Gateron Glory Yellow vs. Outemu Brown
An in-depth look at the Gateron Glory Yellow and the Outemu Brown switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Glory Yellow and the Outemu Brown offer distinct experiences tailored to different user preferences. The Glory Yellow, known for its smooth and linear keystroke, provides a satisfying, uninterrupted typing experience with a heavier feel, making it ideal for gamers and those who enjoy fast-paced typing without the tactile feedback. In contrast, the Outemu Brown boasts a tactile bump that signals a key press without the audible click, facilitating a more deliberate typing style that many typists and programmers appreciate for its feedback and control. While the Glory Yellow excels in delivering speed and fluidity, the Outemu Brown caters to those who value tactile sensations in their typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
53g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.20 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
15mm single-stage spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The comparison of the housing materials for the Gateron Glory Yellow and the Outemu Brown highlights their differences in sound profile and tactile experience. The Glory Yellow features a nylon top housing, which is noted for its ability to create a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the material's softer plastic nature. This characteristic allows nylon to absorb sound more effectively, rendering the auditory feedback when typing less sharp and more rounded. In contrast, the Outemu Brown utilizes a polycarbonate top housing that produces a higher-pitched and crisper sound profile. Due to polycarbonate's greater stiffness, it contributes to a clearer and more resonant auditory experience, making it a popular choice, especially when RGB lighting is employed. Consequently, the top housing material significantly influences the overall sound experience unique to each switch.
On the other hand, both switches share a nylon bottom housing, which is essential in shaping the typing experience. Like the Glory Yellow, the Outemu Brown's nylon bottom housing provides a deeper and fuller sound profile, stemming from nylon's softer plastic composition. This means that regardless of the top housing differences, when a user presses down on either switch, they will experience the muted characteristics of the nylon material in the bottom housing. The warm acoustic quality of the nylon here contributes to a more cohesive typing experience for both switches despite their contrasting top materials.
Ultimately, the distinct sound profiles of the Gateron Glory Yellow and the Outemu Brown are primarily influenced by their top housings, while the shared nylon bottom housing ensures a consistent experience in terms of bottom-out feel and sound. As a result, users who prioritize a softer, deeper sound will appreciate the Glory Yellow's combination of nylon top and bottom housing, while individuals who prefer a bright and clear sound will gravitate towards the Outemu Brown due to its polycarbonate top. Regardless of personal preference, both switches present a unique synthesis of materials that create varied auditory and tactile experiences, influenced by the interplay between their respective top and bottom housings.
Weight
When comparing the Gateron Glory Yellow linear switch to the Outemu Brown tactile switch, notable differences emerge in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Glory Yellow has an actuation force of 50 grams, which is lighter than the Outemu Brown’s actuation force of 53 grams. This means that users of the Glory Yellow can enjoy a less strenuous typing experience, making it suitable for extended use during long work hours or gaming sessions. However, the bottom out force of the Glory Yellow is unavailable, while the Brown switch features a bottom out force of 65 grams, classified as medium-heavy. This indicates that when fully pressed down, the Brown provides a heavier feel compared to the Glory Yellow, which may offer less resistance when reaching the bottom of the keypress. Ultimately, the Outemu Brown is the heavier switch overall, making it more suitable for users who prefer a more substantial typing experience, whereas the Gateron Glory Yellow may be favored by those seeking a lighter, less fatiguing option.
Travel distance
The Gateron Glory Yellow linear switch and the Outemu Brown tactile switch both share an identical travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when pressing down on either switch, users will experience the same amount of movement from the top to the bottom, resulting in similar tactile feedback during use. Consequently, both switches will provide an equivalent typing experience in terms of the distance traveled, allowing for consistency across user interactions with keys equipped with either switch.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Glory Yellow has an MSRP of $4.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Glory Yellow for $4.19.
The Outemu Brown 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
When it comes to sound, the Gateron Glory Yellow switch produces a linear and smooth keystroke, which means that it's relatively quiet during operation, making it a suitable option for environments where noise levels need to be kept to a minimum. On the other hand, the Outemu Brown tactile switch is also designed to be fairly quiet, but it has a distinct tactile bump that can produce a subtle but noticeable sound at the actuation point. The overall noise level of both switches will also vary based on the keyboard's build quality, the material of the keycaps, and the type of board used, but generally, users can expect the Glory Yellow to be slightly quieter, while the Brown offers a satisfying tactile feedback with a unique auditory element.
In terms of feel, the Glory Yellow switch offers a smooth experience throughout the entire keystroke, characterized by its linear design, which eliminates any interruptions during typing. This makes it ideal for gamers and typists who prefer uninterrupted key presses. Conversely, the Outemu Brown features a tactile bump at the actuation point, providing a deliberate feedback sensation that many find useful for touch typing, as it helps to signal when a key has been registered. The tactile feel adds a layer of satisfaction for users who enjoy that physical indication during their typing experience.
In concluding, both the Gateron Glory Yellow and the Outemu Brown switches have their own unique qualities. The Glory Yellow is favored for its smooth, linear action and quieter operation, making it ideal for gamers and users who prefer seamless keystrokes. The Outemu Brown, with its tactile feedback and slightly louder character, caters to those who appreciate a more pronounced typing experience. Depending on personal preference, either switch can deliver a satisfying experience, but they each provide distinct sensations that cater to different types of users.
Conclusion
To conclude, when choosing between the Gateron Glory Yellow and the Outemu Brown switches, it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and typing needs. If you favor a smooth and linear typing experience with a satisfying travel distance, the Gateron Glory Yellow is an excellent choice. This switch is ideal for those who primarily engage in fast-paced gaming or prefer a quieter typing environment, as it lacks tactile feedback and minimizes noise. On the other hand, if you appreciate tactile feedback that provides a slight bump during each keystroke, the Outemu Brown switch may suit you better. This switch is more suitable for typing tasks where you want to feel each key press without the clicky noise, striking a balance between auditory feedback and a moderate resistance that can be beneficial for long typing sessions. Therefore, your decision should hinge on whether you prioritize smoothness and speed or tactile feel and feedback.