Huano Acacia vs. Outemu Silent Yellow Jade
An in-depth look at the Huano Acacia and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Huano Acacia and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade present two distinct options that cater to different preferences and typing experiences. The Huano Acacia is celebrated for its medium-light weight, generous factory lubrication, and minimal stem wobble, resulting in an exceptional typing feel right from the start; its linear design allows for smooth key presses without any tactile feedback, making it an excellent choice for those who prefer a fluid and uninterrupted experience while typing or gaming. In contrast, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade offers a tactile switch experience with a satisfying "thocky" sound, appealing to users who appreciate a pronounced tactile bump and quieter operation. This switch is particularly beneficial in shared workspaces due to its dampened keystrokes, allowing for a more discreet typing experience. Both switches have their strengths and weaknesses depending on your specific needs, but understanding the subtleties of each can help you make a more informed choice. 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
45g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
pom
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Huano Acacia and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switches, a significant contrast emerges in their choice of top materials. The Acacia utilizes polycarbonate for its top housing, which is known for imparting a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is attributed to polycarbonate's stiffness, allowing it to create a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate enhances its aesthetic appeal, particularly when paired with RGB lighting. In contrast, the Silent Yellow Jade features a nylon top housing, recognized for its softer properties that absorb sound. This results in a deeper and fuller sound profile, characterized as duller and rounder compared to that produced by polycarbonate. Thus, the top housing materials lead to different auditory experiences, with the Acacia offering a bright sound and the Silent Yellow Jade providing a muted acoustic character.
Looking at the bottom housings, both the Huano Acacia and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade utilize nylon materials, which provide a consistent base for their sound profiles. Nylon's inherent softness causes it to absorb sound, leading to a more rounded and deeper auditory experience when typing. This similarity in material choice means that while the top housings differ significantly—affecting the overall sound when keys are released—the nylon bottoms will contribute similarly to the sound and feel during actual key presses. This aspect bridges the two different switches, providing a commonality in the tactile experience that users can expect at the bottom of the switch.
Ultimately, the combined effects of these differing top housing materials create unique challenges and advantages for each switch. The Acacia, with its polycarbonate top, lends itself to a bright and resonant sound profile, suited for gamers or typists who appreciate clear auditory feedback. On the other hand, the Silent Yellow Jade, with its nylon top, provides a fuller sound experience that may appeal more to users looking for a softer touch and a more subdued auditory experience. However, with both switches employing nylon for the bottom housing, a level of consistency in depth and fullness is maintained, allowing users to appreciate the nuanced differences while still enjoying certain shared characteristics, particularly during active typing.
Weight
Comparing the Huano Acacia linear switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch reveals notable differences in both actuation and bottom out forces. The Acacia features an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams, categorizing it as medium-light. In contrast, the Silent Yellow Jade requires a slightly heavier actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams, placing it in the medium-heavy bracket. This means that the Acacia switch is generally lighter and may be more suitable for those who prefer longer typing sessions without exerting much effort. Conversely, the heavier Silent Yellow Jade switch offers a more substantial typing experience, appealing to users who appreciate a firmer push feel. Ultimately, if you're looking for a lighter switch for extended use, the Huano Acacia is the better choice, while the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade is ideal for those preferring a more pronounced force in their keystrokes.
Travel distance
The Huano Acacia linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, making it slightly longer than the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch, which has a travel distance of 3.3 mm. This means that if you're looking for a switch that offers a bit more depth in your keystrokes, the Acacia would be the preferable option. While both switches are relatively close in travel distance, their slight difference can influence the typing experience significantly. Gamers who prioritize fast response times might lean towards the shorter Silent Yellow Jade, as its quicker actuation could provide a responsive feel. Conversely, the Acacia’s longer travel distance may be more appealing for those who prefer a more pronounced tactile feedback when typing.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Huano Acacia comes in at $3.39, whereas the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade comes in at $3.10.
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
The Huano Acacia linear switch produces a sound profile that is typically quieter compared to traditional linear switches, thanks to its factory lubrication which dampens the keypress sound. While it may not be entirely silent, it lacks the distinct thock associated with tactile or clicky switches. In contrast, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch offers a unique auditory experience characterized by a muted yet satisfying "thock" sound when the tactile bump is engaged. This nuanced sound is due to its design and materials, which work together to create a more subdued yet pronounced audio feedback during use.
When considering the feel, the Acacia linear switch stands out with its medium-light actuation force, which allows for a smooth, effortless typing experience. The generous factory lubrication minimizes friction, producing a silky-smooth keystroke with minimal stem wobble, contributing to an enjoyable overall feel. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch is tailored for those who appreciate a tactile bump; it delivers a punchy tactile feedback right at the actuation point, giving the typist a clear indication of key engagement without being overly intrusive. The tactile nature of this switch combines with a slightly heavier force, providing a more deliberate typing experience, while its factory lubrication ensures a smooth feel.
In summary, the Huano Acacia linear switch offers a quieter, slick typing experience that may appeal to those seeking smoothness and minimal sound. Meanwhile, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch caters to individuals who enjoy a distinctive tactile feedback along with a subtle auditory cue. While they differ in sound and feel, both switches have been engineered for a pleasant typing experience, offering unique advantages depending on personal preferences.
Conclusion
To conclude, the choice between Huano Acacia linear switches and Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switches ultimately hinges on your personal preferences and typing habits. If you prefer a lightweight feel and a smooth linear experience right out of the box, the Acacia is an excellent option, thanks to its medium-light weight, generous factory lubrication, and minimal stem wobble that enhance the overall typing experience. This makes it ideal for those who enjoy rapid key presses and long typing sessions without fatigue. Conversely, if you value a tactile response with a satisfying sound while maintaining a quieter typing environment, then the Silent Yellow Jade is the switch for you. With a medium-heavy bottom out force and a distinctive "thocky" sound, these switches provide a pronounced tactile bump that engages typists who appreciate feedback without the noise, making them suitable for an office setting or shared spaces. Ultimately, your comfort and typing style will determine which switch best suits you, allowing you to create a setup that feels just right.
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