HMX Cloud - 50g vs. Outemu Blue Jade
An in-depth look at the HMX Cloud - 50g and the Outemu Blue Jade switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When exploring the world of mechanical keyboards, the choice of switch can significantly enhance your typing experience. The HMX Cloud - 50g, a linear switch, is celebrated for its silky smooth feel and is particularly appealing to enthusiasts who prefer a light, reactive touch with a clacky sound profile that adds an engaging auditory dimension to typing. On the other hand, the Outemu Blue Jade, a clicky switch, offers tactile feedback and an unmistakable click with each keystroke, making it a favorite among typists who enjoy the satisfying sound and feel that boost productivity and provide an enjoyable typing rhythm. While both switches cater to different preferences—smooth and lightweight versus tactile and clicky—they each offer unique advantages that can enhance your overall experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
42g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.20 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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The HMX Cloud - 50g and Outemu Blue Jade switches both utilize nylon for their top and bottom housings, leading to similarities in their overall auditory and tactile feedback during typing. Nylon, a classic material for switch housings, contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile that many typists appreciate. This is primarily due to nylon's softer plastic properties, allowing it to absorb more sound compared to harder materials. As a result, both switches offer a rounder and duller sound when typing, which can enhance the overall typing experience and provide a more satisfying auditory feedback to the user.
While the Cloud - 50g and Blue Jade both depend on nylon for their top and bottom housings, the specific designs of these switches can lead to variances in performance. For instance, the interaction between the key's top and bottom housings can affect how sound and feel are perceived. The bottom housing generally influences the bottom-out sound and tactile feedback because it is where the key presses against the switch's mechanics. Consequently, even though both switches are composed of nylon, they may still yield different experiences due to the distinct characteristics of their internal mechanisms.
Ultimately, despite the shared material of nylon in the Cloud - 50g and Outemu Blue Jade switches, the resulting typing experience may differ based on design nuances and internal configurations. However, the common use of nylon means that both switches are likely to produce a similar deep sound profile and absorb sound effectively, ensuring a soft and pleasant typing experience. Typists can expect analogous auditory characteristics from both switches, even if their tactile feedback may differ slightly, highlighting the crucial role that switch design plays in user experience.
Weight
When comparing the HMX Cloud - 50g linear switch and the Outemu Blue Jade clicky switch, notable differences in actuation and bottom out forces can be observed. The Cloud - 50g features a light actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, making it well-suited for long typing sessions or gaming environments where endurance is crucial. In contrast, the Blue Jade requires a higher actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams, giving it a medium-heavy feel that some users may prefer for its tactile feedback and substantial typing experience. Consequently, the HMX Cloud - 50g is the lighter option, while the Outemu Blue Jade is heavier. This distinction highlights the preferences of different users; those who favor a lighter switch might lean towards the Cloud for comfort during extended use, whereas those who appreciate a firmer push might opt for the Blue Jade for a more robust feel.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the HMX Cloud - 50g linear switch and the Outemu Blue Jade clicky switch, there is a slight difference between the two. The Cloud - 50g has a travel distance of 3.9 mm, while the Blue Jade measures at 4.0 mm. This indicates that the Blue Jade has the longer travel distance, providing a more pronounced depth when pressed. The Cloud - 50g, being shorter by just 0.1 mm, may offer a slightly more responsive feel, which can be beneficial for gamers who prioritize quick key presses. Ultimately, if you prefer a more immediate response, the Cloud - 50g is the better choice, whereas if you enjoy a fuller keystroke experience, the Blue Jade might suit you better. Despite their close measurements, the distinction in travel distance can influence tactile feedback and typing comfort.
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 Outemu Blue Jade comes in at $3.10 per 10 switches.
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 switch is best known for its clacky sound profile, which provides a bright and vibrant auditory feedback that's appealing to enthusiasts who crave an engaging typing experience. This clackiness makes it satisfying to type on, especially for those who enjoy the acoustic feedback that comes with every keystroke. On the other hand, the Outemu Blue Jade switch does not have a specified sound profile, but one can infer that it likely features a medium to loud click characteristic typical of clicky switches. However, without explicit details, the sound experience might vary.
When it comes to feel, the HMX Cloud - 50g switch is celebrated for its silky smooth action, allowing for a fluid typing experience that promotes speed and comfort during extended use. This smoothness is essential for users who prioritize a seamless transition between keystrokes. The Blue Jade switch, lacking specific descriptions, leaves its tactile feedback somewhat ambiguous. Generally, clicky switches tend to provide a distinct tactile bump, which can enhance the typing experience for those who appreciate a more pronounced feedback when a key is actuated, but specifics for this switch remain unknown.
In conclusion, the HMX Cloud - 50g switch stands out with its clacky sound and silky smooth feel, catering to users who enjoy a bright auditory and tactile experience. The Outemu Blue Jade, while not explicitly described in sound and feel, suggests potential for a traditional clicky typing experience. Ultimately, if you're drawn to either switch, you may find similarities in typing satisfaction based on your preference for sound and tactile feedback, but the Cloud - 50g is more clearly defined in its characteristics.
Conclusion
To sum up, choosing between the HMX Cloud - 50g linear switch and the Outemu Blue Jade clicky switch ultimately depends on your personal preferences and typing habits. If you favor a light, smooth, and quiet typing experience that won't fatigue your fingers during long sessions, the HMX Cloud - 50g is an excellent choice. Its 50-gram bottom-out force makes it ideal for rapid typing and gaming, allowing for a swift response without the strain. On the other hand, if you prefer a tactile feedback with an audible click that can enhance your typing experience and provide satisfying sound cues, then the Outemu Blue Jade is likely more suited to your style. Its medium-heavy 65-gram actuation force offers a more deliberate typing experience, catering to those who appreciate a firmer key feel. Consider your environment as well; if you are in a shared space, the HMX Cloud may be preferable for its quieter performance. Ultimately, your decision should reflect your typing preferences, the keyboard's use case, and the auditory environment in which you will be typing.
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