Dareu Firefly vs. Outemu Silent Grey
An in-depth look at the Dareu Firefly and the Outemu Silent Grey switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Dareu Firefly and the Outemu Silent Grey both offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Firefly switch from Dareu is known for its light actuation and subtle clickiness, providing a quiet typing experience categorized as easy to press and chirpy. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Grey switch offers a highly tactile typing experience with a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke, ideal for those seeking a satisfying and silent switch. Both switches have their own strengths and appeal to different users based on their preferences. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the right switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
40g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
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
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Dareu Firefly and Outemu Silent Grey both use polycarbonate for their top housings, creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate being a relatively stiffer plastic, leading to a more clear and resonant sound. Aesthetically, both switches feature clear housings, making them ideal for use with RGB lighting. However, while the Firefly's polycarbonate top housing offers a unique sound profile, the Silent Grey's utilizes the same material for a similar effect.
In terms of bottom housings, both the Dareu Firefly and Outemu Silent Grey utilize nylon, a classic switch housing material. Typing on switches with nylon bottom housings produces a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is because nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound. While the bottom housing material in both switches is the same, the utilization of nylon ensures a consistent typing experience in terms of sound and feel.
The combination of different housing materials between the top and bottom of a switch impacts both the sound and feel when typing. The bottom housing material has more influence on the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on the switch. Conversely, the top housing material plays a larger role in the sound when releasing a key. Both the Dareu Firefly and Outemu Silent Grey offer unique qualities based on their housing materials, providing users with distinct typing experiences.
Weight
The Dareu Firefly tactile switch has a lighter actuation force of 40 grams compared to the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch, which has a heavier actuation force of 50 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Firefly's force is unknown while the Silent Grey has a bottom out force of 65 grams, which is considered medium-heavy. This means that the Firefly may provide a lighter typing experience overall, allowing for longer typing sessions without fatigue. On the other hand, the Silent Grey switch offers a more substantial push feel for those who prefer a heavier typing experience. Both switches have their advantages depending on personal preference, with the Firefly being lighter and the Silent Grey being heavier. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on the individual's preferred typing feel.
Travel distance
Both the Dareu Firefly and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switches have the same travel distance of 4 mm, offering users a consistent typing experience in terms of keypress depth. This means that whether you choose the Firefly or the Silent Grey, you can expect to feel the same travel distance when pressing down on the keys, resulting in similar tactile feedback for each switch. In terms of travel distance, there is no difference between the two switches, making them equally suitable for users who prefer a tactile switch with a 4 mm travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Dareu Firefly has an MSRP of $6.59 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Firefly for $3.76.
The Outemu Silent Grey 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 Dareu Firefly tactile switch is known for its quiet and light actuation with a hint of clickiness, providing a unique typing experience. The Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch, on the other hand, offers a quiet and highly tactile typing experience with a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke. When it comes to sound, the Firefly has a chirpy sound with a little squeak, setting it apart from other switches, while the Silent Grey's sound profile is unknown. In terms of feel, the Firefly is easy-to-press, requiring minimal force to activate, making typing effortless and comfortable, while the feel of the Silent Grey switch is also unknown. Overall, both switches offer a quiet typing experience, with the Firefly being more unique in sound and easier to press, while the Silent Grey provides a highly tactile typing experience. Depending on personal preference, both switches can provide satisfying results for newcomers to the mechanical keyboard world.
Conclusion
To wrap up, when choosing between the Dareu Firefly tactile switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch, consider your preference for typing experience and noise level. If you prioritize a quiet and highly tactile typing experience, the Outemu Silent Grey switch with its medium-heavy bottom out force of 65 grams and smooth keystrokes might be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a light actuation with just a hint of clickiness and a quiet typing experience, the Dareu Firefly switch with its unique chirpy sound signature and easy-to-press feel could be the better option. Ultimately, your decision should be based on what suits your personal typing style and preferences the best.
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