Akko Dracula vs. Outemu Silent Yellow Jade
An in-depth look at the Akko Dracula and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing mechanical keyboard switches, the Akko Dracula and Outemu Silent Yellow Jade present two distinct options that cater to differing typing preferences and needs. The Akko Dracula, a linear switch, is celebrated for its ultra-smooth typing experience enhanced by innovative POK material in its construction, providing both durability and a seamless feel. It also boasts an extra stem hole designed for improved airflow, making it an ideal choice for gamers and typists who value speed and a consistent keystroke with minimal resistance. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade is a tactile switch that excels in providing a quieter typing experience without sacrificing feedback. Known for its satisfying "thock" sound and a pronounced tactile bump, this switch is perfect for those who desire a more interactive feel while typing or gaming, all the while being considerate of noise levels in shared or quiet environments. Both switches offer compelling features that can greatly enhance your 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
35g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POK
Stem material
pom
Top housing material
POK
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 Akko Dracula and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade, the primary distinction lies in their top housings. The Akko Dracula features a polyketone (POK) top housing, which is renowned for its durability and low coefficient of friction, resulting in a smoother keystroke experience. POK's properties contribute to an impressive strength, being fourteen times more wear-resistant than polyoxymethylene (POM) and excelling in shock resistance as well. In contrast, the Silent Yellow Jade utilizes a nylon top housing, a material known for its softer composition that absorbs sound better than harder plastics, thus generating a deeper and more muted acoustic profile. Consequently, while the Dracula may offer a smoother action on the press, the Silent Yellow Jade’s top housing enriches the overall typing experience with a more rounded sound signature.
The bottom housings for both the Akko Dracula and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade are identical in using nylon, which is a classic choice for switch housing. The nylon bottom contributes similarly to both switches by providing a fuller sound and a softer feel during keystrokes. This shared material in the bottom housing is responsible for how each switch feels at bottom-out, giving users a satisfying and plush feedback. As a result, despite the differences in the top housings, both switches leverage the acoustical properties of nylon in their lower sections to enhance the typing experience, particularly in terms of sound retention and tactile feeling when keys are fully pressed.
Ultimately, the accumulated qualities of both switches come together to create their inherent sound and feel. The Akko Dracula's POK top housing yields a smooth typing experience when pressed, while the nylon bottom offers a substantial and rich sound. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade's combination of a nylon top and bottom provides a warmth and softness, resulting in a strikingly different tonal character. While they exploit different top housing materials, the shared nylon in their bottoms ensures a common depth and fullness in acoustics, allowing users to experience a well-rounded typing sensation regardless of which switch they choose.
Weight
When comparing the Akko Dracula linear switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch, it's clear that they differ significantly in terms of actuation and bottom out forces. The Akko Dracula features a lighter actuation force of 35 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, making it suitable for those who prefer a more effortless typing experience, perfect for extended use in work or gaming sessions. In contrast, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade has a heavier actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams, providing a more substantial feel that some typists may find satisfying. This difference means that while the Dracula switch allows for quicker keystrokes with less fatigue, the Jade tactile switch caters to those who enjoy a firmer push. Overall, the Dracula is the lighter option, whereas the Silent Yellow Jade is the heavier choice, appealing to different preferences in keystroke feedback and typing comfort.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Akko Dracula linear switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch, one can observe a notable difference. The Dracula features a travel distance of 3.8 mm, making it a deeper option that may cater to users who appreciate a more substantial keystroke feel. In contrast, the Silent Yellow Jade has a shorter travel distance of 3.3 mm, which may appeal to gamers or those seeking quicker responses with less travel effort. This difference in travel distances highlights a key consideration in switch choice: if you prefer a more responsive typing experience, the shorter Silent Yellow Jade switch might be the better option, while those who favor a deeper, more tactile experience could opt for the Dracula. Overall, the Dracula has the longer travel distance compared to the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade, making it more suitable for users who enjoy a more pronounced keystroke.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Akko Dracula has an MSRP of $4.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Dracula for $3.29.
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
The Akko Dracula switch offers a smooth acoustic profile that makes it appealing for those who prefer quieter operation while maintaining a satisfying typing sound. Its design minimizes noise through enhanced airflow, which helps reduce any high-pitched sounds that might come from key presses. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switch is specifically engineered for a quiet experience, producing a "thocky" sound that's more muted than typical tactile switches. This switch achieves its sound profile through factory lubrication and a design that dampens auditory feedback, resulting in a typing experience that's pleasant without being overly loud. Both switches are designed to provide a relatively quiet typing experience, making them suitable for use in shared environments.
In terms of feel, the Akko Dracula switch is celebrated for its ultra-smooth keystrokes and enhanced durability due to the POK material. The design, featuring an additional stem hole, allows for improved airflow and a glassy typing sensation that enhances overall smoothness when typing. Conversely, the Silent Yellow Jade switch is characterized by a pronounced tactile bump that provides clear feedback during key presses, contributing to a more engaging typing experience. Despite being tactile, it remains relatively quiet compared to non-silent alternatives. While both switches aim for a distinct typing feel, the Dracula focuses on smoothness whereas the Yellow Jade emphasizes tactile feedback.
In summary, both the Akko Dracula linear switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch cater to different preferences but share a commitment to providing a quieter typing experience. The Dracula excels with its ultra-smooth feel and durable design, and while it offers satisfying sound dampening, the Silent Yellow Jade stands out for its pronounced tactile feedback and "thocky" auditory cues without overwhelming noise levels. Ultimately, your choice between the two will hinge on whether you prioritize smooth typing or tactile feedback in a quiet environment, but both will deliver enjoyable and effective typing experiences.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Akko Dracula linear switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch should align with your specific typing preferences and environment. If you prefer a smooth, light feel and prioritize a responsive typing experience for gaming or fast-paced typing, the Akko Dracula switch is an excellent fit due to its 45-gram bottom-out force and ultra-smooth action thanks to its innovative POK material design. This switch is ideal in scenarios where quiet operation isn’t a major concern, as it tends to be more linear and might not provide the tactile feedback some typists enjoy. Conversely, if you favor a more traditional, tactile experience with satisfying sound characteristics, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switch should be your choice. With a medium-heavy bottom-out force of 65 grams, this switch delivers a tactile bump accompanied by the “thocky” sound that many users find gratifying, making it well-suited for both typing and quieter environments where sound dampening is beneficial. In summary, your decision should hinge on whether you value light, smooth linear actions over a weighted tactile feedback combined with a quieter operation; each switch has its place depending on your personal typing style and needs.
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