HMX Cheese vs. Outemu Silver
An in-depth look at the HMX Cheese and the Outemu Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the HMX Cheese and Outemu Silver switches are both linear switches that offer unique features to enhance your typing experience. The HMX Cheese switches are renowned for their unparalleled smoothness and pristine typing experience, boasting a satisfying clacky, poppy, and crispy sound signature. These ultra-light switches stand out from the rest, being lighter than 90% of all switches. On the other hand, the Outemu Silver switches offer a different feel and typing experience. While both switches have their own strengths and appeal, it ultimately comes down to personal preference. 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
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 Silver switches, we can see a clear difference in their top housing materials. The Cheese utilizes a nylon top housing, known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic properties that absorb more sound. On the other hand, the Silver features a polycarbonate top housing, which produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile thanks to its relatively stiffer plastic composition. This contrast showcases how the choice of housing material can significantly impact the overall sound experience of a switch.
On the flip side, when it comes to the bottom housing materials of the Cheese and Silver switches, they surprisingly both use nylon. This classic switch housing material provides a deep and full sound profile by absorbing sound due to its softer plastic nature. By using the same bottom housing material, both switches are likely to deliver a similar typing experience in terms of sound and feel. This demonstrates that while the top housing material can greatly affect sound quality, the bottom housing material plays a crucial role in ensuring consistent typing feedback across different switches.
Overall, the choice of housing materials in switches plays a vital role in determining the sound and feel of typing. The use of nylon in both the top and bottom housings of the Cheese switch results in a duller and rounder sound profile, whereas the combination of polycarbonate and nylon in the Silver switch creates a crisper and sharper sound experience. Understanding the impact of different housing materials allows for customization and optimization of switches to cater to individual preferences in typing sound and feel. Both the HMX Cheese and Outemu Silver switches showcase how housing materials contribute to the overall typing experience and highlight the importance of considering these factors in selecting mechanical switches.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the HMX Cheese linear switch and the Outemu Silver linear switch, it is clear that the Cheese is lighter in both categories. The Cheese has an actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 46 grams, while the Silver has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams. This means that the Cheese requires less force to trigger a keystroke and less force to bottom out compared to the Silver. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Cheese would be the better option. However, for those who enjoy a more substantial and heavy typing feel, the Silver would be the more suitable choice. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches would depend on personal preference and the desired typing experience.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the HMX Cheese linear switch and the Outemu Silver linear switch, there is a noticeable difference. The Cheese has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Silver has a travel distance of 4 mm. In this case, the Silver switch has a longer travel distance compared to the Cheese switch. The Cheese provides a shorter distance for quicker response times, making it ideal for gamers looking for speed. On the other hand, the Silver switch offers more depth and a slightly slower feel, which may be preferred by those who enjoy a more substantial key press. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and typing 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 Silver 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 is best known for its satisfying clacky, poppy, and crispy sound signature, providing a unique and enjoyable typing experience. On the other hand, information on the sound profile of the Outemu Silver linear switch is not available, so it is difficult to directly compare the two in this aspect. Keep in mind that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by the keyboard housing and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel, users have reported an unparalleled smoothness and pristine typing experience with the HMX Cheese switches, highlighting their ultra-lightweight construction that sets them apart from other switches. Unfortunately, specific details about the tactile feel of the Outemu Silver linear switch are not provided here, making it challenging to make a direct comparison in this regard.
Overall, while the HMX Cheese linear switch offers a unique sound profile and smooth typing experience due to its ultra-lightweight design, the Outemu Silver linear switch lacks specific information on sound and feel. If seeking a similar typing experience to the HMX Cheese switch, opting for a lighter linear switch with smooth actuation and a satisfying sound profile may yield comparable results. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and overall typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the HMX Cheese linear switch and the Outemu Silver linear switch, you should consider your preference for typing force and sound. If you enjoy a light typing experience with a satisfying clacky sound, then the HMX Cheese switch with its 46-gram bottom out force and smooth feel would be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy typing force without any particular sound signature, then the Outemu Silver switch with its 65-gram bottom out force may be more suited to your preferences. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches comes down to your personal typing style and sound preferences.
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