HMX Cloud - 50g vs. Outemu Red Panda
An in-depth look at the HMX Cloud - 50g and the Outemu Red Panda switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch for your typing experience, the HMX Cloud - 50g and the Outemu Red Panda stand out for their unique characteristics. The HMX Cloud - 50g, known for its clacky sound profile and silky smooth feel, appeals to enthusiasts seeking a bright and lightweight typing experience. This linear switch offers a seamless keystroke without any tactile feedback, making it ideal for those who prefer a fluid motion during high-speed typing or gaming. In contrast, the Outemu Red Panda provides a tactile sensation with a light-medium level of tactility, delivering a satisfying bassier sound upon bottoming out and a higher-pitched clack at the top, representing an enjoyable 'thocky' quality that many users appreciate. While the Cloud - 50g fosters a smooth and airy typing environment, the Red Panda offers a more engaging feedback and auditory 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
42g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
3.90 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
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 Red Panda switches, key differences emerge in their top housing materials that significantly influence their sound profiles. The Cloud - 50g utilizes a nylon top housing, which is known for absorbing sound and creating a deeper, more resonant auditory experience. This softer plastic characteristic results in a rounder sound profile, ideal for users who prefer a more muted typing sound. In contrast, the Outemu Red Panda's top housing is made of polycarbonate, a material recognized for its rigidity and clarity. The polycarbonate top contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched sound that's crisp and ringing, providing a distinctly different auditory feedback. Aesthetic considerations also come into play; polycarbonate's translucency allows for enhanced RGB lighting effects, which is an appealing feature for gaming setups.
Diving deeper into the bottom housing of both switches reveals an interesting contrast. While the HMX Cloud - 50g and the Red Panda both share nylon as the material for their bottom housings, the impact of this shared characteristic largely contributes to the typing experience. Nylon's inherent sound-absorbing properties lead to a deeper and fuller sound profile in both switches. This means that while visual and auditory expectations can differ significantly with the top housings, the tactile experience from the bottom housing remains consistent across both models. When bottoming out, users will notice a similar auditory dampening effect due to the nylon material in both cases, creating a more uniform experience in that aspect.
Ultimately, the combination of these differing materials creates distinct experiences when typing on these switches, yet the same material in the bottom housing ensures certain similarities are maintained. The nylon bottoms of both the Cloud - 50g and the Red Panda provide a consistent, softer bottom-out sound that contrasts with their different top housings. Users who prefer a more subdued and deeper sound profile may lean towards the HMX Cloud - 50g for its nylon top, while those seeking a bright and clear sound may prefer the Outemu Red Panda's polycarbonate top. Regardless of individual preferences, both switches afford a unique experience, shaped primarily by the materials used in their carefully crafted housings.
Weight
When comparing the actuation and bottom out forces of the HMX Cloud - 50g linear switch and the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch, it is clear that they cater to different preferences in terms of resistance. The Cloud - 50g has an actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, making it a lighter option. This reduction in force can be advantageous for prolonged typing or gaming sessions, as it reduces fatigue. In contrast, the Outemu Red Panda switch requires a heavier actuation force of 50 grams and has a bottom out force of 60 grams, offering a more substantial feel during use. This makes the Red Panda more suitable for users who prefer a firmer keypress for a tactile experience. Overall, while both switches have their unique strengths, the HMX Cloud - 50g is the lighter choice, while the Outemu Red Panda is heavier, appealing to those who enjoy a more substantial push.
Travel distance
The HMX Cloud - 50g linear switch features a travel distance of 3.9 mm, while the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch has a shorter travel distance of 3.3 mm. This means that the HMX Cloud switch offers a deeper keystroke, which could appeal to users who appreciate a more substantial feel when typing or gaming. In contrast, the Red Panda, with its shorter travel distance, could provide quicker actuation, making it a favored choice for gamers seeking faster response times. Ultimately, if you desire a more pronounced depth in each keystroke, the Cloud - 50g is the better choice, while the Red Panda is ideal for those who prefer a quicker and more responsive typing experience.
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 Red Panda comes in at $3.40 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 boasts a clacky sound profile, providing a bright and crispy auditory feedback that many typing enthusiasts cherish. This can lead to an experience that feels lively and energetic, perfect for those who enjoy the sound of their keystrokes. On the other hand, the Outemu Red Panda switch offers a unique auditory experience characterized by a light-medium tactility that is accompanied by a bassy, raindrop-like bottom-out sound alongside a higher-pitched clack when releasing the key. While both switches provide distinct auditory feedback, the collocation of a deeper thocky sound in the Red Panda may appeal to users who prefer a richer acoustic signature compared to the Cloud's sharper tone.
When it comes to feel, the HMX Cloud - 50g is noted for its silky smooth action, allowing for seamless keystrokes during typing sessions. This lends itself to a fast and fluid typing experience, making it suitable for those who prioritize speed and smoothness in their keypresses. In stark contrast, the Outemu Red Panda switch features a mild tactile bump, offering a subtler feedback that is both approachable and versatile. This middle-ground feel can provide a balanced typing experience, ideal for users who prefer a touch of tactility without an overtly aggressive response.
In conclusion, both the HMX Cloud - 50g and Outemu Red Panda switches deliver unique qualities that cater to different preferences among keyboard enthusiasts. The Clacky nature of the Cloud - 50g appeals to those who enjoy a bright typing experience, while the Red Panda's thocky sound and mild tactility offer a more subdued, yet satisfying alternative. Ultimately, personal preference will dictate which switch is more suitable for an individual, as sound and feel play crucial roles in the overall typing experience.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the HMX Cloud - 50g linear switch and the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch ultimately hinges on your typing preferences and needs. If you prefer a lighter switch with a bright sound profile and a silky smooth feel, the Cloud - 50g is an excellent choice, especially for activities like gaming, where rapid key presses and fluid movements can enhance performance. The 50-gram actuation force allows for a less strenuous typing experience, making it suitable for long typing sessions. On the other hand, if you enjoy a satisfying tactile bump and a deeper, thocky sound with a medium actuation force, the Red Panda might be more your style. This switch provides a well-rounded typing experience that strikes a balance between being tactile and gentle, ideal for both gamers who appreciate a robust feedback and typists who relish the satisfying sound and feel of each keystroke. Ultimately, consider what aspects—lightness and smoothness versus tactility and sound—matter most to you in your mechanical keyboard experience.
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