Aflion Cloudy Shadow vs. Outemu Yellow Silver
An in-depth look at the Aflion Cloudy Shadow and the Outemu Yellow Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Aflion Cloudy Shadow and Outemu Yellow Silver are both linear mechanical keyboard switches known for their neutral sound profiles and smooth typing experiences. The Cloudy Shadow by Aflion stands out for its bouncy feel and balanced typing experience with a 63.5g bottom-out force, making it a solid choice for those who appreciate quality and innovation in their switches. On the other hand, the Outemu Yellow Silver is favored for its light actuation force and speediness, catering to gamers and typists who prioritize responsiveness in their keystrokes. While both switches offer similar neutral sound profiles, the Cloudy Shadow provides a slightly softer typing experience with its extended springs, while the Yellow Silver delivers a quicker response time with its lighter actuation force. 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
1.30 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
When comparing the housing materials of the Aflion Cloudy Shadow and the Outemu Yellow Silver, we see that both switches feature polycarbonate top housings. This material creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its stiffness, leading to clear and resonant sound. Aesthetically, the translucency of polycarbonate is beneficial for switches using RGB lighting. On the other hand, the Cloudy Shadow has a nylon bottom housing, known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile thanks to its softer nature that absorbs more sound. The Yellow Silver also features a nylon bottom housing with similar acoustic benefits.
The differences in housing materials between the Cloudy Shadow and the Yellow Silver mainly lie in their bottom housings. While both switches share polycarbonate top housings that contribute to a sharp and clear sound profile, the nylon bottom housings of the Cloudy Shadow and the Yellow Silver provide distinct sound characteristics. The Cloudy Shadow's bottom housing creates a duller and rounder sound, whereas the Yellow Silver's bottom housing offers a deeper and fuller sound. This contrast in bottom housing materials can impact the overall typing experience and sound feedback of each switch.
In terms of performance, the top and bottom housings' qualities are divided between the Cloudy Shadow and the Yellow Silver. The sound and feel when pressing down on the switch are influenced by the bottom housing, with nylon providing a fuller sound in the Cloudy Shadow and a rounder tone in the Yellow Silver. On the other hand, the top housing material, polycarbonate, plays a significant role in the sound produced when releasing a key. Despite the differences in their bottom housings, the switches still deliver a similar typing experience overall due to their shared polycarbonate top housing.
Weight
When comparing the actuation and bottom out forces of the Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch, it is clear that there are significant differences between the two. The Cloudy Shadow has a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, making it on the medium-heavy side, while the actuation force is unspecified. On the other hand, the Yellow Silver has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams, making it medium-light. The Cloudy Shadow provides a more substantial typing experience with its heavier bottom out force, while the Yellow Silver offers a lighter touch for those who prefer less resistance. Both switches have their advantages, with the Cloudy Shadow being better suited for users who prefer a stronger push feel, and the Yellow Silver for those who prefer a lighter typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and typing style.
Travel distance
The Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, making it a shorter option compared to the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch which has a travel distance of 4 mm. The Cloudy Shadow's shorter travel distance may appeal to gamers looking for faster response times, while the Yellow Silver's longer travel distance may provide a more satisfying key press for those who prefer a deeper feeling when typing. Overall, the choice between the two switches will largely depend on personal preference and the type of typing experience you are looking for.
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 Yellow Silver 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
When comparing the subjective qualities of the Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch, it is evident that both switches exhibit a similar neutral sound profile, making them suitable for various uses. The Cloudy Shadow provides a low-pitched and neutral sound with a bouncy feel due to its extended springs, whereas the Yellow Silver offers a neutral sound profile ideal for gamers and typists seeking speediness and responsiveness. Both switches deliver a balanced typing experience, offering a moderate actuation force requirement that caters to a wide range of users.
However, in terms of feel, the Cloudy Shadow is noted for providing a mild typing experience, which is gentle and approachable to most users. On the other hand, information on the specific feel of the Yellow Silver switch is not available. Therefore, it can be inferred that the Cloudy Shadow may offer a more distinctive typing sensation compared to the Yellow Silver, which may lack this detailed description of tactile feedback.
In conclusion, both the Aflion Cloudy Shadow and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switches share a neutral sound profile that caters to a broad audience of keyboard enthusiasts. While the Cloudy Shadow is praised for its mild feel and bouncy feedback, the Yellow Silver's tactile characteristics remain undisclosed. Overall, individuals looking for a switch with a balanced typing experience and neutral sound signature can expect similar results from both options, with the Cloudy Shadow potentially offering a more pronounced tactile feedback than the Yellow Silver.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch, consider your preference for typing experience. If you prefer a slightly heavier bottom-out force and a bouncy feel, the Cloudy Shadow with its 63.5g bottom-out force and extended springs may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter actuation force and a neutral sound profile, the Yellow Silver with its 55g bottom-out force might be more suitable, especially for gamers and typists looking for speediness and responsiveness. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal typing preferences and what feels most comfortable to you.
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