Kailh BCP vs. Outemu Silent Grey
An in-depth look at the Kailh BCP and the Outemu Silent Grey switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboards, the choice of switches can significantly impact your typing experience, and two popular options are the Kailh BCP and the Outemu Silent Grey. The Kailh BCP switch, a linear option, is celebrated for its smooth, creamy feel and satisfying poppy sound profile, offering users a bouncy and elastic typing experience that can make long typing sessions enjoyable. In contrast, the Outemu Silent Grey switch, known for its tactile feedback, provides a pronounced bump with a quieter operation, making it an excellent choice for those who want to avoid disturbing others while still enjoying a satisfying typing experience. Whether you prioritize a lively and dynamic response from the Kailh BCP or the discreet, tactile nature of the Silent Grey, each switch caters to different preferences and scenarios. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
52g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
1.40 mm
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Total travel
3.50 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
20mm single-staged spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Kailh BCP and Outemu Silent Grey switches utilize different materials for their top housings, leading to distinct acoustic profiles. The BCP's top housing is made of nylon, a classic material recognized for its softer texture and sound-absorbing qualities. This results in a deeper and fuller sound when typing. In contrast, the Outemu Silent Grey employs polycarbonate for its top housing. Being a stiffer plastic, polycarbonate creates a sharper and higher-pitched sound profile, which is more resonant and clearer than the deeper tones of nylon. Thus, while the BCP offers a warm and muted auditory experience, the Silent Grey provides a crisper and more articulate feedback, highlighting how the choice of housing material significantly influences sound characteristics.
When we shift our focus to the bottom housings, both the Kailh BCP and Outemu Silent Grey use nylon. Since nylon is consistently noted for its soft plastic characteristics, the typing experience in terms of bottoming out for both switches will be deeper and fuller. The material's inherent ability to absorb sound contributes to a rounder and quieter bottom-out feel, leading to a shared typing experience when the keys are fully pressed down. This similarity in the bottom housing material allows users to experience a more subdued and pleasant auditory feedback, regardless of the differences in the top housing compositions.
Overall, the interplay of materials between the top and bottom housings of these switches leads to a unique combination of sound profiles. For the Kailh BCP, the nylon top and bottom create a balanced sound experience, focusing on depth and warmth. In contrast, the Outemu Silent Grey’s nylon bottom and polycarbonate top result in a hybrid profile where the sharper release sound contrasts with the more muffled bottoming-out sensation. This divergence in top housing material enhances the typing experience in distinct ways, ensuring that while both switches share similarities in sound absorption at the bottom, their overall acoustics remain notably different. Users seeking specific acoustic qualities will gravitate toward one switch over the other based on these material characteristics and their preferences for sound clarity versus warmth.
Weight
When comparing the Kailh BCP linear switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch, both offer distinct characteristics in terms of actuation and bottom out forces. The Kailh BCP has an actuation force of 52 grams, slightly heavier than the Silent Grey's 50 grams, which makes the BCP feel a bit more substantial during typing. However, the bottom out force for the Silent Grey stands at 65 grams, which is marginally heavier than the BCP's 63.5 grams. This means that while the Silent Grey may require a more forceful final press before bottoming out, the Kailh BCP provides a slightly heavier initial actuation. For users who prefer a lighter touch for prolonged use or gaming, the Silent Grey might be more appealing due to its lower actuation force. Conversely, those seeking a more substantial typing experience might lean towards the Kailh BCP because of its comparatively higher actuation force. Ultimately, both switches fall into the medium-heavy category, catering to different preferences while providing a balance of comfort and feedback.
Travel distance
The Kailh BCP linear switch features a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch has a longer travel distance of 4 mm. This indicates that the BCP switch offers a shorter travel distance compared to the Silent Grey. For users seeking a quicker response time, the shorter BCP switch may be the favorable choice, as it allows for faster actuation. In contrast, the Silent Grey's 4 mm travel distance provides a more substantial feel, which may be preferred by individuals who appreciate a deeper, more pronounced keystroke. Therefore, those who prioritize a responsive gaming experience might gravitate towards the Kailh BCP, whereas users who enjoy a more tactile and traditional typing experience might opt for the Outemu Silent Grey.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Kailh BCP has an MSRP of $5.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the BCP for $4.75.
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
In terms of sound, the Kailh BCP switch produces a distinct, poppy, and clacky auditory profile that adds a lively character to the typing experience. Its acoustic qualities make it engaging and satisfying, especially for users who enjoy audible feedback while they type. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Grey switch emphasizes a quieter experience, providing a highly tactile response without the overpowering noise. It features a pronounced bump that, while satisfying, does not carry the same level of acoustic presence as the BCP, making it more suitable for environments where noise reduction is a priority. Ultimately, the sound character of both switches reflects their designs, with the BCP leaning into a more vibrant auditory expression compared to the muted yet tactile feedback of the Silent Grey.
When discussing the feel of these switches, the Kailh BCP offers a creamy and bouncy sensation that contributes to an elastic typing experience, making each keystroke feel lively and responsive. This switch is ideal for users looking for a dynamic feel under their fingers. In contrast, the Outemu Silent Grey focuses on providing a smooth keystroke combined with its pronounced tactile bump. This blend allows for a satisfying and deliberate actuation, catering to those who prefer a more controlled typing experience. While the BCP leans towards an overall bounciness, the Silent Grey provides a more stable feeling, perfect for users who appreciate tactile engagement without excessive noise.
In conclusion, each switch has its unique strengths, catering to different preferences among keyboard enthusiasts. The Kailh BCP is characterized by its lively sound and bouncy feel, creating an engaging typing experience loaded with auditory feedback. Conversely, the Outemu Silent Grey offers a quieter operation paired with distinct tactile feedback, making it an excellent choice for those prioritizing silence without sacrificing the satisfaction of a tactile bump. Ultimately, both options will deliver quality experiences, depending on whether the user values sound or silence, and differing feels, which are crucial determinants for selecting the right switch for one's typing style.
Conclusion
To sum up, your choice between the Kailh BCP linear switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch largely depends on your individual preferences and the typing environment you find yourself in. If you're someone who enjoys a more expressive typing experience with a smooth, bouncy feel and isn’t too concerned about noise, then the BCP switch might be the perfect fit for you. Its lively sound profile and creamy feel can enhance your gaming sessions or make typing more enjoyable, particularly if you appreciate a bit of auditory feedback. On the other hand, if you value a quieter workspace and still want a satisfying tactile response, the Outemu Silent Grey switch is likely your best bet. Its pronounced bump provides tactile feedback while its subdued sound makes it suitable for shared environments, such as offices or homes where noise can be a distraction. Ultimately, consider your typing habits, the noise levels you’re comfortable with, and the tactile sensations you enjoy most when making your decision.
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