HMX Cloud - 63.5g vs. Everglide Lightning Silver V3
An in-depth look at the HMX Cloud - 63.5g and the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When looking for a mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options to consider are the HMX Cloud - 63.5g and the Everglide Lightning Silver V3, both linear switches. The HMX Cloud - 63.5g is known for its clacky sound profile and heavier actuation force, making it ideal for enthusiasts who appreciate a bright and bouncy typing experience. On the other hand, the Lightning Silver V3 offers a similar clacky sound signature but with a lighter actuation force and unique light diffuser feature for enhanced RGB illumination. While both switches provide a silky smooth typing feel, the Cloud - 63.5g leans towards a creamier touch compared to the Lightning Silver V3's silky sensation. 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
56g
Actuation force
48g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.50 mm
Total travel
3.90 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
Lengthened gold-plated spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the HMX Cloud - 63.5g and the Everglide Lightning Silver V3, there is a stark difference between the nylon top housing of the Cloud - 63.5g and the polycarbonate top housing of the Lightning Silver V3. The nylon housing of the Cloud - 63.5g provides a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic composition, which absorbs more sound and creates a duller, rounder sound. On the other hand, the polycarbonate housing of the Lightning Silver V3 produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile because of its stiffer plastic nature, resulting in a more clear and resonant sound. Aesthetic-wise, the translucent polycarbonate housing of the Lightning Silver V3 is especially advantageous for RGB lighting effects.
Moving on to the bottom housings, the contrast between the nylon bottom housing of the Cloud - 63.5g and the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Lightning Silver V3 is evident. Just like their respective top housings, the nylon bottom housing of the Cloud - 63.5g provides a deeper and fuller sound profile, while the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Lightning Silver V3 offers a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound experience. As with the top housing, the translucency of the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Lightning Silver V3 is advantageous for RGB lighting, enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal of the switch.
In instances where both the top and bottom housings of a switch vary, the characteristics of each material contribute to different aspects of the typing experience. The bottom housing influences the bottom-out sound and feel when a key is fully pressed, while the top housing has a greater impact on the sound produced when releasing the key. Therefore, the combination of different housing materials in a single switch can result in a unique typing experience, with each housing material contributing its unique qualities to the overall sound and feel of the switch.
Weight
The actuation force of the HMX Cloud - 63.5g linear switch is 56 grams, while the actuation force of the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch is 48 grams, making the Lightning Silver V3 the lighter option in terms of actuation force. However, the bottom out force of the HMX Cloud - 63.5g is 63.5 grams, slightly heavier than the bottom out force of the Lightning Silver V3 at 60 grams. This means that while the Lightning Silver V3 requires less force to trigger a keystroke, the HMX Cloud - 63.5g offers a more substantial typing experience with a heavier bottom out force. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches will depend on personal preference regarding typing feel and force requirements. If a lighter actuation force is preferred, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 would be the better option, while those seeking a heavier typing experience may prefer the HMX Cloud - 63.5g switch.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the HMX Cloud - 63.5g linear switch is 3.9 mm, while the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. In this case, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 has the shorter travel distance compared to the HMX Cloud - 63.5g. Gamers who prioritize faster response times may prefer the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 with its shorter travel distance. On the other hand, those who enjoy a more substantial keypress may lean towards the HMX Cloud - 63.5g with its slightly longer travel distance. Ultimately, both switches offer different experiences based on individual preferences.
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 Everglide Lightning Silver V3 has an MSRP of $5.55 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Lightning Silver V3 for $4.10.
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, both the HMX Cloud - 63.5g and Everglide Lightning Silver V3 switches share similar characteristics of being clacky and high-pitched. This means that users can expect a sharp, crisp, and bright sound profile when typing on either switch. The choice between the two would come down to personal preference in terms of the exact tone and pitch of the sound produced.
In terms of feel, the HMX Cloud - 63.5g switch is known for providing a bouncy and creamy typing experience. This means users can expect a spring-like feedback sensation with a smooth and buttery feel while typing. On the other hand, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 switch offers a silky typing experience, emphasizing smoothness and minimal resistance when pressing and releasing keys. Both switches aim to deliver a seamless and enjoyable typing experience, catering to different preferences in terms of feedback and overall feel.
Overall, both the HMX Cloud - 63.5g and Everglide Lightning Silver V3 switches offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. While they may share some similarities, such as a clacky sound profile, they also provide distinct characteristics that cater to different preferences among mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. Whether you prefer a bouncy and creamy feel or a silky smooth typing experience, both switches offer a high-quality option for enhancing your typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on your personal preferences in terms of sound, feel, and overall typing experience.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the HMX Cloud - 63.5g linear switch and the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch, you should consider your preference for typing experience and sound profile. If you favor a brighter, clacky sound with a medium-heavy bottom out force, the HMX Cloud - 63.5g might be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy a high-pitched, clacky sound with a lighter bottom out force and a silky typing experience, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 could be more suited to your preferences. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal typing style and the overall feel and sound you desire in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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