Gateron Glory Yellow vs. Outemu Black

Overview

When choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, enthusiasts often find themselves considering the Gateron Glory Yellow and the Outemu Black, both popular linear switches that offer distinctive typing experiences. The Gateron Glory Yellow is recognized for its heavier feel compared to its counterparts in the Glory lineup, providing a smooth keystroke and a satisfying travel distance that many users appreciate for prolonged typing sessions or gaming. In contrast, the Outemu Black, while also a linear switch, is often favored for its durability and consistent performance. While both switches excel in delivering a linear feel with minimal tactile feedback, the Gateron Glory Yellow tends to offer a more refined and enjoyable experience, whereas the Outemu Black stands out for its robustness. Each switch has its own set of advantages depending on a user's preferences for typing feel and gaming performance. 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 Yellow Linear

Outemu Black Linear

$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 Yellow and the Outemu Black, notable distinctions emerge in the composition of their top housings. The Glory Yellow utilizes nylon for its top housing, a material known for its softer qualities, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. In contrast, the Outemu Black features a polycarbonate top housing, which is stiffer and thus produces a sharper and more resonant sound. This fundamental difference in material leads to varying auditory experiences when typing; the Gateron Glory Yellow offers a muted and rounded sound, while the Outemu Black delivers a crisp, clear auditory feedback that accentuates keystrokes, especially useful for users who value the brilliance of sound when typing.

Both switches, however, share a commonality in their bottom housings, as both the Gateron Glory Yellow and the Outemu Black employ nylon in this component. This primary material leads to a profound and full sound characteristic when bottoming out, giving users a consistent feel regardless of the top housing used. This shared nylon element in the bottom housing means that both switches will likely provide similar bottom-out experiences, adding a degree of consistency in tactile feedback even though their top sound profiles diverge significantly.

Ultimately, the interplay between the different top housings and shared bottom materials in these switches leads to a nuanced typing experience. While the Gateron Glory Yellow emphasizes depth and warmth in sound due to its nylon top, the Outemu Black's polycarbonate top accentuates clarity and brightness. Users can therefore expect pronounced differences in auditory feedback when released from a keypress, but will enjoy a consistent tactile depth when bottoming out, thanks to the shared nylon bottom. This architectural distinction allows each switch to cater to different sound preferences while maintaining similar tactile satisfaction upon keypress completion.

Weight

When comparing the Gateron Glory Yellow linear switch and the Outemu Black linear switch, there are notable differences in actuation force, though the bottom out force for the Glory Yellow is unavailable. The Gateron Glory Yellow features a lighter actuation force of 50 grams, making it potentially more comfortable for extended typing sessions or gaming, as it requires less effort to register a keystroke. In contrast, the Outemu Black switch has a heavier actuation force of 65 grams, which may appeal to users who prefer a more substantial push feel when typing. The bottom out force for the Gateron Glory Yellow remains unknown, while the Outemu Black reaches a bottom out force of 82 grams, indicating it has a greater overall resistance when fully pressed down. This heavier bottoming out may provide a satisfying tactile response to users who enjoy a firmer feel. Therefore, the Gateron Glory Yellow can be considered the lighter option, while the Outemu Black is heavier, catering to different preferences in typing experience.

Travel distance

Both the Gateron Glory Yellow linear switch and the Outemu Black linear switch have an identical travel distance of 4 mm, which means that users will experience the same keypress depth when activating either switch. This similarity allows for comparable tactile feedback and response when typing or gaming, making them both suitable options for those who prefer a linear switch feel. Since both switches have the same travel distance, the performance, in terms of the key travel experience, will be virtually the same, thereby giving users a consistent experience across different key types.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to the sound profile, the Gateron Glory Yellow switches are known for their smooth and relatively quiet operation, making them a great choice for users who prefer a subtle typing atmosphere. The sound produced during actuation is pleasant, lacking any jangly noise, which adds to the overall comfort during extended typing sessions. On the other hand, the Outemu Black switches also offer a silent experience, but specific details regarding their sound characteristics are less documented. Generally, linear switches are quieter than tactile or clicky ones, so you can expect a similar muted sound output from both options, although individual experiences can vary based on the keyboard build and the type of keycaps used.

Regarding feel, the Gateron Glory Yellow switches excel with their smooth keystroke, providing a soulless typing experience that is satisfying for many users. They feature a medium weight that doesn't feel overly stiff, enhancing the actuation feedback without overwhelming your fingers. Comparatively, the Outemu Black switches are known to have a heavier actuation force, which may appeal to those who prefer a more substantial feeling underneath their fingers. While both are linear switches, the differences in weight can significantly impact how each feels during use, leading Glory Yellow users to enjoy a lighter touch, whereas Outemu Black users might appreciate the added resistance.

In summary, both the Gateron Glory Yellow and Outemu Black linear switches offer unique typing experiences defined by their sound and feel characteristics. While the Glory Yellow switch shines with a smooth, quieter keystroke and moderate actuation force, the Outemu Black provides a slightly heavier feel that may be more suitable for users seeking a robust typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these switches boils down to personal preference regarding weight and tactile feedback, but users can expect a generally silent operation from both.

Conclusion

To conclude, the choice between Gateron Glory Yellow and Outemu Black linear switches largely depends on your personal preferences and typing habits. If you favor a lighter keystroke with a smooth, responsive feel and enjoy a comfortable typing experience, the Gateron Glory Yellow is an excellent option, especially if you tend to type for long periods and appreciate a balance between speed and accuracy. You'll find that the Glory Yellow switches allow for faster typographical work due to their lighter actuation force and satisfying travel distance. On the other hand, if you prefer a heavier tactile experience and you enjoy the feeling of substantial feedback as you type, the Outemu Black, with its 82-gram bottom-out force, may be more suitable for you. These switches can be particularly appealing for gamers or heavy typists who want to minimize accidental key presses and prefer a firmer resistance. Ultimately, your decision should hinge on whether you prioritize a lighter, smoother feel for casual typing or a more robust and defined response that the Outemu Black provides for precision and control.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron Glory Yellow Linear

$4.50

$4.19 per 10

Learn more

Outemu Black Linear

$3.10 per 10

Learn more