Aflion Panda vs. Outemu Silent White
An in-depth look at the Aflion Panda and the Outemu Silent White switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When looking for a mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options to consider are the Aflion Panda, a tactile switch, and the Outemu Silent White, a linear switch. The Panda is renowned for its hyper-tactile sensation and "thocky" sound profile, making it a top choice for those who value intense tactility and a rich audio feedback experience. On the other hand, the Silent White is a linear switch that excels in providing a smooth keystroke without the audible click associated with tactile switches. While the Panda offers a unique tactile experience with a satisfying sound, the Silent White provides a quieter and more seamless typing experience. 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
50g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
pom
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Single-stage 15mm long spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Aflion Panda and the Outemu Silent White both utilize polycarbonate for the top housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The use of polycarbonate in switches with clear housings allows for translucency, making them ideal for showcasing RGB lighting. In contrast, the Panda and Silent White diverge in their bottom housing materials, with the Panda featuring a nylon bottom housing for a deeper and fuller sound profile, while the Silent White also utilizes nylon but absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound.
Although both the Aflion Panda and the Outemu Silent White share polycarbonate top housings, the key difference lies in their respective nylon bottom housings. The Panda's nylon bottom housing provides a deeper and fuller sound profile, while the Silent White's nylon bottom housing absorbs more sound, resulting in a rounder sound. This contrast demonstrates how different bottom housing materials can significantly impact the overall sound and feel of a switch, even when the top housing material remains the same.
In terms of typing experience, the Aflion Panda and the Outemu Silent White will offer similar results in terms of the effects of polycarbonate on the top housing sound profile. However, the choice of nylon for the bottom housing will lead to distinct differences in the typing experience. The Panda's nylon bottom housing creates a deeper sound, while the Silent White's nylon bottom housing absorbs sound for a duller, rounder sound. Ultimately, the combination of housing materials in a switch plays a crucial role in defining the overall sound profile and tactile feedback experienced by the user.
Weight
The Aflion Panda tactile switch and the Outemu Silent White linear switch both have a bottom out force of 60 grams, providing a similar level of resistance for users who prefer a heavier feel during typing. However, the Aflion Panda has a slightly higher actuation force of 50 grams compared to the 45 grams of the Outemu Silent White. This means that the Panda requires a bit more force to trigger a keystroke, offering a slightly more tactile typing experience. For those who prefer a lighter touch, the Outemu Silent White may be the better option, while users who enjoy a slightly heavier push feel may lean towards the Aflion Panda. Ultimately, both switches provide a medium level of actuation and bottom out force, catering to a wide range of typing preferences.
Travel distance
The Aflion Panda tactile switch boasts a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Outemu Silent White linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.3 mm. Both switches offer a decent travel distance that provides a satisfactory tactile experience, with the Panda offering a bit more depth compared to the Silent White. Gamers who prioritize faster response times may lean towards the Silent White due to its shorter travel distance, while those who prefer a more pronounced tactile feel may opt for the Panda. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of travel distance and tactile feedback.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Aflion Panda has an MSRP of $5.20 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Panda for $3.56.
The Outemu Silent White 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
In terms of sound, the Aflion Panda tactile switch stands out for its resonant and deep "thocky" sound profile, providing a rich and immersive auditory experience that is clean and sharp. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent White linear switch does not have any specific sound characteristics mentioned, so it is hard to directly compare to the Panda in this aspect. However, it is important to note that the sound produced by a switch can also be influenced by the keyboard and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Aflion Panda offers an accented and invigorating tactile experience that is hyper-tactile and responsive, providing a satisfying typing sensation with a pronounced feedback. The Outemu Silent White does not have any specific feel descriptors provided, making it difficult to compare directly to the Panda in terms of tactile feedback.
Overall, the Aflion Panda tactile switch is renowned for its unparalleled hyper-tactile sensation and deep thocky sound profile, making it a top choice for those who prioritize tactility and auditory feedback. While the Outemu Silent White linear switch may offer a different typing experience, without specific information on feel and sound qualities, it is challenging to provide a direct comparison. However, based on the information provided, it is clear that both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences, and selecting between the two would ultimately depend on personal preferences for typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Aflion Panda tactile switch and the Outemu Silent White linear switch, you should consider your preference for hyper-tactility and a deep thocky sound profile. If you value a super responsive tactile force paired with a sonorous audio feedback, the Panda would be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a silent typing experience without sacrificing the medium bottom out force, the Silent White switch would be more suitable. Ultimately, your decision should be based on whether you prioritize tactile feedback and sound profile or a quieter typing experience.
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