Gateron Aliaz vs. Outemu Yellow Silver
An in-depth look at the Gateron Aliaz and the Outemu Yellow Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch to the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch, it's clear that each offers unique advantages depending on your preferences. The Aliaz is tailored for quiet environments like the office, providing a medium-heavy weight and a substantial feel to each keystroke, perfect for those who enjoy pronounced typing feedback without the noise. On the other hand, the Outemu Yellow Silver is known for its light actuation force and neutral sound profile, making it ideal for gamers and typists who prioritize speediness and responsiveness. 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
60g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
75g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.30 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Gateron Aliaz and the Outemu Yellow Silver both feature a polycarbonate top housing, which results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the relatively stiffer nature of polycarbonate, leading to a more clear and resonant sound. Aesthetically, polycarbonate is great for switches with RGB lighting due to its translucency. On the other hand, the Aliaz has a polycarbonate bottom housing while the Yellow Silver has a nylon bottom housing. The nylon bottom housing of the Yellow Silver creates a deeper and fuller sound profile as nylon is softer and absorbs more sound compared to polycarbonate.
The difference in bottom housing material between the Gateron Aliaz and the Outemu Yellow Silver results in a variation in sound and feel when typing on the switches. The nylon bottom housing of the Yellow Silver contributes to a duller and rounder sound, emphasizing the impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on a key. In contrast, the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Aliaz provides a clearer and resonant sound, affecting the overall typing experience. However, both switches share the qualities of the polycarbonate top housing, creating a similar sharp and crisp sound when letting go of a key.
Overall, the housing materials used in the Gateron Aliaz and the Outemu Yellow Silver play a significant role in the sound profile and typing experience of each switch. While both switches feature a polycarbonate top housing for a sharper sound, the difference in bottom housing material results in distinct characteristics in sound and feel. The Aliaz's polycarbonate bottom housing offers a clear and resonant sound, while the Yellow Silver's nylon bottom housing provides a deeper and fuller sound. Ultimately, the housing materials contribute to the overall performance and feel of each switch for a unique typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch, it is evident that the Aliaz is heavier in terms of actuation force and bottom out force compared to the Yellow Silver. The Aliaz requires 60 grams to actuate and 75 grams to bottom out, providing a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel. On the other hand, the Yellow Silver has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams, making it more suitable for users who prefer a lighter typing experience for extended periods of time. Both switches offer a different typing experience based on their actuation and bottom out forces, allowing users to choose according to their preference for a more comfortable and enjoyable typing or gaming session.
Travel distance
Both the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch and Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch have a travel distance of 4 mm, making them equal in this aspect. This means that when pressing down on either key, the user will experience the same distance traveled from the top of the switch to the bottom. This similarity ensures that users will get consistent results in terms of key press feel and actuation. Overall, both switches offer a standard travel distance that provides a satisfying typing experience for users.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Aliaz has an MSRP of $8.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Aliaz for $5.50.
The Outemu Yellow Silver comes in at $3.40 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
The Gateron Aliaz tactile switch is best known for its muted sound profile, making it ideal for quiet environments like offices. This switch provides a substantial and pronounced typing feedback due to its medium-heavy weight, offering a satisfying feel with each keystroke. On the other hand, the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch features a neutral sound profile, suitable for a variety of settings, and is favored by gamers and typists who prioritize speediness and responsiveness. When it comes to feel, the Aliaz switch is described as offering a silky and polished typing experience, thanks to its exceptionally smooth and refined finish that reduces friction and enhances key travel. Unfortunately, there is no available information on the feel of the Yellow Silver switch.
In conclusion, while the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch have their own distinct characteristics in terms of sound and feel, they both offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences. If someone prefers a quieter typing experience in a heavier switch, the Aliaz would be the way to go, while those who prioritize speed and responsiveness may lean towards the Yellow Silver. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches will depend on individual preferences and the specific use case, but rest assured that both options would provide a satisfying typing experience.
Conclusion
To wrap up, if you are looking for a keyboard switch tailored for a quiet environment like the office with a medium-heavy weight and substantial feel to each keystroke, the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch would be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a light actuation force and a neutral sound profile for a more speedy and responsive typing experience, the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch is the way to go. Consider your preferences for typing feedback, noise level, and actuation force when choosing between these two switches to find the perfect fit for your typing needs. Ultimately, both switches have their strengths and cater to different preferences, so make sure to choose the one that best suits your typing style.
Mentioned in this article
