Everglide Bamboo Green vs. Aflion Cloudy Shadow
An in-depth look at the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Aflion Cloudy Shadow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, one popular choice is the Everglide Bamboo Green, a tactile switch that offers a clacky sound signature and sparkling tactility. On the other hand, the Aflion Cloudy Shadow is a linear switch known for its neutral sound signature and bouncy feel, thanks to extended springs. The Bamboo Green provides a more pronounced and sharp typing experience with a high-pitched and accented profile, while the Cloudy Shadow offers a gentler and more balanced typing experience with a low-pitched and mild profile. Each switch has its own unique characteristics that cater to different preferences and typing styles. 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
43g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
PBT
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
PBT
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
20mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The Everglide Bamboo Green's PBT top and bottom housing materials offer a neutral sound profile overall. The PBT top housing provides a balanced sound that is neither too crisp nor too dull. In comparison, the Aflion Cloudy Shadow's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper and more resonant sound profile, making it ideal for users who prefer a crisper sound. On the other hand, the Cloudy Shadow's nylon bottom housing results in a deeper and fuller sound when typing, thanks to its ability to absorb more sound than harder plastics like PBT.
Both the Bamboo Green and the Cloudy Shadow have unique qualities in their top and bottom housing materials that contribute to the overall sound profile of the switch. The PBT top housing of the Bamboo Green is subtle and offers a more neutral sound, while the polycarbonate top housing of the Cloudy Shadow provides a sharper and clearer sound experience. When it comes to the bottom housing, the Nylon material of the Cloudy Shadow results in a deeper and rounder sound profile compared to the Bamboo Green's PBT bottom housing. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will come down to personal preference in sound and feel.
In terms of functionality, the top and bottom housing materials of the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Aflion Cloudy Shadow play a crucial role in determining the sound and feel of the switch. While the PBT and polycarbonate top housings offer different sound profiles, the Nylon and PBT bottom housings also contribute to the overall typing experience. Users can expect a more rounded and softer sound when typing on the Cloudy Shadow due to its nylon bottom housing, whereas the Bamboo Green's PBT bottom housing complements the neutral sound profile of its top housing. Regardless of which switch you choose, the housing materials will significantly impact the sound and feel of your typing experience.
Weight
The actuation force of the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch is 43 grams, while the Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch does not specify its actuation force. The bottom out force of the Bamboo Green is 62 grams, slightly lighter than the Cloudy Shadow's 63.5 grams. Both switches fall into the medium to medium-heavy range, providing a tactile typing experience. For those who prefer a lighter touch, the Bamboo Green may be the better option for long typing sessions or gaming marathons. In contrast, the Cloudy Shadow offers a slightly heavier bottom out force, giving users a more substantial typing feel. Overall, the differences in actuation and bottom out forces between these two switches cater to different preferences for typing and gaming experiences.
Travel distance
The Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. The Bamboo Green has a slightly longer travel distance, providing a more traditional feel, while the Cloudy Shadow offers a slightly shorter travel distance for a quicker response time. Gamers may prefer the Cloudy Shadow for its faster response, while those who enjoy a more robust keypress may opt for the Bamboo Green. Both switches offer a comfortable typing experience, but the slight difference in travel distance can cater to different preferences. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference in terms of travel distance and responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Bamboo Green has an MSRP of $9.67 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Bamboo Green for $7.19.
The Aflion Cloudy 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 Cloudy 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 Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch offers a high-pitched and resonant typing experience, producing sharp and crisp sounds with each key press. On the other hand, the Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch provides a more neutral and low-pitched sound profile, resulting in a bass-heavy and mellow tone. The choice between these two switches ultimately depends on personal preference, with the Bamboo Green offering a more immersive auditory experience and the Cloudy Shadow providing a balanced and moderate sound suitable for various usage scenarios.
Moving on to feel, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch is described as a stepped, accented, sharp, and polished switch, offering a distinct tactile bump with a refined finish for a sleek typing experience. On the other hand, the Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch provides a mild typing experience, offering a gentle and approachable feel that falls in a safe middle-ground zone. While the Bamboo Green offers a more pronounced tactile feedback, the Cloudy Shadow provides a smoother and more subtle typing sensation. Choosing between these switches will depend on whether you prefer a more accentuated tactile bump or a gentler typing experience.
In conclusion, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Bamboo Green provides a sharp and resonant sound with a distinct tactile bump, while the Cloudy Shadow offers a more balanced and neutral sound profile with a gentle typing experience. Both switches have unique characteristics that cater to different preferences, so selecting the right switch depends on individual typing habits and preferences. Ultimately, both switches offer quality and innovation in the mechanical keyboard market, providing users with a range of options to enhance their typing experience.
Conclusion
To wrap up, when deciding between the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch, you should consider a few key factors. If you prefer a medium bottom-out force of 62 grams and enjoy a clacky sound signature along with a crisp and sparkling tactility, the Bamboo Green is the way to go. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly heavier bottom-out force of 63.5 grams and value a neutral sound signature with a bouncy feel due to extended springs, the Cloudy Shadow might be a better fit for you. Additionally, if you prefer a high-pitched and resonant sound profile along with a stepped, accented, sharp, and polished tactile feel, the Bamboo Green is the choice for you. However, if you prefer a low-pitched and neutral sound profile along with a mild typing experience, the Cloudy Shadow might be more up your alley. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for typing experience, sound profile, and switch characteristics. So, weigh these factors carefully before making your choice between these two switches.
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