Aflion Cloudy Shadow vs. Outemu Red Panda
An in-depth look at the Aflion Cloudy Shadow and the Outemu Red Panda switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Aflion Cloudy Shadow, a linear switch, and the Outemu Red Panda, a tactile switch, offer distinct typing experiences for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. The Cloudy Shadow stands out for its balanced typing experience with a neutral sound signature and bouncy feel, thanks to extended springs and a 63.5g bottom-out force. On the other hand, the Red Panda provides a light-medium amount of tactility, along with a bassier bottom-out sound and a clackier top-out sound. Both switches have their unique qualities; while the Cloudy Shadow excels in providing a smooth and consistent typing experience, the Red Panda offers a more tactile feedback for those who prefer a bit more responsiveness. 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
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Partial box
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
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Aflion Cloudy Shadow and the Outemu Red Panda, both switches utilize polycarbonate for the top housing. This material choice results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to polycarbonate's stiffness. Additionally, its translucency makes it ideal for switches that incorporate RGB lighting. However, where they differ is in the bottom housing material. The Cloudy Shadow features a nylon bottom housing, which creates a deeper and fuller sound profile by absorbing more sound than harder plastics. Meanwhile, the Red Panda also utilizes a nylon bottom housing, providing a similar typing experience in terms of sound profile.
Despite sharing the same top housing material, the Cloudy Shadow and Red Panda showcase variations in sound profiles due to their differing bottom housing materials. The Cloudy Shadow's nylon bottom housing creates a duller and rounder sound when typing, contributing to a unique tactile experience for users. In contrast, the Red Panda's nylon bottom housing similarly offers a deeper and fuller sound profile, providing a consistent typing experience comparable to the Cloudy Shadow. While the top housing may have more influence on the sound when releasing a key, the bottom housing's impact on bottom-out sound and feel is equally crucial to the overall typing experience.
Overall, the Aflion Cloudy Shadow and the Outemu Red Panda demonstrate how different housing materials can influence the sound and feel of mechanical switches. Both switches leverage the benefits of polycarbonate for their top housing, resulting in a sharper and more resonant sound profile ideal for RGB lighting setups. The utilization of nylon for the bottom housing in both switches enhances the typing experience by producing a deeper and fuller sound. While the details of the sound profiles may differ slightly between the two switches, their overall performance remains comparable due to the shared characteristics of their housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch and the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch, the Cloudy Shadow has a higher bottom out force of 63.5 grams compared to the Red Panda's 60 grams. Both switches have a similar actuation force, with the Cloudy Shadow having None grams and the Red Panda having 50 grams. This means that while the Cloudy Shadow is heavier in terms of bottom out force, the Red Panda offers a slightly lighter actuation force. For those who prefer a more substantial typing experience, the Cloudy Shadow may be the better choice, while those who prefer a lighter typing feel may lean towards the Red Panda. Ultimately, the weight difference between the two switches caters to different preferences in typing experience, making them suitable for different types of typists.
Travel distance
The Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.3 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances that are becoming popular, especially among gamers looking for faster response times. The Cloudy Shadow offers a slightly longer travel distance, which may provide a more substantial key press feel for those who prefer that. Overall, the difference in travel distance between the two switches is minimal, so users can expect similar results in terms of key feel 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 Outemu Red Panda comes in at $3.40 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 Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch offers a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, providing a bass-heavy and mellow tone that is suitable for a variety of typing environments. On the other hand, the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch produces a thocky sound that is deep, rich, and satisfying, creating a unique auditory experience when typing. Both switches offer distinct sound profiles that cater to different preferences, with the Cloudy Shadow emphasizing a more neutral tone while the Red Panda delivers a satisfying thocky sound.
When it comes to feel, both the Cloudy Shadow linear switch and the Red Panda tactile switch are described as providing a mild typing experience. This means that the switches offer a gentle feel that is approachable to most users, as they fall within a safe middle-ground zone in terms of typing feedback. The extended springs in the Cloudy Shadow contribute to a bouncy feel, while the light-medium tactility of the Red Panda adds a subtle yet noticeable tactile feedback during typing. Both switches offer a comfortable and enjoyable typing experience, making them suitable for extended use.
In conclusion, the Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch and the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch each offer unique sound and feel qualities that cater to different preferences among mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. The Cloudy Shadow provides a neutral, low-pitched sound and a mild, bouncy feel, while the Red Panda delivers a thocky sound and a mild tactility for a satisfying typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences for sound profile, tactile feedback, and overall typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch and the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch, consider the following guidelines. If you prefer a bouncy feel and a balanced typing experience with a slightly higher bottom-out force of 63.5 grams, the Cloudy Shadow may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy a light-medium amount of tactility, a bassier bottom-out sound, and a clackier top-out sound with a medium bottom-out force of 60 grams, the Red Panda switch might be more to your liking. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for typing experience, sound profile, and actuation force.
Mentioned in this article
