Kailh Sage vs. Aflion Thunder Shadow
An in-depth look at the Kailh Sage and the Aflion Thunder Shadow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Kailh Sage and the Aflion Thunder Shadow stand out as top contenders in their respective categories. The Sage is a clicky switch, offering a distinct and sharp typing experience with a heavy weight and pronounced clickiness. On the other hand, the Thunder Shadow from Aflion is a tactile switch that features a medium weight feel and a pronounced tactile bump, providing a harmonious balance and a neutral sound signature. While the Sage offers a more invigorating and crunchy typing feel, the Thunder Shadow is known for its invigorating and neutral characteristics. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on your personal preferences and typing style. 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
70g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
1.70 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
No
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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
20mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
Both the Kailh Sage and Aflion Thunder Shadow utilize polycarbonate for their top housings, which results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is because polycarbonate is a stiffer plastic that resonates more clearly. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches that incorporate RGB lighting, enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal. However, while both switches share the same top housing material, they differ in their bottom housings. The Sage features a nylon bottom housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound profile due to nylon's softer composition that absorbs more sound. On the other hand, the Thunder Shadow also utilizes a nylon bottom housing, offering a similar experience to the Sage in terms of sound texture and depth.
Despite having different bottom housings, both the Kailh Sage and Aflion Thunder Shadow maintain a consistent sound profile in terms of their top housings being made of polycarbonate. The choice of polycarbonate for the top housing contributes to the switches' sharp, high-pitched, and crisp sound, as well as their visually appealing translucent design suitable for RGB lighting. While the Sage's nylon bottom housing provides a deeper and fuller sound compared to the Thunder Shadow, the overall typing experience is enhanced by the combination of different housing materials. The bottom housing impacts the sound and feel of bottoming out a key, while the top housing affects the sound when releasing a key, showcasing how the selection of housing materials can influence the overall typing experience.
In conclusion, the housing materials of the Kailh Sage and Aflion Thunder Shadow play a crucial role in shaping the sound profile and typing experience of these switches. Both switches feature polycarbonate top housings, which deliver a sharp, high-pitched, and crisp sound suitable for RGB lighting setups. However, the choice of nylon for the bottom housing in both switches results in a deeper and fuller sound profile, albeit with subtle differences between the Sage and Thunder Shadow. Ultimately, the split between top and bottom housing materials allows for a nuanced typing experience that caters to different preferences in sound texture and feedback.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Kailh Sage clicky switch and the Aflion Thunder Shadow tactile switch, both switches have an actuation force of None grams, meaning they require the same amount of force to trigger a keystroke. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Kailh Sage has a heavier force of 70 grams compared to the Aflion Thunder Shadow's 63.5 grams. This makes the Kailh Sage switch slightly heavier in terms of the force needed to press all the way down. For users who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Aflion Thunder Shadow may be the better choice, as it allows for longer typing sessions without fatigue. On the other hand, those looking for a more substantial typing experience may prefer the heavier bottom out force of the Kailh Sage. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for typing feel and the desired weight of the key press.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Kailh Sage clicky switch and the Aflion Thunder Shadow tactile switch, the Sage has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Thunder Shadow has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances that are currently popular, especially among gamers looking for quicker response times. The difference of 0.1 mm between the two switches may not be significant to most users, but those who prefer a slightly deeper key press may find the Sage more to their liking. Ultimately, both switches offer a relatively short travel distance that caters to those seeking a more responsive typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Aflion Thunder 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 Thunder Shadow for $3.91.
The Kailh Sage comes in at $6.25 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 Kailh Sage clicky switch offers a crunchy typing experience, reminiscent of stepping on piles of autumn leaves. In contrast, the Aflion Thunder Shadow tactile switch provides a neutral sound profile, making it suitable for a variety of uses without being too loud or distracting. Both switches offer distinct sound characteristics, with the Sage catering to those who enjoy a more pronounced clickiness, while the Thunder Shadow appeals to users looking for a more balanced and moderate sound experience.
Moving on to feel, both the Sage and Thunder Shadow switches are described as invigorating, offering pronounced feedback and a moderate to firm actuation force. The Sage boasts a sharp tactile bump, providing a snappy and reactive feel with each keypress. Similarly, the Thunder Shadow delivers a satisfying typing sensation with its tactile bump, striking a harmonious balance between feedback and actuation force. Users can expect an immersive typing experience with either switch, making them suitable for long hours of typing without causing fatigue.
In conclusion, while the Kailh Sage clicky switch and the Aflion Thunder Shadow tactile switch offer different sound profiles, they both provide an invigorating typing experience with their pronounced feedback and moderate actuation force. Whether you prefer a crisp and crunchy clicky sound or a neutral sound profile, both switches excel in delivering a satisfying typing feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences in sound and feel, but rest assured that you can achieve a similar level of typing satisfaction with either option.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Kailh Sage clicky switch and the Aflion Thunder Shadow tactile switch, you should consider your preferences for typing experience. If you enjoy a heavy actuation force and a sharp clicky sound, the Sage switch may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium weight feel with a pronounced tactile bump and a neutral sound profile, the Thunder Shadow switch could be more to your liking. Ultimately, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different typing preferences, so it's important to consider what you value most in a mechanical keyboard switch before making your decision.