Huano Elf vs. Outemu Spring Breeze
An in-depth look at the Huano Elf and the Outemu Spring Breeze switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the choice between a linear switch like the Huano Elf and a clicky switch like the Outemu Spring Breeze can significantly impact your typing experience. The Huano Elf is renowned for its POK top housing, which enhances acoustics and delivers a deep sound signature while providing a medium-light actuation force that many users find satisfying for both typing and gaming. On the other hand, the Outemu Spring Breeze is characterized by its clicky feedback, offering a tactile sensation that many typists appreciate for its audible confirmation with each keystroke, making it an exciting choice for those who enjoy a more interactive typing experience. While the smoothness of the Elf appeals to gamers and typists seeking a quieter workspace, the distinctly audible clicks of the Spring Breeze cater to those who thrive on tactile feedback. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
42g
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.50 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
Nylon
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
When comparing the housing materials of the Huano Elf and the Outemu Spring Breeze, the most notable distinction lies in their respective top housings. The Elf utilizes a POK material, a polyketone that offers a higher coefficient of friction compared to the nylon of the Spring Breeze. This characteristic renders the Elf's switches exceptionally smooth and responsive, enhancing the overall typing experience. Additionally, POK's impressive durability—being 14 times stronger than POM—coupled with its superior shock resistance when compared to nylon, suggests that the Elf's top housing is designed for longevity and performance. The POK contributes to a typing feel that is not only pleasant but also remarkably durable, offering a distinct clacky sound signature that appeals to users who value both tactile feedback and auditory satisfaction.
Conversely, both the Huano Elf and Outemu Spring Breeze utilize nylon for their bottom housings, creating a striking similarity between the two switches. Nylon is renowned for its softer texture which absorbs sound more effectively than harder plastics, resulting in a deeper, fuller sound profile. This characteristic is shared by both switches, ensuring that the bottom-out sound produced during typing remains rich and round. The use of nylon for both switch types underscores the importance of sound absorption in creating a soothing typing experience, providing users with an auditory feedback that many prefer. Therefore, while the top housings diverge in material and the characteristics they impart, the use of nylon in the bottom housing offers a commonality that enhances the overall performance of both switches.
Ultimately, the combination of materials in both the Huano Elf and the Outemu Spring Breeze results in distinctive yet complementary typing experiences. The POK top housing of the Elf provides enhanced durability and a smooth action, which contrasts sharply with the nylon top of the Spring Breeze that fosters a softer touch. However, both switches benefit from the shared qualities of nylon in their bottom housings, resulting in a collaborative effect on sound that is rich and full-bodied. Thus, while the top and bottom housings differ in composition and sound characteristics, the overall performance can remain aligned, producing highly satisfying tactile and auditory experiences for enthusiasts of mechanical switches.
Weight
When comparing the actuation and bottom out forces of the Huano Elf linear switch and the Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch, we see that the Elf has a slightly higher actuation force of 42 grams compared to the Spring Breeze's 40 grams. This means that the Elf will require a bit more force to register a keypress, which may appeal to users who prefer a firmer typing experience. However, the bottom out force for the Elf is unspecified, while the Spring Breeze has a definitive bottom out force of 55 grams. The bottom out force is crucial for understanding the feel of the switch when pressed all the way down; with the Spring Breeze being heavier overall due to this higher bottom out force, it may provide a more substantial tactile feedback for users who enjoy that sensation. Hence, for long typing sessions or gaming, the lighter Elf switch might be more comfortable for some, while the heavier Spring Breeze could be better suited to those who appreciate a more pronounced actuation feel. Overall, the Huano Elf is lighter in terms of actuation force, but the bottom out force comparison remains inconclusive due to missing data for the Elf.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Huano Elf linear switch and the Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch, we find that the Elf measures 3.6 mm, whereas the Spring Breeze has a longer travel distance of 4 mm. This difference indicates that the Elf offers a shorter travel distance, which can lead to quicker response times, making it a potentially better choice for gamers who prioritize speed. In contrast, the Spring Breeze, with its greater depth, may appeal more to users who prefer a more pronounced tactile experience, as the longer travel distance often provides a sense of more deliberate action. Ultimately, while the Elf favors responsiveness, the Spring Breeze caters to those who appreciate a deeper keypress, showcasing the distinct preferences among users when it comes to switch choice.
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 Spring Breeze 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
When it comes to sound, the Huano Elf linear switch is renowned for its deep sound signature, enhanced by its POK top housing, which is designed to optimize acoustics. This results in a fuller, richer sound when typing, contributing to an engaging auditory experience. On the other hand, the Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch lacks a specific sound characterization, making it difficult to assess its acoustic properties directly. However, it's essential to keep in mind that the overall sound produced by any switch also depends heavily on the choice of keyboard and keycaps, meaning that contextual factors can significantly influence the auditory experience for both switches.
In terms of feel, the Huano Elf offers a medium-light actuation force, making it quite satisfying for typists who prefer a balance between resistance and ease of key presses. It allows for a comfortable typing experience, especially over long durations. The feel of the Outemu Spring Breeze type hasn’t been detailed, leaving us to speculate about its tactile feedback. Generally, clicky switches like those from Outemu tend to provide a tactile bump followed by an audible click upon actuation, which can make typing feel more engaging and responsive but may not suit everyone's preferences.
In conclusion, the Huano Elf linear switch is distinguished by its deep sound and medium-light feel, making it a solid choice for those who enjoy a smooth typing experience with auditory richness. The Outemu Spring Breeze, while its sound profile and feel remain unspecified, presumably appeals to those who may prefer clicky switches and the tactile feedback they bring. To achieve similar auditory or tactile results with either switch, considering the keyboard and keycap choices will be crucial, as they play a significant role in the overall performance and experience of any mechanical keyboard.
Conclusion
In summary, your choice between the Huano Elf linear switch and the Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch ultimately hinges on your personal preferences for sound, feel, and typing experience. If you favor a smooth, linear switch with a whisper-quiet operation and an emphasis on a deep acoustic profile, the Huano Elf is the way to go. Its medium-light feel makes it a great option for extended typing sessions without excessive finger fatigue. On the other hand, if you enjoy a tactile sensation with auditory feedback while typing, the Outemu Spring Breeze will likely suit you better, with its medium-light bottom-out force giving you a responsive click that can enhance your typing rhythm. The distinctive sound and feedback of the Spring Breeze can be particularly appealing if you appreciate the satisfaction of a pronounced click with each keypress. Ultimately, if you want a quieter and more subdued experience, the Elf will serve you well; conversely, if you're looking for something more engaging and lively, the Spring Breeze will be your best pick.
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