HMX Cloud - 50g vs. Outemu Purple
An in-depth look at the HMX Cloud - 50g and the Outemu Purple switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the choice between the HMX Cloud - 50g and the Outemu Purple can significantly influence your typing experience. The HMX Cloud - 50g, a linear switch, is best known for its smooth operation and clacky sound profile, appealing to enthusiasts who appreciate a bright and lively typing experience while benefiting from a lighter 50g actuation force. In contrast, the Outemu Purple presents itself as a tactile switch that offers distinct feedback with each keystroke, catering to those who prefer a more pronounced and engaging typing sensation. While the Cloud - 50g emphasizes a silky smooth feel and an enjoyable auditory response, the Outemu Purple aims to provide a tactile cue that can enhance typing accuracy and a more tactile interaction. Each switch has its own unique qualities that can cater to different preferences, making the decision an important one for any keyboard enthusiast. 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
50g
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
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
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
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
When comparing the HMX Cloud - 50g and the Outemu Purple switches, a notable distinction arises in their top housing materials. The Cloud - 50g utilizes nylon for its top housing, which contributes to a deeper, fuller sound profile due to the material's relatively soft nature. This softness helps absorb sound, resulting in a rounder and more muted auditory experience. In contrast, the Outemu Purple features a polycarbonate top housing. Polycarbonate, being a stiffer plastic, produces a sharper and crisper sound profile, resulting in a more resonant auditory feedback. This material allows for clearer sound transmission, especially useful when RGB lighting is present. Therefore, while both switches can provide excellent typing experiences, the sound profiles will significantly differ due to the contrasting properties of nylon and polycarbonate in their top housings.
In the bottom housing, both the Cloud - 50g and the Outemu Purple use nylon. This commonality ensures that their bottom-out sound and feel share similarities, as nylon’s soft and absorbent characteristics lend a deeper and fuller response when typing. This shared bottom housing material leads to a consistent feel while typing, as both switches prioritize comfort and a rich auditory feedback on the bottom-out stroke. Thus, despite the differing sound characteristics contributed by their top housings, the foundational experience remains aligned, providing users with a familiar tactile sensation at the base of each key press.
The distinctive sound profiles of the HMX Cloud - 50g and the Outemu Purple can best be understood through the interaction between their top and bottom housings. While the nylon bottom housing in both switches creates a unified experience in terms of sound and feel, the top housing material shifts the auditory feedback on key release. For users seeking a fuller and warmer sound, the Cloud - 50g’s nylon top housing will deliver this, while those who prefer a sharper and more pronounced auditory response may lean towards the Outemu Purple’s polycarbonate top. Ultimately, this complementary interplay leads to unique typing experiences; however, the similar bottom housings ensure a stable foundation for users across both switches.
Weight
The HMX Cloud - 50g linear switch and the Outemu Purple tactile switch present a notable contrast in terms of actuation force. The Cloud switch has a lighter actuation force of 42 grams compared to the Outemu Purple's heavier actuation force of 50 grams, making the Cloud switch more suitable for prolonged typing sessions or extended gaming, as it requires less force to actuate. Additionally, the Cloud switch has a bottom out force of 50 grams, while the bottom out force for the Purple switch is not available. This information suggests that users who want a more substantial keystroke feel may prefer the Outemu Purple, despite its heavier actuation force. Overall, the HMX Cloud - 50g is the lighter option, while the Outemu Purple is the heavier one, leading to different typing experiences based on individual preferences.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the HMX Cloud - 50g linear switch and the Outemu Purple tactile switch, we find that the Cloud - 50g has a travel distance of 3.9 mm, while the Outemu Purple measures slightly longer at 4 mm. This makes the Cloud - 50g the shorter option, offering a more responsive experience that many gamers prefer, as shorter distances can lead to faster response times in gameplay. Conversely, the Outemu Purple, with its longer travel distance, may appeal to those who appreciate a more pronounced tactile feedback and depth while typing. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on individual preferences, with the Cloud - 50g being ideal for users seeking quick responsiveness and the Outemu Purple catering to those who favor a more traditional and tactile keystroke feel.
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 Purple 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 linear switch is noted for its clacky sound profile, making it a lively option for typing, particularly favored by enthusiasts who appreciate a bright auditory experience. This can enhance the enjoyment of typing, providing positive feedback with each keystroke. On the other hand, the Outemu Purple switch does not have a clearly defined sound profile available, so specific auditory characteristics remain unknown. However, it is essential to remember that the overall sound of a switch can heavily depend on the keyboard's construction, such as the choice of casing and keycaps, which can further influence the acoustic outcome.
When it comes to feel, the Cloud - 50g offers a silky smooth experience that contributes to an effortless typing motion, making it ideal for long typing sessions and gaming alike. The Outemu Purple switch, on the other hand, lacks detailed descriptions of its tactile feedback, leaving its specific feel to be unknown. This difference in reported feedback can significantly shape how users connect with the switch in everyday use, as the Cloud - 50g promises a seamless experience, while the Purple's characteristics remain a mystery.
In conclusion, the HMX Cloud - 50g linear switch delivers a distinct clacky sound and combines it with a silky smooth feel that greatly appeals to typing enthusiasts. In contrast, the Outemu Purple switch leaves much to be desired in available information regarding both sound and feel, creating a sense of uncertainty around its tactile qualities. Ultimately, if you're drawn to a bright auditory typing experience paired with smooth keystrokes, the Cloud - 50g will likely satisfy, though those seeking to explore the undefined qualities of the Purple may find intrigue despite the lack of clarity.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the HMX Cloud - 50g linear switch and the Outemu Purple tactile switch, it ultimately boils down to your personal preferences in typing experience, sound, and the types of tasks you typically engage in. If you enjoy a smooth and light typing experience that offers a clacky sound profile, the Cloud - 50g is likely your best choice. Its 50g actuation force makes it easy to type quickly, which can enhance your speed and comfort during long workload sessions or fast-paced gaming. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch that provides tactile feedback for a more deliberate typing experience, you might want to consider the Outemu Purple. Although specific details about its feel and sound profile weren’t provided, tactile switches generally allow you to feel when a keystroke is registered, which can be satisfying for typists who focus on accuracy and a more raised sound. Ultimately, your decision should align with whether you favor a smooth, light keystroke with a lively sound or a gratifying tactile bump to guide your effort while typing.
Mentioned in this article
