Aflion Cloudy Shadow vs. Cherry MX Brown
An in-depth look at the Aflion Cloudy Shadow and the Cherry MX Brown switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch to the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch, it is important to consider the unique characteristics of each. The Cloudy Shadow is praised for its balanced typing experience, neutral sound signature, and bouncy feel, thanks to extended springs and a 63.5g bottom-out force. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Brown is known for its subtlety, offering a light typing experience with gentle tactility and subdued audio feedback. While the Cloudy Shadow provides a mild and neutral typing experience, the MX Brown offers a textured and low-pitched feel. Ultimately, the decision between linear and tactile switches comes down to personal preference and typing style. 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
45g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
20mm double-stage spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Aflion Cloudy Shadow and the Cherry MX Brown switches both have a nylon bottom housing, which results in a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. This is because nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound. However, the Cloudy Shadow has a polycarbonate top housing while the MX Brown has a nylon top housing. The use of polycarbonate in the Cloudy Shadow's top housing creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, while the MX Brown's nylon top housing elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile.
While both switches have nylon bottom housings that contribute to a deeper and fuller sound profile, the top housings of the Aflion Cloudy Shadow and the Cherry MX Brown differ in material and sound characteristics. The Cloudy Shadow's polycarbonate top housing creates a clear and resonant sound profile, especially when used with RGB lighting due to its translucency. In contrast, the MX Brown's nylon top housing absorbs more sound and produces a duller and rounder sound. These differences in top housing material result in distinct sound profiles for each switch when typing.
Overall, the choice between the Aflion Cloudy Shadow and the Cherry MX Brown switches will depend on the desired sound profile and feel when typing. The Cloudy Shadow's combination of a polycarbonate top housing and a nylon bottom housing results in a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile with a deeper and fuller feel. On the other hand, the MX Brown switch's nylon top and bottom housing create a deeper and fuller sound profile with a duller and rounder feel. Both switches offer unique characteristics based on their housing materials, providing users with options to tailor their typing experience to their preferences.
Weight
When comparing the Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch and the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch, it is clear that there are differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Cloudy Shadow has an actuation force of None grams, making it difficult to determine exactly how light or heavy it is to trigger a keystroke. In contrast, the MX Brown requires 45 grams of force to actuate, making it a relatively light switch in comparison. When it comes to bottom out force, the Cloudy Shadow requires 63.5 grams, which is medium-heavy, while the MX Brown only needs 55 grams, making it medium-light. This means that the MX Brown switch is lighter in both actuation and bottom out forces compared to the Cloudy Shadow. Depending on individual preferences, some may prefer the lighter feel of the MX Brown for extended typing sessions or gaming, while others may opt for the heavier and more substantial typing experience offered by the Cloudy Shadow. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference in terms of actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch and the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch, it is evident that the Cloudy Shadow has a shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm compared to the MX Brown's 4 mm. The Cloudy Shadow's shorter travel distance may appeal to gamers looking for faster response times, while the MX Brown's longer travel distance might be preferred by those who appreciate a deeper key press feel. Both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with the Cloudy Shadow being slightly shorter and the MX Brown falling closer to the average. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for key press depth and responsiveness.
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 Cherry MX Brown comes in at $4.00 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
The Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch is known for its low-pitched and neutral sound profile, offering a mellow tone that is suitable for a variety of typing environments. In contrast, the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch provides a bassy and low-pitched sound that also caters to a deeper and richer auditory experience. When it comes to feel, the Cloudy Shadow linear switch offers a mild typing experience that falls in a safe middle ground, providing a gentle feel that is approachable to most users. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch is described as textured, offering noticeable friction when pressed, which some users may prefer for a more tactile typing experience.
Overall, both the Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch and the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Cloudy Shadow switch provides a balanced typing experience with a bouncy feel and neutral sound, the Cherry MX Brown switch offers a subtler tactile feedback with a bassy and textured sound. Depending on personal preferences for sound and feel, both switches can deliver a satisfying typing experience, ensuring that newcomers to the mechanical keyboard world will find similar results in terms of quality and performance.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch and the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch, consider the following guidelines. If you prefer a slightly heavier touch and a balanced typing experience with a bouncy feel, the Cloudy Shadow with its 63.5g bottom-out force may be the better choice for you. Additionally, if you enjoy a neutral sound signature and a low-pitched switch, the Cloudy Shadow offers a unique typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter touch and gentle tactility with subtle audio feedback, the Cherry MX Brown switch with its 55g bottom-out force may be more suited to your preferences. The MX Brown switch also offers a textured feel, which may appeal to those who enjoy a bit of friction when typing. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for typing feel, sound profile, and bottom-out force.
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