Durock Black Lotus vs. Aflion Cloudy Shadow
An in-depth look at the Durock Black Lotus and the Aflion Cloudy Shadow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When looking for the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options to consider are the Durock Black Lotus and the Aflion Cloudy Shadow, both of which are linear switches. The Black Lotus is renowned for its silky smooth feel and unparalleled precision, offering a typing experience with reduced housing and stem wobble. With a 55g actuation weight and unique in-switch lighting, this switch provides a polished and buttery feel, perfect for those who prefer a mild typing experience. On the other hand, the Cloudy Shadow by Aflion presents a balanced typing experience with a neutral sound signature and bouncy feel, thanks to its extended springs. With a 63.5g bottom-out force, this switch offers a low-pitched and mild typing experience resulting from the quality and innovation brought by Aflion. 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
55g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
63.5g
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
Modified PC & UPE Blend
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
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 housing materials of the Durock Black Lotus and the Aflion Cloudy Shadow differ in their top housing composition. The Black Lotus features a modified PC and UPE blend top housing, providing a unique and premium feel. In contrast, the Cloudy Shadow utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. While both materials offer distinct benefits, the translucent nature of polycarbonate makes it particularly well-suited for incorporating RGB lighting effects, enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal of the switch.
On the other hand, both switches share a nylon bottom housing material. Typing on switches with nylon bottom housings tends to produce a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the material's softer composition, which absorbs more sound and creates a duller and rounder sound. This similarity in bottom housing material between the Black Lotus and Cloudy Shadow means that users can expect a consistent typing experience in terms of sound and feel when bottoming out keys. The use of nylon in the bottom housing also contributes to the overall acoustics and tactile feedback of the switches.
While the top and bottom housings of the Durock Black Lotus and Aflion Cloudy Shadow may differ in material composition, they each play a significant role in shaping the overall typing experience. The bottom housing influences the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch, whereas the top housing has a greater impact on the sound produced when releasing a key. Whether it's the premium feel of the modified PC and UPE blend top housing of the Black Lotus or the sharper, crisper sound profile of the polycarbonate top housing of the Cloudy Shadow, both switches offer a unique typing experience tailored to the preferences of the user.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch, we can see that the Black Lotus has a specified actuation force of 55 grams and a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, indicating a medium-heavy feel. On the other hand, the Cloudy Shadow's actuation force is unspecified, but it does have a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, also falling into the medium-heavy category. In terms of weight, both switches have the same bottom out force, making them equally suitable for those who prefer a stronger push feel. However, those looking for a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Black Lotus with its specified actuation force of 55 grams, while those seeking a more substantial typing experience may prefer the Cloudy Shadow with its unspecified actuation force. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference based on desired typing feel.
Travel distance
The Durock Black Lotus linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. The Black Lotus has a longer travel distance, making it slightly more suitable for those who prefer a deeper key press feel. On the other hand, the Cloudy Shadow has a shorter travel distance, which may appeal to gamers seeking faster response times. Both switches offer a different tactile experience based on their travel distances, with the Black Lotus offering a more traditional key press depth and the Cloudy Shadow providing a shallower feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference for key press depth and responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Black Lotus has an MSRP of $5.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Black Lotus for $4.57.
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
In terms of sound, the Durock Black Lotus switch is described as providing a neutral sound signature, which means it offers a moderate sound profile suitable for various environments and preferences. On the other hand, the Aflion Cloudy Shadow switch is known for its low-pitched sound, which features a deeper and mellower tone compared to higher-pitched switches. Both switches offer different sound profiles, allowing users to choose based on their personal preferences and typing environments.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Durock Black Lotus switch is praised for its silky and buttery feel, offering an exceptionally smooth and fluid typing experience. These switches are also described as mild and polished, providing a comfortable and refined typing sensation with reduced friction. On the other hand, the Aflion Cloudy Shadow switch is described as mild, offering a gentle typing experience that is approachable to most users. Both switches emphasize smoothness and comfort, giving users a pleasant typing experience with different levels of tactile feedback.
Taking into consideration the sound and feel qualities of the Durock Black Lotus and Aflion Cloudy Shadow switches, it is evident that each switch offers a unique typing experience catering to different preferences. While the Black Lotus provides a neutral sound and silky feel with a 55g actuation weight, the Cloudy Shadow offers a low-pitched sound and mild feel with a 63.5g bottom-out force. Ultimately, choosing between these switches will depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and typing experience, as both switches offer high-quality performance within their respective characteristics.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch, consider the following factors. Choose the Black Lotus if you prefer a smoother typing experience with reduced wobble, a 55g actuation weight, and in-switch lighting. On the other hand, opt for the Cloudy Shadow if you prefer a bouncy feel with extended springs, a neutral sound signature, and a 63.5g bottom-out force. Both switches offer a medium-heavy bottom out force, so your decision may ultimately come down to whether you prioritize smoothness and precision (Black Lotus) or a balanced typing experience with innovative features (Cloudy Shadow). Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on your personal preference and typing style.
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