HMX Cloud - 50g vs. Everglide Sunset Yellow
An in-depth look at the HMX Cloud - 50g and the Everglide Sunset Yellow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to the world of mechanical keyboard switches, enthusiasts often find themselves torn between the HMX Cloud - 50g and the Everglide Sunset Yellow, both of which deliver distinctively smooth typing experiences but cater to different preferences. The HMX Cloud - 50g stands out with its clacky sound profile and lighter actuation force, providing a bright and airy typing experience that is particularly appealing for those who enjoy a lively feedback with their keystrokes. In contrast, the Everglide Sunset Yellow is known for its deeper, bassy sound reminiscent of mahjong tiles crashing together, offering a more indulgent auditory experience with its polished and thocky characteristics. Its medium weight strikes a balance that suits a broad spectrum of users, while the unique design features contribute to an exceptionally responsive feel. While both switches provide smooth and satisfying typing experiences, their distinct sound profiles and tactile sensations cater to varying user preferences. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
42g
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
51g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.90 mm
Total travel
3.20 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
Ly
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
Single-staged lengthened 20mm spring
Housing materials
The HMX Cloud - 50g and Everglide Sunset Yellow switches utilize distinct housing materials that influence their respective sound profiles and tactile experiences. The Cloud - 50g's nylon top and bottom housings are well-regarded for their ability to produce a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon's softer texture aids in sound absorption, resulting in a rounder and more muted auditory experience. This characteristic not only enhances the typing sound but also creates a unique tactile response that can feel substantial and satisfying. In contrast, the Sunset Yellow features a POM top and bottom housing, known for its pleasing and unique sound. While also producing a deep sound profile, POM's harder plastic composition delivers a slightly brighter crispness, pairing well with the muted sound associated with its nylon counterpart, but still falling within a similar sound characteristic overall.
Both the HMX Cloud - 50g and the Everglide Sunset Yellow switches present a blend of materials that affect their overall auditory experience. The nylon housing of the Cloud - 50g contributes to a heaviness in sound, making it feel more solid under finger pressure. However, the POM housing in the Sunset Yellow brings an almost luxurious crispness despite its intended muted nuances. This contrast between the two materials offers users unique experiences: the softness of nylon against the tautness of POM creates a balance in responsiveness and sound, appealing to a range of personal preferences regarding tactile feedback and auditory satisfaction.
Ultimately, while the HMX Cloud - 50g and Everglide Sunset Yellow have different housing materials, they can yield remarkably similar results in sound profiles. Users of either switch will experience a deeper, relatively muted sound characteristic, especially when typing. The notable differences come down to the specific auditory qualities and tactile sensations each material brings to the table. The nylon material may feel softer and warmer, while POM offers a bit of a sharper playfulness in sound. In practice, both switches can satisfy users looking for a satisfying typing experience, underlining the fact that sound and feel can be enhanced through various combinations of housing materials without straying too far from an overall unified feel.
Weight
When comparing the HMX Cloud - 50g linear switch and the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch, we can see some slight differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Cloud - 50g switch has an actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, making it relatively light. In contrast, the Sunset Yellow switch has an actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 51 grams, categorizing it as medium-light. While both switches offer similar actuation and bottom out forces, the Cloud - 50g is slightly lighter overall compared to the Sunset Yellow. If you prefer a lighter feel for prolonged typing or extended gaming sessions, the Cloud - 50g may be the preferable choice. Conversely, those who enjoy a bit more resistance in their keystrokes might find the Sunset Yellow more appealing, as it provides a more substantial typing experience with its slightly heavier forces.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the HMX Cloud - 50g linear switch and the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch, the differences are notable. The Cloud - 50g features a travel distance of 3.9 mm, while the Sunset Yellow comes in shorter at 3.2 mm. This indicates that the Cloud - 50g provides a deeper feel, which some users may prefer for a more pronounced keypress sensation. On the other hand, the shorter travel distance of the Sunset Yellow aligns with the trend favored by gamers seeking quicker response times, potentially enhancing performance in fast-paced scenarios. Thus, those who enjoy a more responsive experience might opt for the Sunset Yellow, while those who appreciate a more tactile, robust keypress would likely lean towards the Cloud - 50g.
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 Everglide Sunset Yellow comes in at $3.09 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 presents a clacky sound profile that provides a bright and engaging auditory experience. This high-pitched sound caters to enthusiasts who thrive on the sharp dynamics of typing, making every keystroke lively and pronounced. In contrast, the Everglide Sunset Yellow switches create a significantly different auditory landscape. Known for their bassy and thocky characteristics, these switches produce a deeper, rich sound that resembles the sound of mahjong tiles colliding. This lower-frequency resonance results in a more indulgent and satisfying auditory feedback, lending a sense of weight to each keypress.
When discussing feel, the HMX Cloud - 50g is noted for its silky smoothness, ensuring that users can glide their fingers effortlessly over the keys. This makes for a seamless typing experience that many find enjoyable. On the other hand, the Everglide Sunset Yellow switches take smoothness to another level, boasting descriptors like creamy, frictionless, and polished. These qualities combine to create an almost effortless travel that minimizes resistance, allowing for a fluid and responsive typing sensation that feels luxurious under the fingers. The unique materials and proprietary lubing methods enhance the overall tactile experience, making each keystroke a pleasure.
Overall, both the HMX Cloud - 50g and the Everglide Sunset Yellow switches bring distinct characteristics that cater to different user preferences. While the Cloud - 50g offers a lively clacky sound and a smooth feel, the Sunset Yellow excels with its deep thocky sound and exceptionally smooth typing experience. Ultimately, choosing between these switches will come down to personal preference regarding sound and feeling; however, either option guarantees a satisfyingly engaging typing experience.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the HMX Cloud - 50g and the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switches ultimately depends on your personal preferences for sound profile, feel, and typing experience. If you enjoy a bright and lively typing experience with a clacky sound that may enhance your tactile connection with the keyboard, the Cloud - 50g switch is ideal for you. Its lighter actuation force makes it particularly suitable for extended typing sessions, providing a silky smooth feel that can make typing feel effortless. On the other hand, if you favor a deeper, bassier sound reminiscent of mahjong tiles and are looking for a switch that effortlessly glides during your keystrokes, the Sunset Yellow would be a compelling choice. Its medium-light force strikes a balance that accommodates a variety of users, while the unique lubrication method and short travel ensure a highly responsive and creamy typing experience. Ultimately, your choice should reflect your desired auditory and tactile sensations while typing, whether you lean towards the bright and smooth Clouds or the rich and indulgent Sunset Yellows.
Mentioned in this article
