Everglide Sakura Pink vs. Aflion Shadow (Ink) Single Spring
An in-depth look at the Everglide Sakura Pink and the Aflion Shadow (Ink) Single Spring switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Everglide Sakura Pink and the Aflion Shadow (Ink) Single Spring offer two distinct typing experiences. The Sakura Pink, a linear switch, is perfect for those who prefer a light and effortless typing sensation. With a super light 35g actuation force, these switches are ideal for delicate typists. They exude a gliding type feel and operate in a frictionless manner, providing a smooth and seamless typing experience. Additionally, they produce a delightful poppy sound that adds a playful touch to your keyboard sessions. On the other hand, the Aflion Shadow (Ink) Single Spring is a tactile switch, offering a medium level of tactility. With a lower actuation and bottom-out force, these switches provide a satisfying tactile feedback without being too overwhelming. They also feature a deep and thocky sound profile, enhancing the overall typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
35g
Actuation force
48g
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
20mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
The Everglide Sakura Pink and the Aflion Shadow (Ink) Single Spring both utilize polycarbonate as the material for their top and bottom housings. This choice of material gives both switches a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The stiffness of polycarbonate enhances the clarity and resonance of the sound produced by the switches. Additionally, the translucent nature of polycarbonate is useful for those planning to use RGB lighting, as it allows for a visually appealing display of colored lights.
While both switches share the same housing material for their top and bottom housings, the Sakura Pink and the Shadow (Ink) Single Spring differ in their aesthetics. The Sakura Pink boasts a vibrant and eye-catching pink color in its polycarbonate housing, adding a touch of personality to any keyboard. On the other hand, the Shadow (Ink) Single Spring features a more subdued and sophisticated black color. These color variations cater to different preferences and allow for customization in keyboard designs.
When it comes to the impact on the typing experience, the difference between the top and bottom housing becomes important. While pressing down on either switch, the qualities of the bottom housing come into play, influencing the sound and feel during the "bottom-out" moment. On the flip side, the top housing becomes more significant in determining the sound when a key is released. This subtle difference in housing materials can impact the overall typing experience and provide variety in the auditory feedback of the switches.
In conclusion, both the Everglide Sakura Pink and the Aflion Shadow (Ink) Single Spring utilize polycarbonate for their top and bottom housings, resulting in similar benefits such as a crisper sound profile and compatibility with RGB lighting. However, they differ in aesthetics, with the Sakura Pink offering a vibrant pink color and the Shadow (Ink) Single Spring providing a more understated black option. The variation in housing materials between the top and bottom also influences the typing experience, with the bottom housing impacting the "bottom-out" sound and feel, while the top housing contributes to the sound when a key is released.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch and the Aflion Shadow (Ink) Single Spring tactile switch, there are noticeable differences. The Sakura Pink has a lighter actuation force of 35 grams, while the Shadow (Ink) Single Spring requires 48 grams to trigger a keystroke. Similarly, when it comes to bottoming out, the Sakura Pink requires a force of 45 grams, whereas the Shadow (Ink) Single Spring has a slightly heavier requirement of 55 grams.
For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Sakura Pink would be a suitable choice as both its actuation and bottom out forces are lighter than the Shadow (Ink) Single Spring. This lighter weight allows for longer typing sessions without fatigue, making it ideal for work or extended gaming sessions.
On the other hand, for those seeking a more substantial typing experience, the Shadow (Ink) Single Spring provides a slightly heavier push feel during actuation and bottoming out. This can offer a more satisfying tactile response while typing, especially for individuals who prefer a stronger key press.
In summary, the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch has a lighter actuation force and bottom out force compared to the Aflion Shadow (Ink) Single Spring switch. The Sakura Pink provides a lighter typing experience, while the Shadow (Ink) Single Spring offers a slightly heavier and more substantial feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two would depend on personal preference and the desired typing experience.
Travel distance
The Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch and the Aflion Shadow (Ink) Single Spring tactile switch both have a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key equipped with either of these switches, you will experience the same 4 mm of travel distance. Therefore, in terms of travel distance, both switches will give you similar results.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Sakura Pink has an MSRP of $6.86 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sakura Pink for $3.89.
The Aflion Shadow (Ink) Single Spring has an MSRP of $4.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Shadow (Ink) Single Spring for $3.57.
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 Sakura Pink is known for its delightfully poppy sound reminiscent of bubble wrap being popped, adding a playful touch to your keyboarding sessions. On the other hand, information on the sound profile of the Shadow (Ink) Single Spring switch is not provided, so it is unknown how it compares in terms of sound. Keep in mind that the sound produced by a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the Sakura Pink switch is described as buttery, creamy, easy-to-press, and frictionless. These qualities contribute to a smooth and effortless typing experience, where keystrokes feel seamless, uniform, and require minimal force to activate. On the other hand, the Shadow (Ink) Single Spring switch is described as bouncy, providing a spring-like or elastic feedback sensation with a lively feel and rebound when pressed.
In conclusion, while the Sakura Pink and Shadow (Ink) Single Spring switches offer different subjective qualities, they both aim to provide an enjoyable typing experience. The Sakura Pink excels in its smooth and effortless feel, with a poppy sound that adds a playful touch. Meanwhile, the Shadow (Ink) Single Spring switch offers a medium level of tactility and a thocky sound profile, along with a bouncy feel. Depending on personal preference, both switches can deliver satisfying results, ensuring a pleasant typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are a delicate typist or prefer a feather-light touch, the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch with its 45g bottom out force would be a great choice for you. These switches offer a smooth and effortless typing experience, thanks to their gliding type feel and frictionless operation. Additionally, the Sakura Pinks produce a delightful poppy sound, adding a playful touch to your keyboarding sessions. On the other hand, if you are seeking a tactile switch with a medium level of tactility, we highly recommend the Aflion Shadow (Ink) Single Spring switch. With a bottom out force of 55 grams, these switches provide a very approachable level of tactility and feature a deep and thocky sound profile. Overall, the Sakura Pink switches excel in their buttery, easy-to-press, and frictionless feel, while the Shadow (Ink) Single Spring switch stands out with its bouncy sensation. Ultimately, the decision between the two will depend on your personal preference for touch and sound.
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