Aflion Cloudy Shadow vs. KTT Cream Yellow
An in-depth look at the Aflion Cloudy Shadow and the KTT Cream Yellow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Aflion Cloudy Shadow and the KTT Cream Yellow are both linear mechanical keyboard switches that offer unique characteristics catering to different preferences. The Cloudy Shadow is praised for its neutral sound signature and bouncy feel, thanks to the extended springs, providing a balanced typing experience with a 63.5g bottom-out force. On the other hand, the Cream Yellow is known for its distinctively clacky sound and bouncy typing feel, achieved through a shortened bottom-out distance and long-pole stem design. While the Cloudy Shadow offers a mild and neutral typing experience, the Cream Yellow delivers a more pronounced and clacky audio feedback. Both switches have their own strengths and appeal to different typing styles. 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
N/A
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
58g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
20mm double-stage spring
Spring
18mm spring
Housing materials
The Aflion Cloudy Shadow and KTT Cream Yellow both feature polycarbonate top housings, which contribute to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, which enhances resonance and clarity in the sound of the switches. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches that utilize RGB lighting. However, while both switches share this common material for their top housings, they may differ in their overall sound due to other factors such as keycap material and mounting style.
One key point of divergence between the Cloudy Shadow and Cream Yellow switches lies in their bottom housings. The Cloudy Shadow utilizes a nylon bottom housing, which tends to produce a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to polycarbonate. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound when typing on switches. In contrast, the Cream Yellow also features a nylon bottom housing, offering a similar typing experience with a focus on creating a more subdued sound profile compared to the polycarbonate top housing.
While both switches feature a combination of polycarbonate and nylon in their housing materials, the distribution of these materials affects the overall typing experience. The qualities brought by the bottom housing, such as deeper and fuller sound in the case of nylon, will influence the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch. On the other hand, the top housing material, whether polycarbonate or nylon, will have a more significant impact on the sound produced when releasing a key. Therefore, understanding how these materials interact in different parts of the switch can provide insight into the overall sound profile and typing feel of the Aflion Cloudy Shadow and KTT Cream Yellow switches.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch and the KTT Cream Yellow linear switch, it is clear that the Cream Yellow is lighter in both aspects. The Cloudy Shadow has no specified actuation force, making it difficult to determine how it compares to the Cream Yellow's 50-gram actuation force. However, in terms of bottom out force, the Cloudy Shadow requires a heavier 63.5 grams compared to the Cream Yellow's 58 grams. This means that typing on the Cloudy Shadow may feel more substantial and require slightly more finger pressure compared to the Cream Yellow. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Cream Yellow may be the preferred choice due to its lower actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch and the KTT Cream Yellow linear switch have the same travel distance of 3.5 mm. This means that both switches will provide a similar tactile experience in terms of key travel. When comparing and contrasting these switches, it is notable that they have equal travel distances, so users can expect consistent keypress feedback from either option. Whether you choose the Cloudy Shadow or the Cream Yellow, you can anticipate a smooth and linear keystroke with a 3.5 mm travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Aflion Cloudy Shadow has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Cloudy Shadow for $3.91.
The KTT Cream Yellow has an MSRP of $2.75 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Cream Yellow for $2.55.
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 Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch offers a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, providing a bass-heavy and mellow tone suitable for a wide range of users and environments. On the other hand, the KTT Cream Yellow linear switch is known for its distinctively clacky sound, offering a sharp and snappy audio feedback that is crisp, bright, and percussive. Depending on personal preference and the setup of your keyboard, these switches will offer different auditory experiences, with the Cloudy Shadow being more neutral and the Cream Yellow providing a more pronounced clicky sound.
When it comes to the feel of the switches, the Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch is described as mild, offering a gentle and approachable typing experience with its balanced characteristics. The extended springs in the Cloudy Shadow provide a bouncy feel that adds to the overall typing experience. Conversely, the KTT Cream Yellow linear switch is known for its bouncy feel, providing a spring-like and elastic feedback sensation that gives the keys a lively rebound when pressed. Depending on your typing style and preference for key feedback, these switches will offer different tactile experiences, with the Cloudy Shadow being more mild and the Cream Yellow providing a more pronounced bouncy feel.
Overall, the Aflion Cloudy Shadow and KTT Cream Yellow linear switches offer contrasting experiences in terms of sound and feel. The Cloudy Shadow provides a neutral and mild typing experience with a low-pitched sound, while the Cream Yellow offers a clacky and bouncy feel with a distinctively sharp sound. Depending on your preference for sound and feel, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different typing preferences. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches will come down to personal preference and the specific typing experience you are looking for.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a linear switch with a medium-heavy bottom-out force and a neutral sound signature, the Aflion Cloudy Shadow switch would be a great choice for you. With its extended springs providing a bouncy typing feel, it offers a balanced typing experience suitable for both beginners and advanced users. On the other hand, if you prefer a linear switch with a medium bottom-out force that delivers a distinctively clacky sound and a bouncy typing feel, the KTT Cream Yellow switch would be the way to go. Its shortened bottom-out distance and long-pole stem contribute to a resonant audio feedback that is crisp and bright. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches would depend on your preference for sound and typing feel, so consider these factors carefully when making your choice.
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