HMX Jelly vs. Outemu Silent Yellow

Overview

When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, the HMX Jelly and Outemu Silent Yellow are two popular linear options that cater to different user preferences. The HMX Jelly is celebrated for its unique low-pitched, deep, thocky sound signature, offering an auditory experience that many gamers and typists enjoy. Its lightweight design, with an actuation force of just 42g and exceptional factory lubrication, makes for a super smooth keystroke that enhances typing comfort and speed. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Yellow switches, while lacking specific notoriety in sound or structure, aim to provide a discreet typing experience, ideal for those in shared environments or quieter settings. Both switches appeal to different styles and needs: the Jelly for a satisfying acoustic feedback and smooth feel, and the Silent Yellow for a more stealthy performance. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for you.

By the numbers

HMX Jelly Linear

Outemu Silent Yellow Linear

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

$3.10 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The HMX Jelly and the Outemu Silent Yellow switches exhibit notable differences in their top housing materials, resulting in distinct sound profiles during use. The Jelly features a nylon top housing, which is characterized by its softer texture. This softness allows the nylon to absorb sound waves more effectively, resulting in a deeper and fuller auditory experience when typing. Consequently, the Jelly’s sound profile can be described as duller and rounder, making it an excellent choice for users who prefer a muted keystroke sound. In contrast, the Silent Yellow employs a polycarbonate top housing, known for its rigidity and translucence. This stiffer material contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched sound, resulting in a crisper auditory feedback during typing that can enhance the overall clarity of each key press.

Interestingly, when considering the bottom housing, both the HMX Jelly and the Outemu Silent Yellow utilize nylon. This commonality in bottom housing material suggests that they share similar acoustic properties in terms of producing a deeper and fuller sound profile. The bottom housing plays a crucial role in the overall feel and sound when the key is bottomed out. As both switches use nylon in this section, typists can anticipate a consistent experience when it comes to the bottoming-out sound—characterized by a softer, more rounded auditory feedback that many users find appealing. This pairing allows both switches to retain that signature richness of sound, even as they diverge in the upper housing.

In summary, the contrast between the top housing materials of the HMX Jelly and Outemu Silent Yellow results in different sound profiles, while the nylon bottom housings work in tandem to create a deeper auditory experience. If one were to attempt to achieve a similar typing experience using either switch, they would find that they could create a balanced sound profile by taking advantage of the softer nylon in the bottom housing alongside the varying characteristics of the top materials. Users seeking a muted typing experience may lean toward the Jelly for its softer sound profile, while those who prefer clearer, sharper acoustics might gravitate toward the Silent Yellow. Ultimately, the choice of switch will depend on personal preferences regarding sound and typing feel.

Weight

When comparing the HMX Jelly linear switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch, we observe notable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The HMX Jelly has a light actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 48 grams, making it suitable for those who prefer a softer touch for long typing sessions or gaming marathons. In contrast, the Outemu Silent Yellow features a slightly heavier actuation force of 45 grams and a heavier bottom out force of 60 grams, appealing to users who enjoy a more substantial typing experience. This indicates that the HMX Jelly is lighter overall, while the Silent Yellow provides a firmer response. Both switches, while differing in weight, serve different preferences, with the Jelly promoting ease of use for extended periods and the Silent Yellow delivering stronger feedback for those who favor a more pronounced keystroke.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the HMX Jelly linear switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch, there is a distinct difference that may influence user preference. The HMX Jelly features a travel distance of 3.8 mm, making it shorter than the Outemu Silent Yellow's 4 mm travel distance. This means that users who favor quicker response times may find the Jelly to be more to their liking, as it has a slightly shallower depth that can facilitate faster actuation. Conversely, the Silent Yellow, with its longer travel distance, might appeal more to those who appreciate a more substantial feel and depth in their keystrokes. In summary, if you're looking for a more responsive experience, the HMX Jelly offers a shorter travel distance, while the Outemu Silent Yellow provides a more pronounced, longer travel feel.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the HMX Jelly linear switch stands out with its low-pitched, deep, thocky sound signature, creating a more satisfying audible feedback with each keystroke. This characteristic makes it a preferable choice for users who enjoy a richer sound experience while typing. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch does not have a specific sound profile described, which leaves its auditory qualities somewhat undefined. However, it's important to note that sound perception in mechanical keyboards can vary significantly based on factors like the keyboard’s construction and the type of keycaps used.

When it comes to feel, the Jelly switch excels with its super smooth operation, attributed to its excellent factory lubrication, resulting in an effortless typing experience. Its lightweight actuation force of 42g contributes to a more tactile and responsive feel, making it ideal for extended typing sessions. The Silent Yellow, lacking described tactile qualities, leaves its feel open to speculation. Nonetheless, it is reasonable to expect that users can still experience a decent smoothness and linearity, which is generally expected from linear switches.

In conclusion, while the HMX Jelly linear switch offers a distinct auditory profile and a notably smooth typing experience, the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch remains less defined in both sound and feel. If you seek a more enriching sound and tactile satisfaction, the Jelly switch is the clear choice. However, if you prefer something less specified and still within the realm of linear switches, the Silent Yellow may provide a more subdued but still pleasant typing experience, delivering similar results in smoothness typical of linear switches.

Conclusion

In conclusion, when deciding between the HMX Jelly linear switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch, consider your personal preferences and usage scenarios. If you prefer a light touch and a smooth typing experience, the HMX Jelly is an excellent choice due to its low actuation force of 42 grams and its pleasant thocky sound signature. This makes it ideal for typing or gaming for extended periods without causing strain, especially if you enjoy the tactile feedback of a well-lubed switch. On the other hand, if you are looking for a switch that offers a bit more resistance and depth in every keystroke, the Silent Yellow may be more suitable. With a bottom out force of 60 grams, it provides a more controlled feel, which could benefit those who appreciate a sturdier typing experience or need to minimize noise during late-night work sessions. While the Jelly switch delights with its smooth feel and sound, the Silent Yellow focuses on delivering a solid, reliable performance without the same level of auditory feedback. Ultimately, your choice will depend on whether you favor a lightweight, sound-rich experience with the Jelly or a more robust, understated option with the Silent Yellow.

Mentioned in this article

HMX Jelly Linear

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

Learn more

Outemu Silent Yellow Linear

$3.10 per 10

Learn more