Gateron Glory Yellow vs. Outemu Silent Yellow

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Glory Yellow and Outemu Silent Yellow present two intriguing options for enthusiasts seeking linear feedback in their typing experience. The Gateron Glory Yellow is renowned for its smooth keystroke and satisfying travel distance, making it an excellent choice for users who prioritize an enjoyable typing experience. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Yellow caters to those who prefer a quieter operation, making it ideal for office environments or shared spaces where noise can be a concern. While both switches offer linear actuation for seamless key presses, their distinct characteristics—like the Glory Yellow's heavier feel versus the Silent Yellow's muted performance—highlight their different focal points. 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 Yellow Linear

$4.50

$4.19 per 10

$3.10 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The Gateron Glory Yellow and the Outemu Silent Yellow exhibit significant differences in their top housing materials, which greatly influence the overall typing experience and sound profile of each switch. The Glory Yellow utilizes a nylon top housing, characterized by its softer plastic composition. This leads to a deeper and fuller sound profile, as nylon absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder acoustic quality. In contrast, the Silent Yellow features a polycarbonate top housing, known for its stiffer nature, which translates to a higher-pitched and crisper sound profile. Polycarbonate's rigidity allows for a clearer and more resonant output, making it particularly favorable for users intending to utilize RGB lighting, as its translucency enhances visual effects.

Despite their differences in top housing materials, both the Glory Yellow and Silent Yellow share a commonality in their bottom housings, which are both made from nylon. This results in a harmonious sound experience as both switches offer a deeper and fuller bottom-out sound due to the sound-absorbing properties of nylon. The performance characteristics attributed to the bottom housing remain consistent across both switches, providing a muted and rounded acoustic quality when the key is fully pressed down. Thus, while the top housing distinctly influences the release sound, the shared nylon material in the bottom housing ensures that both switches deliver a satisfying tactile experience.

When considering the combined effects of the top and bottom housings, each switch can offer a balanced sound profile that blends the properties of both materials. In the case of the Glory Yellow, the nylon top emphasizes a warmer acoustics, while the nylon bottom reinforces that depth. Conversely, the Silent Yellow’s polycarbonate top adds brightness and clarity, harmonizing well with the nylon bottom's depth. This interplay showcases how even with varied materials in the top housing, the overall experience remains cohesive, ultimately offering users a unique yet familiar sound and tactile feedback, regardless of the specific switch they choose.

Weight

When comparing the Gateron Glory Yellow and the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switches, notable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces emerge. The Gateron Glory Yellow features an actuation force of 50 grams, making it somewhat heavier compared to the Outemu Silent Yellow, which has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams. This difference may appeal to users who prefer a lighter typing experience, especially during extended use, as it requires less effort to actuate each keystroke. However, the Gateron Glory Yellow does not have a specified bottom out force, leaving that information unknown. In contrast, the Outemu Silent Yellow has a bottom out force of 60 grams, indicating a firmer resistance when fully pressing down on the key. This heavier bottom out force can offer a more substantial typing feel, which some users may prefer for a satisfying tactile feedback. Overall, users looking for a lighter switch with less effort to actuate should opt for the Outemu Silent Yellow, while those who favor a heavier, more resistive feel may find the Gateron Glory Yellow more appealing, though the lack of a defined bottom out force limits that switch's comparability.

Travel distance

The Gateron Glory Yellow linear switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch both feature an identical travel distance of 4 mm, meaning that you will experience the same key press depth with each switch. This similarity in travel distance ensures that whether you choose the Glory Yellow or the Silent Yellow, you'll achieve comparable results in terms of the feel and responsiveness when pressing the keys. Hence, if you are looking for a smooth linear switch experience, both options will provide the same 4 mm travel distance, making them equally suitable for users who prefer a consistent key actuation depth.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Gateron Glory Yellow switch offers a notably smooth and muted acoustic profile, ideal for those seeking a quieter typing experience. While specific sound characteristics for the Outemu Silent Yellow are not detailed, its name suggests a design focused on minimizing sound, potentially making it equally suitable for quiet environments. However, keep in mind that the overall sound produced by either switch can still greatly depend on the keyboard construction, keycap materials, and any dampening features of the board.

In terms of feel, the Gateron Glory Yellow is celebrated for its satisfying and smooth keystroke, providing a pleasant travel distance that enhances the typing experience. The feel of the Silent Yellow switch is unspecified, making it difficult to draw direct comparisons. However, as both are linear switches, one might expect them to offer a smooth, uninterrupted keystroke, catering to those who enjoy fluid typing without tactile bumps or clicks.

In conclusion, both the Gateron Glory Yellow and Outemu Silent Yellow linear switches show promise in their respective qualities. While the Glory Yellow excels in providing a smooth and enjoyable typing experience, the Silent Yellow aims for sound dampening, which may cater to users in quieter settings. If you're looking for a reliable linear feel, choosing either switch will likely yield a satisfying experience, although the additional factors of sound and overall experience will hinge on your specific keyboard setup.

Conclusion

To conclude, choosing between the Gateron Glory Yellow linear switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch ultimately comes down to your individual preferences and specific use cases. If you appreciate a smooth keystroke and are looking for an enjoyable typing experience with a satisfying travel distance, you may find the Gateron Glory Yellow to be your ideal choice, particularly if you prefer a switch that feels more fluid and responsive. On the other hand, if you value a moderate bottom-out force of 60 grams and prefer a quieter typing experience that minimizes sound during use, the Outemu Silent Yellow would likely suit you better. Its medium resistance can offer a satisfying tactile feedback while reducing noise levels, making it a great option for office environments or shared spaces. In summary, weigh these factors carefully based on your environment and typing style to make the best decision for your mechanical keyboard experience.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron Glory Yellow Linear

$4.50

$4.19 per 10

Learn more

Outemu Silent Yellow Linear

$3.10 per 10

Learn more