HMX Cloud - 63.5g vs. Gateron Silent Ink Black
An in-depth look at the HMX Cloud - 63.5g and the Gateron Silent Ink Black switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between the HMX Cloud - 63.5g and the Gateron Silent Ink Black mechanical keyboard switches, it ultimately comes down to personal preference and specific requirements. The HMX Cloud - 63.5g is a linear switch that is ideal for those who enjoy a bright typing experience with a clacky sound profile. Its heavier weight of 63.5g provides a bouncy and creamy feel, making it perfect for enthusiasts seeking a smooth typing experience. On the other hand, the Gateron Silent Ink Black is a linear switch known for its silenced design, making it suitable for environments where quieter typing is necessary. With a pillow-like bottom-out feel and minimal audio feedback, this switch offers a polished and muted typing experience. 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
60g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
70g
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
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
Color coated
Housing materials
Both the HMX Cloud - 63.5g and the Gateron Silent Ink Black switches utilize unique housing materials to enhance the typing experience. The Cloud - 63.5g features a nylon top housing, which offers a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic properties that absorb more sound. In contrast, the Silent Ink Black utilizes Gateron's proprietary INK blend top housing, providing a pointed and high-pitched but not overly sharp sound profile that is often described as clacky. While both materials aim to enhance sound quality, the nylon top housing of the Cloud - 63.5g promotes a duller and rounder sound, while the INK blend top housing of the Silent Ink Black offers a thinner and higher-pitched sound.
The differences in their bottom housings also contribute to the overall typing experience of these switches. The nylon bottom housing of the Cloud - 63.5g complements the softer plastic properties of the top housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. On the other hand, the Silent Ink Black's proprietary INK blend bottom housing adds to the switch's pointed and high-pitched sound profile, creating a satisfying clacky sound. While both housing materials aim to provide a unique typing experience, the Cloud - 63.5g emphasizes a duller and rounder sound, while the Silent Ink Black leans towards a thinner and higher-pitched sound characteristic.
In conclusion, the choice of housing material in a switch greatly influences the sound profile and typing experience. Despite their differences, both the HMX Cloud - 63.5g and the Gateron Silent Ink Black switches aim to provide an enjoyable typing experience through their unique housing materials. Whether it be the softer nylon material of the Cloud - 63.5g for a deeper sound profile or the proprietary INK blend of the Silent Ink Black for a high-pitched clacky sound, both switches offer distinct qualities that cater to the preferences of mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the HMX Cloud - 63.5g linear switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch, it is evident that both switches fall under the medium-heavy category. The Cloud - 63.5g switch has a lighter actuation force of 56 grams compared to the Silent Ink Black's 60 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Cloud - 63.5g requires 63.5 grams, while the Silent Ink Black needs 70 grams. This means that the Silent Ink Black is heavier in terms of bottom out force, providing a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel. Both switches offer similar results in terms of actuation force, but the Silent Ink Black requires a slightly heavier touch to bottom out. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for typing experience and force requirements.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the HMX Cloud - 63.5g linear switch is 3.9mm, while the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch has a travel distance of 4mm. In this case, the Silent Ink Black has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Cloud - 63.5g. While both switches fall within the typical range of tactile feedback, the slight variation in travel distance may result in a different typing experience for users. Those who prefer a quicker response time may lean towards the Cloud - 63.5g with its shorter travel distance, while those who enjoy a more deliberate keypress may opt for the Gateron Silent Ink Black. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will come down to personal preference and typing style.
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 Silent Ink Black has an MSRP of $8.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Ink Black for $8.35.
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 sound profile, providing a crisp and percussive typing experience. On the other hand, the Gateron Silent Ink Black switch produces a muted sound, making it ideal for quieter environments where minimal noise is preferred. Both switches offer distinct audio feedback, catering to different preferences in terms of typing sound.
When it comes to feel, the Cloud - 63.5g switch is described as bouncy and creamy, offering a lively and smooth typing experience. The keys provide a spring-like feedback and a buttery sensation, enhancing the overall typing feel. In contrast, the Gateron Silent Ink Black switch is noted for its silky and polished feel, ensuring an exceptionally smooth and refined typing experience. Both switches excel in providing a comfortable typing feel, albeit with slightly different tactile feedback.
In conclusion, the HMX Cloud - 63.5g linear switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Cloud - 63.5g switch caters to enthusiasts seeking a bright and clacky typing experience with a bouncy feel, the Silent Ink Black switch provides a muted sound and a silky typing sensation. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preferences for typing sound and feel, but rest assured that both options will deliver a satisfying typing experience.
Conclusion
In closing, if you are someone who values a bright and clacky typing experience with a medium-heavy bottom out force, the HMX Cloud - 63.5g linear switch would be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you require a quieter typing experience with a cushioned bottom-out feel and a slightly heavier bottom out force, the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch would be more suitable. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your preference for sound profile and typing feel, as both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences.
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