HMX Cloud - 50g vs. Durock Daybreak
An in-depth look at the HMX Cloud - 50g and the Durock Daybreak switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the HMX Cloud - 50g and the Durock Daybreak each offer distinct experiences tailored to different preferences. The HMX Cloud - 50g is celebrated for its lighter actuation force of 50 grams and a clacky sound profile, making it an ideal choice for enthusiasts who enjoy a lively, bright typing experience that is complemented by a silky smooth feel. This switch is perfect for those who appreciate the auditory feedback of their keystrokes. In contrast, the Durock Daybreak provides a heftier actuation force of 67 grams, catering to users who prefer a more substantial touch with each press. Its polished, muted, and low-pitched sound profile ensures that it operates quietly, making it suitable for office environments or shared spaces. Both switches bring unique advantages depending on your typing style and environment; 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
42g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.90 mm
Total travel
3.80 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
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Housing materials
When comparing the HMX Cloud - 50g and the Durock Daybreak, the differences in their top housings highlight distinct auditory experiences. The Cloud - 50g utilizes a nylon top housing, which is renowned for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is largely due to nylon's softer plastic nature, which absorbs sound more effectively than harder materials, resulting in a duller and rounder auditory quality when typing. In contrast, the Daybreak employs a polycarbonate top housing, which contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched sound. Polycarbonate is a stiffer plastic that allows for a more resonant and crisp auditory response, making it better suited for those who prefer a clear sound, perhaps enhanced by RGB lighting due to its translucency.
However, both switches share a commonality in their bottom housings: both the Cloud - 50g and the Daybreak feature nylon materials. This similarity means that despite their differences in top housing acoustics, the bottom-out sound and feel when the key is pressed down will be characterized by the softer sound absorption properties of nylon. The deeper, fuller sound profile provided by the nylon bottom housing ensures a consistent auditory experience when the key bottoms out, regardless of the contrasting top housing materials.
Overall, the distinction in materials not only results in varied sound profiles but also illustrates how each housing's characteristics contribute to the overall keypress experience. While the Cloud - 50g achieves a more rounded sound due to its nylon top, the Daybreak offers a crisper response thanks to its polycarbonate construction. This juxtaposition allows users to appreciate the unique nuances of both switches while still enjoying similar bottoming-out sound qualities due to their shared nylon bottom housings. Consequently, users can choose based on their preference for the auditory characteristics during keypress and release, ultimately influencing the typing experience.
Weight
The HMX Cloud - 50g linear switch and the Durock Daybreak linear switch offer distinct differences in their actuation and bottom out forces, catering to varying preferences among users. The Cloud - 50g features an actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, making it a lighter option ideal for extended typing sessions or gaming marathons, as it requires less effort to register each keystroke. In contrast, the Durock Daybreak has an unknown actuation force but a bottom out force of 67 grams, indicating a medium-heavy push feel that may be preferred by those seeking a more substantial typing experience. Consequently, while the Cloud - 50g is the lighter switch, ideal for comfort and endurance, the Daybreak provides a heftier feedback suitable for users who prefer a stronger tactile response. Overall, users can expect different typing experiences based on their choice of switch, reflecting the balance between comfort and weight.
Travel distance
The travel distance between the HMX Cloud - 50g linear switch and the Durock Daybreak linear switch highlights a subtle yet significant difference in design preferences. The HMX Cloud - 50g boasts a travel distance of 3.9 mm, while the Durock Daybreak features a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm. This means that if you're looking for a switch that offers a bit more depth in each keystroke, the Cloud - 50g would be the better option. On the other hand, if you favor a snappier response during your gaming or typing sessions, the Daybreak’s shorter distance could provide that quicker actuation. Overall, while both switches are relatively close in travel length, the Cloud - 50g allows for a slightly deeper keystroke experience compared to the Daybreak.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
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.
The Durock Daybreak has an MSRP of $6.87 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Daybreak for $5.41.
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 HMX Cloud - 50g switch is characterized by a clacky quality, which contributes to a bright and vibrant typing experience that many enthusiasts appreciate. In contrast, the Durock Daybreak linear switch is noted for its muted, low-pitched sound, producing a softer and quieter typing experience that minimizes the typical noise associated with mechanical keyboards. While the HMX Cloud switch delivers an upbeat auditory feedback, the Daybreak’s quieter operation makes it more suitable for environments where noise control is essential, illustrating the balance between expressive feedback and discretion in sound.
When it comes to feel, the HMX Cloud - 50g switch is known for its silky smoothness, promising a pleasant and effortless key travel that many typists enjoy. On the other hand, the Durock Daybreak switch is defined by a polished texture, emphasizing a refined and sleek experience due to reduced friction and effective lubrication. While both switches provide a smooth typing experience, the Daybreak’s heavier actuation force of 67g offers a more substantial touch, catering to those who prefer a firmer feedback and a greater tactile sensation, making it feel more deliberate in comparison.
In summary, the HMX Cloud - 50g is geared towards users who enjoy a light, clacky switch that enhances brightness and excitement in their typing, while the Durock Daybreak caters to those who prefer a heavier, muted switch that operates quietly and smoothly. Ultimately, both switches come with their unique sound and feel characteristics, offering enthusiasts a variety of experiences to suit their preferences; the choice depends on whether one values a brighter, more lively typing profile or a quieter, more substantial touch.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the HMX Cloud - 50g linear switch and the Durock Daybreak linear switch ultimately depends on your preferences for typing feel and sound profile. If you’re someone who prefers a lighter switch that offers a clacky sound and a silky smooth feel, then the Cloud - 50g is likely your best bet. This switch is well-suited for enthusiasts who enjoy a more vibrant typing experience, enhancing your interaction with the keyboard during long typing sessions or gaming. On the other hand, if you lean towards a heavier actuation force and require a more subdued audio environment, the Durock Daybreak would serve you well. Its medium-heavy bottom-out force of 67 grams provides a substantial tactile feedback along with a muted, low-pitched sound profile, making it an ideal choice for office settings or other situations where noise reduction is essential. Therefore, consider these factors when making your decision to ensure you select the switch that aligns with your typing style and environment.
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