Kailh Berry vs. Outemu Lime
An in-depth look at the Kailh Berry and the Outemu Lime switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options that often come up are the Kailh Berry and the Outemu Lime. The Berry switches are well-known for their linear design, offering a hefty typing experience that is accompanied by a springy feel and a chalk-like texture. Additionally, these switches have a fairly deep sound profile, categorized as 'Textured', 'Low-pitched', and 'Bassy'. On the other hand, the Lime switches stand out for their unique qualities. These tactile switches are lightweight, providing a feathery light typing experience. They also offer a touch of tactility, making them a perfect choice for tactile fans. Furthermore, the Lime switches are silenced, ensuring a quieter typing experience. Categorized as 'Neutral', 'Mild', 'Muted', 'Feathery', 'Subtle', and 'Polished', these switches offer a polished and refined feel. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your preferences and needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
35g
Bottom-out force
70g
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
1.70 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
No
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
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Kailh Berry and the Outemu Lime differ in their housing materials, with the Berry featuring a polycarbonate top housing and a nylon bottom housing, while the Lime utilizes nylon for both its top and bottom housing. The choice of polycarbonate for the Berry's top housing results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is because polycarbonate is a stiffer plastic, offering a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it compatible with RGB lighting, adding an aesthetic appeal to the switch. On the other hand, the Lime's nylon top housing provides a deeper and fuller sound profile. Being a softer plastic, nylon absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. This difference in sound characteristics gives users the option to choose between a sharper, more vibrant sound and a deeper, more mellow sound according to their preference.
While the top housing materials of the Kailh Berry and the Outemu Lime differ, both switches share nylon as the material for their bottom housing. The nylon bottom housing gives both switches a similar deeper and fuller sound profile. As a relatively softer plastic, nylon absorbs sound more effectively than harder plastics, leading to a duller and rounder sound when typing on switches that use nylon. This means that users can expect similar qualities in terms of sound when bottoming out the keys on both the Berry and the Lime switches. The impact on the bottom-out sound and feel is primarily influenced by the bottom housing material, and in this case, nylon provides a consistent experience across both switches.
It is worth noting that the choice of housing materials influences the sound produced by the switches, and the Kailh Berry and the Outemu Lime take different approaches in this regard. The Berry's mix of polycarbonate and nylon creates a contrast between the sharpness and clarity of the polycarbonate top housing and the deeper sound of the nylon bottom housing. On the other hand, the Lime employs nylon for both its top and bottom housing, resulting in a more consistent deep and full sound throughout. Users who prefer a switch with a more pronounced and vibrant sound may lean towards the Berry, while those who prefer a mellower and more subdued sound may find the Lime to be more to their liking. Ultimately, the choice between the Berry and the Lime comes down to individual preference in terms of the desired sound profile.
Weight
When comparing the Kailh Berry linear switch and the Outemu Lime tactile switch, there are noticeable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Berry switch's actuation force is unavailable, making it uncertain how much force is needed to trigger a keystroke. However, its bottom out force is fairly heavy at 70 grams, providing a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel. On the other hand, the Lime switch has a much lighter actuation force of 35 grams, allowing for a quicker and more responsive keystroke. Its bottom out force is also lighter at 45 grams, making it a more comfortable option for extended typing sessions. Therefore, if lighter weight is preferred for longer typing durations or gaming sessions, the Lime switch would be the better choice. However, if a more substantial and heavier feel is desired, the Berry switch would provide similar results due to its heavier bottom out force.
Travel distance
The Kailh Berry linear switch and the Outemu Lime tactile switch have different travel distances. The Berry has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Lime has a shorter travel distance of 3.3 mm. In terms of traditional travel distances, the Berry falls closer to the standard 4.0 mm, while the Lime is on the more shallow end at 3.0 mm. Gamers who prioritize faster response times often prefer shorter travel distances, making the Lime a potentially better choice for them. On the other hand, those who enjoy a deeper and more substantial keypress may find the longer travel distance of the Berry more satisfying. Overall, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for either a shorter and quicker keypress or a longer and more deliberate one.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Kailh Berry comes in at $6.25, whereas the Outemu Lime comes in at $3.40.
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 Kailh Berry linear switch is known for providing a hefty typing experience with a springy feel. When typing on these switches, there is a chalk-like texture that adds to the overall typing experience. In terms of sound, the Berry switch produces a deep and bass-heavy tone during key presses. This low-pitched sound profile gives a rich and mellow tone to each keystroke.
On the other hand, the Outemu Lime tactile switch offers a lightweight typing experience with a touch of tactility. These switches are perfect for tactile fans who prefer a feathery light feel when typing. The Lime switch is also silenced, meaning it produces a softer and quieter sound compared to regular switches. This muted sound profile reduces the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards.
Comparing the sound qualities, the Berry switch has a low-pitched and bassy sound profile, while the Lime switch is described as having a more neutral and muted sound profile. The Berry switch provides a deeper and richer tone, while the Lime switch offers a quieter and softer sound. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
Turning to the feel, the Berry switch is described as having a textured or scratchy feel with noticeable friction when pressed. Some users prefer this subtle texture, while others prefer a smoother and friction-free typing experience. On the other hand, the Lime switch provides a mild and approachable typing experience. It has a gentle resistance that is not too feather-light but still maintains a light and comfortable feel. The Lime switch is also described as being polished, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel.
In conclusion, the Kailh Berry linear switch and the Outemu Lime tactile switch offer different subjective qualities when it comes to sound and feel. The Berry switch provides a deep and bass-heavy sound with a textured typing experience, while the Lime switch offers a muted sound with a mild and feathery typing feel. However, it's important to consider personal preferences and the other factors that can influence the overall typing experience, such as the keyboard and keycaps being used. If you prefer a deep and rich sound with a textured feel, the Berry switch would be a good choice. If you prefer a quieter sound and a light, smooth typing feel, the Lime switch would be a suitable option.
Conclusion
In closing, if you are looking for a medium-heavy typing experience with a springy feel and a fairly deep sound profile, the Kailh Berry linear switch would be a great choice for you. These switches have a bottom out force of 70 grams and offer a textured feel when typing. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter typing experience with a touch of tactility and a silenced sound profile, the Outemu Lime tactile switch is the way to go. With a bottom out force of 45 grams, these switches are incredibly unique and offer a feathery light feel when typing. They are perfect for tactile fans who want a gentle typing experience. Overall, the Berry switch is best known for its hefty typing experience, while the Lime switch stands out for its lightweight and approachable tactility. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on your preference for typing experience and sound profile.
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