Aflion Cloudy Shadow vs. Outemu Cold Plum

Overview

Aflion's Cloudy Shadow and Outemu's Cold Plum are both linear mechanical keyboard switches known for their unique characteristics and high-quality performance. The Cloudy Shadow offers a neutral sound signature and bouncy feel, thanks to its extended springs, providing a balanced typing experience with a 63.5g bottom-out force. On the other hand, the Cold Plum delivers a thocky sound profile and smooth keystrokes due to its fully nylon construction, offering enthusiasts a distinct and enjoyable typing feel. While the Cloudy Shadow is praised for its mild and neutral attributes, the Cold Plum stands out for its satisfying sound and unique typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Aflion Cloudy Shadow Linear

Outemu Cold Plum Linear

$5.50

$3.91 per 10

$3.10 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The housing materials of the Aflion Cloudy Shadow and the Outemu Cold Plum differ in their composition and resulting sound profiles. The Cloudy Shadow features a polycarbonate top housing, known for creating a sharper and crisper sound due to its stiffness. On the other hand, the Cold Plum utilizes a nylon top housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound by absorbing more sound with its softer plastic composition. While both materials offer unique sound profiles, the Cloudy Shadow's polycarbonate top housing may be better suited for those looking for a sharper, higher-pitched sound, while the Cold Plum's nylon top housing caters to those seeking a deeper, fuller sound experience.

In terms of the bottom housing, both the Cloudy Shadow and the Cold Plum utilize nylon, which results in a deeper and fuller sound profile. This similarity suggests that when typing on switches from either model, users can expect a consistent sound experience in terms of the bottom-out sound and overall feel. While the bottom housing's impact may be more prominent during typing, the top housing's contribution to the sound when releasing a key should not be overlooked. Thus, despite the differences in top housing materials, the shared use of nylon in the bottom housing ensures a similar sound experience between the Aflion Cloudy Shadow and the Outemu Cold Plum.

Overall, the housing materials of the Aflion Cloudy Shadow and the Outemu Cold Plum play a significant role in defining the sound profiles of these switches. The Cloudy Shadow's polycarbonate top housing offers a sharp and clear sound, especially ideal for RGB lighting applications, while the Cold Plum's nylon top housing provides a deeper and fuller sound. Both switches share a nylon bottom housing, resulting in a consistent deep and full sound experience during typing. Understanding the impact of housing materials on switch sound profiles can help users make informed decisions based on their preferences for sound characteristics.

Weight

When comparing the Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch and the Outemu Cold Plum linear switch, it is clear that they both fall under the category of medium-heavy switches. The Cloudy Shadow has an actuation force of None grams, meaning it requires no force to trigger a keystroke, while the Cold Plum has an actuation force of 60 grams, which is slightly heavier. In terms of bottom out force, the Cloudy Shadow has a force of 63.5 grams, while the Cold Plum has a force of 70 grams, making the Cold Plum slightly heavier in this aspect as well. Both switches provide a substantial typing experience due to their medium-heavy actuation and bottom out forces. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on whether one prefers a lighter actuation force for prolonged typing or a heavier force for a more tactile typing experience.

Travel distance

The travel distance of the Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch is 3.5 mm, while the Outemu Cold Plum linear switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances that are becoming more popular, especially among gamers seeking fast response times. The Cloudy Shadow has a slightly longer travel distance, which may provide a bit more of a hearty feel compared to the Cold Plum. However, the difference of 0.2 mm is minimal and may not be noticeable to most users. Ultimately, whether you choose the Cloudy Shadow or the Cold Plum, you can expect similar results in terms of travel distance and overall key feel.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch offers a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, which provides a bass-heavy and mellow tone suitable for various typing scenarios. On the other hand, the Outemu Cold Plum linear switch is known for its thocky sound profile, offering a unique and satisfying typing experience. While the Cloudy Shadow provides a more balanced sound, the Cold Plum delivers a distinct and enjoyable sound that appeals to enthusiasts seeking a different auditory experience.

When it comes to feel, the Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch is characterized as mild, offering a gentle typing experience with a safe middle-ground feel that is approachable to most users. The extended springs in these switches contribute to a bouncy feel, providing a balance between tactile feedback and smooth keystrokes. On the contrary, the feel of the Outemu Cold Plum linear switch is not explicitly defined. However, with its fully nylon construction, it is likely to offer a smooth keystroke and satisfying feel that complements its thocky sound profile.

Overall, while both the Aflion Cloudy Shadow and Outemu Cold Plum linear switches offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel, they cater to different preferences in the mechanical keyboard community. The Cloudy Shadow provides a balanced and neutral sound with a mild and bouncy feel, making it a versatile option for various typing needs. In contrast, the Cold Plum delivers a distinct thocky sound with a smooth keystroke, appealing to enthusiasts looking for a different typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches would depend on individual preferences for sound and feel in a mechanical keyboard.

Conclusion

In summary, when choosing between the Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch and the Outemu Cold Plum linear switch, you should consider the differences in bottom out force and sound profile. If you prefer a slightly lighter bottom out force and a neutral sound signature with a bouncy feel, the Cloudy Shadow may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy a thocky sound profile and a fully nylon construction for a unique typing experience, the Cold Plum switch could be more suitable. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will come down to your personal preferences in terms of bottom out force, sound, and feel.

Mentioned in this article

Aflion Cloudy Shadow Linear

$5.50

$3.91 per 10

Learn more

Outemu Cold Plum Linear

$3.10 per 10

Learn more