Gazzew Bobagum vs. Outemu Cold Plum
An in-depth look at the Gazzew Bobagum and the Outemu Cold Plum switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Gazzew Bobagum and the Outemu Cold Plum, both of which are linear switches. The Bobagum is praised for its smooth feel, offering a unique tactility that sets it apart from other switches. Additionally, its almost silent sound profile makes it an attractive option for those looking for a quieter typing experience. On the other hand, the Cold Plum switches by Outemu are known for their thocky sound profile and fully nylon construction, providing a satisfying typing experience for enthusiasts. While the Bobagum is categorized as 'Muted' and 'Subtle', the Cold Plum lacks specific categorization. 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
N/A
Actuation force
60g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
70g
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Nylon
Top housing material
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel 14.5mm Korean spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Gazzew Bobagum and the Outemu Cold Plum both aim to deliver a rich and deep sound profile, but they achieve this in slightly different ways. The Bobagum's proprietary Gazzew blend top and bottom housings, known as "boba plastic," are designed to be soft, resulting in a softer and more resonant sound when typing. On the other hand, the Cold Plum's nylon top and bottom housings are also soft but are specifically chosen for their ability to absorb more sound compared to harder plastics, leading to a duller and rounder sound profile. While both materials aim to create a similar immersive typing experience, the Bobagum's blend focuses on softness for sound quality, while the Cold Plum's nylon emphasizes sound absorption.
In terms of sound characteristics, the Gazzew Bobagum's proprietary top and bottom housings are created with a blend that prioritizes softness for a rich sound profile. This results in a more unique and distinctive typing experience, with a particular emphasis on deep and resonant tones. Conversely, the Outemu Cold Plum's nylon top and bottom housings are chosen for their ability to absorb sound effectively, creating a deeper and fuller sound profile that is more mellow and rounded. Despite their different approaches, both housing materials ultimately aim to enhance the overall sound quality of the switches, delivering a satisfying and immersive typing experience for users.
When comparing the housing materials of the Gazzew Bobagum and the Outemu Cold Plum, it's clear that they both contribute to creating a deep and rich sound profile for typing. However, the Bobagum's proprietary Gazzew blend focuses on softness to achieve this, resulting in a more unique and distinctive sound. In contrast, the Cold Plum's nylon material is chosen for its sound absorption properties, which lead to a deeper and fuller sound that is more mellow and rounded. While the top and bottom housings may have different materials in each switch, they both play a crucial role in shaping the overall sound experience, with the bottom housing affecting the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing impacts the sound when releasing a key. Ultimately, both switches offer a high-quality typing experience with their respective housing materials contributing to their distinct sound profiles.
Weight
In comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gazzew Bobagum linear switch and the Outemu Cold Plum linear switch, it is evident that the Bobagum has a lighter actuation force of 46 grams compared to the Cold Plum's heavier actuation force of 60 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Bobagum requires 62 grams, while the Cold Plum needs 70 grams, making the Cold Plum the heavier option in this aspect. Both switches fall within the medium to medium-heavy force range, providing a decent amount of tactile feedback for typing. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Bobagum for longer typing sessions, while users seeking a more robust feel may opt for the Cold Plum for a more substantial typing experience. Overall, each switch offers a unique typing experience based on the actuation and bottom out force, catering to different preferences in the mechanical keyboard community.
Travel distance
The Gazzew Bobagum linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Outemu Cold Plum linear switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm. Both switches fall within the realm of shorter travel distances, which are becoming increasingly popular, especially among gamers looking for quicker response times. However, the Bobagum has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Cold Plum. For those who prefer a more responsive feel, the Cold Plum may be the better option, while the Bobagum may be preferred by those who enjoy a slightly deeper keypress. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference for travel distance and key feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Gazzew Bobagum comes in at $6.50, whereas the Outemu Cold Plum 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
When comparing the sound of the Gazzew Bobagum linear switch to the Outemu Cold Plum linear switch, the Bobagum is known for its almost silent sound profile, providing a muted typing experience that minimizes noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards. On the other hand, the Cold Plum offers a thocky sound profile, unique to nylon construction switches, creating a satisfying and distinct typing experience. Depending on personal preference and setup, users can choose between a quiet and muted sound with the Bobagum or a more pronounced and satisfying sound with the Cold Plum.
When considering the feel of the Gazzew Bobagum linear switch versus the Outemu Cold Plum linear switch, the Bobagum is praised for its smoothness and tactile feedback, offering a unique matte feel that sets it apart from other linear switches. Described as subtle, the Bobagum provides a gentle resistance that is suitable for shared spaces due to its non-resonant sound signature. In contrast, the Cold Plum switch offers a smooth keystroke and enjoyable typing experience, without specific descriptors provided for its feel. Users can expect a satisfying and smooth typing experience with the Cold Plum switch, although the level of subtlety and tactility may differ compared to the Bobagum.
In conclusion, both the Gazzew Bobagum linear switch and the Outemu Cold Plum linear switch offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences in sound and feel. The Bobagum excels in providing a nearly silent sound profile and a tactile matte feel that is unmatched in the market, while the Cold Plum delivers a thocky sound and smooth keystroke suitable for enthusiasts. Depending on personal preference for sound and feel, users can choose between the Bobagum for a quieter and more subtle typing experience or the Cold Plum for a satisfying and distinct typing feel. Ultimately, both switches offer a premium typing experience that showcases the innovation and diversity present in the mechanical keyboard switch market.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Gazzew Bobagum linear switch and the Outemu Cold Plum linear switch, you should consider a few key factors. If you prefer a medium bottom out force and are looking for a switch with unparalleled smoothness and a nearly silent sound profile, the Bobagum may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force and enjoy a thocky sound profile with a smooth keystroke, the Cold Plum could be the switch for you. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preference for sound, feel, and typing experience. Make sure to test out both switches if possible to see which one aligns best with your preferences.
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