HMX Gravel vs. Outemu Silent White

Overview

When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the HMX Gravel and the Outemu Silent White are two compelling options in the linear category, each catering to different typing preferences. The HMX Gravel switch is celebrated for its exceptional smoothness and refined typing feel, offering a medium-light actuation force that makes it responsive and effortless to type on, ideal for both casual users and gaming enthusiasts. In contrast, while the Outemu Silent White lacks a distinctive trademark, it is designed for those who seek a quieter typing experience without sacrificing performance, making it suitable for shared spaces or late-night typing sessions. Both switches provide a satisfying linear feel, yet they diverge in their user experiences, with the Gravel focusing on tactile smoothness and the Silent White prioritizing sound dampening. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the right switch for you.

By the numbers

HMX Gravel Linear

Outemu Silent White Linear

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

$3.10 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The HMX Gravel and Outemu Silent White switches both utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, which significantly influences the sound profile and aesthetic qualities of each switch. Polycarbonate is known for its rigidity and reflective properties, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound when a key is pressed. This characteristic can enhance the overall clarity and resonance of typing, making these switches appealing for users who prioritize auditory feedback. Furthermore, the translucency of polycarbonate allows RGB lighting to shine through, creating an attractive visual display, a feature both switch designs capitalize on, ensuring an appealing look regardless of which switch is used.

In contrast, both the Gravel and Silent White switches employ nylon for their bottom housing, which brings an entirely different auditory experience to the table. As a softer plastic, nylon absorbs sound more effectively, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to the crisper tones of the polycarbonate top. This duality ensures that when the key bottoms out, the user senses the softer impact characteristic of nylon, which dulls the sharper sounds typically experienced with rigid materials. Consequently, the overall acoustic experience is shaped by the interplay of these materials: the bottom housing, being more influential on the bottom-out sound and feel, balances the sound produced by the polycarbonate top.

Ultimately, while the HMX Gravel and Outemu Silent White switches use different materials in their housings, the combination of polycarbonate and nylon in both cases leads to a unique auditory and tactile experience for users. The polycarbonate top ensures an articulate sound while the nylon bottom introduces depth and warmth, making both switches capable of delivering an engaging user experience. When comparing the two, the results in terms of sound profiles and tactile feedback will be similar due to the shared materials in their respective housings, allowing users to achieve comparable performance whether they choose the Gravel or Silent White switches.

Weight

The HMX Gravel linear switch and the Outemu Silent White linear switch present a fascinating comparison in terms of actuation and bottom out forces. Both switches share the same actuation force of 45 grams, which means that for users who prefer lighter switches, both options will deliver a similar experience when it comes to typing or gaming. However, the bottom out forces differ notably; the Gravel features a bottom out force of 50 grams, making it lighter overall, while the Silent White has a bottom out force of 60 grams, categorizing it as medium. This discrepancy means that while users can achieve similar keystroke triggers with both switches, the Outemu Silent White offers a more substantial resistance when fully depressed, appealing to those who appreciate a firmer typing experience. Ultimately, the Gravel switch may be more suitable for extended use due to its lighter feel, whereas the Silent White might satisfy users looking for a heavier, more tactile feel.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the HMX Gravel linear switch and the Outemu Silent White linear switch, it is evident that they differ slightly, with the Gravel having a travel distance of 3.5 mm and the Silent White at 3.3 mm. This makes the Gravel the longer option, which may appeal to those who prefer a more pronounced key press, providing a deeper tactile experience. In contrast, the Silent White, with its shorter travel distance, may cater to gamers seeking quicker response times and a more instantaneous feel when typing or gaming. Thus, if you prioritize responsiveness, the Outemu Silent White might be the better choice, while the HMX Gravel could be more suitable for those who enjoy a more substantial depth with each keystroke.

Price comparison

Typing experience

The sound profile of the HMX Gravel switches is characterized by a smooth and muted timbre, which allows for a quieter typing experience compared to traditional mechanical switches. While specific sound characteristics of the Outemu Silent White linear switch are not detailed, linear switches generally produce minimal noise during actuation. This means that if you seek a more discreet typing environment, both the Gravel and the Silent White are likely to offer a similarly quiet operation, although the Gravel may provide a slightly more refined auditory experience due to its intentional design for a pleasant typing sound.

When it comes to feel, the HMX Gravel switches stand out for their exceptional smoothness and refined typing experience, offering a medium-light actuation force that contributes to a relatively effortless keypress. In contrast, the feel of the Outemu Silent White linear switch is not distinctly outlined, leaving some unknowns in this aspect. However, it’s reasonable to assume that, like other linear switches, the Silent White may provide a smooth keystroke with less tactile feedback compared to tactile or clicky switches. This implies that regardless of the specific feel of the Silent White, users may generally expect a smooth experience that complements the smoothness of the Gravel switches, leading to a similar typing enjoyment.

In conclusion, both the HMX Gravel and Outemu Silent White linear switches cater to users looking for a pleasant and quiet typing experience. With the Gravel delivering a particularly smooth feel and a refined sound profile while the Silent White likely offers a quieter operation with generally smooth keypresses, they both serve well in environments where noise reduction is important. Though the distinct qualities of the Silent White remain somewhat unknown, both switches will likely yield a satisfying linear experience, catering well to those who prefer gentle key actuation without excessive noise.

Conclusion

To conclude, when deciding between the HMX Gravel linear switch and the Outemu Silent White linear switch, consider your personal preferences and how you use your keyboard. If you prefer a lighter typing experience that feels exceptionally smooth and refined, the HMX Gravel is the ideal choice. Its 50 grams of bottom-out force allows for a responsive and effortless typing experience, making it suitable for long typing sessions or gaming where speed is essential. On the other hand, if you like a bit more resistance in your keystrokes, the Silent White with its 60 grams of bottom-out force may be more to your liking. This switch provides a firmer feel, which can enhance tactile feedback for some users and may be preferable if you engage in heavy typing or require precise key presses. Moreover, if noise levels are a concern—especially in shared environments—the Silent White is designed for quieter operation, making it a better option for office settings or late-night typing. Ultimately, your choice should reflect how you prioritize typing feel, weight, and sound, ensuring your keyboard experience aligns with your specific needs.

Mentioned in this article

HMX Gravel Linear

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

Learn more

Outemu Silent White Linear

$3.10 per 10

Learn more