Invyr Holy Panda vs. Outemu Red Panda
An in-depth look at the Invyr Holy Panda and the Outemu Red Panda switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Invyr Holy Panda and the Outemu Red Panda stand out as top choices for tactile switch enthusiasts. The Holy Panda is renowned for its sharp tactility, providing a satisfyingly bright "clack" with each keystroke. On the other hand, the Red Panda offers a light-medium amount of tactility with a distinctive raindrop-like bottom-out sound and clackier top-out sound. Both switches have their own unique characteristics that cater to different preferences - the Holy Panda being more accented and sharp, while the Red Panda leans towards a thocky and mild feel. 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
N/A
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
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
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The main difference between the housing materials of the Invyr Holy Panda and the Outemu Red Panda is in the bottom housing material. The Holy Panda features a bottom housing made of nylon, which creates a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the softer nature of nylon that absorbs more sound. On the other hand, the Red Panda also uses nylon for its bottom housing, resulting in a similar typing experience with a deeper and fuller sound profile. This similarity in bottom housing material ensures that both switches offer a satisfying typing experience with a focus on sound quality.
However, the top housing material of both switches sets them apart. The Holy Panda utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its stiffer nature. This material choice also makes the switch ideal for use with RGB lighting due to its translucency. In contrast, the Red Panda also uses polycarbonate for its top housing, resulting in a similar sound profile with a sharp and resonant quality. Both switches offer a unique sound profile thanks to their respective top housing materials, with the polycarbonate providing a distinct auditory experience for users.
Overall, the combination of nylon bottom housing and polycarbonate top housing in the Invyr Holy Panda results in a switch with a balanced sound profile that offers both depth and clarity. On the other hand, the Outemu Red Panda's use of nylon for the bottom housing and polycarbonate for the top housing creates a similarly balanced sound profile with a focus on sharpness and resonance. Whether you choose the Holy Panda or the Red Panda, you can expect a satisfying typing experience with a unique sound profile that caters to different preferences in sound quality. Both switches offer a high level of customization and performance, making them popular choices among keyboard enthusiasts.
Weight
When comparing the Invyr Holy Panda tactile switch and the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch, it is evident that the actuation and bottom out forces play a significant role in determining the typing experience. The Holy Panda has an actuation force of None grams, making it lighter in terms of force required to trigger a keystroke compared to the Red Panda, which has an actuation force of 50 grams. On the other hand, the Holy Panda has a bottom out force of 67 grams, which is heavier than the Red Panda's 60 grams. This makes the Holy Panda a medium-heavy switch while the Red Panda falls into the medium category. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience for longer periods of time, the Red Panda may be the better choice. However, for users who enjoy a more substantial push feel, the Holy Panda would be the ideal option. In both cases, users can expect a tactile typing experience, but the difference in actuation and bottom out forces will result in slightly varied feelings when typing.
Travel distance
The Invyr Holy Panda tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm. The Holy Panda offers a slightly longer travel distance, which can provide a more satisfying keypress for those who prefer a deeper feel. On the other hand, the Red Panda's shorter travel distance may appeal to gamers looking for quicker response times. Both switches offer a balance between depth and speed, so you can expect similar results in terms of actuation speed and typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference for travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Invyr Holy Panda has an MSRP of $12.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Holy Panda for $7.17.
The Outemu Red Panda comes in at $3.40 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
When it comes to sound, the Holy Panda offers a satisfyingly bright "clack" with each keystroke, producing a unique and distinct auditory experience. On the other hand, the Red Panda is known for its bassier, raindrop-like bottom-out sound and a clackier, higher-pitched top-out sound, providing a different sound profile that may appeal to those looking for a deeper, thocky sound.
In terms of feel, the Holy Panda is described as having an accented, invigorating, sharp, and snappy tactile sensation, creating an immersive typing experience with pronounced feedback and a snappy, reactive feel. In contrast, the Red Panda offers a milder tactile experience, making it approachable to most users with a more gentle typing sensation.
Overall, the Holy Panda and the Red Panda offer distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. If you prefer a sharper tactile bump and a brighter clack sound, the Holy Panda may be the switch for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a gentler tactile experience with a bassier sound profile, the Red Panda could be your ideal choice. Both switches have their unique characteristics that cater to different preferences, so ultimately, the best choice depends on your personal preferences in sound and feel.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Invyr Holy Panda and the Outemu Red Panda tactile switches, you should consider your preference for bottom out force, tactility, sound, and feel. If you prefer a slightly heavier bottom out force and a more pronounced tactile feedback with a sharp clack sound, the Holy Panda would be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force and a more mellow tactility with a thocky sound, the Red Panda would be more suitable for your typing preferences. Ultimately, both switches offer unique typing experiences, so it all comes down to personal preference in terms of switch characteristics.
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