Jerrzi Coral vs. Outemu Red Panda
An in-depth look at the Jerrzi Coral and the Outemu Red Panda switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Jerrzi Coral and the Outemu Red Panda stand out as popular options. The Coral switch offers a linear experience with a distinctively crisp typing feel and lower-pitched resonance, providing a nuanced sophistication and stellar performance with every keystroke. On the other hand, the Red Panda switch is a tactile switch that offers a light-medium amount of tactility, along with a bassier bottom-out sound and a clackier top-out sound. While the Coral switch is best suited for those who prefer a silky typing experience, the Red Panda switch caters to individuals looking for a thocky feel. 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
40g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
Both the Jerrzi Coral and the Outemu Red Panda utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, providing a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The stiffness of polycarbonate enhances the resonant sound of the switches, making them ideal for a clear and vibrant sound experience. The translucency of polycarbonate also lends itself well to RGB lighting effects, enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal of the switches. Despite any other differences, both switches will offer a similar sound profile and visual experience due to their shared polycarbonate top housing.
In contrast, the Jerrzi Coral features a nylon bottom housing, while the Outemu Red Panda also utilizes nylon for its bottom housing. Nylon is known for offering a deeper and fuller sound profile, as it is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound than harder plastics. This leads to a duller and rounder sound experience, giving a different tactile feel when typing on switches with nylon bottom housings. Both switches will provide a similar typing experience in terms of sound depth and fullness due to their shared nylon bottom housing material.
When considering the impact of different housing materials on the overall typing experience, it is important to note that the qualities of each material will be felt in different aspects of the switch. The bottom housing will have more influence on the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing will impact the sound when releasing a key. This means that despite having different top and bottom housing materials, the Jerrzi Coral and Outemu Red Panda will provide a balanced typing experience that combines the unique characteristics of both polycarbonate and nylon in their respective housings.
Weight
The Jerrzi Coral linear switch has a lighter actuation force of 40 grams compared to the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch, which has a heavier actuation force of 50 grams. The bottom out force of the Coral switch is unknown, while the Red Panda switch has a bottom out force of 60 grams, providing a medium level of resistance. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Coral switch for a more comfortable and prolonged typing session, while those looking for a more substantial and defined keystroke may opt for the Red Panda switch. In terms of actuation force, both switches offer a different typing experience, with the Coral being lighter and the Red Panda being heavier. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and typing style.
Travel distance
The Jerrzi Coral linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which can be beneficial for faster response times, particularly favored by gamers. The Coral has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Red Panda, which may provide a slightly more substantial feel when typing. However, both switches offer a relatively short travel distance compared to more traditional switches. Ultimately, the choice between the two would depend on personal preference for either a slightly longer or shorter travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Jerrzi Coral has an MSRP of $2.79 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Coral for $2.30.
The Outemu Red Panda comes in at $3.40 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 Jerrzi Coral linear switch offers a low-pitched resonance, providing a bass-heavy and mellow tone with each keystroke. On the other hand, the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch has a thocky sound, producing a deep, rich, and satisfying noise when pressed and released. Depending on personal preference and environmental factors, such as the keyboard and keycaps used, the sound experience can vary, but both switches offer distinct and pleasant auditory feedback.
In terms of feel, the Jerrzi Coral switch is described as silky, offering an exceptionally smooth typing experience with minimal resistance when pressing and releasing keys. In contrast, the Outemu Red Panda switch provides a mild tactile feedback, offering a gentle typing experience that falls into a safe middle-ground zone in terms of sound and feel. Whether you prefer a silky smooth typing experience or a mild and approachable tactile feedback, both switches provide unique and enjoyable sensations for typing enthusiasts.
Overall, the Jerrzi Coral linear switch and the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch offer different but equally appealing qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Coral switch provides a lower-pitched sound and a silky smooth typing experience, the Red Panda switch offers a thocky sound and a mild tactile feedback. Ultimately, the choice between these switches comes down to personal preference in sound and feel, as both will deliver a satisfying and enjoyable typing experience for newcomers to the world of mechanical keyboards.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a switch with a unique typing feel and a lower-pitched sound, the Jerrzi Coral linear switch would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a light-medium amount of tactility, a bassier bottom-out sound, and a clackier top-out sound, you may want to go with the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for typing experience and sound profile. Both switches offer their own distinct qualities, so consider what matters most to you when making your choice.