KTT Ash Gray vs. Outemu Silent Green
An in-depth look at the KTT Ash Gray and the Outemu Silent Green switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When debating between the KTT Ash Gray and the Outemu Silent Green mechanical keyboard switches, it's important to consider the key differences in their design and functionality. The Ash Gray, a tactile switch, is renowned for its responsive feel and light touch, providing a satisfying tactile feedback without being overly pronounced. On the other hand, the Silent Green, a linear switch, offers a smooth and consistent keystroke with no tactile feedback. While the Ash Gray is ideal for those who prefer a subtle tactile response, the Silent Green is suited for users seeking a more straightforward and linear 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
38g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
53g
Bottom-out force
60g
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
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
Polycarbonate
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
18mm spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the KTT Ash Gray and the Outemu Silent Green, one can see that both switches use polycarbonate in their top housings. This material choice creates a sharper and crisper sound profile due to polycarbonate's stiffness, which leads to a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate allows for RGB lighting effects to be more vibrant and noticeable. However, the Ash Gray utilizes a nylon bottom housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to the Silent Green's polycarbonate bottom housing. Nylon is known for being a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound overall.
In terms of sound and feel, the bottom housing of a switch has a more significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when pressed down, while the top housing affects the sound when releasing a key. This means that the different housing materials used in the Ash Gray and Silent Green switches will influence the typing experience in slightly different ways. The nylon bottom housing of the Ash Gray will provide a deeper and fuller sound when bottoming out keys, while the polycarbonate top housing of both switches will result in a sharper and crisper sound upon key release. Overall, both switches offer unique sound profiles based on their housing materials, catering to different preferences for typing sound and feel.
While the Ash Gray and Silent Green switches share the use of polycarbonate in their top housings, they differ in the choice of bottom housing material. This contrast leads to distinct typing experiences between the two switches. The Ash Gray's nylon bottom housing contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, creating a unique tactile experience for typists. On the other hand, the Silent Green's polycarbonate bottom housing maintains a sharper sound profile, emphasizing clarity and resonance. Ultimately, the combination of housing materials in each switch results in a customized typing experience, with the material composition influencing the sound and feel of key presses in distinct ways.
Weight
In comparing the KTT Ash Gray tactile switch and the Outemu Silent Green linear switch, it is evident that the Ash Gray is the lighter option with a lower actuation force of 38 grams compared to the Silent Green's 45 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Ash Gray requires 53 grams, while the Silent Green needs 60 grams, making the Silent Green the heavier option. Both switches fall within the medium-light to medium range, offering a balance between ease of typing and a more substantial typing experience. Those who prefer a lighter touch may opt for the Ash Gray, ideal for longer typing sessions or gaming, while those who favor a heavier push may find the Silent Green more satisfying for a more robust typing feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on the individual's preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The KTT Ash Gray tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Outemu Silent Green linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. In this case, the Silent Green has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Ash Gray. A shorter travel distance, like the one found in the Ash Gray, is often preferred by gamers seeking faster response times. On the other hand, a longer travel distance, such as the one in the Silent Green, may provide a more substantial key press experience for those who prefer a deeper feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and tactile feedback.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The KTT Ash Gray has an MSRP of $3.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Ash Gray for $2.55.
The Outemu Silent Green 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 KTT Ash Gray tactile switch is known for its neutral sound profile, which is suitable for a wide range of users and environments. On the other hand, information about the sound profile of the Outemu Silent Green linear switch is not available. It is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps being used.
When it comes to feel, the KTT Ash Gray switch is praised for its easy-to-press nature, offering gentle resistance during key presses and requiring minimal force to activate. This light actuation force can make typing effortless and comfortable, reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. Additionally, the tactile feedback of the Ash Gray switch is described as mild, providing a comfortable typing experience without being too pronounced. Unfortunately, detailed information regarding the feel of the Outemu Silent Green switch is not provided.
Considering the available information, the KTT Ash Gray tactile switch seems to offer a balanced tactile response with a moderate sound profile, making it a versatile choice for various users and settings. While the qualities of the Outemu Silent Green switch remain unknown, based on the information provided, it can be inferred that the Ash Gray switch may provide a more detailed and well-rounded typing experience in terms of sound and feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on individual preferences for sound and tactile feedback.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the KTT Ash Gray tactile switch and the Outemu Silent Green linear switch, you should consider your preferences for actuation force and tactile feedback. If you prefer a lighter actuation force and a subtle tactile bump for a comfortable typing experience, the Ash Gray switch is the way to go. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly heavier actuation force and a linear feel without any tactile feedback, the Silent Green switch would be more suitable for you. Ultimately, the decision should be based on your personal preference for typing feel and actuation force when selecting the ideal mechanical keyboard switch for your needs.
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