SP-Star Meteor White vs. Aflion Windy Shadow
An in-depth look at the SP-Star Meteor White and the Aflion Windy Shadow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, two popular choices to compare and contrast are the SP-Star Meteor White and the Aflion Windy Shadow. The Meteor White is a linear switch known for its soft and gentle typing experience, offering a subdued sound profile that is easy on the ears. On the other hand, the Windy Shadow, also a linear switch, stands out for its neutral sound profile and distinctive bounce from its extended spring. While the Meteor White provides a gentle and thocky feel, the Windy Shadow offers a comfortable medium-light typing experience at 55g bottom-out. Both switches have their unique characteristics that may appeal to different preferences. 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
57g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold plated
Spring
19.7mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The Meteor White and Windy Shadow switches both offer unique housing materials for their top and bottom components. The Meteor White utilizes a nylon top housing, which creates a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic that absorbs more sound. In contrast, the Windy Shadow features a polycarbonate top housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. While the Meteor White's nylon bottom housing mirrors the top housing's qualities, the Windy Shadow also incorporates nylon for its bottom housing, offering a similar deep and full sound profile characteristic of nylon.
Despite their differences in top housing material, both the Meteor White and Windy Shadow switches provide a similar typing experience when it comes to sound profile. The nylon top housing of the Meteor White creates a duller and rounder sound, while the polycarbonate top housing of the Windy Shadow produces a clear and resonant sound. However, the bottom housing of both switches plays a significant role in the overall sound and feel of typing. The nylon bottom housing of the Meteor White maintains the deep and full sound profile, while the Windy Shadow's nylon bottom housing contributes to a similar typing experience as its top housing material.
Ultimately, the choice between the Meteor White and Windy Shadow switches may come down to personal preference in sound profile and typing feel. The nylon and polycarbonate top housing materials provide distinct characteristics that cater to different preferences in sound quality. However, both switches offer a similar typing experience thanks to their shared nylon bottom housing, which contributes to a deep and full sound profile. Whether you prefer a softer, fuller sound profile from the Meteor White or a crisper, higher-pitched sound from the Windy Shadow, both switches provide unique and satisfying typing experiences.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch and the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch, it is evident that both switches have an actuation force of None grams. However, the Meteor White has a bottom out force of 57 grams, making it slightly heavier than the Windy Shadow, which has a bottom out force of 55 grams. This difference in bottom out force could result in a slightly firmer typing experience with the Meteor White compared to the Windy Shadow. The Meteor White may be more suitable for those who prefer a bit more resistance when typing, while the Windy Shadow might be preferred by those who like a slightly lighter feel. Overall, both switches offer a medium-light typing experience, with the Meteor White being the heavier of the two. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for typing feel and force requirements.
Travel distance
The SP-Star Meteor White linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. The Windy Shadow switch offers a slightly shorter travel distance compared to the Meteor White. In general, a shorter travel distance is favored by gamers for faster response times, while those who prefer a more tactile feel may opt for a switch with a longer travel distance. Both switches provide a different typing experience, with the Meteor White offering a slightly longer key press compared to the Windy Shadow. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preference and typing style.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The SP-Star Meteor White has an MSRP of $5.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Meteor White for $5.00.
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
When it comes to sound, the SP-Star Meteor White switch offers a neutral and thocky sound profile, providing a satisfying deep and rich sound when pressed. On the other hand, the Aflion Windy Shadow switch produces a low-pitched and neutral sound with a distinctive bounce from its extended spring, creating a more bass-heavy and mellow tone. Depending on your preference for sound, the Meteor White switch may be more suitable for a deeper and thocky sound, while the Windy Shadow switch offers a more mellow and low-pitched tone.
In terms of feel, both switches offer a mild typing experience, with the Meteor White switch being described as polished, providing a smooth and refined finish for a sleek typing experience. The Windy Shadow switch, on the other hand, offers a gentle typing experience without any additional descriptors. If you prefer a smoother and polished typing experience, the Meteor White switch may be more to your liking, while the Windy Shadow switch provides a gentle and approachable typing experience.
Overall, the SP-Star Meteor White and Aflion Windy Shadow switches both offer gentle linear switches with unique sound and feel characteristics. If you're looking for a softer, thocky sound with a polished typing experience, the Meteor White switch may be the better choice. However, if you prefer a low-pitched sound with a distinctive bounce and a neutral typing feel, the Windy Shadow switch would be a great option to consider. Ultimately, both switches provide a comfortable typing experience, and you can expect similar results in terms of ease of use and performance.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch and the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch, consider the following guidelines. If you are looking for a gentle, subdued switch with a soft and pitter-patter sound profile, the Meteor White would be a suitable choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a distinctive bounce from an extended spring and a neutral sound profile with a low-pitched tone, the Windy Shadow may be the better option. Ultimately, your decision should be based on whether you prioritize a softer typing experience and sound profile (Meteor White) or a unique bounce and low-pitched sound (Windy Shadow). Both switches offer a medium-light bottom-out force, making them comfortable for extended typing sessions. Choose the switch that aligns best with your preferences and typing style.
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