HMX Cloud - 50g vs. Jerrzi Salt Ice
An in-depth look at the HMX Cloud - 50g and the Jerrzi Salt Ice switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, the HMX Cloud - 50g and the Jerrzi Salt Ice offer distinct yet appealing options for enthusiasts who favor linear switches. The HMX Cloud - 50g is renowned for its lighter actuation force and clacky sound profile, making it an ideal choice for users who appreciate a bright and engaging typing experience. Its silky smooth feel enhances comfort during prolonged use, appealing to typists who prefer a softer touch. On the other hand, the Jerrzi Salt Ice excels with its exceptionally bright and clacky characteristics, providing vibrant feedback that energizes every keystroke. Designed for those who seek a highly responsive typing experience, the Salt Ice switches facilitate effortless actuation, ensuring that gamers and typists alike can maintain a dynamic rhythm. While both switches cater to similar preferences for linear smoothness and sound, they each bring their own unique flair to the table. 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
45g
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
3.40 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
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The HMX Cloud - 50g and the Jerrzi Salt Ice demonstrate distinct challenges in their construction due to their differing housing materials. The Cloud - 50g utilizes nylon for both its top and bottom housings, which results in a deeper and fuller sound profile. This softer plastic not only absorbs sound effectively but also creates a duller noise when typing, lending itself to a more muted and rounded auditory experience. In comparison, the Jerrzi Salt Ice employs polycarbonate for its housings, both top and bottom. This stiffer plastic generates a sharper and crisper sound profile, making typing on the Salt Ice result in a more pronounced and resonant auditory feedback. The choice of materials fundamentally affects how each switch interacts with vibrations and sound waves, leading to distinctly different user experiences.
Despite the differences in the materials used, it is essential to note that both the Cloud - 50g and Salt Ice can potentially yield similar outcomes in terms of overall functionality. For example, while the deeper sound of the Cloud - 50g may appeal to those who prefer a more subdued auditory experience, the sharper acoustics of the Salt Ice may attract users seeking a more lively response. When typing, users will experience the Cloud’s nylon properties influencing the bottom-out feel and sound, while the brighter sound profile of the Salt Ice’s polycarbonate will come into play during the release of a key. Each switch’s performance can be tailored based on the user's preferences, despite the material disparities, allowing for a personalized typing experience.
Aesthetic considerations further differentiate the two models, particularly with the translucent nature of the Salt Ice’s polycarbonate housing. This translucence enhances the visual appeal of RGB lighting, making the Salt Ice an optimal choice for those who enjoy customizable light displays. The Cloud - 50g, with its opaque nylon, may lack this visual flair but compensates with its emphasis on auditory dampening. Ultimately, while both housing materials have unique acoustic and aesthetic attributes, the differences can lead users to favor one switch over the other based on their personal priorities—be it auditory resonance or visual customizability.
Weight
When comparing the HMX Cloud - 50g linear switch and the Jerrzi Salt Ice linear switch, notable differences emerge in their actuation forces, while the bottom out force of the Salt Ice switch remains unknown. The Cloud - 50g has a lighter actuation force of 42 grams, making it suitable for prolonged typing sessions due to its reduced resistance, whereas the Salt Ice requires slightly more force at 45 grams, resulting in a marginally heavier feel. In terms of bottom out force, the Cloud - 50g has a definitive value of 50 grams, indicating a satisfying and substantial response when bottoming out. Conversely, since the bottom out force for the Salt Ice is unspecified, it’s difficult to fully assess how it compares in that regard. Overall, those who prefer a lighter typing experience may gravitate towards the Cloud - 50g for its lower actuation force, while those who enjoy a firmer push would find the Salt Ice’s higher actuation force to be more in line with their preferences.
Travel distance
The HMX Cloud - 50g linear switch and the Jerrzi Salt Ice linear switch exhibit different travel distances, with the Cloud measuring 3.9 mm and the Salt Ice at 3.4 mm. This makes the Salt Ice the shorter option, which may appeal to gamers seeking faster response times due to its more abrupt actuation. Conversely, the Cloud's longer 3.9 mm travel distance may provide a more tactile experience for users who prefer a deeper keypress, offering a balance between comfort and responsiveness. While both switches cater to different preferences, those who favor rapid engagement will find the Salt Ice a better fit, whereas individuals who enjoy a more substantial depth in their keystrokes might lean towards the Cloud.
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 Jerrzi Salt Ice has an MSRP of $2.79 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Salt Ice for $2.30.
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, both the HMX Cloud - 50g and the Jerrzi Salt Ice linear switches exhibit a bright and clacky profile that caters to those who enjoy an engaging auditory experience while typing. The clackiness of the Cloud - 50g complements its lighter actuation force, creating a lively sound that can bring an element of fun to your typing sessions. Similarly, the Salt Ice switches are noted for their exceptionally bright and clacky characteristics, making them equally compelling for those who appreciate an energetic sound. However, it's important to keep in mind that the overall sound can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard construction and the choice of keycaps, meaning users may achieve similar auditory results with either switch.
When it comes to feel, the Cloud - 50g offers a silky smooth typing experience, perfect for users who prioritize fluidity in their keystrokes. This smoothness combines with the switch’s 50g actuation force to create a balance of ease and responsiveness. On the other hand, the Salt Ice switches provide a similar light touch alongside vibrant feedback, emphasizing responsiveness that helps to energize typing. Both switches are designed to create a satisfying experience, but while the Cloud - 50g leans more towards a smooth sensation, the Salt Ice tends to excel in tactile feedback, making them distinct but appealing alternatives for different preferences.
In conclusion, both the HMX Cloud - 50g and Jerrzi Salt Ice linear switches cater to users who enjoy a bright, clacky sound and responsive typing experiences. The Cloud - 50g offers a silky smooth feel, ideal for uninterrupted typing flow, while the Salt Ice switches provide a more vibrant feedback that enlivens the actuation. While sound may be similar due to the clacky characteristics of both switches, users will find unique tactile experiences depending on their choice, catering to varied preferences in feel and feedback. Ultimately, either switch can satisfy newcomers looking for a lively and responsive typing experience, allowing them to achieve satisfying results aligned with their specific inclinations.
Conclusion
To conclude, choosing between the HMX Cloud - 50g linear switch and the Jerrzi Salt Ice linear switch ultimately depends on your personal preferences for sound and feel in your typing experience. If you prefer a lighter actuation force with a clacky sound profile, the Cloud - 50g switch could be perfect for you, especially if you enjoy a smooth yet bright typing experience that does not require much effort to register keystrokes. On the other hand, if you thrive on an energetic and responsive typing feel, the Salt Ice linear switch might be your best bet, as it offers exceptionally bright feedback and effortless actuation that can elevate your productivity and enjoyment while typing. Consider your typing style—whether you favor a more subdued sound with a smooth feel or a lively clackiness with lighter touches—when making your choice. Both options have their unique advantages, so select the one that aligns best with your typing needs to create the most satisfying mechanical keyboard experience.
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