HMX Cheese vs. Outemu Silent Grey
An in-depth look at the HMX Cheese and the Outemu Silent Grey switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the HMX Cheese, a linear switch, and the Outemu Silent Grey, a tactile switch, offer unique qualities to cater to different preferences. The HMX Cheese is renowned for its unparalleled smoothness and pristine typing experience, with a satisfying clacky sound signature that is lighter than the majority of switches on the market. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Grey provides a quiet and highly tactile typing experience, featuring a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke perfect for those seeking a satisfying yet silent switch. 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
50g
Bottom-out force
46g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.60 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
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the HMX Cheese and the Outemu Silent Grey, the Cheese utilizes nylon for both its top and bottom housing, while the Silent Grey features a polycarbonate top housing and a nylon bottom housing. The nylon in both switches offers a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic nature, which absorbs more sound and creates a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the polycarbonate top housing of the Silent Grey produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile as it is a stiffer plastic that results in a clearer and more resonant sound. This contrast in housing materials leads to distinct sound profiles for each switch, with the Cheese offering a softer and rounder sound compared to the crisper and clearer sound of the Silent Grey.
While the Cheese and Silent Grey both utilize nylon in their bottom housing, the difference lies in their top housing material. This contrast in materials impacts the overall typing experience and sound profile of each switch. The nylon bottom housing of both switches contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, creating a duller and rounder sound due to its softer plastic nature. However, the top housing material plays a significant role in determining the sound when pressing down on a key, with the polycarbonate top housing of the Silent Grey producing a sharper and crisper sound compared to the Cheese's nylon top housing. This difference in top housing material results in a more distinct sound profile for the two switches.
In conclusion, the choice of housing material in a switch can greatly impact the sound profile and typing experience. The HMX Cheese and the Outemu Silent Grey each offer unique sound profiles and typing experiences based on their housing materials. While both switches utilize nylon in their bottom housing for a deeper and fuller sound profile, the use of polycarbonate in the Silent Grey's top housing creates a sharper and crisper sound compared to the dulled and rounded sound of the Cheese's nylon top housing. Ultimately, the housing materials of a switch play a pivotal role in shaping the overall typing experience and sound profile of the switch.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the HMX Cheese linear switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch, it is clear that the Cheese switch is lighter in both aspects. The Cheese switch has an actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 46 grams, making it a light switch overall. In contrast, the Silent Grey switch has an actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams, placing it in the medium to heavy category. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience for longer periods of time, the Cheese switch would be the ideal choice. However, for individuals who enjoy a more substantial push feel for a satisfying typing experience, the heavier Silent Grey switch would be more suitable. In both cases, the actuation force determines how easy it is to trigger a keystroke, while the bottom out force measures the amount of force required to press the key all the way down. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of typing feel and weight.
Travel distance
The HMX Cheese linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, making the Silent Grey the longer option. The difference in travel distance may not seem significant, but it can impact the overall feel and response of the switch. If you prefer a quicker response time and a more shallow feel when typing or gaming, the Cheese switch would be the better option. On the other hand, if you enjoy a more pronounced keystroke with a bit more depth, the Silent Grey switch would be more suitable. Both switches provide their own unique experience, so it ultimately comes down to personal preference when deciding which one to choose.
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 $3.99.
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
The HMX Cheese linear switch is known for its smoothness and light typing experience, providing a unique and satisfying sound profile with a clacky, poppy, and crispy sound. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch offers a quiet typing experience with a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke. When comparing the two, the Cheese switch delivers a more audible and lively sound while the Silent Grey switch offers a quieter and more tactile feel. Ultimately, the choice between the HMX Cheese linear switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch will depend on personal preference for sound and feel, as both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different typing preferences. Regardless of the choice, both switches guarantee a premium typing experience for newcomers looking to enhance their mechanical keyboard setup.
Conclusion
To sum up, when it comes to choosing between the HMX Cheese linear switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch, you should consider your preference for typing experience and sound. If you value a smooth, light typing experience with a satisfying clacky sound, then the Cheese switches are the way to go. On the other hand, if you prefer a quiet, tactile typing experience with a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke, then the Silent Grey switches would be more suitable for you. Ultimately, your decision should be based on whether you prioritize typing feel or sound in your mechanical keyboard switches.
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