Huano Grape Orange vs. Outemu Cream Blue

Overview

When choosing between the Huano Grape Orange and the Outemu Cream Blue keyboard switches, gamers and typists alike will find distinct advantages and features that cater to different preferences. The Grape Orange switch, celebrated for its ultra-light 40g actuation force, delivers a smooth and effortless typing experience, making it ideal for long typing sessions or gaming marathons where speed and comfort are paramount. In contrast, the Cream Blue switch offers a tactile, clicky feedback that many typists enjoy for its satisfying "click" with each keystroke, providing auditory and tactile cues that can enhance the typing experience for those who appreciate traditional mechanical feel. While the Grape Orange is perfect for users who prioritize a soft touch and lower fatigue during use, the Cream Blue appeals to those who find joy in the classic sound and feeling of each key press. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for your needs.

By the numbers

Huano Grape Orange Linear

Outemu Cream Blue Clicky

$3.00

$2.79 per 10

$3.10 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the Huano Grape Orange and the Outemu Cream Blue, it is evident that they take contrasting approaches with their top housings. The Grape Orange utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which engenders a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Polycarbonate, being a stiffer plastic, enhances the clarity and resonance of each keystroke, making it an excellent choice for those who prioritize a more defined audio feedback. In tandem with this material's translucency, the polycarbonate housing also allows for effective RGB lighting illumination, adding a visual dimension to the tactile experience. In contrast, the Cream Blue opts for a nylon top housing, renowned for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile. This material's softer composition means that it absorbs sound more effectively than stiffer options, resulting in a sound known to be rounder and less acute.

Interestingly, both the Huano Grape Orange and Outemu Cream Blue use nylon for their bottom housings. This consistency in material choice means that both switches offer a similar typing experience in terms of sound dampening and overall feel during key presses. The nylon bottom housing contributes to a duller and more mellow bottom-out sound, which can foster a more cushioned and comfortable typing experience for users. As a classic housing material, nylon is well-regarded for its ability to absorb sound, making it advantageous for users seeking a quieter keystroke in both switch types. Therefore, while some distinctions are present in the top housing, the shared nylon bottom housing assures a familiar tactile response.

Ultimately, the combination of different top housing materials in the Grape Orange and Cream Blue results in unique sound profiles while maintaining a similar sound absorption quality from their nylon bottom housings. The Grape Orange's polycarbonate top offers a crisper sound during key release, contrasting with the Cream Blue’s softer nylon sound that integrates with the deeper tones emerging from both switches' nylon bottoms during the press. This differentiation illustrates how the top and bottom housings each contribute to the overall auditory experience, allowing users to select a switch that aligns more closely with their desired tactile feedback, while still providing the plushness and sound dampening characteristics of nylon in the base.

Weight

The Huano Grape Orange linear switch and the Outemu Cream Blue clicky switch offer distinct experiences when it comes to actuation and bottom out forces. The Grape Orange features a light actuation force of 40 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, making it well-suited for users looking for a switch that allows for extended typing sessions without feeling fatigued. In contrast, the Cream Blue has a heavier actuation force of 50 grams and an even more pronounced bottom out force of 65 grams, which may appeal to those who prefer a more substantial typing feel. Consequently, the Huano Grape Orange is the lighter option, while the Outemu Cream Blue is the heavier one. Furthermore, the difference in actuation forces indicates that users can expect a more effortless keystroke with the Grape Orange compared to the Cream Blue, which requires a firmer push to activate.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distance of the Huano Grape Orange linear switch and the Outemu Cream Blue clicky switch, it is clear that the Grape Orange has a shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Cream Blue features a longer travel distance of 4 mm. This difference can affect the tactile experience significantly; the Grape Orange's shorter distance may provide a quicker response, appealing to gamers seeking rapid actuation for competitive play. In contrast, the Cream Blue, with its traditional 4 mm travel, may deliver a more substantial depth that some users find satisfying, particularly for typing. Thus, if you lean towards a more responsive feel, the Grape Orange is the better option, whereas the Cream Blue may be preferable for those who value a deeper key press.

Price comparison

Typing experience

The sound profile of the Huano Grape Orange linear switch is notably subdued and quiet, making it an excellent choice for environments where typing noise may be disruptive. In contrast, the Outemu Cream Blue clicky switch produces a pronounced “click” sound at the actuation point, providing audible feedback that many typists find satisfying. The difference in sound characteristics illustrates the Grape Orange's stealthy nature versus the Cream Blue’s more assertive auditory presence, appealing to different preferences for keyboard noise.

When it comes to feel, the Grape Orange excels with its ultra-light actuation force of just 40g, allowing for an incredibly smooth and effortless typing experience. This light touch can cater well to long typing sessions without causing fatigue. On the other hand, the Cream Blue’s clicky mechanism offers a tactile bump at the actuation point, providing users with a clear feedback sensation that many find satisfying. This tactile response can enhance typing accuracy and can evoke a nostalgic feel for those accustomed to traditional typewriters, making each keystroke feel more deliberate.

In summary, while both switches cater to different preferences, the Huano Grape Orange linear switch favors a quieter, lighter typing experience ideal for extended use, whereas the Outemu Cream Blue clicky switch brings a vibrant sound and tactile feedback that can enhance the typing experience for those who enjoy a more traditional feel. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on whether one prioritizes a subdued typing environment or a more tactile, auditory response during use.

Conclusion

To conclude, when deciding between the Huano Grape Orange linear switch and the Outemu Cream Blue clicky switch, your personal preferences and typing needs should guide your choice. If you prioritize a light and smooth typing experience, especially for long hours of use, the Grape Orange is an excellent option due to its low actuation force of just 40 grams. This makes it particularly suited for tasks that require extensive typing without fatigue. On the other hand, if you enjoy the tactile feedback and audible click associated with clicky switches, the Cream Blue's medium-heavy 65 grams bottom-out force will cater to that desire. The satisfying sound and distinct feel of the Cream Blue can enhance your typing experience if you like a pronounced response with every keystroke. Ultimately, your decision will hinge on whether you seek a quieter and lighter switch for comfort or a more responsive and auditory feedback for a more engaging typing experience.

Mentioned in this article

Huano Grape Orange Linear

$3.00

$2.79 per 10

Learn more

Outemu Cream Blue Clicky

$3.10 per 10

Learn more