HMX Cloud - 63.5g vs. KTT Pine
An in-depth look at the HMX Cloud - 63.5g and the KTT Pine switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the HMX Cloud - 63.5g and the KTT Pine mechanical keyboard switches, it becomes evident that both offer unique features catering to different preferences. The Cloud - 63.5g is renowned for its clacky sound profile and heavier actuation force, providing a bright typing experience that appeals to enthusiasts seeking a silky smooth feel. In contrast, the KTT Pine Linear Switches offer a medium-heavy build with a buttery smooth feel, thanks to its factory-lubed finish that minimizes friction for effortless key travel. While the Cloud - 63.5g is characterized by a 'bouncy' and 'high-pitched' typing experience, the Pine is labeled as 'bassy' and 'low-pitched'. Choosing between these switches ultimately depends on personal preferences, but diving deeper into their specific features will help you decide on the best switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
56g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
58g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 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
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
15.5mm gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The HMX Cloud - 63.5g and the KTT Pine both offer unique qualities in their housing materials that contribute to the overall sound profile of the switches. The Cloud - 63.5g features a nylon top and bottom housing, which absorbs more sound due to its softer plastic composition, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. On the other hand, the Pine utilizes polycarbonate for both the top and bottom housing, leading to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This contrast in material composition directly influences the sound produced by each switch, with the Cloud offering a duller and rounder sound compared to the Pine's clear and resonant sound.
In terms of aesthetics, the housing materials of the HMX Cloud - 63.5g and the KTT Pine also differ significantly. The Cloud's nylon housing provides a classic look with its opaque finish, while the Pine's polycarbonate housing offers a sleek and modern appearance with its translucent design. Additionally, the use of polycarbonate in the Pine's housing allows for RGB lighting to shine through, adding a dynamic visual element to the switch. Despite these differences, both switches showcase the importance of housing materials in enhancing the overall look and feel of mechanical switches.
Although the top and bottom housings of the HMX Cloud - 63.5g and the KTT Pine differ in material composition, they each play a crucial role in shaping the overall typing experience. The bottom housing's impact on bottom-out sound and feel is influenced by the material properties, with the nylon housing of the Cloud providing a softer and more cushioned feel compared to the stiffer polycarbonate housing of the Pine. Conversely, the top housing has a more significant effect on the sound produced when releasing a key, showcasing the unique characteristics of each material in creating distinct sound profiles. Despite these differences, both switches ultimately demonstrate the importance of housing materials in achieving a desired typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the HMX Cloud - 63.5g linear switch and the KTT Pine linear switch, it is evident that the Pine switch is lighter, with an actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Cloud's 56 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Cloud requires 63.5 grams, slightly heavier than the Pine's 58 grams. Both switches fall into the medium category, but the Cloud - 63.5g offers a slightly heavier typing experience overall. Those who prefer a more substantial push feel may lean towards the Cloud switch, while users who enjoy a lighter touch may opt for the Pine switch for longer typing sessions. In terms of similarities, both switches provide a medium typing experience, making them suitable options for a variety of typing preferences.
Travel distance
The HMX Cloud - 63.5g linear switch has a travel distance of 3.9 mm, while the KTT Pine linear switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are becoming more popular for their quicker response times, particularly favored by gamers. However, the slight difference in travel distance may result in a slightly different typing experience between the two switches. If you prefer a shallower and faster key press, the Cloud - 63.5g may be the better option for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly more substantial keypress with a bit more depth, the KTT Pine linear switch with its 4 mm travel distance may be more suitable. Ultimately, both switches offer a relatively short travel distance compared to traditional switches, providing a modern and responsive typing experience.
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 KTT Pine has an MSRP of $4.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Pine for $4.15.
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 HMX Cloud - 63.5g switch offers a clacky and high-pitched typing experience, producing sharp and crisp keypress sounds that resonate with enthusiasts who enjoy a bright and percussive sound profile. On the other hand, the KTT Pine switch provides a bassy and low-pitched sound, offering a deeper and richer tone during key presses that may appeal to those seeking a more mellow and bass-heavy auditory feedback. Ultimately, the sound preference between the two switches comes down to personal taste and the overall setup of the keyboard, including the choice of keycaps and the keyboard's construction.
When it comes to feel, the HMX Cloud - 63.5g switch is noted for its bouncy and creamy sensation, providing a spring-like feedback and a smooth, buttery typing experience that allows keys to effortlessly melt into each keystroke. Similarly, the KTT Pine switch offers a buttery and creamy typing experience, ensuring a seamless and uniform sensation with factory-lubed finishes that minimize friction for smooth key travel. Both switches offer a silky smooth feel that caters to enthusiasts who appreciate a high level of typing comfort and ease.
In conclusion, both the HMX Cloud - 63.5g and KTT Pine linear switches offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Cloud switch provides a clacky and high-pitched sound with a bouncy and creamy feel, the Pine switch offers a bassy and low-pitched sound with a buttery and creamy sensation. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on individual preferences for sound profile and typing experience. Rest assured, regardless of the choice, users can expect a high-quality and satisfying typing experience from either switch.
Conclusion
In summary, when deciding between the HMX Cloud - 63.5g linear switch and the KTT Pine linear switch, you should consider the typing experience you prefer. If you enjoy a bright and clacky sound profile with a medium-heavy bottom out force, the HMX Cloud - 63.5g switch would be a suitable choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a smoother and buttery typing experience with a slightly lighter bottom out force, the KTT Pine linear switch may be more to your liking. Ultimately, it all comes down to personal preference and what feels most comfortable to you as you type.
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