TTC Flame Red vs. Outemu Silent Yellow Jade
An in-depth look at the TTC Flame Red and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to choose from are the TTC Flame Red, a linear switch, and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade, a tactile switch. The Flame Red is most recognized for its stunning light diffuser, making it a top choice for those who desire a backlit, RGB keyboard. Typing on these switches provides a smooth and weighty feel, accompanied by a satisfying clacky sound profile. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switches offer a quiet and tactile typing experience, with a distinctive "thocky" sound. These factory-lubed switches feature a translucent jade yellow housing and a punchy tactile bump. While each switch has its unique characteristics and advantages, determining the ideal choice for your needs requires a deeper understanding beyond these generalities.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
54g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
pom
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
24.5mm long spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
Both the TTC Flame Red and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade utilize nylon as their housing material, which results in a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing on these switches. The softer nature of nylon allows it to absorb more sound compared to harder plastics, ultimately creating a duller and rounder sound. This means that both switches offer a more muted typing experience, which can be ideal for those looking for a quieter keyboard option.
While the top housing of both switches is made of nylon, where the differences lie is in the bottom housing. The qualities of the bottom housing impact the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch when pressed, while the top housing affects the sound when a key is released. This means that despite having similar top housings, the feel and sound of typing on the Flame Red may differ slightly from that of the Silent Yellow Jade due to variations in their bottom housings.
Overall, the similarities in utilizing nylon for both the top and bottom housings of the TTC Flame Red and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade result in comparable typing experiences in terms of sound profile. Both switches offer a deep and full sound that is enhanced by the absorbent nature of nylon, making them both suitable options for those seeking a quieter typing experience. The slight differences in their respective bottom housings may contribute to nuanced variations in feel and sound, but overall, users can expect similar results when using either of these switches.
Weight
In comparing the actuation and bottom out forces of the TTC Flame Red linear switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch, it is clear that the Flame Red is the lighter of the two. The Flame Red has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 54 grams, making it a medium-light switch. On the other hand, the Silent Yellow Jade has an actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams, placing it in the medium-heavy category. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may opt for the Flame Red, as it allows for longer typing sessions without fatigue. In contrast, the Silent Yellow Jade offers a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The TTC Flame Red linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm. In comparing the two, the Flame Red has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Silent Yellow Jade. The Flame Red's 4 mm travel distance is more in line with traditional switch distances, providing a more substantial key press feel. On the other hand, the Silent Yellow Jade's 3.3 mm travel distance is shallower, offering a quicker response time which may be preferred by gamers. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on personal preference for either a longer, more satisfying keystroke (Flame Red) or a shorter, more responsive keystroke (Silent Yellow Jade).
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Flame Red has an MSRP of $7.29 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Flame Red for $4.38.
The Outemu Silent Yellow Jade 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
Overall, when comparing the TTC Flame Red linear switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch, it is evident that they offer different experiences in terms of sound and feel. The Flame Red provides a weighty smoothness and a clacky sound profile, making it suitable for those who prefer a more tactile typing experience. On the other hand, the Silent Yellow Jade offers a quiet and "thocky" sound with a punchy tactile bump, ideal for users looking for a more subdued typing experience. While the Flame Red is described as having a neutral sound profile and a mild and polished feel, the Silent Yellow Jade's sound profile and feel are unknown. However, both switches are likely to deliver satisfying results based on their respective descriptions. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and visual aesthetics in a mechanical keyboard.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the TTC Flame Red linear switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch, consider the following guidelines. If you prioritize a visually appealing backlit keyboard with a smooth and clacky typing experience, the Flame Red would be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a quieter, tactile typing experience with a satisfying "thocky" sound, the Silent Yellow Jade would be more suitable. Additionally, if you prefer a switch with a medium-light bottom out force, consider the Flame Red, whereas if you prefer a switch with a medium-heavy bottom out force, the Silent Yellow Jade would be a better fit. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your preferences for sound, feel, and typing experience.