Aflion Blue Sky vs. Cherry MX Red
An in-depth look at the Aflion Blue Sky and the Cherry MX Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Aflion Blue Sky and the Cherry MX Red mechanical keyboard switches, both switches are linear but offer different characteristics to suit individual preferences. The Blue Sky is prized for its long pole stem, providing a crystal clear linear typing experience with a sparkling sound profile and smooth push feel. On the other hand, the MX Red is a classic Cherry switch known for its slightly heftier feel and deeper sound profile, offering a robust typing experience that combines responsiveness with a satisfying auditory depth. While the Blue Sky is categorized as high-pitched, neutral, mild, and polished, the MX Red falls under thocky, low-pitched, and textured. These distinctions offer users the choice between a lighter and more polished typing experience with the Blue Sky, or a heavier and textured feel with the MX Red. 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
50g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
N/A
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
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
pom
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
15mm spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Aflion Blue Sky and the Cherry MX Red switches offer contrasting characteristics that impact the sound profile and overall feel of the switches. The Blue Sky uses a polycarbonate top housing, which is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile due to its relatively stiff nature. In contrast, the MX Red utilizes a nylon top housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile thanks to the softer nature of nylon that absorbs more sound. While both materials offer unique sound profiles, the polycarbonate top housing of the Blue Sky is more likely to be suited for RGB lighting due to its translucency, enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal of the switch.
In terms of the bottom housing materials, both the Blue Sky and MX Red switches incorporate nylon, which contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon in the bottom housing helps absorb more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound compared to the stiffer plastics used in top housings. This similarity in bottom housing materials indicates that the overall typing experience on both switches may have a similar sound and feel, with the bottom housing playing a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel of the keys.
Overall, the use of different housing materials in the top and bottom of switches can have a noticeable impact on the typing experience. While the Blue Sky's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper and crisper sound profile, the MX Red's nylon top housing offers a deeper and fuller sound. The nylon bottom housing in both switches contributes to a similar sound profile, emphasizing the importance of housing materials in determining the overall typing feel and sound of mechanical switches. Whether you prefer a sharper, crisper sound or a deeper, fuller sound, the choice of housing material in mechanical switches can significantly impact the overall typing experience.
Weight
The Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the Cherry MX Red linear switch differ in terms of actuation and bottom out forces. The Aflion Blue Sky has an actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams, while the Cherry MX Red has an actuation force of 45 grams with an unknown bottom out force. In this case, the Cherry MX Red is the lighter option with a lower actuation force. The Blue Sky provides a slightly heavier typing experience with a higher actuation force. Both switches offer a smooth linear feel, but the Blue Sky may be more suitable for those who prefer a firmer key press, while the MX Red may appeal to users who prefer a lighter touch. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference and typing style.
Travel distance
The Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the Cherry MX Red linear switch both have a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either of these switches, you will feel the key travel 4 mm from the top to the bottom. Therefore, the travel distance for both switches is equal, resulting in a similar typing experience in terms of key travel. In terms of comparing and contrasting, both switches offer a similar tactile feel and actuation force, but the Cherry MX Red linear switch is known for its smoother keystrokes, while the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch may offer a slightly firmer feel. Ultimately, both switches provide a reliable and consistent typing experience, with the only notable difference being the branding and slight variations in feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Aflion Blue Sky has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Blue Sky for $4.07.
The Cherry MX Red has an MSRP of $5.90 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the MX Red for $4.00.
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
The Aflion Blue Sky linear switch is characterized by a high-pitched sound profile, offering a sharp and crisp noise when pressed. This can be a favorable choice for individuals who prefer a brighter and clearer auditory feedback while typing. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Red linear switch provides a thocky and low-pitched sound, emitting a deep and rich tone that some users find more satisfying. The MX Red switch's sound profile caters to those who appreciate a more bass-heavy and mellow sound when typing. When it comes to the feel of the switches, the Blue Sky switch offers a mild and polished typing experience, ensuring a gentle and refined touch with reduced friction. In contrast, the MX Red switch is described as having a textured feel, possibly indicating noticeable friction when pressed, which may appeal to users who prefer a slightly rougher sensation when typing.
Overall, while the Aflion Blue Sky and Cherry MX Red linear switches offer different sound and feel experiences, their subjective qualities ultimately depend on individual preferences. If you enjoy a high-pitched, polished switch with a gentle typing feel, the Blue Sky may be the suitable choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a thocky, low-pitched switch with a textured feel, the Cherry MX Red might be more to your liking. Remember that the sound and feel of a switch can also be influenced by external factors such as the keyboard chassis and keycaps used, so be sure to consider these aspects when making your decision. In essence, while the Blue Sky and MX Red switches possess distinct characteristics, both can provide a satisfying typing experience depending on your personal tastes.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the Cherry MX Red linear switch, consider the qualities each switch offers. If you prefer a medium bottom out force and a high-pitched, sparkling sound profile with a smooth push feel, the Blue Sky switch may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you lean towards a slightly heftier feel and a thocky, low-pitched sound profile, alongside a smoother, more refined typing experience, the Cherry MX Red switch might be more suitable for your needs. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will come down to personal preference regarding sound and feel.
Mentioned in this article
