Keygeek Briny vs. Outemu Yellow Silver
An in-depth look at the Keygeek Briny and the Outemu Yellow Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboards, the choice of switches can significantly impact your typing and gaming experience. The Keygeek Briny and the Outemu Yellow Silver are both linear switches that cater to different preferences. The Briny, featuring an UPE stem and pure PA66 bottom housing, is renowned for its balanced sound profile, making it a versatile option for users who appreciate a satisfying auditory feedback without being overly loud. In contrast, the Outemu Yellow Silver offers a lighter actuation force and a neutral sound profile, which appeals particularly to gamers and typists seeking speed and responsiveness in their keystrokes. While the Briny is ideal for those who value a harmonious blend of sound and feel, the Yellow Silver is perfect for those who prioritize swift action and agility in their typing. 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
42g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.30 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
UPE
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
20mm single-stage spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Keygeek Briny and the Outemu Yellow Silver switches, the distinction between their top housings is particularly significant. The Briny features a nylon top housing, known for its softer texture, which contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. This softer material absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder auditory experience. In contrast, the Yellow Silver utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which offers a sharper and crisper sound profile due to its stiffer nature. This rigidity allows sound waves to resonate more clearly, creating a higher-pitched auditory experience that is often desirable for those who prefer a more pronounced keystroke effect, especially when paired with RGB lighting that benefits from the translucency of polycarbonate.
On the other hand, both switches share the same material for their bottom housing: nylon. This consistency in material leads to an interesting comparison. Both the Briny and the Yellow Silver will provide a deeper and fuller sound during gameplay or typing due to the soft absorption qualities of the nylon bottom. As a result, regardless of the differences in the top housing materials, the bottom housing effectively grounds the typing experience with a more muted sound. Consequently, users can expect a cohesive auditory response from both switches during bottoming out, reinforcing the rounded sound signature characteristic of nylon-based switches.
Overall, the contrasting top housing materials between the Keygeek Briny and Outemu Yellow Silver switches highlight the complex relationship between sound and housing design in mechanical keyboards. While the nylon top of the Briny produces a softer, warmer sound profile, the polycarbonate top housing of the Yellow Silver enhances clarity and brightness. Nonetheless, the shared nylon bottom housing serves to unify the experience by providing depth and fullness to the sound. Users seeking a comprehensive tactile and auditory experience may find that these differences cater to varied preferences, allowing them to choose the switch that best aligns with their typing style and aesthetic desires.
Weight
The Keygeek Briny linear switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch present distinct actuation and bottom out forces that cater to different preferences in typing feel. The Briny requires an actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams, making it a medium-weight option. In contrast, the Yellow Silver offers a lighter actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams, categorizing it as medium-light. As a result, the Yellow Silver is better suited for users who prefer a lighter touch, allowing for longer typing sessions or gaming without fatigue, while the Briny provides a more substantial push feel that may appeal to those who enjoy a heavier switch. Thus, the Briny is the heavier option, whereas the Yellow Silver is the lighter one, offering varying experiences to different users based on their tactile preferences.
Travel distance
The Keygeek Briny linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch features a slightly longer travel distance of 4.0 mm. This difference means that the Briny provides a more responsive feel, catering to gamers who seek quicker actuation and faster response times. On the other hand, the Yellow Silver, with its traditional 4.0 mm travel distance, offers a deeper and more substantial keypress experience, which some users may find more comfortable and satisfying. Thus, the Briny is the shorter option, making it ideal for those who prefer a snappier response, whereas the Yellow Silver, being the longer option, may appeal more to individuals who appreciate a more pronounced key actuation.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Keygeek Briny has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Briny for $3.29.
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 Keygeek Briny linear switch offers a balanced sound profile, thanks to its use of an UPE stem and pure PA66 bottom housing. This creates a harmonious acoustic experience that is well-suited for a variety of typing environments. The Outemu Yellow Silver switch, on the other hand, features a neutral sound profile. This means it produces a moderate sound level, making it versatile and accommodating for both casual and professional use. Overall, both switches are relatively quiet, but the Briny may give a slightly richer sound experience due to its material choices.
When it comes to feel, the tactile experience of the Briny switch has not been detailed; however, the Outemu Yellow Silver is praised for its light actuation force, which enhances speed and responsiveness, making it ideal for gamers seeking quick key presses. The lack of specific descriptors for the Briny's feel leaves some uncertainty about how it compares directly, but if it shares the characteristics of typical linear switches, it might also provide a smooth and consistent keypress experience.
In conclusion, the Keygeek Briny linear switch presents a balanced sound profile and potentially comfortable feel, while the Outemu Yellow Silver emphasizes speed and neutrality in sound, making it a solid choice for both gaming and typing. While the Briny lacks detailed descriptions regarding its feel, if it resembles other linear switches, it may offer a similarly pleasant typing experience. Ultimately, both switches cater to users seeking effective performance, with their distinct sound and feel attributes adding to the diversity of choice in mechanical keyboard switches.
Conclusion
To sum up, choosing between the Keygeek Briny linear switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch ultimately depends on your specific typing needs and preferences. If you are someone who enjoys a slightly heavier key press and a well-balanced sound profile, the Briny might be your best bet; with a 60-gram bottom out force, it offers a robust feeling that's beneficial for both typing and gaming. Its UPE stem and PA66 housing create a satisfying auditory experience that’s not excessively loud, making it suitable for environments where a bit of noise is acceptable but not overwhelming. Conversely, if you prioritize speed and responsiveness, especially for gaming, then the Outemu Yellow Silver is likely the better choice for you. Its medium-light 55-gram actuation force allows for quick key presses, which can enhance your gameplay and typing speed. The neutral sound profile further supports its versatility, making it an enjoyable option for both casual users and serious typists. In the end, consider your primary use cases and tactile preferences; this will help you select the switch that aligns best with how you intend to use your keyboard.
Mentioned in this article
