Bsun Cliff vs. Outemu Silent Yellow Jade
An in-depth look at the Bsun Cliff and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to enhancing your typing experience, choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch is crucial, and both the Bsun Cliff and Outemu Silent Yellow Jade offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Bsun Cliff is celebrated for its medium tactility and crisp sound signature, offering a balanced typing feel that some users may find perfect for a blend of feedback and acoustics. In contrast, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switches prioritize a quiet yet tactile typing experience, delivering a satisfying "thocky" sound that minimizes distraction in shared spaces. Additionally, the Silent Yellow Jade is the third iteration in Outemu's lineup of factory-lubed silent tactile switches, showcasing a punchy tactile bump and a distinct translucent jade yellow housing. While the Cliff may appeal to those who appreciate clear auditory feedback and a traditional tactile feel, the Silent Yellow Jade serves as an excellent choice for users seeking a more subdued typing experience without sacrificing tactile responsiveness. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
37g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.30 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
pom
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Bsun Cliff and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade, a distinct contrast emerges in the composition of their top housings. The Bsun Cliff utilizes polycarbonate for its top housing, noted for producing a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Polycarbonate’s rigidity enhances sound resonance, allowing for a more pronounced auditory experience, especially suited for RGB lighting applications due to its translucency. In contrast, the Silent Yellow Jade employs a nylon top housing, which is recognized for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon leads to sound absorption, resulting in a more muted auditory response characterized by a rounder tone. Therefore, while both switches offer unique auditory qualities, the fundamental differences in material composition lead to contrasting sound profiles that can significantly impact the user experience.
Examining the bottom housings of both switches reveals a point of similarity; both the Bsun Cliff and the Silent Yellow Jade are constructed with nylon. This shared material in the bottom housing channels a deeper, fuller sound profile during typing, as nylon is adept at absorbing sound and providing a sense of cushioning against keystrokes. The fact that both switches utilize nylon at the bottom housing means that users will experience a similar sensation when bottoming out, regardless of the differences present in the top housing. Consequently, while the top housing diverges in material and the resulting sound characteristics, the shared use of nylon in the bottom housing unifies the typing experience to some extent.
Ultimately, the variations in materials between the top and bottom housings of the Bsun Cliff and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade dictate the overall sound profile while offering a synergy in typing feel. The Cliff's polycarbonate top promotes a higher-pitched sound, impacting the experience upon releasing a key, while the Silent Yellow Jade's nylon top leads to a rounder auditory experience. However, both switches converge at the nylon bottom housing, which supports a consistent and deep sound when a key is fully pressed. This combination allows both switches to deliver a unique auditory experience tailored to their respective materials, yet both offer a comforting, underlying fullness due to the nylon bottom housing.
Weight
When comparing the Bsun Cliff tactile switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch, we see a clear distinction in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Cliff switch features a lighter actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, making it an excellent choice for those who prefer ease of typing, particularly during extended sessions at work or gaming. In contrast, the Silent Yellow Jade switch has a heavier actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams, catering to users who appreciate a more substantial typing experience. As a result, if you favor lighter switches for comfort, the Bsun Cliff is ideal, whereas the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade will appeal more to those seeking a firmer feel. Overall, the Cliff switch provides a softer touch, while the Silent Yellow Jade delivers a more pronounced resistance, allowing users to choose based on their typing preferences.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Bsun Cliff tactile switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch, the Bsun Cliff features a travel distance of 3.6 mm, whereas the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.3 mm. This makes the Silent Yellow Jade the better choice for those seeking faster response times, as it allows for quicker key presses, a feature often favored by gamers. Conversely, the Bsun Cliff, with its longer travel distance, may appeal to users who appreciate a more substantial feel when typing, providing a sense of depth that some may find preferable for a more satisfying typing experience. Overall, if you aim for increased sensitivity and responsiveness, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade would be the ideal option, while the Bsun Cliff caters to those who enjoy a more pronounced pressing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Bsun Cliff has an MSRP of $2.75 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Cliff for $2.19.
The Outemu Silent Yellow Jade 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 Bsun Cliff tactile switches are characterized by a crisp sound signature, which may produce a more pronounced auditory feedback during typing. This can create a satisfying experience for users who enjoy auditory cues while they type. In contrast, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switches are designed for a quieter experience, delivering a subdued yet satisfying "thocky" sound when pressed. This makes them particularly suitable for environments where noise reduction is a priority, allowing typists to enjoy tactile feedback without disrupting their surroundings.
In terms of feel, the Cliff tactile switches offer a medium level of tactility, providing a balanced sensation that is neither overly stiff nor too soft. This makes them suitable for a wide range of typing styles, allowing for a comfortable experience during long typing sessions. On the other hand, the Silent Yellow Jade switches feature a punchy tactile bump, giving a more defined tactile response as you press each key. These switches also come factory-lubed, which enhances smoothness and reduces friction, resulting in a satisfying typing experience devoid of scratchiness.
Overall, the Bsun Cliff and Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switches cater to different preferences but share a focus on tactile feedback. If you prefer a more pronounced auditory experience with a delicate tactility, the Cliff might be your go-to. Alternatively, if you desire a quieter typing experience with a defined tactile bump, the Silent Yellow Jade is an excellent choice. Your decision ultimately hinges on your preference for sound and feel, but both switches deliver quality tactile responses that enhance the overall typing experience.
Conclusion
To conclude, choosing between the Bsun Cliff tactile switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch ultimately depends on your preferences for typing feel, sound, and usage environment. If you enjoy a lighter touch when typing and prefer a moderate tactile feedback with a crisp sound, the Bsun Cliff might be an excellent fit for you. Its 45-gram bottom out force makes it particularly suitable for fast typing or gaming, where quick keypresses are essential. On the other hand, if you lean towards a heavier keystroke and value a quieter, yet satisfying typing experience, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade is likely your best option. With its 65-gram bottom out force and punchy tactile bump, this switch is designed for those who appreciate a "thocky" sound without disturbing those around them, making it a great choice for office environments or late-night gaming sessions. By considering your typing habits, the sound environment, and the desired tactile feedback, you can make an informed decision on which switch will enhance your mechanical keyboard experience.
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