TTC Brother vs. Outemu Silent Grey
An in-depth look at the TTC Brother and the Outemu Silent Grey switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between the TTC Brother clicky switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch, it ultimately comes down to personal preference and specific needs. The TTC Brother offers a delightful clicky typing experience with its light actuation force of 37g and satisfyingly crunchy sound signature. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Grey provides a quiet and highly tactile typing experience with a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke. If you value a light and clicky feel with audible feedback, the TTC Brother may be the right choice for you. However, if you prefer a silent yet tactile typing experience, the Outemu Silent Grey switch could be the better option. 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
37g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
17.5mm spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the TTC Brother and the Outemu Silent Grey, it is clear that both switches utilize polycarbonate for their top housing. Polycarbonate is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its stiffness. This material is also beneficial for switches that use RGB lighting, as its translucency allows for better light diffusion. Therefore, users can expect similar sound characteristics and aesthetic benefits from both switches when it comes to the top housing material.
However, the key difference lies in the bottom housing material used in each switch. The Brother features a nylon bottom housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound profile thanks to its softer nature that absorbs more sound. On the other hand, the Silent Grey also utilizes a nylon bottom housing, providing a similar experience in terms of sound profile. Both switches offer a rounder and duller sound due to the nylon material, ensuring a satisfying typing experience that is less sharp and more muted compared to switches with harder bottom housing materials.
Overall, while the top housing material remains the same between the TTC Brother and the Outemu Silent Grey, the differences in bottom housing materials provide a unique typing experience for each switch. Users can expect a sharper and crisper sound when pressing down on keys with the polycarbonate top housing, while the nylon bottom housing offers a deeper and fuller sound when bottoming out keys. Whether it's the impact of the bottom housing or the sound when releasing a key, both switches provide a balance of qualities that cater to different preferences in typing sound and feel.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the TTC Brother clicky switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch, we can see noticeable differences. The TTC Brother clicky switch has a lighter actuation force of 37 grams compared to the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch with an actuation force of 50 grams. On the other hand, the bottom out force of the Outemu Silent Grey is 65 grams, while the bottom out force of the TTC Brother switch is unknown. This means that the Outemu Silent Grey switch requires a heavier force to fully press down compared to the TTC Brother switch. For those who prefer a lighter touch, the TTC Brother switch would be the better option, allowing for longer typing sessions without fatigue. However, for users who enjoy a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel, the Outemu Silent Grey switch would be the preferred choice. Both switches provide different levels of resistance, catering to varying preferences in typing feel and experience.
Travel distance
The TTC Brother clicky switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, making it shorter than the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch which has a travel distance of 4 mm. The Brother clicky switch offers a slightly quicker response time due to its shorter travel distance, making it a favorite among gamers who value speed. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch provides a deeper and more satisfying key press with its longer travel distance, which is preferred by those who enjoy a more tactile typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference in terms of key press feel and response time.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Brother has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Brother for $3.30.
The Outemu Silent Grey 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
When it comes to sound, the TTC Brother clicky switch offers a satisfyingly crunchy experience that appeals to fans of clicky switches. The clear, crisp precision of each click is sure to please those who enjoy an audible feedback while typing. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch provides a quiet typing experience, making it ideal for users who prefer a more subdued sound profile. While the exact sound of a switch can be influenced by various factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used, the Brother's crunchy sound and the Silent Grey's quiet operation cater to different preferences in the realm of mechanical keyboard switches.
In terms of feel, the TTC Brother clicky switch is described as easy-to-press with a light actuation force of 37g, making typing effortless and comfortable. The tactile bump is articulate, striking a perfect balance between being present enough to be felt distinctly and subdued enough to avoid overpowering the overall keystroke. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Grey switch offers a highly tactile experience with a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke, providing a satisfying typing feel without the accompanying sound. While the Brother offers a more gentle resistance, the Silent Grey excels in providing a tactile typing experience without the audible click.
Overall, the TTC Brother clicky switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch cater to different preferences in terms of sound and feel. The Brother excels in delivering a crunchy sound signature and an easy-to-press typing experience, perfect for enthusiasts who enjoy clicky switches. On the other hand, the Silent Grey offers a quiet and highly tactile typing experience, making it an excellent choice for those who prefer a quieter typing environment. Whether you prefer the satisfying click of the Brother or the silent tactile feel of the Silent Grey, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different typing preferences.
Conclusion
In summary, when deciding between the TTC Brother clicky switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch, consider your preferences for typing experience. If you enjoy a crisp, light actuation with a prominent clicky sound, the Brother switch may be the ideal choice for you. Its tactile bump strikes a perfect balance, offering a satisfying typing feedback without being too overwhelming. On the other hand, if you prioritize a quiet and highly tactile typing experience with a medium-heavy bottom out force, the Silent Grey switch might be more appealing. Its smooth keystroke and pronounced bump provide a satisfying typing feel without the audible click. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will come down to your preferred sound and feel preferences during typing.
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