HMX Cheese vs. Outemu Silent Green
An in-depth look at the HMX Cheese and the Outemu Silent Green switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to comparing and contrasting mechanical keyboard switches, the HMX Cheese and Outemy Silent Green both stand out as linear switches with unique characteristics. The HMX Cheese switches are renowned for their unparalleled smoothness and pristine typing experience, offering a satisfying clacky, poppy, and crispy sound signature. These ultra-light switches are in a class of their own, being lighter than 90% of all switches. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Green switches offer a different typing experience, although little information is available about them. While both switches are linear, each has its own strengths and appeal. 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
4.00 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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the HMX Cheese and Outemu Silent Green switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences in sound profiles. The Cheese's nylon top housing produces a deeper and fuller sound due to its softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. In contrast, the Silent Green's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper and crisper sound profile with its stiffer plastic, leading to a more clear and resonant sound. While both materials offer distinct sound profiles, they cater to different preferences in typing experiences.
Similarly, the bottom housing materials of the HMX Cheese and Outemu Silent Green switches also contribute to their overall sound profiles. The nylon bottom housing of the Cheese offers a deeper and fuller sound, similar to its top housing, due to its softer plastic that absorbs sound effectively. On the other hand, the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Silent Green produces a sharper and crisper sound profile with its stiffer plastic, enhancing the overall typing experience with a clear and resonant sound. These differences in bottom housing materials further highlight the unique characteristics of each switch and cater to different preferences in sound.
When considering switches with different top and bottom housing materials, such as the HMX Cheese and Outemu Silent Green switches, it is essential to understand how each housing material affects the overall typing experience. The bottom housing material plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch, while the top housing material impacts the sound when releasing a key. By understanding these distinctions, keyboard enthusiasts can choose switches that best suit their preferences in terms of sound profiles and typing experiences. Whether opting for the deeper and fuller sound of nylon in the Cheese switches or the sharper and crisper sound of polycarbonate in the Silent Green switches, users can find a housing material that complements their typing style.
Weight
The HMX Cheese linear switch has a lighter actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 46 grams, while the Outemu Silent Green linear switch has a slightly heavier actuation force of 45 grams and a noticeably heavier bottom out force of 60 grams. The Cheese switch is more suitable for those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions, while the Silent Green switch provides a more substantial typing experience with its heavier forces. Both switches offer a smooth linear feel, but the Cheese switch is lighter overall compared to the Silent Green switch. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on whether the user prefers a lighter or heavier typing experience.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the HMX Cheese linear switch is 3.5 mm, while the Outemu Silent Green linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. The Cheese switch offers a slightly shorter travel distance compared to the Silent Green switch, which may appeal to gamers looking for faster response times. On the other hand, the Silent Green switch provides a slightly longer travel distance, which may be preferred by those who enjoy a more substantial keypress feel. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and keypress responsiveness.
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 Silent Green 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 HMX Cheese linear switch offers a satisfyingly clacky, poppy, and crispy sound signature that is unparalleled in smoothness. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Green linear switch has not garnered as much attention for its sound profile, and therefore lacks a distinct reputation in this aspect. It is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps being used.
Turning to the feel of the switches, the HMX Cheese is praised for its smooth and pristine typing experience, providing a light and comfortable keypress. Meanwhile, the Outemu Silent Green switch does not have a widely known reputation for its feel. Again, personal preference and typing style play a significant role in how a switch feels to an individual user.
Overall, the HMX Cheese switch stands out for its unique sound profile and smooth typing experience, making it a popular choice among enthusiasts seeking a light and responsive switch. The Outemu Silent Green switch, while lacking prominence in sound and feel, may still offer similar results in terms of typing comfort for those who prefer a quieter switch. Ultimately, the best switch for you will depend on your personal preferences and typing needs.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the HMX Cheese linear switch and the Outemu Silent Green linear switch, consider the level of bottom out force you prefer. If you enjoy a lighter touch and a smooth typing experience with a satisfying sound profile, the HMX Cheese switch with its 46-gram bottom out force may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly heavier bottom out force and a quieter typing experience, the Outemu Silent Green switch with its 60-gram bottom out force might be more suited to your preferences. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal typing preferences and the type of typing experience you want to achieve.
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