Jwick Semi-Silent Linear vs. Aflion Windy Shadow
An in-depth look at the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear and the Aflion Windy Shadow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear and the Aflion Windy Shadow both offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The semi-silent linear is hailed for its innovative design that provides a whisper-quiet topping-out sound and a clacky bottom-out sound, giving it a balanced feel that is both smooth and satisfying. On the other hand, the Aflion Windy Shadow stands out with its neutral sound profile and distinctive bounce from the extended spring, offering a comfortable medium-light 55g bottom-out. While the semi-silent linear is described as subtle, neutral, mild, snappy, buttery, polished, the Windy Shadow is categorized as low-pitched, mild, neutral. Each switch has its own strengths and characteristics that may appeal to different users, 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
62g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
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
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
19.7mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear and Aflion Windy Shadow are quite similar in terms of their polycarbonate top housing. Both switches utilize polycarbonate in their top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The stiffness of polycarbonate plastic contributes to a more clear and resonant sound, making it an ideal choice for switches that feature RGB lighting due to its translucency. This ensures that both switches offer a consistent sound profile and aesthetic appeal when it comes to their polycarbonate top housing.
However, where the two switches differ is in their nylon bottom housing. The Semi-Silent Linear and Windy Shadow both use nylon as their bottom housing material, which elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to polycarbonate. Nylon's softer composition absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound when typing on the switches. This difference in bottom housing material between the two switches may impact the overall typing experience and sound feedback, with the bottom-out sound and feel being influenced more by the bottom housing material.
Overall, while the top housing materials of the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear and Aflion Windy Shadow are the same, their bottom housing materials differ. This distinction may affect the typing experience in terms of sound feedback and feel when using the switches. Both switches offer unique qualities based on their housing materials, with the polycarbonate top housing providing a sharp and crisp sound profile, and the nylon bottom housing offering a deeper and fuller sound. Whether one prefers a more resonant and clear sound or a rounder and duller sound may depend on personal preference when choosing between these switches.
Weight
The Jwick Semi-Silent Linear linear switch and the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch have both similarities and differences when it comes to actuation force and bottom out force. Both switches have an actuation force of None grams, meaning that you will get similar results in terms of the force required to trigger a keystroke. However, the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear has a heavier bottom out force of 62 grams, while the Aflion Windy Shadow has a lighter bottom out force of 55 grams. This makes the Aflion Windy Shadow the lighter option between the two, which may be preferable for individuals looking for a more lightweight typing experience. In contrast, the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear offers a heavier push feel, which could be ideal for those seeking a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and typing style.
Travel distance
The Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7mm, while the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5mm. Both switches have shorter travel distances compared to the traditional 4.0mm distance. Gamers may prefer the shorter travel distance for quicker response times, making the Windy Shadow a popular choice. However, some users may find the shorter travel distance to feel abrupt. On the other hand, the Semi-Silent Linear switch offers a slightly longer travel distance, providing a more substantial keypress feel for those who prefer it. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Jwick Semi-Silent Linear has an MSRP of $6.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Semi-Silent Linear for $5.27.
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
When it comes to sound, the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switch offers a subdued and neutral sound profile, providing a dampened and subtle typing experience. On the other hand, the Aflion Windy Shadow switch produces a low-pitched and neutral sound, with a distinctive bounce from its extended spring design. Depending on your preference for sound, the Semi-Silent Linear switch may be more suited for those who prefer a whisper-quiet typing experience, while the Windy Shadow switch caters to individuals who enjoy a low-pitched and mellow tone.
In terms of feel, both the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear and the Aflion Windy Shadow switches are described as offering a mild typing experience. This means that they provide a gentle and approachable feel for most users, with qualities that fall in a safe middle ground. The Semi-Silent Linear switch is also noted for its snappy and buttery feel, providing a super responsive and smooth typing experience. While the Windy Shadow switch lacks these specific descriptors, its mild characteristic suggests a comfortable typing feel without any extreme tactile feedback.
Overall, the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear and Aflion Windy Shadow switches each offer unique subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. Depending on individual preference, one may prefer the subdued and whisper-quiet sound of the Semi-Silent Linear switch, while others may enjoy the low-pitched and mellow tone of the Windy Shadow switch. Both switches provide a mild typing experience, making them suitable for a wide range of users. Ultimately, trying out both switches on different keyboards and with various keycap sets will provide the best insight into which one aligns with your personal preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering whether to choose the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear or the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch, you should factor in your preferences for bottom-out force, sound, and feel. If you prefer a slightly heavier bottom-out force of 62 grams and enjoy a more subdued sound profile with a silky smooth feel, then the Semi-Silent Linear may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom-out force of 55 grams and appreciate a low-pitched sound with a gentle typing experience, then the Aflion Windy Shadow switch could be the better option. Ultimately, your decision should be based on what features align best with your typing preferences and needs.
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