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HMX Cheese vs. Outemu Cream Yellow

An in-depth look at the HMX Cheese and the Outemu Cream Yellow switches—which one is the best fit for you?

Overview

When comparing the HMX Cheese and the Outemu Cream Yellow mechanical keyboard switches, one can notice distinct differences in their design and performance. The HMX Cheese is a linear switch, known for its unparalleled smoothness and pristine typing experience. With a satisfying clacky, poppy, and crispy sound signature, these ultra-light switches are lighter than 90% of all switches. On the other hand, the Outemu Cream Yellow is a tactile switch, offering a different typing experience altogether. While the Cream Yellow may not have a specific standout feature like the Cheese, it still provides a unique tactile feedback that some users may prefer. Ultimately, deciding between these two switches will depend on personal preference and typing style. 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

43g

Actuation force

45g

Bottom-out force

46g

Bottom-out force

60g

Pre-travel

2.00 mm

Pre-travel

2.00 mm

Total travel

3.50 mm

Total travel

3.30 mm

Factory lubed

Yes

Factory lubed

Yes

Stem construction

Standard

Stem construction

Standard

Stem material

Ly

Stem material

pom

Top housing material

Nylon

Top housing material

Nylon

Bottom housing material

Nylon

Bottom housing material

Nylon

Mount type

PCB (5-pin)

Mount type

PCB (5-pin)

Spring

22mm single-staged spring

Spring

Stainless steel

Housing materials

Both the HMX Cheese and Outemu Cream Yellow switches use nylon as their top and bottom housing material. Nylon is known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing on switches, thanks to its softer plastic that absorbs more sound than harder plastics. This results in a duller and rounder sound compared to other housing materials. With both switches utilizing nylon for their housing, users can expect a similar typing experience in terms of sound and feel.

While both switches use nylon for their housing material, the HMX Cheese and Outemu Cream Yellow switches may differ in their overall sound profile due to other factors such as stem and spring design. The bottom housing of a switch has more of an impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing influences the sound when a key is released. Therefore, differences in these components could lead to slight variations in sound and feedback between the two switches, despite sharing the same housing material.

Overall, the choice of nylon for the housing material in both the HMX Cheese and Outemu Cream Yellow switches provides a consistent typing experience in terms of sound and feel. The softer nature of nylon allows for a deeper and fuller sound profile, creating a more pleasant typing experience for users. While other factors may play a role in the overall sound and feel of the switches, the nylon housing contributes to a similar dull and round sound that enhances the overall typing experience.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the HMX Cheese linear switch and the Outemu Cream Yellow tactile switch, we see that the Cheese is lighter in both aspects. The actuation force of the Cheese is 43 grams, while the Cream Yellow has an actuation force of 45 grams. The bottom out force of the Cheese is 46 grams, whereas the Cream Yellow has a bottom out force of 60 grams. Both switches provide a satisfying typing experience, with the Cheese offering a lighter feel for those who prefer less resistance, while the Cream Yellow delivers a slightly heavier touch for a more substantial typing experience. Overall, these differences in actuation and bottom out forces cater to different preferences, with the Cheese being lighter and the Cream Yellow being slightly heavier.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distance of the HMX Cheese linear switch and the Outemu Cream Yellow tactile switch, it is clear that the Cheese has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Cream Yellow has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.3 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances that are popular among gamers for their quicker response times. The slight difference of 0.2 mm may not be noticeable to most users, but those who prefer a slightly deeper key press may lean towards the HMX Cheese switch. On the other hand, users who prioritize a crisper, more responsive feel may find the Outemu Cream Yellow switch to be more to their liking. In terms of travel distance, the Cream Yellow is slightly shorter compared to the Cheese. Ultimately, both switches offer a similar experience in terms of travel distance, providing users with a satisfying typing or gaming experience.

Price comparison

Which switch is more bang for your buck?

The HMX Cheese has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Cheese for $3.79.

The Outemu Cream Yellow 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

Overall, when comparing the HMX Cheese linear switch and the Outemu Cream Yellow tactile switch, it is clear that the Cheese provides a distinct sound signature with its clacky, poppy, and crispy noise, while the Cream Yellow's sound qualities remain unknown. The Cheese also offers an unmatched smoothness and typing experience due to its ultra-light nature, making it stand out among switches for its lightness. As for the feel, the descriptions for both switches are not provided, indicating that this aspect remains unknown. Given the information provided, it is evident that the HMX Cheese linear switch offers a unique sound experience and smooth typing feel, while the Outemu Cream Yellow tactile switch's qualities are not specified, making it challenging to compare the two accurately. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences and priorities when it comes to sound and feel.

Conclusion

To sum up, when choosing between the HMX Cheese linear switch and the Outemu Cream Yellow tactile switch, consider the desired typing experience and bottom out force that suits your preferences. If you prioritize a light and smooth typing experience with a satisfying sound, the HMX Cheese switches with their 46-gram bottom out force and clacky poppy sound may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium bottom out force and a tactile typing experience, the Outemu Cream Yellow switches may be more suitable. Ultimately, the decision comes down to personal preference in terms of typing feel and sound. Happy typing!

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