Gateron Jupiter Banana vs. Outemu Silent Grey

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboards, the choice of switches can greatly influence your typing experience, and two notable contenders are the Gateron Jupiter Banana and the Outemu Silent Grey, both tactile switches crafted to elevate your keystrokes. The Jupiter Banana stands out with its polished, high-pitched, and creamy characteristics, providing users with a strong tactile feedback thanks to its unique two-stage springs that deliver a reliable return and a consistent feel. If you prefer an engaging typing experience paired with appealing backlight effects, the Jupiter Banana might be the perfect fit for you. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Grey offers a contrast with its focus on a quiet yet satisfying tactile experience. Featuring a pronounced bump and a smooth keystroke, these switches are ideal for those who want to maintain a serene environment without sacrificing the pleasurable feedback of tactile feedback. While each switch showcases its strengths, they cater to different preferences: the Jupiter Banana offers an exhilarating typing sensation, while the Silent Grey ensures discretion and peace. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the optimal switch for your needs.

By the numbers

Gateron Jupiter Banana Tactile

Outemu Silent Grey Tactile

$2.80 per 10

$3.10 per 10

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Housing materials

The Gateron Jupiter Banana and Outemu Silent Grey both feature polycarbonate top housings, which leads to some interesting similarities in their sound profiles. Polycarbonate, as a stiffer plastic, produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound when typing. This characteristic enhances the overall auditory experience of both switches, offering users a joyful typing feedback that many enthusiasts appreciate. Additionally, the translucence of polycarbonate makes these switches especially well-suited for RGB lighting, amplifying the visual aesthetics on a custom keyboard. Since both switches utilize this same material for the top housing, users can expect a similar responsiveness and brightness in sound, making them appealing for those who prioritize acoustic clarity in their mechanical switch selection.

In contrast to their matching polycarbonate tops, both switches diverge in their bottom housing material. The Jupiter Banana employs nylon for its bottom housing, which is known for its softer qualities. This softness contributes to a deeper, fuller sound profile by absorbing more sound and thus creating a more muted acoustics during key presses. The nuanced complexity added by nylon in the bottom housing fosters a rounder sound that contrasts sharply with the crisper tone produced by the polycarbonate top. The Outemu Silent Grey also uses nylon for its bottom housing, resulting in the same fuller sound profile. Therefore, while the Jupiter Banana and Silent Grey exhibit parallel attributes in their top housing, the combination of nylon in the lower chamber softens the auditory experience for both switches, creating a balanced sound across the board.

Overall, the composite of materials in each switch distinctly influences the typing experience while also showcasing how similar materials can yield cohesively unique results. Both the Gateron Jupiter Banana and Outemu Silent Grey capitalize on the strengths of polycarbonate and nylon: crisp and high-pitched sounds from the polycarbonate top combined with the deeper, rounder tones from the nylon bottom. Users will find that while both share a structural similarity in their design, the different bottom housing materials will create a variance in the tactile and acoustic profile that shifts the experience slightly. In this way, a typing enthusiast can select either switch based on their desired sound profiles—whether they lean towards a brighter, more prominent key release or a rounded sound that emphasizes a fuller bottom-out.

Weight

When comparing the Gateron Jupiter Banana tactile switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch, there are notable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Jupiter Banana requires a higher actuation force of 59 grams compared to the Silent Grey's lighter 50 grams, making the Silent Grey more suitable for users who favor a gentler touch for extended typing sessions or gaming. Additionally, the bottom out force of the Jupiter Banana is 69 grams, while the Silent Grey's bottom out force stands at 65 grams. This marginal difference indicates that the Jupiter Banana offers a slightly more resistant feel when fully pressed. Overall, while both switches fall into the medium-heavy category, the Gateron Jupiter Banana is the heavier option, providing a more substantial typing experience, whereas the Outemu Silent Grey caters to those looking for a lighter feel.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Gateron Jupiter Banana tactile switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch, a clear difference emerges. The Jupiter Banana features a shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Silent Grey extends to a more traditional 4 mm. This means that if you prefer a switch with a quicker response time and a more immediate feedback sensation, the Jupiter Banana would be the better choice. On the other hand, if you enjoy a more substantial depth and a slower, more deliberate keypress, the Silent Grey would likely be more appealing. Ultimately, choosing between these two switches largely depends on your preference for travel distance, with the Jupiter Banana offering a shorter experience compared to the longer travel of the Silent Grey.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When comparing the sound profiles of the Gateron Jupiter Banana and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switches, the Jupiter Banana switch is characterized by its high-pitched and resonant sound. The auditory feedback it offers is sharp and crisp, providing a clean sound profile that might appeal to those who enjoy a more pronounced acoustic experience while typing. This resonates well with individuals seeking a lively auditory interaction with their keyboard. In contrast, the specific sound characteristics of the Silent Grey are currently unknown, so one cannot draw direct comparisons in this regard. However, since sound is influenced by factors like the keyboard itself and the keycaps used, users may achieve quieter results with the Outemu Silent Grey compared to the Jupiter Banana simply due to its design focus on a silent typing experience.

The feel of the two switches presents some distinct differences as well. The Jupiter Banana is described as polished and creamy, offering a smooth and refined typing experience that is likened to gliding hands effortlessly across the keys. This results from high-quality materials and potentially factory lubing, which reduces friction and enhances the overall comfort of typing. On the other hand, the feel of the Outemu Silent Grey remains unspecified, making it hard to establish a direct comparison. Still, users can expect a tactile experience, as these switches are designed for a pronounced bump and a smooth keystroke, lending to a satisfying typing feedback that should resonate with those who prefer a tactile response.

In conclusion, the Gateron Jupiter Banana tactile switch stands out with its high-pitched sound and polished, creamy feel, while the Outemu Silent Grey offers the promise of a quiet and tactile experience, albeit with specifics about its sound and feel currently unknown. Those who choose the Jupiter Banana will enjoy a lively auditory feedback alongside a smooth tactile experience, while the Silent Grey may cater to users looking for a more subdued sound profile without compromising on tactile feedback. Ultimately, individuals can achieve satisfying results based on their preferences, but the differences in sound and feel certainly guide the choice between these two popular switches.

Conclusion

In conclusion, when deciding between the Gateron Jupiter Banana tactile switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and typing environment. If you enjoy a typing experience that offers a pronounced tactile feedback with a slightly higher bottom-out force, and if you appreciate a crisp, resonant sound, the Jupiter Banana might be the right choice for you. Its polished and creamy feel adds a layer of smoothness that can enhance your overall typing experience, making it suitable for those who type frequently and value a more engaging auditory feedback. Conversely, if you prioritize a quieter typing experience without sacrificing tactile feedback, the Outemu Silent Grey is designed specifically for that purpose. With a medium-heavy bottom-out force and a smooth keystroke, these switches are perfect for office settings or shared spaces where noise reduction is key. In essence, choose the Jupiter Banana for a lively and tactile experience, and opt for the Silent Grey when you need an effective and discreet option.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron Jupiter Banana Tactile

$2.80 per 10

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Outemu Silent Grey Tactile

$3.10 per 10

Learn more