Gateron Glory Red vs. Outemu Silver

Overview

When it comes to selecting mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Glory Red and Outemu Silver provide two distinct yet appealing linear options for enthusiasts and casual users alike. The Gateron Glory Red is celebrated for its lighter actuation, offering a smooth keystroke and a satisfying travel distance that contributes to a pleasurable typing experience. This makes it an excellent choice for those who prefer a softer feel and quick response times, particularly during long typing sessions or gaming marathons. On the other hand, the Outemu Silver, though less renowned, is designed to facilitate rapid key presses, making it ideal for gamers seeking a competitive edge with its quick actuation. Both switches cater to linear switch fans, but with differing emphases on feel and performance characteristics. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your needs.

By the numbers

Gateron Glory Red Linear

Outemu Silver Linear

$4.50

$4.19 per 10

$3.10 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the Gateron Glory Red switches and Outemu Silver switches, a notable distinction emerges in their top housings. The Glory Red utilizes a nylon top housing, renowned for its softer composition, which yields a deeper and fuller sound profile while absorbing more sound. In contrast, the Outemu Silver features a polycarbonate top housing, which is significantly stiffer and generates a higher-pitched, crisper sound. This fundamental difference means that while the Glory Red provides a more muted and rounded auditory experience during typing, the Outemu Silver enhances clarity and brightness. The materials chosen for the top housing fundamentally shape the auditory characteristics users experience, leading to an overall different typing acoustic whether one is looking for a subtle touch or a more pronounced click.

On the flip side, both the Gateron Glory Red and Outemu Silver switches share a commonality in their bottom housing, as they both utilize nylon. This similarity results in a deeper and fuller sound profile, making the bottom-out sound consistent between the two switches. As both switches employ soft nylon in the lower housing, users can expect similar feedback and tonal richness when the keys are pressed down. This aspect showcases how, although there may be differences in the top housing, the shared material in the bottom housing allows for a harmonious sound experience as the key is struck.

Ultimately, the contrast between the Gateron Glory Red and Outemu Silver primarily lies in their top housing materials, with nylon lending a softer and more subdued feedback in the Glory Red, while polycarbonate in the Silver contributes to sharper and clearer acoustics. The effects of these materials are bifurcated between the two components, meaning that the bottom housing will always play a crucial role in the overall feel and sound when the switch is bottomed out. In contrast, the upper housing can significantly influence the sound during release. Consequently, while users experience differences in response and sound signature when the keys are released, the consistent use of nylon in the bottom housing allows both switches to satisfy users who appreciate a deeper and more resonant typing experience.

Weight

When comparing the Gateron Glory Red linear switch and the Outemu Silver linear switch, we find both have the same actuation force of 45 grams, meaning they require an equal amount of force to register a keystroke. This similarity suggests that users will experience similar ease of typing when initiating keystrokes with either switch, making them suitable options for extended use without requiring excessive effort. However, the two switches differ significantly in their bottom out forces. The Outemu Silver has a bottom out force of 65 grams, which is classified as medium-heavy, indicating that one must exert more force to fully depress the key compared to the Glory Red, for which the bottom out force is unknown. As a result, the Gateron Glory Red is the lighter option between the two, offering a softer overall experience, while the Outemu Silver provides a heavier tactile feedback that may appeal to those who prefer a more substantial typing feel. Thus, users looking for a light, comfortable typing experience for extended use may gravitate towards the Glory Red, while those who appreciate a stronger push may prefer the Outemu Silver.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Gateron Glory Red linear switch and the Outemu Silver linear switch, a notable difference emerges: the Glory Red has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Silver measures at 4.0 mm. This makes the Gateron Glory Red the shorter option, catering to those who favor quicker response times often desired by gamers. In contrast, the Outemu Silver, with its longer travel distance, may appeal to users who prefer a more substantial feel when tapping down on a key, providing a deeper and more satisfying experience. Ultimately, choosing between these switches depends on personal preference—those desiring a snappier, more responsive action would benefit from the Glory Red, whereas individuals who appreciate a heartier depth in their keystrokes may gravitate towards the Silver.

Price comparison

Typing experience

The Gateron Glory Red linear switch features a relatively quiet profile, which produces a subtle sound that many users find unobtrusive. The smooth keystroke contributes to a pleasing auditory experience as the key bottoms out gently, though the specific sound signature is not widely documented. In contrast, the Outemu Silver linear switch also leans towards a quieter operation, but again lacks comprehensive information on its sound characteristics. Since both switches are linear, one can generally expect similar sound levels, but it's important to remember that the overall sound can still be influenced by the combination of keyboard build, materials, and keycap choices.

When it comes to feel, the Gateron Glory Red offers a light resistance and a consistent keystroke that many users appreciate for both gaming and typing. The smooth motion of the key travel enhances the overall typing experience, making it comfortable for long sessions. The Outemu Silver, while specifics about its feel are not provided, is also categorized as a linear switch, suggesting it could deliver a similarly smooth and unhindered keystroke. Thus, both switches cater to those who prefer a linear experience without tactile bumps, leading to less fatigue during extended use.

In summary, both the Gateron Glory Red and Outemu Silver switches align closely in sound and feel qualities as linear switches, suggesting that users seeking a smooth typing experience with minimal auditory distractions may find satisfaction with either option. The subtle nuances in their characteristics could appeal to different preferences, but overall, users can anticipate a comparable performance between the two.

Conclusion

To conclude, choosing between the Gateron Glory Red and the Outemu Silver switches ultimately depends on your personal typing preferences and the type of feedback you seek in your mechanical keyboard experience. If you value a lighter touch and a smooth keystroke, the Glory Red would be your best choice. Its pleasing travel distance makes it ideal for extended typing sessions or gaming where rapid key presses are essential. On the other hand, if you prefer a more substantial feel and don't mind the added resistance, the Outemu Silver with its medium-heavy bottom out force can enhance your typing accuracy, providing a satisfying tactile sensation. In terms of sound, each switch contributes uniquely to your keyboard's acoustic profile; however, as the specific descriptions weren’t provided, consider testing both switches to determine which sound resonates with you more. Ultimately, your decision should reflect both your tactile preferences and ergonomic needs, ensuring that your keyboard enhances your overall computing experience.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron Glory Red Linear

$4.50

$4.19 per 10

Learn more

Outemu Silver Linear

$3.10 per 10

Learn more