Aflion Cloudy Shadow vs. Cherry MX Speed Silver
An in-depth look at the Aflion Cloudy Shadow and the Cherry MX Speed Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Aflion Cloudy Shadow and the Cherry MX Speed Silver mechanical keyboard switches, both are linear switches that offer unique features to cater to different preferences and needs. 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 bottom-out force of 63.5g. On the other hand, the MX Speed Silver is celebrated for its lightning-fast response time, making it ideal for gamers seeking maximum speed with its low spring resistance and linear action. While the Cloudy Shadow leans towards a mild and neutral typing experience, the MX Speed Silver offers a textured, thocky feel for those who prefer a more tactile feedback. 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
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.20 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.40 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
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's housing materials consist of a polycarbonate top housing and a nylon bottom housing. The polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile due to its stiff nature, making it ideal for RGB lighting effects. In contrast, the nylon bottom housing of the Cloudy Shadow produces a deeper and fuller sound profile because nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Speed Silver features a nylon top and bottom housing, resulting in a consistent deep and full sound profile for both pressing down and letting go of keys.
In terms of sound profile, the polycarbonate top housing of the Aflion Cloudy Shadow and the nylon top housing of the Cherry MX Speed Silver offer different characteristics. The Cloudy Shadow's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper and crisper sound, while the MX Speed Silver's nylon top housing elicits a deeper and fuller sound. However, both switches share the quality of clear housing, which is more likely to be polycarbonate and is useful for RGB lighting effects. Additionally, both switches have nylon bottom housings that absorb sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound profile for the bottom-out sound.
When it comes to the impact on the overall typing experience, the housing materials of the Aflion Cloudy Shadow and the Cherry MX Speed Silver play a significant role. The qualities of the bottom housing, whether polycarbonate or nylon, will affect the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on a key. Conversely, the top housing will influence the sound when letting go of a key. Despite the differences in material composition, both switches offer a unique typing experience with their distinct sound profiles, showcasing the importance of housing materials in determining the overall feel and sound of a mechanical keyboard switch.
Weight
The Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch has a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, making it a medium-heavy option for those who prefer a more substantial typing experience. In contrast, the Cherry MX Speed Silver linear switch has an actuation force of 30 grams, which is significantly lighter than the Cloudy Shadow. This lighter actuation force may be preferred by individuals who type for extended periods of time or engage in long gaming sessions. Since the bottom out force of the MX Speed Silver is unknown, it is difficult to directly compare the two in this aspect. However, the differences in actuation force alone suggest that the Cloudy Shadow may provide a heavier typing experience compared to the MX Speed Silver, which offers a lighter touch. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preference for typing feel and weight preference.
Travel distance
The Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, slightly longer than the Cherry MX Speed Silver linear switch with a travel distance of 3.4 mm. Both switches fall within the shorter travel distance range, making them ideal for gamers seeking faster response times. However, the Cloudy Shadow offers a touch more depth in key presses compared to the MX Speed Silver. Gamers who prefer a slightly more substantial key press may favor the Cloudy Shadow, while those looking for the shortest possible travel distance may opt for the MX Speed Silver. Ultimately, both switches provide a similar experience in terms of travel distance, offering a balance between speed and key feel.
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 Speed Silver has an MSRP of $5.90 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the MX Speed Silver for $4.00.
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 tone, providing a bass-heavy and mellow sound profile that is suitable for various environments and typing styles. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Speed Silver linear switch produces a thocky and low-pitched sound, giving a deep and rich tone that is satisfying when typing. Both switches offer unique sound qualities that can enhance the overall typing experience, with the Cloudy Shadow being more neutral and the MX Speed Silver having a more pronounced thocky sound.
When it comes to feel, the Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch provides a mild typing experience, offering a gentle and approachable feel that is suitable for most users. Conversely, the Cherry MX Speed Silver linear switch is described as textured, meaning it has noticeable friction when pressed, providing a different tactile feedback for those who prefer a slightly rougher typing experience. While both switches offer different feelings when typing, they cater to different preferences with the Cloudy Shadow being more mild and the MX Speed Silver being more textured.
Considering all the available information, it is evident that the Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch and the Cherry MX Speed Silver linear switch offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Cloudy Shadow provides a balanced and neutral typing experience with a low-pitched sound, the MX Speed Silver offers instant triggering with a thocky deep sound. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and typing style, with both switches delivering quality and innovation in the mechanical keyboard market. If the user is looking for a more neutral and mild typing experience, the Cloudy Shadow would be the ideal choice, while those seeking a rapid response and textured feel may prefer the MX Speed Silver.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch and the Cherry MX Speed Silver linear switch, consider the factors that best suit your preferences and needs. If you are looking for a balanced typing experience with a medium-heavy bottom out force, a neutral sound signature, and a bouncy feel, the Cloudy Shadow may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prioritize rapid response and maximum speed, especially for gaming where instant triggers are crucial, the MX Speed Silver with its low spring resistance and linear action may be more suitable. Ultimately, the decision should be based on what features matter most to you in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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