HMX EMO vs. Outemu Brown
An in-depth look at the HMX EMO and the Outemu Brown switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the HMX EMO linear switch and the Outemu Brown tactile switch are two popular choices with distinct characteristics. The HMX EMO switch is praised for its lively, clacky feel and feather-light 46g bottom-out force, providing an effortless, bouncy typing experience that is both satisfying and smooth. In contrast, the Outemu Brown switch offers a tactile feedback without the audible click, making it a quieter option for those who prefer a more subtle typing experience. While the EMO switch is ideal for those who enjoy a more tactile feel and lighter touch, the Brown switch caters to users looking for a tactile feedback without the loud click. 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
40g
Actuation force
53g
Bottom-out force
46g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.20 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
22mm single-stage spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
Both the HMX EMO and the Outemu Brown switches feature polycarbonate top housings, which create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to polycarbonate's relatively stiff nature. This material is great for switches that plan to utilize RGB lighting, as its translucency allows for better light diffusion. Additionally, both switches' nylon bottom housings offer a deeper and fuller sound profile, as nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Overall, the combination of polycarbonate and nylon in both switches contributes to a unique sound experience.
While the EMO and Brown switches share similarities in their housing materials, there are also key differences. The EMO switch may provide a slightly different sound experience than the Brown switch due to potential variations in the exact properties of the polycarbonate and nylon used in each. Additionally, the impact of the housing materials on the sound when pressing down on a key versus releasing it may differ slightly between the two switches. These nuances could lead to subtle differences in overall sound quality and feel between the EMO and Brown switches.
Overall, the choice between the HMX EMO and Outemu Brown switches may come down to personal preference in terms of the type of sound and feel you prefer when typing. Both switches offer unique qualities with their housing materials that can impact sound and tactile feedback. Whether you prefer a sharper, crisper sound or a deeper, fuller tone may influence your decision between the two switches. Ultimately, testing out both switches to see which one aligns more closely with your preferences may be the best way to determine which one is the right fit for your keyboard.
Weight
Comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the HMX EMO linear switch and the Outemu Brown tactile switch reveals significant differences in weight. The EMO has a lighter actuation force of 40 grams, while the Brown has a heavier actuation force of 53 grams. Similarly, the EMO has a lighter bottom out force of 46 grams compared to the Brown's heavier bottom out force of 65 grams. These differences mean that the EMO switch will provide a lighter typing experience, ideal for extended typing sessions or gaming, while the Brown switch will offer a more substantial and tactile typing feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference for a lighter or heavier typing experience.
Travel distance
The HMX EMO linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5mm, making it the shorter option compared to the Outemu Brown tactile switch, which has a travel distance of 4mm. The shorter travel distance of the EMO switch may appeal to gamers looking for faster response times, while the longer travel distance of the Brown switch may provide a more satisfying keystroke depth. Both switches offer different experiences based on their travel distances, so choosing between the two ultimately depends on personal preference for typing or gaming.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX EMO has an MSRP of $3.49 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the EMO for $2.79.
The Outemu Brown 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 HMX EMO linear switch is known for its lively and clacky feel, with a feather-light 46g bottom-out force, providing a bouncy and satisfying typing experience. The factory-lubed EMO switch delivers smooth and effortless key presses, making it a popular choice among enthusiasts. On the other hand, the Outemu Brown tactile switch offers a different typing experience with a tactile bump feedback, providing a more pronounced feel while typing. The Brown switch requires more force to actuate compared to the EMO, which can give a more deliberate and controlled typing experience.
When it comes to sound, the EMO switch produces a quiet and smooth typing sound, enhancing the overall typing experience without being too noisy. On the other hand, the Outemu Brown switch can produce a subtle tactile bump sound when typing, giving a satisfying auditory feedback with each keystroke. The sound produced by both switches can also vary depending on the keyboard and keycaps being used.
In terms of feel, the EMO switch offers a linear and consistent keystroke with a smooth actuation and bottom-out, providing a fluid typing experience. The Brown switch, on the other hand, offers a tactile bump feedback during actuation, giving a more pronounced feel while typing. The choice between the two switches ultimately comes down to personal preference in typing feel and experience.
Overall, both the HMX EMO linear switch and the Outemu Brown tactile switch offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences in typing experience. While the EMO switch provides a smooth and bouncy typing experience with a linear feel, the Brown switch offers a tactile bump feedback for a more pronounced keystroke feel. Depending on whether you prefer a linear or tactile typing experience, you can achieve similar satisfactory results with either switch based on your personal preference and typing style.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a light and bouncy typing experience with a satisfying clacky feel, then the HMX EMO linear switch with its 46g bottom-out force is the way to go. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy switch with a tactile bump for more feedback while typing, the Outemu Brown tactile switch with its 65g bottom-out force would be a better choice. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal typing preferences and what feels most comfortable to you.
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