Huano Elf vs. Outemu Ocean

Overview

When it comes to selecting the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, the choice between the Huano Elf and the Outemu Ocean can significantly impact your typing experience. The Huano Elf, a linear switch, is celebrated for its POK top housing, which enhances acoustics and produces a deep sound signature, while offering a medium-light feel that many users find satisfying for extended typing sessions. On the other hand, the Outemu Ocean, categorized as a tactile switch, provides a distinct feedback with each keystroke, allowing typists to feel when a key is actuated, which many enthusiasts appreciate for both typing precision and gaming responsiveness. While the Elf is ideal for those who prefer a smooth and quiet experience, the Ocean's tactile bump is perfect for users seeking a more engaging and pronounced response. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your unique preferences.

By the numbers

Huano Elf Linear

Outemu Ocean Tactile

$3.50

$3.29 per 10

$3.10 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The housing materials used in the switches of the Huano Elf and Outemu Ocean showcase notable differences in their top construction, impacting the sound profiles and performance of each switch. The Elf's POK material is distinguished by its low coefficient of friction and exceptional durability, which contribute to a smooth and robust typing experience. With a coefficient of friction of 0.04, slightly higher than that of LY at 0.03, POK maintains a balance between responsiveness and softness. In contrast, the Outemu Ocean uses polycarbonate for its top housing, resulting in a sharper sound profile due to its stiffer nature. The clarity and crispness offered by polycarbonate enhances the acoustic properties of the switch, making it especially appealing for users who favor an amplified auditory feedback while typing.

In examining the bottom housing, both the Huano Elf and Outemu Ocean share a common choice, utilizing nylon for this component. Nylon's characteristics as a softer plastic contribute to a deeper, more resonant sound profile, providing a rounded typing experience that absorbs vibrations and minimizes harshness. Despite the varied top housings, this material similarity ensures that switches from both brands offer an expected fullness in tone, allowing users to enjoy a consistent auditory sensation from the bottom portion of the switch. The uniformity of the nylon bottom housing serves to balance the distinct acoustic properties introduced by the individual top housings.

Ultimately, the combination of different top and bottom materials creates a multifaceted sound experience that can appeal to a diverse range of users. The splintered performance characteristics are showcased when pressing the switches, highlighting the contrast in the auditory sensation when the keys are engaged versus released. The Huano Elf’s POK top delivers a smooth and durable typing experience, maximizing control, while the Outemu Ocean’s polycarbonate enhances clarity and resonance. When combined with the nylon bottom housing, both switches provide a rich and full-bodied sound profile, achieving a pleasant balance within their distinct acoustic environments.

Weight

The Huano Elf linear switch and the Outemu Ocean tactile switch differ notably in actuation force, with the Elf requiring a lighter force of 42 grams compared to the heavier 55 grams of the Ocean switch. This difference means that the Elf will provide a more effortless typing experience, making it a suitable choice for those who type for extended periods or engage in long gaming sessions. In contrast, the Ocean's higher actuation force offers a more substantial push feel, appealing to users who prefer a firmer and more deliberate feedback while typing. Unfortunately, the bottom out forces for both switches are unavailable, making it difficult to compare how they feel when fully pressed down. Overall, the Huano Elf is the lighter option, while the Outemu Ocean is the heavier choice, offering distinct experiences for different user preferences.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Huano Elf linear switch and the Outemu Ocean tactile switch, the Elf features a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Ocean has a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that the Huano Elf switch offers a shorter travel distance, which may appeal to gamers seeking quicker response times and more immediate actuation. In contrast, the Outemu Ocean switch, with its longer travel distance, can provide a more substantial feel that some users might prefer for a heartier typing experience. Ultimately, choosing between the two will depend on individual preferences: for a more responsive feel, the shorter Elf would be the better option, while those who appreciate a more pronounced depth might opt for the longer Ocean.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Huano Elf linear switch is renowned for its deep sound signature, which enhances the auditory experience while typing. This is partly attributed to the POK top housing that optimizes acoustics, offering a rich and immersive sound profile. In contrast, the Outemu Ocean tactile switch's sound characteristics are not well-documented, leaving an open question about its audio feedback during use. It's important to note that the sound produced by any switch can also be influenced by the keyboard it’s mounted on and the keycaps used, so users may still find satisfactory auditory experiences with the Ocean, regardless of its unknown specifics.

Focusing on the feel, the Elf linear switch is characterized by a medium-light actuation force, providing a satisfying typing experience that many users appreciate for its balance between ease of typing and resistance. The smoothness of the linear feel allows for uninterrupted keystrokes, making it an appealing choice for both gaming and typing. The tactile qualities of the Outemu Ocean switch are not fully outlined here, which means its feel remains ambiguous. This uncertainty can leave users considering the Ocean at a disadvantage when it comes to choosing a keyboard switch that meets their preferences for tactile feedback.

In conclusion, the Huano Elf linear switch offers distinct advantages, particularly in sound and feel, making it a strong contender for users seeking a satisfying typing experience. Its deep sound profile and balanced actuation force provide a clear edge, while the lack of detailed information about the Outemu Ocean's sound and feel leaves potential users with some ambiguity. Ultimately, if the characteristics of the Ocean align with personal preferences, users should find reasonably similar experiences between the two switches despite the Elf's more defined qualities.

Conclusion

To conclude, when deciding between the Huano Elf linear switch and the Outemu Ocean tactile switch, you should consider your personal preferences and intended use. If you favor a smooth, uninterrupted keystroke with a medium-light feel, the Elf is an excellent choice, especially if you appreciate a deeper sound profile that enhances your typing experience. This switch is ideal for those who prefer gaming or quick typing tasks where speed and fluidity are essential. On the other hand, if you are someone who enjoys tactile feedback and a more pronounced response while typing, the Outemu Ocean is the way to go. Its tactile bump provides a satisfying sensation with each press, making it perfect for typists who relish the feel of the keys beneath their fingers. Ultimately, both switches have their unique attributes that cater to different typing styles and preferences, so choose based on whether you prioritize a smooth action or tactile feedback in your mechanical keyboard experience.

Mentioned in this article

Huano Elf Linear

$3.50

$3.29 per 10

Learn more

Outemu Ocean Tactile

$3.10 per 10

Learn more