Bsun Cliff vs. HMX Cloud - 50g
An in-depth look at the Bsun Cliff and the HMX Cloud - 50g switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the decision often comes down to personal preference and typing style, making a comparison of the Bsun Cliff tactile switch and the HMX Cloud - 50g linear switch particularly illuminating. The Cliff switch stands out for its medium tactility and crisp sound signature, providing a satisfying feedback that many typists and gamers appreciate for its precision and responsiveness. In contrast, the HMX Cloud - 50g offers a lighter touch with a clacky sound profile, perfect for those who enjoy a bright, engaging typing experience and a silky smooth feel. While the Cliff caters to users who prefer the tactile bump that aids in typing accuracy, the Cloud - 50g appeals to enthusiasts who desire a seamless, uninterrupted keystroke experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that fits your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
37g
Actuation force
42g
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.30 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.90 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
Ly
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
Stainless steel
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Bsun Cliff and the HMX Cloud - 50g, notable differences arise, particularly in their top housings. The Bsun Cliff utilizes polycarbonate for its top housing, which contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate enhances the resonant qualities of the sound, making it ideal for those who appreciate brightness in their typing experience. On the other hand, the HMX Cloud - 50g opts for a nylon top housing, known for producing a deeper, fuller sound profile. This is due to nylon's softer nature, which absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder auditory experience. Consequently, while both switch designs cater to different auditory preferences, the HMX Cloud - 50g's nylon construction offers a significantly contrasted sound experience when compared to the Cliff's polycarbonate.
In discussing the bottom housings, both the Bsun Cliff and the HMX Cloud - 50g make use of nylon, leading to additional similarities in sound characteristics. Since both switches share the same bottom housing material, they are likely to produce similar sound profiles when bottoming out. The nylon bottom housing ensures that both switches maintain that deeper and fuller sound, giving users a consistent auditory experience during the actuation phase. Though the top housings differ in their contribution to the switches' sound profiles, the commonality in the bottom housings helps bridge a connection in their overall performance.
Ultimately, the distinct materials of the top housings create a divide in the auditory experience of the Bsun Cliff and HMX Cloud - 50g. If both switches are utilized in tandem, typists may experience contrasting sounds when pressing down on each switch due to the unique qualities of their top housings, but they will find a unifying auditory foundation courtesy of the nylon bottom housings. This compatibility allows users who appreciate both brightness and depth to derive satisfaction across both models, offering a diverse yet cohesive typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the Bsun Cliff tactile switch and the HMX Cloud - 50g linear switch, both demonstrate relatively light actuation and bottom out forces, albeit with some differences. The Cliff has an actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, making it the lighter option in terms of both metrics. In contrast, the Cloud - 50g requires a slightly stronger actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams. While both switches are designed to cater to users seeking a comfortable typing experience, the Cliff’s lower forces may appeal to those who prefer to type for longer periods without as much finger fatigue. Meanwhile, the Cloud - 50g offers a bit more resistance, which can provide a more robust typing feel for those who favor a heavier switch. Overall, the Cliff is the lighter switch, whereas the Cloud - 50g is the heavier option.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Bsun Cliff tactile switch and the HMX Cloud - 50g linear switch, we find that the Bsun Cliff has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the HMX Cloud - 50g features a slightly longer travel distance of 3.9 mm. This difference of 0.3 mm indicates that the Bsun Cliff offers a shorter travel distance, making it potentially more responsive for users who prefer quicker actuation, such as gamers. Conversely, the HMX Cloud - 50g, with its longer travel distance, may provide a more substantial and satisfying feel for those who enjoy a deeper keypress. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preference: users seeking a more responsive experience may opt for the Cliff, while those who appreciate a heartier depth might favor the Cloud - 50g.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Bsun Cliff has an MSRP of $2.75 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Cliff for $2.19.
The HMX Cloud - 50g has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Cloud - 50g for $2.99.
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 sound profile of the Bsun Cliff tactile switch is characterized by a crisp and clear signature, making each keystroke feel pronounced and precise. This medium tactility, combined with the sound, offers a satisfying auditory feedback that many typists and gamers alike appreciate. On the other hand, the HMX Cloud - 50g linear switch produces a clacky sound that caters particularly well to those who prefer a more vibrant and bright auditory experience during typing. This difference means that while the Cliff delivers a more subtle and refined acoustic feedback, the Cloud - 50g provides a livelier and more engaging sound, creating a unique typing atmosphere for each switch.
When it comes to feel, the Bsun Cliff switch offers a medium tactile response, allowing typists to easily recognize when each key has been activated without needing to bottom out, which enhances typing efficiency for longer sessions. This tactility can facilitate precision tasks like coding or gaming, where knowing exactly when a key is pressed can be advantageous. Conversely, the HMX Cloud - 50g linear switch is noted for its silky smooth feel, providing an uninterrupted and frictionless experience across the keypress. This linear nature often appeals to users who enjoy a consistent experience without the tactile bump, making it a preferred choice for rapid typing or gaming sessions where quick, fluid motions are essential.
To conclude, both the Bsun Cliff tactile switch and the HMX Cloud - 50g linear switch offer distinct experiences in terms of sound and feel. The Cliff's crisp sound and medium tactility present a refined typing experience, whereas the Cloud - 50g's clacky sound and silky smooth feel serve a more vibrant and fluid approach. Depending on personal preferences for auditory feedback and key response, enthusiasts can select either switch to suit their typing style, as both provide unique yet satisfying results in their own right.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Bsun Cliff tactile switch and the HMX Cloud - 50g linear switch ultimately boils down to your personal preferences and typing style. If you appreciate a medium level of tactility combined with a crisp sound signature, the Cliff is a great option, especially for typing tasks where you want to feel each key press distinctly without too much effort—thanks to its lighter bottom-out force of 45 grams. This makes it ideal for both casual typing and gaming sessions where feedback is key but doesn’t require excessive effort. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth, uninterrupted keystroke and enjoy a clacky sound profile for a more vibrant typing experience, the Cloud - 50g would be the ideal switch for you. Its slightly heavier bottom-out force of 50 grams offers a robust feel that many enthusiasts find satisfying, especially for long typing sessions or during fast-paced gaming. In essence, choose the Cliff for a tactile, sound-rich typing experience, and the Cloud - 50g for a smoother, more fluid touch with engaging acoustics—both options will serve different needs effectively.
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