Aflion Iceberg vs. SP-Star Meteor White
An in-depth look at the Aflion Iceberg and the SP-Star Meteor White switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options to consider are the Aflion Iceberg and the SP-Star Meteor White, both linear switches. The Iceberg, manufactured by Aflion, may be a relatively new player in the market; however, its stellar Iceberg switches showcase the quality the brand produces. These switches offer a satisfying smoothness and a fulfilling feel, thanks to their two-stage spring. They are characterized as clacky, high-pitched, snappy, feathery, and subtle. On the other hand, the Meteor White, known for its subdued nature, provides a gentle and easy push. This switch emits a soft, pitter-patter sound profile, making it both type feel and sound profile very soft. Classified as neutral, mild, thocky, and polished, this switch offers a completely different experience compared to the Iceberg. 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
37g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
57g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
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
20mm two-stage spring
Spring
Gold plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Aflion Iceberg and the SP-Star Meteor White differ in terms of their impact on the sound profile of the switches. The Iceberg utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, which allows for a more clear and resonant sound. In contrast, the Meteor White employs a nylon top housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softness of nylon absorbs more sound, leading to a duller and rounder sound. Therefore, the Iceberg and the Meteor White offer distinct sound characteristics due to their different top housing materials.
In terms of the bottom housing, both the Iceberg and the Meteor White utilize nylon as the housing material. This choice of nylon provides a deeper and fuller sound profile for both switches. Nylon is known for its ability to absorb more sound compared to harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Therefore, despite their differences in top housing material, the Iceberg and the Meteor White share similar sound characteristics due to their common use of nylon for the bottom housing.
When considering the overall sound experience of the switches, it is important to note the impact of the different housing materials on the bottom-out and release sounds. The bottom housing has a greater influence on the bottom-out sound and feel when the keys are pressed down. Therefore, the qualities of the Iceberg's nylon bottom housing and the Meteor White's nylon bottom housing can be felt in the tactile feedback and sound produced during key presses. On the other hand, the top housing plays a more significant role in the sound generated when you release a key. This means that the polycarbonate top housing of the Iceberg and the nylon top housing of the Meteor White have a greater impact on the sound produced when keys are released. Thus, the distinction between the housing materials of the Iceberg and the Meteor White affects both the typing experience and the sound profile of the switches.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Aflion Iceberg linear switch and the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch, there are notable differences. The Iceberg has a relatively light actuation force of 37 grams, meaning it requires a gentle touch to trigger a keystroke. In contrast, the Meteor White's actuation force remains unknown, making it difficult to directly compare. However, the Iceberg's bottom out force is 45 grams, indicating that it requires slightly more pressure to fully depress the key.
While the Iceberg leans towards a lighter touch, the Meteor White demonstrates a medium-light bottom out force of 57 grams. This suggests that it offers a slightly more substantial typing experience, providing some resistance for those who prefer a stronger push feel.
Considering weight, the Iceberg appears to be the lighter option with its lower actuation and bottom out forces. This lightweight characteristic can be advantageous for extended typing sessions or intensive gaming sessions, as it may help reduce fatigue. On the other hand, the Meteor White, although its actuation force is unknown, seems to be slightly heavier due to its higher bottom out force. This weightier nature may appeal to individuals seeking a more substantial typing experience.
In summary, while the actuation force for the Meteor White is not specified, the Aflion Iceberg linear switch offers a lighter touch in terms of actuation and bottom out forces. The Iceberg would be suitable for those who prefer a lighter, more effortless keystroke, whereas the Meteor White seems to provide a medium-light resistance for individuals seeking a more substantial typing experience.
Travel distance
Both the Aflion Iceberg linear switch and the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key equipped with either of these switches, you will experience a consistent 4 mm of travel distance. Therefore, the results obtained from using these switches will be similar in terms of the distance you feel when pressing down on a key. Neither one is shorter or longer than the other as they both share the same travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Aflion Iceberg has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Iceberg for $3.07.
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.
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 Aflion Iceberg switch is known for its clacky and high-pitched sound profile. When pressed, these switches produce a sharp and snappy sound that can be described as crisp, bright, and percussive. On the other hand, the SP-Star Meteor White switch has a more subdued and neutral sound profile. It offers a moderate sound that is suitable for various purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced user, and whether you intend to use it at home or work. The Meteor White switch is also known for its thocky sound, which produces a deep, rich, and satisfying noise when the key is pressed and released.
In terms of feel, the Aflion Iceberg switch is described as snappy, feathery, and subtle. These switches are super responsive due to longer or dual-staged springs, making the typing experience feel more alive. They are exceptionally light to press, reducing finger fatigue and making them comfortable for extended typing sessions. The Iceberg switch also offers a gentle resistance that is suitable for shared spaces, as the sound signature will not be resonant. On the other hand, the SP-Star Meteor White switch provides a mild and polished typing experience. It offers a more gentle typing feel compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics, and it has a smooth and refined finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel.
Based on the available information, the Aflion Iceberg and SP-Star Meteor White switches offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Iceberg switch provides a clacky and high-pitched sound profile, along with a snappy, feathery, and subtle feel. On the other hand, the Meteor White switch offers a subdued and neutral sound profile, along with a mild and polished feel. Depending on your preferences, you can choose between the sharp and snappy sound of the Iceberg switch or the gentle and thocky sound of the Meteor White switch. Similarly, you can choose between the snappy and feathery feel of the Iceberg switch or the mild and polished feel of the Meteor White switch. With either switch, you can expect a satisfying typing experience, tailored to your personal preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a light and smooth linear switch, the Aflion Iceberg is a great choice. With a bottom out force of 45 grams, it offers a feathery and snappy feel, making it comfortable for extended typing sessions. The Iceberg switch also has a clacky and high-pitched sound profile, producing a crisp and sharp sound when pressed. On the other hand, if you prefer a more subdued and gentle switch, the SP-Star Meteor White is worth considering. With a bottom out force of 57 grams, it falls into the medium-light category and offers a mild and polished typing experience. The Meteor White switch has a neutral sound profile, suitable for various environments, and a thocky sound when pressed, providing a deep and satisfying tone. Overall, the choice between the Iceberg and Meteor White switches ultimately depends on your preference for typing feel and sound characteristics.
Mentioned in this article
