HMX Cloud - 63.5g vs. Gateron Smoothie Silver
An in-depth look at the HMX Cloud - 63.5g and the Gateron Smoothie Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the HMX Cloud - 63.5g and the Gateron Smoothie Silver both offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences. The Cloud - 63.5g is favored for its clacky sound profile and heavier actuation force, providing a bright typing experience for enthusiasts who appreciate a bouncy and high-pitched feel. On the other hand, the Smoothie Silver stands out for its all-POM construction, short travel distance, and feather-light touch, offering lightning-fast actuation and unmatched smoothness with a thocky sound. While the Cloud - 63.5g excels in providing a silky smooth feel, the Smoothie Silver shines with its quick actuation and lightweight touch. 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
56g
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
3.90 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
22mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
The HMX Cloud - 63.5g and the Gateron Smoothie Silver both have unique housing materials that contribute to their sound profiles. While the Cloud - 63.5g features a nylon top and bottom housing, the Smoothie Silver utilizes a POM top and bottom housing. The nylon housing of the Cloud - 63.5g is known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic that absorbs more sound. On the other hand, the POM housing of the Smoothie Silver produces a more muted and pleasing sound that leans towards the deeper side.
Despite their differences in housing materials, both switches offer a quality typing experience with distinct sound profiles. The nylon bottom housing of the Cloud - 63.5g contributes to a duller and rounder sound upon bottoming out, while the POM bottom housing of the Smoothie Silver adds to its unique and muted sound profile. Similarly, the nylon top housing of the Cloud - 63.5g impacts the sound when releasing a key, while the POM top housing of the Smoothie Silver creates an incredibly pleasing sound that is deeper in tone.
Overall, the choice between the HMX Cloud - 63.5g and the Gateron Smoothie Silver will come down to personal preference in sound profile. The nylon housing of the Cloud - 63.5g offers a softer and fuller sound, while the POM housing of the Smoothie Silver provides a more unique and muted sound experience. Both switches excel in delivering a satisfying typing experience, ensuring that users will enjoy the sound and feel of these switches during extended typing sessions. Ultimately, it's important to consider the individual characteristics of each housing material and how they contribute to the overall typing experience when deciding between the two.
Weight
The HMX Cloud - 63.5g linear switch is heavier than the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch in terms of actuation force and bottom out force. The Cloud - 63.5g has an actuation force of 56 grams and a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, making it a medium-heavy switch. In contrast, the Smoothie Silver has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams, but the bottom out force is unknown. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Smoothie Silver may be the better option, as it requires less force to actuate a keystroke. However, if you enjoy a more substantial typing feel with a heavier push, the Cloud - 63.5g would be a suitable choice. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and typing style.
Travel distance
The HMX Cloud - 63.5g linear switch has a travel distance of 3.9 mm, while the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. This means that the Smoothie Silver has a slightly shorter travel distance compared to the Cloud - 63.5g. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances that are becoming more popular, especially among gamers seeking faster response times. If you prefer a switch with a shorter travel distance for quick keystrokes, the Smoothie Silver may be the better option for you. However, if you enjoy a more substantial keypress feel with a bit more depth, the Cloud - 63.5g may be the preferable choice. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will come down to personal preference based on the desired feel and responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Smoothie Silver has an MSRP of $3.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Smoothie Silver for $2.60.
The HMX Cloud - 63.5g comes in at $3.50 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 it comes to sound, the HMX Cloud - 63.5g switch is known for its clacky and high-pitched sound profile, giving a sharp and vibrant typing experience. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie Silver switch offers a thocky sound, which is rich in tone and provides a satisfying auditory feedback. Depending on personal preference, the clacky sound of the Cloud - 63.5g may appeal to enthusiasts looking for a more crisp and bright typing sound, while the thocky sound of the Smoothie Silver may suit those who enjoy a deeper and more resonant typing experience.
In terms of feel, the HMX Cloud - 63.5g switch is described as bouncy and creamy, providing a spring-like feedback and a smooth typing experience. Contrastingly, information regarding the feel of the Gateron Smoothie Silver switch is unknown. However, based on the switch being all-POM and featuring unparalleled smoothness, it can be inferred that the Smoothie Silver switch may offer a similar silky sensation with a feather-light touch, making it an ideal choice for those who prefer a more effortless and frictionless typing experience.
In conclusion, when comparing the HMX Cloud - 63.5g switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver switch, it is evident that they each have their own distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Cloud - 63.5g switch provides a clacky sound and a bouncy, creamy feel, the Smoothie Silver switch offers a thocky sound and a likely smooth, lightweight touch. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preference and the type of typing experience that one seeks. Both switches are excellent options for those looking for a high-quality mechanical keyboard switch, ensuring a pleasurable typing experience no matter the choice.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the HMX Cloud - 63.5g linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch, consider the following factors. If you prioritize a bright and clacky typing experience with a medium-heavy bottom-out force, the HMX Cloud - 63.5g is the way to go. On the other hand, if you prefer lightning-fast actuation with a short travel distance and an all-POM construction for a thocky sound and feather-light touch, the Gateron Smoothie Silver is the better choice. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for sound, feel, and the overall typing experience you desire.
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