lengthened 20.5mm spring
Housing materials
The Aflion Iceberg and the TTC Venus both utilize different housing materials for their top and bottom components, leading to distinct sound profiles and typing experiences. The Iceberg's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper and crisper sound, ideal for those looking for a high-pitched typing experience with clear resonance. In contrast, the Venus's POM top housing produces a deeper and more muted sound, offering a unique typing experience that may appeal to individuals seeking a quieter keyboard. Despite these differences, both switches prioritize sound quality, with the Iceberg focusing on clarity and the Venus emphasizing depth.
In terms of their bottom housings, the Iceberg features a nylon housing that provides a deeper and fuller sound, thanks to its softer plastic composition that absorbs more sound. This results in a duller and rounder sound profile when typing on switches with nylon bottoms. On the other hand, the Venus opts for a polycarbonate bottom housing, mirroring the sharp and crisp sound profile of its top housing. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate contributes to a clear and resonant sound, appealing to users who prefer consistency in their typing experience.
While both the Iceberg and the Venus offer unique sound profiles based on their housing materials, the split between top and bottom housing qualities allows for a dynamic typing experience. The bottom housing influences the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on a key, while the top housing impacts the sound when releasing a key. This division highlights how each component contributes to the overall typing experience, with varying materials catering to different preferences in sound and feel. Whether seeking a sharper, higher-pitched sound or a deeper, more muted typing experience, both switches offer distinct options for keyboard enthusiasts to explore.
Weight
The Aflion Iceberg linear switch has a lighter actuation force of 37 grams compared to the TTC Venus linear switch, which has a slightly heavier actuation force of 45 grams. When it comes to bottom out force, the Iceberg requires 45 grams to fully press down, while the Venus needs 52 grams. Both switches provide a relatively light typing experience, but the Iceberg is lighter overall in terms of actuation force and bottom out force. For those who prefer a lighter touch, the Iceberg may be the better option, allowing for longer typing sessions with less strain on the fingers. Conversely, the Venus offers a slightly more substantial typing experience, making it a good choice for those who prefer a bit more resistance in their keystrokes. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for typing feel and force required.
Travel distance
The Aflion Iceberg linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the TTC Venus linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm. The 0.2 mm difference may not seem significant, but it can impact the overall typing experience. The Iceberg switch, with its longer travel distance, may provide a more satisfying and deliberate keypress, ideal for those who enjoy a deep actuation feeling. On the other hand, the Venus switch's shorter travel distance offers a quicker response time, making it a preferred choice for gamers or individuals looking for a more responsive typing experience. In conclusion, the Iceberg switch is longer, providing more depth, while the Venus switch is shorter, offering a faster response time, catering to different preferences and needs.
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 TTC Venus has an MSRP of $7.99 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Venus for $5.09.
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 Iceberg linear switch is known for its clacky and high-pitched characteristics, producing a sharp and bright sound when pressed. On the other hand, the TTC Venus linear switch offers a low-pitched and muted sound profile, providing a more bass-heavy and mellow tone with a softer and quieter sound compared to the Iceberg. Both switches offer unique auditory experiences, with the Iceberg being more crisp and percussive, while the Venus delivers a more subdued and soothing keystroke sound.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Aflion Iceberg linear switch is praised for its snappy, feathery, and subtle feel, offering a responsive and light typing experience with a gentle resistance. In contrast, the TTC Venus linear switch provides a buttery, gummy, frictionless, mild, and polished feel, ensuring a smooth and effortless keystroke with minimal friction and refined key travel. While the Iceberg focuses on a light and responsive touch, the Venus prioritizes a seamless and uniform typing sensation, catering to different preferences in typing feel.
Considering the overall comparison, the Aflion Iceberg linear switch and the TTC Venus linear switch both offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. If you prefer a sharper and brighter sound with a more responsive typing experience, the Iceberg may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you appreciate a softer and more muted sound with a smoother and frictionless typing feel, the Venus could be the more suitable option. Ultimately, both switches provide unique and enjoyable typing experiences, and choosing between them would depend on individual preferences for sound and feel.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Aflion Iceberg linear switch and the TTC Venus linear switch, you should consider the factors of bottom out force, sound, and feel. If you prefer a lighter bottom out force of 45 grams and a smoother feel with a two-stage spring, the Aflion Iceberg may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly higher bottom out force of 52 grams and a unique "Q-texture" with a frictionless glide, the TTC Venus linear switch might be more to your liking. Additionally, if you prefer a clacky and high-pitched sound profile, the Iceberg switch may suit your preference, whereas if you prefer a low-pitched, muted, or thocky sound profile, the Venus switch may be more appealing. In terms of feel, if you prefer snappy, feathery, and subtle characteristics, the Iceberg switch could be the one for you, while if you prefer a buttery, gummy, frictionless, mild, or polished typing experience, the Venus switch might be the better option. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences and typing style.
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