Gateron Glory Yellow vs. Outemu Silent Grey

Overview

When choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, enthusiasts often weigh the benefits of linear versus tactile options, and two notable contenders in this arena are the Gateron Glory Yellow and the Outemu Silent Grey. The Glory Yellow switch is recognized for its smooth keystroke and satisfying travel distance, making it an excellent choice for users who prioritize speed and fluidity in their typing experience, particularly in fast-paced gaming scenarios. In contrast, the Outemu Silent Grey switch caters to users looking for a more tactile typing experience with a pronounced bump, allowing for a satisfying feedback that many typists appreciate, all while maintaining a quieter operation ideal for shared spaces. Each switch offers distinct advantages: the Glory Yellow excels in effortless key presses, while the Silent Grey combines tactile feedback with discretion for a muted environment. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the right switch for you.

By the numbers

Gateron Glory Yellow Linear

Outemu Silent Grey Tactile

$4.50

$4.19 per 10

$3.10 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The Gateron Glory Yellow and Outemu Silent Grey switches utilize different materials for their top housings, which significantly influences the sound profiles produced when typing. The Glory Yellow features a nylon top housing, regarded for creating a deeper and fuller sound. This is due to nylon's softer plastic composition, which absorbs sound waves, resulting in a rounder acoustic experience. In contrast, the Silent Grey uses polycarbonate material for its top housing, known for generating a sharper and higher-pitched sound profile. Its rigidity allows for clearer resonation, presenting a brighter auditory feedback. As a result, the two switches evoke distinctly different sensory experiences when typing, with the Glory Yellow embracing a warm, muted sound and the Silent Grey offering a crisp, brighter acoustic signature.

In terms of their bottom housings, both the Glory Yellow and Silent Grey switches utilize nylon, which leads to similarities in their bottom-out sound and feel. This consistency in material means that regardless of the differences in the top housing, users will experience the familiar, deep, and rounded sound that nylon typically provides. Since the bottom housing significantly influences the sensation when keypresses are completed, both switches offer a consistent tactile feedback in this aspect. Therefore, while the top housings create varied acoustic experiences, the nylon bottom housing ensures that both switches yield a comparable feel and sound when bottomed out.

Overall, the distinctiveness of the two switches primarily lies in the materials used for their top housings. The Gateron Glory Yellow's nylon top imparts a deeper sound, contrasting sharply with the Outemu Silent Grey's polycarbonate counterpart, which contributes to a brighter tone. However, the shared nylon material in their bottom housings introduces a cohesive experience in the tactile and auditory sensations when the keys are pressed down. Consequently, for enthusiasts seeking varied acoustic profiles during typing, both switches can deliver enjoyable results while maintaining a consistent feel thanks to their nylon bottoms.

Weight

The Gateron Glory Yellow linear switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch exhibit similarities and differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. Both switches have the same actuation force of 50 grams, making them feel equally responsive when typing or gaming, which is beneficial for users seeking a lighter touch in their keyboards. However, the contrast arises in their bottom out forces: the Silent Grey has a specified bottom out force of 65 grams, which is considered medium-heavy, while the bottom out force for the Glory Yellow is unknown. This means that while both switches require the same force to register a keypress, the Silent Grey will feel heavier as it bottoms out, providing a more substantial tactile experience. For users who prioritize a lighter feel for extended typing sessions or gaming marathons, the Gateron Glory Yellow might be the preferred choice, whereas those favoring a stronger push sensation might lean toward the Outemu Silent Grey.

Travel distance

Both the Gateron Glory Yellow linear switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch have a travel distance of 4 mm, indicating that they require the same amount of keypress movement from the top to the bottom. This equivalent travel distance results in a similar feel when pressing the keys, providing a consistent typing experience across both switch types. Therefore, users can expect comparable performance in terms of key engagement and actuation between these two switches, making them suitable for those who prioritize consistent key travel in their typing or gaming setups.

Price comparison

Typing experience

The Gateron Glory Yellow linear switch delivers a smooth and consistent sound profile that allows for a clean typing experience, making it suitable for both gaming and typing without any noticeable acoustic feedback. This contrasts with the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch, which is designed to be muted yet offers a satisfying tactile response. The sound generated by the Silent Grey can be characterized as muted and thocky, providing a deep, rich tone that is more bass-heavy compared to the higher-pitched sounds typically produced by standard linear switches. While the Glory Yellow maintains a quieter profile, the Silent Grey excels in minimizing noise, making it perfect for quieter environments.

In terms of feel, the Glory Yellow's linear action creates an uninterrupted keystroke that many users find enjoyable, making it a popular choice for those who prefer a more fluid typing experience. Conversely, the Silent Grey features a sharp tactile bump, delivering precise feedback with each keystroke. This pronounced tactile bump can heighten the typing experience for those who appreciate distinct tactile sensations, providing a crisp response that accentuates each key press. While both switches offer delightful experiences in their own right, they cater to different preferences: the fluidity of the Glory Yellow versus the tactile feedback of the Silent Grey.

In conclusion, while the Gateron Glory Yellow and Outemu Silent Grey switches differ significantly in their sound and feel characteristics, both can yield satisfying results depending on the user's preferences. The Glory Yellow is best for those who seek a smooth and quiet experience, while the Silent Grey is perfect for enthusiasts looking for pronounced tactile feedback with minimal noise. Ultimately, your choice will depend on whether you prioritize smoothness or tactile feedback in your mechanical keyboard experience.

Conclusion

To conclude, when choosing between the Gateron Glory Yellow linear switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch, your preferences and needs will heavily influence your decision. If you prioritize a smooth keystroke and enjoy a lightweight, responsive feel, the Glory Yellow is likely your best bet. Its design promotes an enjoyable typing experience, ideal for gamers or typists who appreciate speed and fluidity without the distraction of sound. On the other hand, if you value a more pronounced tactile feedback along with a quieter operation, the Outemu Silent Grey is the switch for you. Its medium-heavy bottom out force and sharp tactile response make it perfect for those who want a satisfying typing experience while minimizing noise—a great choice for office environments or late-night work sessions. Ultimately, your choice should reflect your typing style and the environment in which you plan to use your mechanical keyboard.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron Glory Yellow Linear

$4.50

$4.19 per 10

Learn more

Outemu Silent Grey Tactile

$3.10 per 10

Learn more