Gateron Glory Yellow vs. Outemu Silent White
An in-depth look at the Gateron Glory Yellow and the Outemu Silent White switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When exploring mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Glory Yellow and the Outemu Silent White both offer distinct advantages, appealing to different types of users despite both being linear switches. The Gateron Glory Yellow is renowned for its smooth keystroke and satisfying travel distance, providing a more substantial feel that many typists and gamers appreciate for its deliberate feedback during extended use. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent White aims at noise reduction, making it an ideal choice for those who prioritize a quieter typing environment, such as in shared workspaces or during late-night gaming sessions. While the Gateron Glory Yellow's heavier feel may appeal to users who enjoy a tactile experience, the Silent White caters to individuals seeking stealth without sacrificing 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
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 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
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
15mm single-stage spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
When examining the housing materials of the Gateron Glory Yellow and the Outemu Silent White switches, a clear contrast emerges from their top housings. The Gateron Glory Yellow features a nylon top housing, which contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. This is due to nylon's softer composition, allowing it to absorb sound more effectively than harder plastics. Consequently, the result is a duller and rounder auditory experience, which can appeal to users who prefer a more muted typing sound. In stark contrast, the Outemu Silent White utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, renowned for its ability to produce a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate enhances the clarity and resonance of the keystrokes, making it ideal for those seeking a more pronounced acoustic response.
The bottom housings of both switches, however, share a resemblance, as both the Gateron Glory Yellow and the Outemu Silent White feature nylon. This commonality impacts the bottom-out sound and feel during use, wherein the deeper and fuller sound characteristics of nylon come into play. Both switches therefore benefit from the sound-dampening qualities of nylon, which aids in minimizing sharp impacts during keystrokes. This alignment in the bottom housing materials suggests that while users may experience different auditory sensations when pressing down on the keys, the final rate and feel during bottoming out remain consistent due to the shared use of nylon in both switches.
Ultimately, users may find that the sound signatures produced by the Gateron Glory Yellow and Outemu Silent White differ predominantly during release, due to their contrasting top housing materials. While the Glory Yellow will deliver a more tempered sound on key release, the Silent White will likely sound crisper and more resonant thanks to its polycarbonate composition. Nevertheless, when pressing the keys down, both switches utilize nylon in the bottom housing, leading to similar acoustic properties during this phase. Therefore, despite the differences in top housing materials, users can enjoy a comparable typing experience when it comes to the tactile feedback and sound profile produced at the point of actuation.
Weight
The Gateron Glory Yellow linear switch and the Outemu Silent White linear switch present an interesting contrast in their actuation and bottom-out forces, catering to different preferences among users. The Glory Yellow has an actuation force of 50 grams, while the Silent White's is slightly lighter at 45 grams. This suggests that the Silent White would be easier to press, making it potentially more suitable for long typing sessions or gaming, where reduced finger fatigue is a priority. However, the Glory Yellow's actuation force doesn't provide a clear bottom-out force, which limits our ability to fully compare that aspect with the Silent White's defined bottom-out force of 60 grams. Consequently, the Silent White could be considered the heavier switch due to its higher bottom-out force, offering a more substantial typing experience, while the Glory Yellow's actuation force indicates a preference for potentially lighter, yet unspecified, bottom-out feel. Thus, users seeking a lighter touch should lean towards the Outemu Silent White, whereas those preferring a more significant push sensation may find the Glory Yellow appealing, albeit with less certainty about its bottom-out force.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Gateron Glory Yellow linear switch and the Outemu Silent White linear switch, the differences are quite clear. The Glory Yellow has a travel distance of 4 mm, which is more traditional and offers a deeper key press that some users might find more satisfying. In contrast, the Silent White features a shorter travel distance of 3.3 mm, catering to those who prefer quicker response times, particularly beneficial for gamers seeking speed and efficiency. Therefore, while both switches provide unique experiences, the Glory Yellow is the longer option, making it ideal for users who appreciate a more pronounced key travel, whereas the Silent White suits those who favor a snappier feel. This distinction underscores the varying preferences among keyboard users based on their typing or gaming styles.
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 Silent White 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
The Gateron Glory Yellow linear switch presents a smooth keystroke that many users find satisfying, contributing to a relatively quiet typing experience. Although it has more resistance than the lighter switches, the sound profile is generally unobtrusive, making it suitable for a variety of environments. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent White linear switch is designed specifically to minimize noise, providing an even quieter performance. Its design prioritizes silence, which can be particularly beneficial in shared workspaces or during late-night typing sessions. As always, keep in mind that the overall sound can be influenced by external factors such as the keyboard case and keycap materials.
When it comes to feel, the Glory Yellow offers a smooth and enjoyable typing experience, with a pleasing travel distance that many typists appreciate. It’s designed to give feedback without being overly tactile, allowing for quick keystrokes. Conversely, details on the feel of the Silent White switch are less known, making it difficult to provide a direct comparison. However, it can be expected to possess its own unique characteristics that cater to those who prioritize silent operation in their typing experience.
In conclusion, while the Gateron Glory Yellow linear switch is characterized by its smooth travel and pleasant feel, the Outemu Silent White switch excels in minimizing noise and providing a tranquil typing environment. Users looking for a great typing experience will find satisfaction in the Glory Yellow’s qualities, whereas those in need of discretion might lean toward the Silent White, even if more specifics aren't readily available. Ultimately, both switches can deliver an enjoyable experience, albeit with different focal points.
Conclusion
To sum up, choosing between the Gateron Glory Yellow and the Outemu Silent White switches ultimately hinges on your personal preferences and intended use. If you prioritize a smooth keystroke with a satisfying travel distance for a more enjoyable typing experience—perhaps for gaming or extensive typing sessions—the Gateron Glory Yellow is an excellent option, thanks to its lightweight and effortless actuation. Additionally, if you value a quieter typing experience, you may lean towards the Silent White, especially in environments where noise may be a concern, as it features a bottom-out force that provides a cushioned and muted response. Therefore, consider your typing style, the sound level you desire, and whether you prefer a lighter or medium actuation force. Each switch has its own strengths, making them suitable for different tasks, whether it’s the smoothness and ease of the Glory Yellow or the muted feedback of the Silent White, allowing you to personalize your keyboard setup effectively.
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