HMX Cloud - 50g vs. Huano Elf
An in-depth look at the HMX Cloud - 50g and the Huano Elf switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the HMX Cloud - 50g and the Huano Elf offer distinct experiences tailored for different preferences among enthusiasts. The HMX Cloud - 50g, celebrated for its clacky sound profile, provides a lighter touch that many typists appreciate for its nimble and fast-paced feel, making it particularly suitable for those who relish a bright typing experience. On the other hand, the Huano Elf stands out with its POK top housing, which enhances acoustics and delivers a deep sound signature paired with a medium-light actuation force, offering a satisfying and more pronounced auditory feedback with each keystroke. While both switches belong to the linear category, their unique sound profiles and tactile sensations can influence your typing experience significantly. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the right switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
42g
Actuation force
42g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.90 mm
Total travel
3.60 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
POK
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
Stainless steel spring
Housing materials
When comparing the HMX Cloud - 50g and the Huano Elf, we can observe notable differences in the top housing materials used in each switch. The Cloud - 50g features a nylon top housing, known for its softer texture, creating a deeper and fuller sound profile. This softer plastic quality enables the switch to absorb sound effectively, resulting in a duller and rounder auditory experience. In contrast, the Huano Elf utilizes POK (polyketone) as its top housing material. This material stands out for its exceptional smoothness and strength, showcasing a much lower coefficient of friction than traditional plastics and significantly higher shock resistance than nylon. Consequently, while the Cloud - 50g delivers a rounded sound, the Elf aims for a more clacky auditory response due to its robust POK material.
On the other hand, the bottom housings of both switches share a commonality as they both utilize nylon. This consistency in material suggests that they will yield similar acoustics and tactile responses at the bottom of the switch, where sound absorption and overall feel play a crucial role. Given that both switches have nylon for their bottom housings, users can expect a comparable deeper and fuller sound profile when the key is depressed. This shared material ensures that, despite differences in the top housing, the underlying experiences during key presses are somewhat aligned in terms of sound texture and tactile feedback.
Overall, while the HMX Cloud - 50g and the Huano Elf vary significantly in their top housing materials—with nylon offering softer sound absorption and POK providing a more pronounced and smooth feel—their use of nylon for the bottom housing enables overlapping acoustic qualities. This combination creates a fascinating interplay where the top housing's unique attributes define sound dynamics upon releasing the key, while the bottom housing retains the characteristic deep, subdued resonance common to nylon. Consequently, users can expect different auditory and tactile profiles from each switch, informed by their respective materials, yet still bridged by the shared properties of nylon in the bottom housing.
Weight
The HMX Cloud - 50g linear switch and the Huano Elf linear switch have some similar characteristics in their actuation forces but differ in their bottom out forces. Both switches require an actuation force of 42 grams to trigger a keystroke, which makes them equally light in that regard. This similar actuation force means that users can expect a comparable typing experience in terms of how much force is needed to register a key press, making both switches suitable for long typing sessions where lighter weights are preferred. However, the Cloud switch features a bottom out force of 50 grams, indicating that it provides a defined resistance when pressed down completely, offering a more substantial feel when hitting the end of the key travel. In contrast, the bottom out force for the Huano Elf switch is unavailable, leaving its tactile feedback and how it feels upon bottoming out uncertain. Overall, while the actuation forces of both switches align, the Cloud switch ultimately provides a heavier feel in terms of bottoming out, making it the heavier option when considering the entire key press experience.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the HMX Cloud - 50g linear switch and the Huano Elf linear switch, we see that they differ slightly, with the Cloud - 50g measuring 3.9 mm and the Elf at 3.6 mm. This makes the Huano Elf the shorter switch, which may appeal to gamers seeking quicker response times and a more immediate feel when keying. On the other hand, the Cloud - 50g, with its longer travel distance, provides a more substantial depth, which some users might prefer for a more deliberate typing experience. Both switches highlight the growing trend of shorter travel distances in modern switches, though choosing between them ultimately depends on personal preference for either responsiveness or depth.
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 Huano Elf has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Elf for $3.29.
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 - 50g presents a clacky sound profile that resonates warmly, appealing to enthusiasts who appreciate a bright typing experience. This switch tends to produce a cheery timbre that is pronounced during key presses. In contrast, the Huano Elf switch offers a deep sound signature, thanks to its POK top housing, which enhances the acoustics and creates a more resonant and muted auditory feedback. Both switches will deliver distinctly different auditory experiences, allowing typists to choose between a sharp, lively sound versus a more subdued, deep tone, depending on their personal preference or the specific ambiance they wish to achieve.
When it comes to feel, the HMX Cloud - 50g boasts a silky smooth action that ensures a fluid key press with minimal resistance, making it ideal for fast typists who desire a seamless typing experience. This lighter variant provides a unique tactile sensation that can be both satisfying and encouraging for longer typing sessions. On the other hand, the Huano Elf features a medium-light feel, striking a balance between ease of actuation and tactile feedback. While it may not be as smooth as the Cloud - 50g, the Elf maintains a comfortable typing experience that many users find enjoyable, offering a different take on linear switch dynamics.
In conclusion, both the HMX Cloud - 50g and Huano Elf linear switches provide unique auditory and tactile experiences for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. The Cloud - 50g is characterized by its clacky sound and silky smoothness, perfect for those who enjoy an energetic typing experience, while the Elf’s deep sound profile and medium-light feel offer a more grounded typing sensation. Depending on whether you prefer a bright auditory experience with a smooth tactile response or a deeper sound with a moderate feel, both switches can cater to varying preferences while yet resulting in satisfying performances.
Conclusion
To conclude, choosing between the HMX Cloud - 50g linear switch and the Huano Elf linear switch ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and typing style. If you favor a lighter switch that provides a smooth and clacky sound profile, the HMX Cloud - 50g is an excellent option, especially for those who enjoy a more dynamic and engaging typing experience. This switch is particularly suited for fast-paced typists, gamers, or anyone who appreciates a bright sound and silky feel while typing. On the other hand, if you're drawn to a deeper sound signature and a medium-light resistance that still maintains a satisfying typing experience, the Huano Elf is your go-to. This switch excels in providing a unique acoustics experience, thanks to its POK top housing, making it ideal for users who prefer a more muted yet rich auditory feedback while enjoying a comfortable typing feel. Ultimately, your choice should align with how you prioritize sound, feel, and actuation weight in your keyboard experience.
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