HMX Gravel vs. Outemu Silent Yellow
An in-depth look at the HMX Gravel and the Outemu Silent Yellow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboards, the choice of switches can greatly impact your typing experience, and two popular options worth considering are the HMX Gravel and the Outemu Silent Yellow, both of which are linear switches. The HMX Gravel is celebrated for its exceptional smoothness and refined typing feel, offering a medium-light actuation force that allows for a responsive and effortless experience, making it an ideal choice for fast typists and gamers alike who appreciate a smooth keystroke. On the other hand, while the Outemu Silent Yellow lacks a specific notable reputation, it is designed for those who prefer a quieter typing experience, which can be especially beneficial in shared workspaces or during late-night gaming sessions. Both switches have their unique advantages, with the Gravel providing tactile responsiveness and the Silent Yellow emphasizing noise reduction. 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
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
pom
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
22mm single-stage spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The HMX Gravel and the Outemu Silent Yellow share notable similarities in their housing materials, both utilizing polycarbonate for the top housing and nylon for the bottom. The polycarbonate top housing contributes to a sharper and crisper sound profile, resulting in clearer and more resonant acoustics. This is particularly beneficial for users who prioritize RGB lighting in their keyboards, as the translucency of polycarbonate allows light to shine through effectively, enhancing the overall aesthetic experience. Since both switches incorporate polycarbonate for their tops, users can expect a similar auditory experience regarding the sound produced during key release, marked by high-pitched and crisp notes.
In contrast, the nylon bottom housing of both switches plays a crucial role in shaping the sound profile during key presses. Given that nylon is a softer plastic, it absorbs sound more effectively than sturdier materials, which creates a deeper and fuller sound when keys are bottomed out. As a result, while the top housings of the Gravel and the Silent Yellow can produce similar light and resonant sounds, the bottom housings contribute distinctively to the overall experience by dampening harsher sounds and rounding out the acoustic profile. This duality allows for a delicate balance in both key presses and releases, providing users with a comprehensive auditory experience.
Overall, the combination of a polycarbonate top housing and nylon bottom housing in both the HMX Gravel and the Outemu Silent Yellow creates an engaging dynamics of sound. While they share materials that lead to similar crisp and clear sounds during key releases, the nylon bottom housing ensures that each switch offers a unique yet balanced auditory profile when pressed. This thoughtful integration of materials allows users to enjoy distinctive characteristics in how each switch feels and sounds, while still maintaining commonalities in their appeal, especially for those invested in both performance and aesthetic aspects of their keyboards.
Weight
The HMX Gravel and Outemu Silent Yellow linear switches offer different tactile experiences when typing or gaming, particularly in terms of their bottom out forces. Both switches share the same actuation force of 45 grams, which means that users will experience a similar effort to trigger a keystroke with either switch. However, the bottom out force of the Gravel is 50 grams, making it lighter compared to the Silent Yellow's 60 grams. This distinction means that while both switches require the same initial force to actuate, the Silent Yellow provides a heavier feel upon bottoming out. For users who prefer a lighter key press for longer typing sessions or gaming marathons, the Gravel may be the better choice. Conversely, those who seek a more substantial and firmer typing experience might favor the heavier bottom out force of the Silent Yellow.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the HMX Gravel linear switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch, it's clear that they have different characteristics suited for varying user preferences. The HMX Gravel has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Outemu Silent Yellow features a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm. This means that the Gravel switch offers a shorter travel distance, which can enable quicker key presses and potentially faster response times, making it a popular choice among gamers. On the other hand, the Silent Yellow switch, with its longer 4 mm travel distance, may provide a more satisfying tactile experience for users who prefer a deeper keypress. Ultimately, if you favor responsiveness in your typing or gaming, the HMX Gravel will likely serve you well, whereas those who appreciate a more substantial feel might lean towards the Outemu Silent Yellow.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Gravel has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Gravel for $2.99.
The Outemu Silent Yellow 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 HMX Gravel linear switch is renowned for its exceptional smoothness, providing a quiet yet satisfying typing experience that mechanical keyboard enthusiasts often seek. The sound profile of the Gravel switch is characterized by a muted, subtle thock sound when bottomed out, which maintains a calm typing environment. Conversely, the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch is designed to minimize noise, making it exceedingly quiet and suitable for environments where sound is a concern. While the Gravel may produce a gentle noise, the Silent Yellow aims to be nearly inaudible during use. However, it's important to note that the perceived sound of a switch can vary significantly based on the specific keyboard build, including factors like the material of the case and the type of keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the HMX Gravel switches excel with their medium-light actuation force that creates a responsive and effortless typing experience. This results in a smooth and refined tactile sensation that is very enjoyable, allowing for prolonged typing without fatigue. On the other hand, while the feel of the Silent Yellow switch is not explicitly detailed, it is expected to provide a similar smooth linear action, as it is also a linear switch designed for a fluid typing experience. However, the exact characteristics of the Silent Yellow's actuation force and travel might differ from the Gravel, which would impact the overall typing feel.
In conclusion, both the HMX Gravel and Outemu Silent Yellow linear switches cater to users looking for smooth and quiet typing experiences, though they approach sound and tactile feedback in different ways. The Gravel offers a touch of auditory feedback with its soft sound profile, while the Silent Yellow emphasizes silence and stealth in use. For newcomers considering these switches, both options can provide satisfying experiences, but the choice between them may come down to personal preference for sound and the specific typing environment they find themselves in. Ultimately, both switches are designed to deliver smoothness and ease of use, whether one values a slight auditory experience or requires complete silence.
Conclusion
To sum up, choosing between the HMX Gravel linear switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch largely depends on your preferences for feel, actuation force, and sound. If you seek an exceptionally smooth and refined typing experience that enhances your overall comfort, the HMX Gravel is the ideal choice with its light 50-gram bottom-out force, allowing for responsive and effortless key presses. This makes it perfect for long typing sessions or gaming where you want to minimize fatigue and enjoy a silky feel with each stroke. Alternatively, if you prefer a more substantial feel and a bit more resistance with a 60-gram bottom-out force, the Outemu Silent Yellow could be your go-to switch. This switch is suitable for those who value a more tactile presence in their typing, providing a firm feedback that can improve accuracy and precision, particularly during intense gaming sessions. Furthermore, if sound levels are a consideration, the HMX Gravel delivers a quieter typing experience, while the specifics on the sound profile of the Silent Yellow remain undefined, potentially making it louder in comparison. Ultimately, select the Gravel for a smooth, lightweight touch or the Silent Yellow for a firmer, medium-actuation experience according to what best fits your typing style and environment.
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