HMX Cloud - 63.5g vs. Gateron Glory Yellow
An in-depth look at the HMX Cloud - 63.5g and the Gateron Glory Yellow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the HMX Cloud - 63.5g and the Gateron Glory Yellow offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences among users. The HMX Cloud - 63.5g, a linear switch, is celebrated for its clacky sound profile, appealing to enthusiasts who relish a bright and engaging typing experience. Its heavier actuation force of 63.5g provides a bouncy feel, combined with a silky smoothness that makes fast typing enjoyable. On the other hand, the Gateron Glory Yellow switch stands out for its smooth keystroke and pleasing travel distance, making it a solid choice for those seeking a more subdued yet enjoyable typing ambiance. Both switches deliver a satisfying tactile experience, but they cater to different taste profiles in the mechanical keyboard world. However, let’s dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
56g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.90 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
15mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
The HMX Cloud - 63.5g and the Gateron Glory Yellow are both equipped with nylon housing materials for their switches, emphasizing the classic nature of nylon in mechanical keyboard design. Both the Cloud - 63.5g and the Glory Yellow utilize nylon for both their top and bottom housings, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile characteristic of this material. The softness of nylon allows it to absorb sound effectively, leading to a pleasing auditory experience that is both duller and rounder compared to switches made of harder plastics. Consequently, users can expect a similar tactile and auditory experience from both switches due to this shared material.
Despite the similarities in housing material, the impact of the housing design plays a crucial role in the overall typing experience of each switch. The Cloud - 63.5g, for instance, aims to provide a particular tactile feedback and acoustic quality that may differ slightly from those of the Glory Yellow. While both switches share nylon housing, any nuance in their design or spring mechanism may lead to variations in how the switches feel and sound, particularly during bottoming out or releasing a key. The bottom housing tends to influence the bottom-out sound and feel more significantly, while the top housing impacts the release sound—an aspect that could distinguish their performance based on individual preferences.
In conclusion, although the HMX Cloud - 63.5g and Gateron Glory Yellow both employ nylon for their top and bottom housings, creating a foundation for a similar acoustic profile, there are likely differences in their overall performance stemming from variations in design and engineering choices. Users seeking a specific sound or typing feel will find these subtleties to be significant. Therefore, even when housing materials are identical, the overall user experience can vary based on the other elements incorporated in the switches, leading to distinct yet comparable outcomes in their use.
Weight
The HMX Cloud - 63.5g linear switch and the Gateron Glory Yellow linear switch exhibit distinct characteristics in terms of actuation and bottom out forces. The Cloud switch has an actuation force of 56 grams and a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, making it a medium-heavy option. In contrast, the Glory Yellow switch features a lighter actuation force of 50 grams, but its bottom out force is listed as unavailable. Consequently, while the Cloud provides a heavier overall feel due to its higher bottom out force, the Glory Yellow is lighter and potentially more suitable for those who prefer a softer touch, especially during extended typing or gaming sessions. Without knowing the bottom out force for the Glory Yellow, it's challenging to fully compare depth of feel; however, lighter users may still achieve a satisfactory typing experience with it. Overall, those craving a more substantial push should opt for the Cloud, while lighter enthusiasts may lean towards the Glory Yellow.
Travel distance
The HMX Cloud - 63.5g linear switch features a travel distance of 3.9 mm, while the Gateron Glory Yellow linear switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm. This means that the Glory Yellow switch offers a more traditional feel, providing a deeper keypress which might be preferable for users who enjoy a more substantial typing experience. On the other hand, the shorter travel distance of the Cloud switch could appeal to gamers seeking quicker response times, allowing for faster actuation with less effort. Ultimately, if you sit on the spectrum leaning towards rapid input, the Cloud switch may serve you better, while those who value a more pronounced depth might gravitate towards the Glory Yellow.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Cloud - 63.5g 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 - 63.5g for $2.99.
The Gateron Glory Yellow has an MSRP of $4.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Glory Yellow for $4.19.
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 HMX Cloud - 63.5g switch impresses with a distinct clacky profile characterized by a bright and percussive sound. This high-pitched auditory signature creates a sharp and crisp response with each keystroke, making it an excellent choice for those who appreciate a lively typing atmosphere. In contrast, the Gateron Glory Yellow lacks a specific sound profile in the provided information. However, it's worth noting that the overall sound produced by both switches can greatly depend on various factors, such as the keyboard they are paired with and the choice of keycaps.
In terms of feel, the Cloud - 63.5g offers an engaging experience characterized by bounciness and a creamy texture. This means that users can expect a lively, spring-like feedback paired with a silky smoothness that enhances the typing experience. The rebound sensation gives a sense of energizing responsiveness, while the creamy feel allows fingers to glide effortlessly across the keys. The feel of the Gateron Glory Yellow, however, remains unspecified in the provided details, making it harder to compare this aspect directly.
Overall, both the HMX Cloud - 63.5g and Gateron Glory Yellow linear switches cater to enthusiasts, but they showcase different auditory and tactile qualities. Users drawn to a clacky sound and the combination of bounce and creaminess in feel will prefer the Cloud - 63.5g. On the other hand, while we lack detailed information about the Gateron Glory Yellow's sound and feel, it still holds the potential for a smooth keystroke experience. Ultimately, if you value a bright sound and a dynamic feel, the Cloud - 63.5g is a fantastic choice, whereas opting for the Glory Yellow could lead to a different but enjoyable typing journey.
Conclusion
To conclude, the choice between the HMX Cloud - 63.5g linear switch and the Gateron Glory Yellow linear switch largely depends on your personal preferences and typing style. If you enjoy a firmer tactile feedback with a heavier bottom-out force of 63.5 grams, and you appreciate a clacky, high-pitched sound profile that can provide an engaging auditory experience, then the HMX Cloud - 63.5g would be an excellent fit for you. Its bouncy and creamy feel offers a unique typing sensation that many enthusiasts find satisfying, particularly for long typing sessions. Conversely, if you prefer a smoother keystroke with a more forgiving touch, and you're looking for a switch that is designed to offer an enjoyable yet less pronounced typing experience, then the Gateron Glory Yellow may better suit your needs. This switch delivers a pleasant travel distance and a sleek overall feel, perfect for those who prioritize a more understated sound profile. Ultimately, both switches have their unique offerings, so consider how much you value sound, feedback, and force when making your decision.
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