Huano Elf vs. Outemu Green
An in-depth look at the Huano Elf and the Outemu Green switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When selecting the right mechanical keyboard switch, personal preference plays a crucial role, especially when comparing two distinct options like the Huano Elf and the Outemu Green. The Huano Elf, a linear switch, is celebrated for its smooth, uninterrupted keystrokes and is designed with a POK top housing to enhance acoustics, providing a rich, deep sound signature and a medium-light feel that many typists find satisfying. Conversely, the Outemu Green is a clicky switch that offers tactile feedback and an audible click with each keystroke, making it an excellent choice for those who enjoy a more pronounced typing experience and the reassuring confirmation that comes with each press. The Elf's first-rate sound profile appeals to gamers and users looking for a quieter yet engaging performance, while the Green caters to typists who value an instinctive response and auditory signals during their typing sessions. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your preferences and needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
42g
Actuation force
65g
Bottom-out force
N/A
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
POK
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
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Huano Elf and the Outemu Green switches present an interesting study in contrasts, particularly with their top housings. The Elf utilizes POK (polyketone) for its top housing, which is noted for a smoother feel thanks to its low coefficient of friction of 0.04. This material also boasts exceptional durability, with wear resistance significantly outperforming traditional materials like POM. In contrast, the Outemu Green employs polycarbonate for its top housing, which is characteristically stiffer. This difference in rigidity contributes to a sharper and crisper sound profile that contrasts with the Huano Elf's smoother, clackier output. While POK provides a quieter and smoother typing experience, polycarbonate enhances the auditory feedback, which benefits users who prioritize sound clarity, particularly when using RGB lighting due to its translucency.
When examining the bottom housing, both the Huano Elf and Outemu Green switches utilize nylon, which remains a classic choice for switch housing. This material is known for its inherently softer qualities, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. Both switches leverage nylon's sound-absorbing properties, offering a muted and rounder acoustic experience as compared to their top housing counterparts. Thus, in this aspect, they align closely, producing a similar auditory response beneath the fingers. This shared use of nylon ensures that regardless of the differences in the top housing materials, both switches will deliver a pleasant typing experience characterized by soft sounds when bottoming out.
Ultimately, the combination of materials in the Huano Elf and Outemu Green switches determines their overall performance and sound profile. The contrasting top housing materials yield different auditory experiences, with the Elf prioritizing smoothness and the Green emphasizing clarity. However, the consistency of nylon in both bottom housings assures a shared foundation of deeper sound quality beneath. In this way, the switches could yield comparable results in terms of tactile feedback, even though their overall sound dynamics may differ considerably, highlighting the importance of material choice in switch design.
Weight
When comparing the Huano Elf linear switch and the Outemu Green clicky switch, the differences in actuation force highlight their respective keyboard experiences. The Elf features a relatively light actuation force of 42 grams, making it ideal for users seeking comfort during extended typing sessions or gaming marathons. In contrast, the Outemu Green, with a heftier actuation force of 65 grams and a noticeable bottom out force of 80 grams, caters to those who prefer a more substantial push feel, enhancing the tactile experience while typing. Although the bottom out force for the Elf switch is not available, it’s clear that the Outemu Green provides a stronger overall resistance. Consequently, the Huano Elf is the lighter option, better suited for those who prioritize comfort and endurance, while the Outemu Green is better for individuals who appreciate a heavier, more tactile feedback when bottoming out.
Travel distance
The Huano Elf linear switch features a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Outemu Green clicky switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. This makes the Elf the shorter option, providing a more responsive feel that some gamers might favor for quicker keystrokes. In contrast, the Green switch offers a longer travel distance, which can provide a more substantial tactile feedback for users who prefer a deeper keypress. While both switches can deliver satisfactory performance, those who prioritize fast response times may lean towards the Huano Elf, whereas individuals who appreciate a more pronounced depth in their keystrokes might opt for the Outemu Green.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Huano Elf has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Elf for $3.29.
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
The Huano Elf linear switch produces a deep sound signature, thanks to its POK top housing, which enhances acoustics and contributes to a more satisfying auditory experience during typing. This deep tone creates a rich backdrop that can be quite pleasant for typists who enjoy a more resonant sound, while the plug-and-play nature of mechanical keyboards means that the actual sound can vary depending on the choice of board and keycaps. In contrast, the Outemu Green switch does not have a clearly defined sound profile mentioned, making it difficult to compare directly. However, generally, clicky switches like the Outemu Green are known for their pronounced auditory feedback, which often includes a distinct "click" sound, further adding to the typing experience.
When it comes to feel, the Elf switch is characterized by a medium-light resistance that contributes to a comfortable typing experience, allowing for easy activation without too much effort. This makes it relatively user-friendly, especially for prolonged typing sessions. On the other hand, while there's no specific description for the feel of the Outemu Green switch available, it is typical for clicky switches to provide a tactile bump that can enhance the typing experience. Depending on the implementation, it may offer a heavier feel compared to a linear switch, which could be preferred by typists who enjoy the feedback of a more pronounced click.
In summary, if you opt for the Huano Elf linear switch, you'll enjoy a deep sound signature paired with a medium-light feel that promotes comfort during typing. The Outemu Green switch, while lacking specific details on sound and feel, is typically expected to deliver a clicky auditory feedback and potentially a heftier tactile response. Therefore, personal preference will play a significant role in determining which switch suits your typing style best, and while both provide different experiences, they each have unique qualities that can cater to varying user needs.
Conclusion
To conclude, when deciding between the Huano Elf linear switch and the Outemu Green clicky switch, it's important to consider your personal preferences and typing habits. If you enjoy a medium-light feel and are looking for a switch with a smooth actuation and a deep sound signature, the Huano Elf might be your best choice. Its characteristic acoustic design could enhance your overall typing experience, particularly suitable for a quieter environment where a linear switch shines. On the other hand, if you appreciate tactile feedback and are okay with a heavier bottom-out force of 80 grams, the Outemu Green is likely to be more appealing. This switch is ideal for those who enjoy auditory and tactile responses while typing, making it a great option for gaming or typing-heavy tasks where you want to feel every keystroke. Ultimately, your decision should align with your typing style—opting for the Huano Elf for a more subtle, fluid experience, or the Outemu Green for a pronounced tactile and auditory feedback.
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