Huano Elf vs. Outemu Silent Grey

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the choice between the Huano Elf and the Outemu Silent Grey can significantly impact your typing experience. The Huano Elf, a linear switch, is celebrated for its POK top housing that enhances acoustics, delivering a deep sound signature with a medium-light feel that many users find provides a satisfying typing experience. In contrast, the Outemu Silent Grey is a tactile switch designed for those who prefer a more pronounced feedback with its noticeable bump while maintaining a quiet operation; this makes it ideal for users in shared spaces or for those who simply enjoy a more tactile sensation during typing. With the Elf's smooth linear action promoting rapid keystrokes and the Silent Grey's satisfying tactile feedback, each switch caters to distinct preferences in typing feel and sound profile. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Huano Elf Linear

Outemu Silent Grey Tactile

$3.50

$3.29 per 10

$3.10 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The Huano Elf and Outemu Silent Grey switches represent two distinct approaches to housing material composition, particularly evident in their top component choices. The Elf utilizes POK material for its top housing, noted for its low coefficient of friction (0.04), exceptional durability, and superior shock resistance compared to both Nylon and POM. This choice contributes to a smooth, clacky typing experience that many users appreciate. In contrast, the Silent Grey opts for polycarbonate, which produces a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile due to its stiffer nature. The translucency of polycarbonate also enhances visual aspects when RGB lighting is employed, making it aesthetically appealing for users seeking flair alongside performance. While the Elf's POK material promotes durability and smoothness, the Silent Grey's polycarbonate top provides clarity and resonance, emphasizing how varying materials can alter both performance and sound signature.

Both switches, however, share a commonality in their bottom housing, as both incorporate nylon. This classic material characteristically absorbs sound well, resulting in a deeper and fuller auditory profile. Whether found in the Huano Elf or the Outemu Silent Grey, the nylon bottom housing contributes a muted aspect to the overall sound, enhancing the tactile experience of each switch. Since the bottom housing has a significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, it offers users a consistent experience across both models. The use of nylon in both switches preserves the similar deep sound profile that typists often seek, allowing for a degree of uniformity regardless of the variations in the top housing materials.

Ultimately, the combination of different materials leads to nuanced outcomes in the overall performance and sound characteristics of each switch. In the case of the Elf and Silent Grey, their differing top housings diverge in terms of tactile experiences and auditory feedback. The POK's emphasis on smoothness contrasts the polycarbonate's crispness, yet both switches maintain a fulfilling sound due to their shared nylon bottom. Users can find similar results in terms of sound depth and feel, thanks to the nylon bottom housing, even as the top materials offer distinct experiences in tactile feedback and sound clarity. The comparison highlights how varying materials impact the overall switch design while demonstrating that similarities can still coexist in a switch's performance attributes.

Weight

When comparing the Huano Elf linear switch with the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch, the actuation forces differ notably. The Huano Elf requires a lighter actuation force of 42 grams, while the Outemu Silent Grey demands a heavier 50 grams. This means that the Elf switch is more suited for those who prefer an easier keystroke, especially beneficial for extended typing sessions or gaming marathons. However, the Silent Grey's actuation force, coupled with its bottom out force of 65 grams, provides a more substantial typing experience, appealing to users who enjoy a firmer push feel. While the bottom out force for the Huano Elf is unknown, the noticeable difference in actuation force implies that it would likely bottom out at a lower pressure. Thus, users seeking a lighter switch should lean towards the Huano Elf, while those who appreciate a heavier, more tactile experience may prefer the Outemu Silent Grey.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Huano Elf linear switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch, we find a distinct difference between the two. The Huano Elf features a travel distance of 3.6 mm, making it the shorter option, while the Outemu Silent Grey has a travel distance of 4 mm, which is the longer choice. This difference highlights the design preferences for each switch; the shorter travel distance of the Elf may appeal to gamers seeking quicker response times, while the Silent Grey's longer travel distance may be favored by those who appreciate a more substantial tactile feel when typing. Ultimately, your choice should align with your personal preference for either responsiveness or depth in key presses.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Huano Elf linear switch stands out with its deep sound signature, enhanced by its POK top housing, which is engineered specifically for improved acoustics. This switch produces a satisfying auditory feedback that is not as loud as many other linear switches. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch is designed for a quieter experience, perfect for environments where noise is a concern. It features a pronounced tactile bump that adds a level of acoustical engagement without being overly disruptive, allowing for a more discreet typing experience.

In terms of feel, the Elf switch provides a medium-light resistance, making it easy to actuate while still providing a satisfying tactile sensation as you press down. This results in a typing experience that is both easy and enjoyable, appealing to those who appreciate a smooth, linear action. Conversely, the Silent Grey offers a smoother keystroke combined with a well-defined tactile bump. The pronounced bump signifies the actuation point, providing a satisfying feedback that ensures you know exactly when the key has registered without needing to bottom out, making it ideal for typists who enjoy tactile feedback while maintaining a quieter operation.

Ultimately, both the Huano Elf and Outemu Silent Grey switches offer distinct advantages that cater to different preferences. While the Elf provides a deeper sound profile with a medium-light feel, perfect for users who prioritize auditory feedback without too much noise, the Silent Grey excels in delivering a tactile experience that is pronounced yet understated in sound. Users can select between these options based on their specific needs, but regardless of choice, both switches are designed to ensure a satisfying typing experience.

Conclusion

To conclude, the choice between Huano Elf linear switches and Outemu Silent Grey tactile switches ultimately depends on your personal preferences and typing environment. If you favor a smooth, unopposed keystroke with a lighter feel that enables swift typing and gaming, the Huano Elf switches may be your best bet. They provide a comfortable medium-light experience, ideal for those who enjoy a responsive feel without the distraction of sound, making them suitable for environments where noise levels should be kept low. On the other hand, if you appreciate tactile feedback and a more pronounced bump when typing while maintaining a stealthy atmosphere, then the Outemu Silent Grey switches would likely suit your needs better. With a medium-heavy resistance of 65 grams, they offer a satisfying tactile experience that enhances your typing rhythm, making them a great choice for focused work sessions or shared spaces. Ultimately, consider how important sound, feel, and typing engagement are to you, and select the switch that aligns best with your specific typing habits and environment.

Mentioned in this article

Huano Elf Linear

$3.50

$3.29 per 10

Learn more

Outemu Silent Grey Tactile

$3.10 per 10

Learn more