KTT Orange vs. Aflion Windy Shadow
An in-depth look at the KTT Orange and the Aflion Windy Shadow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the KTT Orange and Aflion Windy Shadow both offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The KTT Orange Switches are known for their bouncy feel, frictionless typing experience, and low-pitched sound profile. With a 22mm long spring and a combination of polycarbonate milky top housing, long pole POM stem, and vivid orange nylon bottom housing, these switches provide a refined and smooth key travel experience. On the other hand, the Aflion Windy Shadows offer a neutral sound profile and a distinctive bounce from their extended spring, with a comfortable 55g bottom-out. While the Orange switch is 'Bouncy', 'Frictionless', and 'Low-pitched', the Windy Shadow is 'Low-pitched', 'Mild', and 'Neutral'. Each switch has its own strengths and advantages, making them suitable for different typing 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
46g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
53g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
1.90 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
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm gold-plated spring
Spring
19.7mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
Both the KTT Orange and the Aflion Windy Shadow use polycarbonate for their top housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate enhances the clarity and resonance of the sound produced by these switches. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches designed with RGB lighting in mind. This shared top housing material ensures similar sound characteristics between the two switches.
In contrast, while the KTT Orange utilizes polycarbonate for its bottom housing as well, the Aflion Windy Shadow features a nylon bottom housing. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound compared to polycarbonate, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. This difference in bottom housing material likely contributes to varying bottom-out sound and feel between the two switches. The split between the qualities of the top and bottom housing materials highlights the importance of both in shaping the overall sound and feel of a switch.
When comparing the KTT Orange and the Aflion Windy Shadow, it's evident that the choice of housing materials plays a significant role in determining the sound profile of each switch. While both switches share a polycarbonate top housing for a sharper and crisper sound, the nylon bottom housing of the Windy Shadow creates a deeper and fuller sound compared to the Orange's polycarbonate bottom housing. The impact of these housing materials can be felt in the typing experience, with the bottom housing influencing the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing affects the sound when releasing a key.
Weight
The KTT Orange linear switch has a slightly lighter actuation force of 46 grams compared to the Aflion Windy Shadow switch, which has an unknown actuation force. However, both switches have a similar bottom out force, with the Orange requiring 53 grams and the Windy Shadow requiring 55 grams. The Orange switch would be considered the lighter option, making it ideal for those who prefer a lighter typing experience for extended periods of time. On the other hand, the Windy Shadow switch would provide a slightly heavier push feel, catering to users who prefer a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on personal preference for actuation force and bottom out force.
Travel distance
The KTT Orange linear switch and the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch both have a travel distance of 3.5 mm, making them equal in this aspect. This means that when you press down on a key with either of these switches, you will experience the same amount of travel distance. This can result in a consistent typing experience regardless of which switch you choose. Overall, the travel distance of both the KTT Orange and Aflion Windy Shadow linear switches provides a satisfying tactile feedback while typing, making them both popular choices among mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The KTT Orange has an MSRP of $5.55 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Orange for $4.15.
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 KTT Orange linear switch is known for its distinctive low-pitched profile, providing a bass-heavy and mellow tone during typing. On the other hand, the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch also offers a low-pitched sound profile but with a neutral characteristic, making it suitable for various typing scenarios. Both switches aim to provide a comfortable and enjoyable typing experience by offering a moderate sound profile that is not too loud or distracting. Ultimately, if you prefer a slightly bouncier feel with a low-pitched sound, the Orange switch might be the better choice, while the Windy Shadow switch offers a milder sound profile with a comfortable actuation force.
In terms of feel, the KTT Orange linear switch is renowned for its bouncy and frictionless typing experience, providing a spring-like feedback and smooth key presses. This switch offers a lively and responsive feel, allowing for quick and effortless typing sessions. On the other hand, the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch offers a mild typing experience, ensuring a gentle and approachable feel for most users. With its safe middle-ground characteristics, the Windy Shadow switch aims to provide a pleasant typing sensation without being too overbearing. Whether you prefer a bouncy and frictionless feel or a mild and gentle typing experience, both switches offer quality options for different preferences.
In conclusion, both the KTT Orange linear switch and the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch provide unique and desirable qualities for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. The Orange switch stands out with its bouncy feel and low-pitched sound profile, offering a vibrant and smooth typing experience. On the other hand, the Windy Shadow switch offers a mild feel and a neutral sound profile, catering to users looking for a comfortable and versatile typing switch. Whether you choose the Orange or Windy Shadow switch, you can expect a satisfying typing experience that suits your preferences, providing similar results in terms of sound and feel depending on your individual typing needs.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when deciding between the KTT Orange linear switch and the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch, you should consider your preferences for typing experience. If you prefer a bouncy and frictionless feel with a low-pitched sound, the KTT Orange switch with its 53g bottom-out force may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a mild and neutral sound profile combined with a distinctive bounce from an extended spring, the Aflion Windy Shadow switch with its 55g bottom-out force could be the better option. Ultimately, your decision should be based on whether you prioritize the specific characteristics and features of each switch that align with your typing style and preferences.
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