Everglide Crystal Violet vs. Outemu Silent White
An in-depth look at the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Outemu Silent White switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When deciding between the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Outemu Silent White mechanical keyboard switches, it's important to consider the key differences in their design and functionality. The Crystal Violet offers a tactile typing experience with a light operating force of 45g, making it ideal for those who prefer a relaxed and stepped feel while typing. The switches also produce a pleasantly mellow sound profile, leaning towards the lower-pitched spectrum, creating a subtle auditory experience. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent White is a linear switch that offers a smoother keystroke without the tactile bump, providing a more consistent feel while typing. While the Silent White may lack the tactile feedback of the Crystal Violet, it offers a quiet typing experience ideal for those working in shared spaces. Ultimately, the choice between these switches comes down to personal preference and typing style. 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
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
pom
Top housing material
ABS
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
ABS
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Outemu Silent White switches offer contrasting characteristics in terms of sound profiles and tactile feedback. The Crystal Violet's ABS top housing provides a relatively low-pitched sound profile, while the Silent White's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. Additionally, the ABS bottom housing of the Crystal Violet contributes to a low-pitched sound profile, while the nylon bottom housing of the Silent White produces a deeper and fuller sound. These differences in housing materials result in distinct typing experiences for users of each switch.
Despite their differences, both the Crystal Violet and the Silent White share a commonality in their use of plastic materials for their switch housings. While ABS is more commonly found in keycaps, it is relatively rare for switch housings, providing a unique sound profile in the Crystal Violet switches. On the other hand, nylon is a classic switch housing material that offers a deeper and fuller sound profile in the Silent White switches. Despite the differences in sound profiles and tactile feedback between the two switches, the use of plastic materials in their housing construction highlights a similarity in their overall design.
The choice of housing materials in a switch can significantly impact the overall sound and feel of typing on a keyboard. The combination of top and bottom housing materials in a switch determines the sound profile when pressing down and letting go of a key. For example, the bottom housing material has a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing material influences the sound produced when releasing a key. By understanding the properties of different housing materials, keyboard enthusiasts can select switches that align with their preferences for sound, feel, and overall typing experience.
Weight
The Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Outemu Silent White linear switch both have an actuation force of 45 grams, making them equally light in that aspect. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Crystal Violet requires 55 grams, while the Silent White needs 60 grams, making the Crystal Violet lighter in that regard. The Crystal Violet provides a medium-light typing experience while the Silent White offers a medium feel. Those who prefer a lighter touch for longer typing sessions may lean towards the Crystal Violet, while those looking for a more robust typing experience may prefer the Silent White. Overall, both switches offer a comfortable typing experience, but the slight difference in bottom out force may sway users towards one switch over the other depending on their personal preference.
Travel distance
The Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Outemu Silent White linear switch has a shorter travel distance of 3.3 mm. The Crystal Violet offers a more traditional travel distance, providing a deeper press when typing or gaming, which some users may prefer for a more satisfying feel. On the other hand, the Silent White's shorter travel distance may appeal to those looking for quicker response times, especially in fast-paced gaming scenarios. Both switches offer unique benefits depending on individual preferences, with the Crystal Violet offering a longer travel distance for a more substantial feel, while the Silent White provides a shorter distance for speed and agility. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference and the specific needs of the user.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Crystal Violet has an MSRP of $7.08 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Crystal Violet for $4.19.
The Outemu Silent White 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 Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch offers a low-pitched and mellow tone that is non-intrusive and pleasant to the ears. On the other hand, information about the sound profile of the Outemu Silent White linear switch is unknown. Keep in mind that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard's construction and keycaps used.
When it comes to the feel of the switches, the Crystal Violet is often described as creamy, offering a smooth and buttery typing experience. Additionally, it is considered mild in tactile feedback with a stepped feel, providing a gentle and comfortable typing sensation. Conversely, details about the feel of the Outemu Silent White switch are unavailable.
Overall, the Everglide Crystal Violet switches are characterized by a low-pitched and mellow sound profile, along with a creamy and mild tactile feel. Although information on the Outemu Silent White switches is scarce, it is essential to consider your personal preferences in sound and feel when selecting switches for your mechanical keyboard setup to ensure a satisfying typing experience. If you are looking for a similar sound and feel to the Crystal Violet, exploring switches with comparable characteristics may yield similar results.
Conclusion
In summary, if you are looking for a tactile switch with a light operating force and a gentle, comfortable typing experience, the Everglide Crystal Violet switches might be the best choice for you. These switches offer a mellow sound profile and a creamy, mild feel that many users find enjoyable and smooth. On the other hand, if you prefer a linear switch with a slightly higher bottom out force and a silent operation, the Outemu Silent White switches could be the right fit for you. Ultimately, your decision between these two switches will depend on your personal preferences for typing feel, sound profile, and operating force. Choose the switch that best suits your typing style and preferences for a satisfying mechanical keyboard experience.
Mentioned in this article
