HMX Cloud - 50g vs. Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie
An in-depth look at the HMX Cloud - 50g and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch, the HMX Cloud - 50g and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie each offer unique qualities that cater to different typing preferences. The HMX Cloud - 50g is celebrated for its lighter actuation force and clacky sound profile, making it an excellent choice for enthusiasts who favor a bright and lively typing experience. Its silky smooth keystrokes enhance the overall feel, allowing for quick and responsive typing. On the other hand, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie combines a medium weight with an all-POM construction, delivering a thocky sound profile and exceptional smoothness that appeals to users seeking a more substantial and satisfying typing experience without breaking the bank. While both switches are linear in nature, they provide distinct auditory and tactile sensations that can significantly impact your overall typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
42g
Actuation force
48g
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
3.70 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
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
20mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
The HMX Cloud - 50g and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie feature distinctly different materials for their top and bottom switch housings, which ultimately influences their sound and feel during typing. The Cloud - 50g utilizes nylon for both its top and bottom housings, a classic choice known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon helps absorb sound vibrations, resulting in a duller and rounder auditory experience. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Smoothie employs POM (Polyoxymethylene) for both the top and bottom housings, which is renowned for producing a unique sound that is similarly deep and muted. Despite the contrasting materials, both switches come together to create an enjoyable and satisfying typing experience, albeit through different acoustic properties.
In terms of sound profiles, while both the nylon and POM housings contribute to a deeper sound, their approaches to achieving this are different. The Cloud - 50g's nylon housing absorbs sound more effectively, dampening high frequencies and providing a rich, rounded tone. The Sea Salt Smoothie's POM housing, although also yielding a muted sound, offers distinct auditory characteristics that many users find remarkably pleasing. The combination of these materials results in a high-quality sound output for both switches, ensuring that typists can enjoy a satisfying auditory feedback regardless of the choice between the two.
When considering the impact of housing materials on the overall switch experience, it's essential to note the separation of roles between the top and bottom housings. In the HMX Cloud - 50g, the nylon housing caters to both the sound and feel, enriching the typing experience from both perspectives. Meanwhile, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie benefits from the POM material's unique sound characteristics while maintaining a balanced feel. Although they're made from different materials, the split roles of the top and bottom housings in both switches ultimately lead to a cohesive experience, demonstrating how the careful selection of materials can yield similar desirable results in sound and overall user satisfaction.
Weight
When comparing the actuation and bottom out forces of the HMX Cloud - 50g linear switch and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch, we can observe notable differences. The Cloud - 50g features an actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, making it a lighter option that may be preferable for those looking to type for extended periods without fatigue. In contrast, the Sea Salt Smoothie has a higher actuation force of 48 grams, which suggests a slightly heavier keystroke feel, though its bottom out force remains unknown. This makes the HMX Cloud - 50g a better choice for users who prefer a lighter typing experience, suitable for long work or gaming sessions, while the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie appeals to those seeking a more substantial feel with its heavier actuation force. Overall, if you're looking for a lighter switch that still offers a comfortable bottom out experience, the HMX Cloud - 50g would be the right pick, whereas the Sea Salt Smoothie caters to those who might enjoy a firmer push.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the HMX Cloud - 50g linear switch and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch, we find that the Cloud - 50g has a travel distance of 3.9 mm, while the Sea Salt Smoothie measures slightly shorter at 3.7 mm. This means that if you select the Cloud - 50g, you'll experience a more pronounced depth with each keystroke, making it a suitable choice for those who appreciate a more substantial feel. Conversely, the Sea Salt Smoothie, with its shorter travel distance, may appeal to gamers seeking quicker response times and a more rapid actuation. While both switches offer distinct experiences, if you prefer a compromise between quick response and hearty depth, the longer travel distance of the Cloud - 50g might be the ideal option for you.
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 Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie has an MSRP of $3.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sea Salt Smoothie for $2.70.
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 features a clacky sound profile, creating a bright auditory experience that many enthusiasts appreciate. This lively sound can enhance the overall typing sensation, making each keystroke feel more pronounced. On the other hand, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie offers a thocky sound profile, which tends to be deeper and more muffled compared to the Cloud - 50g. This produces a satisfying yet subdued auditory feedback that some users find appealing for a more subtle typing experience. It's important to note that the sound produced by a switch can vary based on the specific keyboard design and the keycaps used, so similar auditory results may be achieved with different combinations.
When it comes to feel, the HMX Cloud - 50g is renowned for its silky smoothness, providing an effortless typing experience that allows fingers to glide seamlessly across the keys. This quality is particularly favored by those who prioritize speed and comfort in their typing sessions. In contrast, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie also delivers exceptional smoothness, ensuring a consistently pleasant tactile response with each press. Both switches prioritize a smooth feel, meaning you can expect a comfortable typing experience with either option, although the nuances in their overall trajectories might cater to different personal preferences.
In conclusion, both the HMX Cloud - 50g and Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switches present unique auditory and tactile experiences suitable for various users. The Cloud - 50g's clacky sound and silky smooth feel contrast with the thocky sound and equally smooth texture of the Sea Salt Smoothie. Ultimately, while there are distinct characteristics to appreciate in each switch, both options excel in delivering a high-quality typing experience, allowing newcomers to enjoy an engaging journey into the world of mechanical keyboards.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the HMX Cloud - 50g linear switch and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie should largely depend on your typing preferences and style. If you favor a lighter key press along with a clacky sound profile, then the Cloud - 50g is the way to go. Its 50-gram bottom out force results in a responsive and agile typing experience, perfect for those who enjoy the tactile feedback and bright acoustics that this variant offers. On the other hand, if you want something that blends a medium-weight feel with exceptional smoothness and a thocky sound profile, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie is an excellent option. This switch, made of POM, provides a satisfying typing experience with a balanced force that may appeal to users looking for something versatile and high-quality without breaking the bank. Ultimately, consider the sound, feel, and force that align with your typing style to make the best choice for your mechanical keyboard.
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