HC Studio Crabapple vs. Outemu Green
An in-depth look at the HC Studio Crabapple and the Outemu Green switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options for enthusiasts to consider are the HC Studio Crabapple and the Outemu Green. The Crabapple, a linear switch, boasts a unique construction entirely made from POM, offering a frictionless typing experience that is dry and smooth, with a subtle texture felt with each keystroke. Its sound signature is mild and understated, making it suitable for quiet environments. On the other hand, the Outemu Green is a clicky switch with no specific standout features mentioned. While the Crabapple is best known for its frictionless and textured feel, the Outemu Green may appeal to those who prefer a more tactile and clicky typing experience. 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
37g
Actuation force
65g
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
80g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Lengthened single-staged spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the HC Studio Crabapple and the Outemu Green switches offer different sound profiles due to their unique characteristics. The Crabapple's POM top housing creates a deeper and more muted sound, while the Green's polycarbonate top housing produces a sharper and crisper sound. The POM bottom housing of the Crabapple also contributes to a deeper sound profile, in contrast to the nylon bottom housing of the Green, which absorbs more sound and creates a fuller sound. Despite their differences, both switches offer pleasing and unique sound profiles, with the top and bottom housing materials each playing a significant role in the overall sound experience.
The aesthetic appeal of the housing materials also sets the Crabapple and the Green switches apart. The translucent nature of polycarbonate in the Green's top housing allows for RGB lighting effects, making it a popular choice for those looking to add visual flair to their keyboards. On the other hand, the POM material of the Crabapple's top housing may not offer the same visual impact, but it still delivers a satisfying sound experience. Additionally, the use of nylon in the Green's bottom housing provides a classic feel, while the Crabapple's POM bottom housing maintains a consistent deep and muted sound profile. Overall, both switches offer distinct aesthetic and sound profiles based on their housing materials.
When considering the impact of housing materials on the overall switch experience, it's important to note that the top and bottom housings of a switch can significantly influence the sound and feel of typing. The bottom housing, whether it's POM or nylon, will have a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when the key is pressed. Meanwhile, the top housing material, whether it's POM or polycarbonate, will affect the sound when the key is released. Understanding how each housing material contributes to the overall typing experience can help keyboard enthusiasts choose the switch that best suits their preferences for sound and feel.
Weight
The actuation force and bottom out force of the HC Studio Crabapple linear switch and the Outemu Green clicky switch differ significantly in terms of weight. The Crabapple has a lighter actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, providing a smooth and effortless typing experience. In contrast, the Green switch is heavier, with an actuation force of 65 grams and a bottom out force of 80 grams, offering a more substantial and tactile typing feel. Those who prefer a lighter touch may lean towards the Crabapple for longer typing sessions or gaming, while those who enjoy a more robust keystroke may opt for the Green switch for a more satisfying typing experience. Both switches provide unique benefits depending on personal preference, ensuring that users can achieve similar results in terms of actuation and bottom out force to suit their typing style.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance between the HC Studio Crabapple linear switch and the Outemu Green clicky switch, it's evident that the Crabapple has a shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm compared to the Green's 4 mm. This means that the Crabapple will offer a slightly quicker response time when typing or gaming. Gamers, in particular, may prefer the shorter travel distance of the Crabapple for faster movements. On the other hand, the Outemu Green switch provides a tad more depth with its longer travel distance, making it a better choice for those who enjoy a more substantial key press feel. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of travel distance and how it affects the typing or gaming experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HC Studio Crabapple has an MSRP of $5.90 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Crabapple for $4.70.
The Outemu 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
In terms of sound, the HC Studio Crabapple linear switch is known for its subdued sound, offering a dampened and subtle sound signature when pressed. This is in contrast to the Outemu Green clicky switch, for which sound characteristics are not known. While the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used, the Crabapple switch is likely to provide a quieter and milder auditory experience compared to the Green switch.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the HC Studio Crabapple linear switch is described as frictionless, offering an incredibly smooth and effortless typing experience with minimal resistance. It also provides a mild and approachable typing feel that falls into a safe, middle-ground zone. Additionally, the switch features a subtle texture felt with each key press, adding a unique tactile element to the typing experience. As for the Outemu Green clicky switch, information on its feel characteristics is not provided. However, based on the qualities of the Crabapple switch, it can be inferred that the Green switch may offer a different tactile feel and typing experience.
In conclusion, the HC Studio Crabapple linear switch stands out for its subdued sound, frictionless feel, and subtle texture, offering a smooth and effortless typing journey with a mild and understated typing experience. While the sound and feel characteristics of the Outemu Green clicky switch are not specified, it is important to consider personal preferences and typing habits when choosing between these two switches. Ultimately, both switches may provide different but equally satisfactory results depending on individual preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, when selecting between the HC Studio Crabapple linear switch and the Outemu Green clicky switch, consider the factors of bottom out force, sound, and feel. If you prefer a lighter bottom out force of 45 grams and enjoy a frictionless, mild, and textured typing experience with a subdued sound, then the Crabapple switch is the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a heavier bottom out force of 80 grams and prioritize a different sound and feel, then the Green switch may be more suited to your preferences. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal typing preferences and the overall typing experience you are looking for in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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