Aflion Cloudy Shadow vs. Outemu Purple
An in-depth look at the Aflion Cloudy Shadow and the Outemu Purple switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Aflion's Cloudy Shadow linear switch and Outemu's Purple tactile switch are two popular options in the mechanical keyboard market. The Cloudy Shadow stands out for its rapid traction in the industry, offering a balanced typing experience with a 63.5g bottom-out force and a neutral sound signature. On the other hand, the Outemu Purple switch is categorized as tactile, providing users with a satisfying and tactile bump feedback during typing. While the Cloudy Shadow offers a bouncy feel due to extended springs, the Purple switch delivers a more pronounced tactile response. Each switch has its own unique characteristics that cater to different preferences and typing styles. 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
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
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
The housing materials of the Aflion Cloudy Shadow and the Outemu Purple switches both utilize polycarbonate for the top housing, providing a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This material's stiffness contributes to a clear and resonant sound, making it ideal for switches intended for RGB lighting due to its translucency. However, while both switches share this feature, the Cloudy Shadow also boasts a nylon bottom housing, which creates a deeper and fuller sound profile. In contrast, the Purple's bottom housing also utilizes nylon, offering similar sound characteristics to the Cloudy Shadow.
Despite the similarity in using polycarbonate for the top housing in both switches, the Cloudy Shadow's nylon bottom housing offers a different sound experience compared to the Purple's nylon bottom housing. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound profile when typing on switches equipped with this material. This difference in bottom housing material showcases how the qualities brought by each type of plastic can impact the overall sound and feel of a switch. While both switches may provide a satisfying typing experience, the choice between the Cloudy Shadow and the Outemu Purple may come down to personal preference for the type of sound profile desired during use.
When considering the impact of housing materials on switch performance, it's important to note that the qualities brought by the top and bottom housing materials may have varying effects. The bottom housing tends to influence the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing may have a greater impact on the sound when releasing a key. This means that the combination of polycarbonate and nylon in the Cloudy Shadow, as well as the use of nylon in both housings of the Outemu Purple, may result in a nuanced typing experience where the sound and feel may vary depending on the specific action being taken while using the switches.
Weight
The Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch and the Outemu Purple tactile switch have different characteristics when it comes to actuation force and bottom out force. The Cloudy Shadow has a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, making it medium-heavy, while the Purple has an actuation force of 50 grams, which is lighter. The actuation force of the Cloudy Shadow is not specified, while the bottom out force of the Purple is unknown. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Outemu Purple tactile switch would be the more suitable option. However, for individuals who enjoy a more substantial typing feel, the Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch may be the better choice. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of weight and typing experience.
Travel distance
The Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, making it shorter than the Outemu Purple tactile switch, which has a travel distance of 4 mm. The Cloudy Shadow offers a slightly quicker response time due to its shorter travel distance, making it a popular choice among gamers. On the other hand, the Purple switch provides a bit more depth and tactile feedback, which some users may prefer for a more satisfying typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference and whether you prioritize speed or tactility in your typing experience.
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 Purple comes in at $3.10 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 Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch offers a low-pitched and neutral sound profile that provides a mellow tone with a moderate actuation force requirement. This makes it suitable for various typing environments and preferences. On the other hand, information on the sound qualities of the Outemu Purple tactile switch is not available, so it is difficult to make a direct comparison in this aspect.
Moving on to feel, the Aflion Cloudy Shadow switch is known for its mild feel, offering a gentle typing experience that falls into a safe middle-ground zone in terms of sound and feel. The extended springs in these switches provide a bouncy feel, contributing to a balanced typing experience overall. Unfortunately, there is no information regarding the tactile feel of the Outemu Purple switch, making it challenging to draw a direct comparison in this regard.
In conclusion, the Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch stands out for its balanced typing experience, with a neutral sound signature and bouncy feel that caters to a wide range of users. While the subjective qualities of the Outemu Purple tactile switch are unknown, it is worth noting that both switches are likely to offer similar results in terms of overall performance and typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on personal preferences and typing style.
Conclusion
In summary, when choosing between the Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch and the Outemu Purple tactile switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and typing style. If you prefer a medium-heavy bottom-out force and a bouncy feel with a neutral sound signature, then the Cloudy Shadow may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with an undefined bottom-out force and a tactile feel, the Purple switch could be more suitable. Consider how you like your switches to sound and feel, as well as how much force you prefer when typing, to determine which switch would best suit your needs. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different typing preferences, so choose the one that aligns best with your typing style.
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