Huano Acacia vs. Outemu Silent White

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Huano Acacia and Outemu Silent White both offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences among typists and gamers. The Acacia is celebrated for its medium-light weight, generous factory lubrication, and minimal stem wobble, providing an excellent typing experience straight out of the box. This makes it an attractive choice for those who value smooth keypresses and a satisfying feel during long typing sessions. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent White, while less known for specific features, is designed to be a quieter option, which can be a crucial factor for users in shared or noise-sensitive environments. Both switches are classified as linear, making them ideal for users who seek a smooth and uninterrupted keystroke without tactile bumps. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your needs.

By the numbers

Huano Acacia Linear

Outemu Silent White Linear

$3.39 per 10

$3.10 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The Huano Acacia and the Outemu Silent White switches utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, which contributes to a similar auditory experience when typing. This choice of material leads to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to the inherent stiffness of polycarbonate. This quality helps in producing a more resonant sound, particularly beneficial when the switch is designed with RGB lighting in mind, as the material’s translucency enhances the visual effects. Thus, both switches will likely provide a comparable sound quality derived from their polycarbonate tops, making them suitable options for users who prioritize clarity and brightness in their auditory experience.

In contrast to the top housing, the bottom housing of both the Huano Acacia and the Outemu Silent White switches is made from nylon. This choice leads to a markedly different sound profile compared to that of their polycarbonate counterparts. Nylon's softer and more absorbent nature contributes to a deeper, fuller sound that dampens vibrations more effectively than harder plastics. When typing on these switches, users will notice a rounder and more muted sound when the key bottoms out, enhancing the overall typing experience with its richness. The combination of the polycarbonate top and nylon bottom results in a well-rounded auditory profile that balances sharpness with depth.

When considering the complete switch design, the interplay between the polycarbonate top and nylon bottom housing highlights a fundamental contrast in how sound and feel are perceived during operation. The polycarbonate top housing significantly influences the sound produced upon key release, while the nylon bottom housing shapes the experience when the key is fully depressed. This means that, while both and Huano Acacia and Outemu Silent White switches provide distinct qualities, they complement each other through their respective materials. Therefore, users can expect a cohesive sound profile that harmonizes the clarity of the top housing with the warmth of the bottom, thereby delivering an overall satisfying typing experience.

Weight

The Huano Acacia linear switch and the Outemu Silent White linear switch share the same actuation force of 45 grams, providing a consistent feel when activating a keystroke, making them both suitable for users looking for a lighter option that allows for extended typing or gaming sessions without fatigue. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Acacia has a slightly lower measurement at 55 grams compared to the Silent White’s 60 grams, indicating that the Acacia is overall lighter in feel. This difference in bottom out force suggests that while both switches feel similar during the initial actuation, the Silent White demands a bit more effort when fully depressed, appealing to users who prefer a more substantial typing experience. Thus, for those seeking a lighter touch, the Huano Acacia would be the preferable choice, whereas the Outemu Silent White caters to those who appreciate a bit more resistance in their keystrokes.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Huano Acacia linear switch and the Outemu Silent White linear switch, the Acacia features a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Silent White has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.3 mm. This indicates that the Acacia switch provides a deeper feel when pressed, making it more suitable for users who prefer a more substantial keypress experience. On the other hand, the Silent White, with its shorter travel distance, may appeal to gamers seeking faster response times and a more immediate tactile feedback. While both switches cater to different preferences, those who favor a shorter travel distance will find the Silent White to be the better choice, whereas those who appreciate a more traditional depth will opt for the Huano Acacia. Ultimately, the decision comes down to individual preference regarding key feel and responsiveness.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Huano Acacia switch is known for its relatively quiet operation thanks to its linear design, producing a soft thock sound that is pleasant for both the user and those around them. This makes it a great choice for quieter environments, especially in offices or shared spaces where keystroke noise might be disruptive. Conversely, the Outemu Silent White switch is also designed to be quiet, with its linear characteristics contributing to a smoother, almost mute typing experience. Both switches prioritize noise reduction, allowing for a more subdued auditory profile when typing, but the exact sound produced can still vary based on the keyboard construction and the keycaps used.

When it comes to feel, the Huano Acacia switch excels with its medium-light actuation force, combined with excellent factory lubrication and minimal stem wobble, resulting in a responsive and satisfying typing experience. This makes it suitable for users who prefer a smooth keystroke with minimal resistance. The feel of the Outemu Silent White switch, on the other hand, isn't specifically detailed, but given its linear nature, it is likely to provide a slightly different experience that still aims for a smooth, uninterrupted keystroke. Both switches, being linear, will offer a consistent keypress without tactile bumps, but the nuances of their actuation force may lead to slightly different experiences.

In conclusion, both the Huano Acacia and Outemu Silent White switches offer appealing sound profiles and smooth keystroke experiences, with the Acacia standing out for its light actuation force and minimal wobble. While the Silent White's specific feel is less detailed, it can be expected to provide a similarly smooth typing experience as other linear switches. The choice between these two will ultimately come down to personal preference regarding their subtle variations, but either option is likely to deliver a satisfying and quiet typing experience in any keyboard setup.

Conclusion

To sum up, when deciding between the Huano Acacia linear switch and the Outemu Silent White linear switch, consider your typing style and environment. If you prefer a medium-light switch that requires less force to actuate, the Acacia is an excellent choice; it offers a satisfying typing experience thanks to its generous factory lubrication and minimal stem wobble, making it ideal for both casual typing and prolonged use without fatigue. This switch is particularly suitable for environments where a quieter performance isn't a top priority, as it leans towards a more traditional sound profile. Conversely, if you desire a slightly heavier actuation force and prioritize a quieter operation—perhaps in a shared or noise-sensitive workspace—then the Outemu Silent White will be your go-to. While it doesn’t have the same level of factory lubrication or reduced wobble characterizing the Acacia, it offers a stable feel with its medium weight, perfect for those who appreciate the tactile feedback of a firmer press, blended seamlessly into a quieter typing experience. Ultimately, your choice will hinge on the balance between tactile preference and the need for noise management.

Mentioned in this article

Huano Acacia Linear

$3.39 per 10

Learn more

Outemu Silent White Linear

$3.10 per 10

Learn more