Gateron Glory Red vs. Outemu Silent Grey

Overview

When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, the Gateron Glory Red and the Outemu Silent Grey present two distinct experiences that cater to different preferences. The Gateron Glory Red is a linear switch known for its lighter feel, smooth keystroke, and comfortable travel distance, making it an excellent choice for gamers and typists who appreciate a fluid and uninterrupted typing experience. Conversely, the Outemu Silent Grey is a tactile switch that delivers a noticeable bump with each keystroke while maintaining a quieter operation, ideal for those who want satisfying feedback without the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards. While both switches have their unique advantages, the choice ultimately depends on whether you prioritize a smooth, linear feel or a tactile, muted response. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Gateron Glory Red Linear

Outemu Silent Grey Tactile

$4.50

$4.19 per 10

$3.10 per 10

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Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the Gateron Glory Red and the Outemu Silent Grey switches, a stark contrast emerges between their top housings. The Glory Red employs nylon for its top housing, a material known for its softer texture which contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile. This material’s ability to absorb sound results in a more muted auditory experience, making each keystroke feel rounder and less pingy. Conversely, the Silent Grey features a polycarbonate top housing, which is much stiffer in nature. This stiffness translates to a sharper and crisper sound profile, where the notes are clearer and resonate more distinctly. The translucency of the polycarbonate also adds an aesthetic advantage, particularly for those using RGB lighting, as the light diffuses through the material, enhancing visual effects.

In terms of their bottom housings, both switches utilize nylon, which leads to some similarities in their sound profiles. The use of nylon in both cases contributes to a consistent deeper and fuller sound experience when bottoms are hit. This commonality implies that while the overall sound may differ when the switches are fully pressed down due to their respective top housings, the bottom housing plays a crucial role in delivering a softer and more muted feeling upon bottoming out. Therefore, the acoustic qualities of the bottom housing lend a significant impact to the overall typing experience, reinforcing the connection between the materials and the resulting auditory feedback.

Ultimately, the interaction between the top and bottom housing materials highlights an essential nuance in how each switch performs. For the Gateron Glory Red, the nylon top contributes to the softer sound characteristics, while the nylon bottom reinforces those qualities, leading to a cohesive auditory experience. In contrast, the Outemu Silent Grey's polycarbonate top adds a distinct clarity to the sound profile, but the balance created by the nylon bottom still provides a similar sense of fullness when pressed down. This combination showcases how different materials can influence the tangible feel and sonic output of each switch, allowing users to select based on personal preference while achieving a familiar yet diverse typing experience.

Weight

When comparing the Gateron Glory Red linear switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch, there are notable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Glory Red features an actuation force of 45 grams, while the Silent Grey has a slightly heavier actuation force of 50 grams. This makes the Glory Red the lighter switch, which may be preferable for users who favor a softer feel for long typing sessions or gaming. Conversely, the Silent Grey’s weight provides a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a heavier push. However, the bottom out force for the Glory Red is unknown, while the Silent Grey has a bottom out force of 65 grams, categorized as medium-heavy. Therefore, while both switches serve different preferences in weight and resistance, the Glory Red offers a lighter actuation feel, making it the ideal choice for extended use, whereas the Silent Grey may appeal to users seeking a firmer tactile response.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Gateron Glory Red linear switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch, we see a clear distinction between the two. The Gateron Glory Red features a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Outemu Silent Grey has a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm. This means that the Silent Grey offers a more pronounced depth, which may appeal to users who prefer a fuller feel when typing, while the shorter 3.6 mm travel of the Glory Red may cater to gamers seeking quicker actuation and response times. In summary, if you favor responsiveness and a more abrupt keypress, the Gateron Glory Red is the shorter option. Conversely, if you prefer a more traditional and deeper typing experience, the Outemu Silent Grey with its longer travel distance may be the better choice.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Gateron Glory Red linear switch produces a relatively quiet keystroke, characteristic of linear switches, which minimizes audible feedback compared to tactile and clicky switches. This makes them suitable for environments where noise levels are a concern. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch offers a notably quieter experience than typical tactile switches, thanks to its design that reduces the sound of the actuation bump. While the Glory Red allows for a smooth, uninterrupted press, the Silent Grey provides a satisfying but subtle sound profile, particularly ideal for users wanting to maintain a low noise level without sacrificing the tactile feedback.

When we consider the feel of these switches, the Gateron Glory Red is known for its smooth keystroke and consistent linear action, which many typists find enjoyable for fast typing or gaming. Its lighter actuation force promotes quick responses, making it a favored choice for those who prioritize speed and fluidity. Conversely, the Outemu Silent Grey stands out with its tactile bump, which provides a distinct point of feedback during key presses. This tactile response can enhance typing accuracy for some users, as it emphasizes each actuation without creating the loud noises that some tactile switches produce, thus delivering a feel that is both satisfying and discreet.

In summary, the Gateron Glory Red and Outemu Silent Grey switches cater to different preferences in sound and feel. The Glory Red excels in providing a quiet, smooth linear experience that leans towards speed and fluidity, while the Silent Grey combines a pronounced tactile bump with a quieter actuation for those seeking satisfaction in feedback without the accompanying noise. Ultimately, your choice will depend on whether you value a seamless, linear typing experience or a tactile feel with minimal sound.

Conclusion

To conclude, the choice between Gateron Glory Red linear switches and Outemu Silent Grey tactile switches ultimately hinges on your personal preferences and typing style. If you prioritize a smooth, lightweight keystroke and desire a linear feel without any tactile feedback, the Glory Red switches could be your ideal choice. Their effortless actuation makes them perfect for gamers who benefit from rapid key presses, ensuring that you can react quickly without the hindrance of resistance or noise. On the other hand, if you need a more pronounced tactile response along with a quieter typing experience, the Silent Grey switches will be more suitable for you. With a medium-heavy actuation force and a satisfying bump on each key press, these switches provide the tactile feedback that many typists find enjoyable without the loud sound characteristic of other switches. In essence, your decision should reflect whether you prefer the lightness of the Glory Red for a seamless gaming experience or the gratifying feel and sound dampening of the Silent Grey for a comfortable and subtle typing session.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron Glory Red Linear

$4.50

$4.19 per 10

Learn more

Outemu Silent Grey Tactile

$3.10 per 10

Learn more