HMX Jammy vs. Outemu Silent Grey
An in-depth look at the HMX Jammy and the Outemu Silent Grey switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the HMX Jammy and the Outemu Silent Grey present intriguing options to consider. The HMX Jammy, a linear switch, is renowned for its softer nylon housings and medium weight, providing a typing experience that is both muted and deeply satisfying. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Grey, a tactile switch, offers a quiet and highly tactile typing experience with a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke. While the Jammy may appeal to those seeking a softer typing feel, the Silent Grey is ideal for individuals looking for a satisfying yet silent experience. 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
57g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
63g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
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-staged spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The HMX Jammy and the Outemu Silent Grey both showcase different housing materials in their design, with the former featuring a nylon top housing and bottom housing, while the latter utilizes a polycarbonate top housing and a nylon bottom housing. The use of nylon in the Jammy results in a deeper and fuller sound profile, thanks to its softer nature that absorbs more sound. In contrast, the polycarbonate top housing of the Silent Grey creates a sharper and crisper sound profile, with its stiffer plastic leading to a clear and resonant sound. Aesthetically, the polycarbonate top housing is translucent, making it ideal for switches with RGB lighting, while the nylon bottom housing of both switches contributes to a duller and rounder sound.
While the HMX Jammy and Outemu Silent Grey share a nylon bottom housing, their differences lie in the top housing material. The Silent Grey's use of a nylon bottom housing may result in a deeper and fuller sound profile, similar to the Jammy, due to nylon's sound-absorbing properties. However, the distinctive feature of the Silent Grey lies in its polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper and higher-pitched sound compared to the Jammy's softer sound profile. The split qualities between the top and bottom housing materials of each switch impact the overall sound and feel of typing on them, with the bottom housing affecting the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing plays a significant role in the sound upon key release.
In summary, the HMX Jammy and Outemu Silent Grey offer contrasting sound profiles due to their different housing materials. The nylon top housing of the Jammy provides a deeper and fuller sound, whereas the polycarbonate top housing of the Silent Grey delivers a sharper and crisper sound. Both switches utilize nylon in their bottom housing, resulting in a duller and rounder sound profile. The impact of each housing material can be felt during typing, with the bottom housing affecting the bottom-out sound and feel, and the top housing influencing the sound upon key release. The choice of housing material in mechanical switches contributes significantly to the overall typing experience and sound produced.
Weight
The HMX Jammy linear switch has a slightly lighter actuation force of 57 grams compared to the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch which has an actuation force of 50 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Jammy requires 63 grams while the Silent Grey needs 65 grams, making the Silent Grey slightly heavier in this aspect. The Jammy falls into the medium category for both actuation and bottom out forces, while the Silent Grey is considered medium-heavy for bottom out force. Both switches provide a different typing experience based on the weight of force required for keystrokes, with the Jammy being a bit lighter and the Silent Grey offering a slightly heavier push feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on individual preference for a lighter or heavier typing experience.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the HMX Jammy linear switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch, it is evident that the Jammy offers a shorter distance of 3.7 mm, while the Silent Grey provides a slightly longer distance of 4 mm. Both switches fall within the range of commonly used travel distances, with the Silent Grey being more traditional. Gamers may find the Jammy more appealing due to its shorter travel distance, which can lead to faster response times. On the other hand, individuals who prefer a more substantial keypress may opt for the Silent Grey with its slightly longer travel distance. In this case, choosing between the two switches ultimately depends on personal preference for the travel distance that feels most comfortable and responsive.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Jammy has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Jammy for $2.99.
The Outemu Silent Grey 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 Jammy linear switch is noted for its muted sound due to the softer nylon housings, offering a typing experience that is quiet and satisfying. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch is specifically designed to provide a silent typing experience, with a pronounced tactile bump and smooth keystroke. This makes the Silent Grey switches ideal for those who want a tactile feel without the accompanying noise.
When it comes to feel, the Jammy linear switch offers a medium-weight typing experience that is deeply satisfying. The tactile feedback in the Silent Grey switches is more pronounced, providing a satisfying bump with each keystroke. This makes the Silent Grey switches a popular choice for those who prefer a tactile typing experience.
Overall, if you prefer a linear switch with a quiet and satisfying typing experience, the HMX Jammy linear switch is a great option. On the other hand, if you want a tactile switch that is silent yet provides a satisfying bump with each press, the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch would be the better choice. Both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences, ensuring that you'll get a satisfying typing experience regardless of your choice.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the HMX Jammy linear switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch, consider the factors of bottom out force, typing experience, sound, and feel. If you prefer a medium bottom out force and a typing experience that is both muted and deeply satisfying, the Jammy switch may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force and a highly tactile typing experience with a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke, the Silent Grey switch may be more suitable. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preference for typing feel and sound level.
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