TKC Kiwi vs. Outemu Silent Green
An in-depth look at the TKC Kiwi and the Outemu Silent Green switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the TKC Kiwi and the Outemu Silent Green offer unique experiences for different preferences. The TKC Kiwi is a tactile switch, crafted to elevate your typing with a satisfying bump at the top of each key press. With a snappy sound profile and factory lubrication for smooth performance, the Kiwi promises an immersive typing experience. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Green is a linear switch, offering a different feel with a smooth keystroke and no audible click. While the Kiwi excels in tactile feedback and audible satisfaction, the Silent Green focuses on a quiet and consistent typing 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
43g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
UHWMPE
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
UHWMPE
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold coated spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the TKC Kiwi and the Outemu Silent Green, the top housing material stands out as a key point of difference. The Kiwi utilizes UHWMPE top housing, which is known for offering a bright sound signature with resonant clacks. In contrast, the Silent Green features a polycarbonate top housing that creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. While both materials contribute to enhancing the sound profile of the switches, the UHWMPE in the Kiwi may provide a slightly different typing experience compared to the polycarbonate in the Silent Green.
Moving on to the bottom housing, both the Kiwi and the Silent Green utilize different materials to achieve distinct sound profiles. The Kiwi's UHWMPE bottom housing continues to offer a bright sound signature with resonant clacks, similar to its top housing material. On the other hand, the Silent Green's polycarbonate bottom housing contributes to a sharper and crisper sound profile due to its stiffness. This difference in bottom housing material may result in a noticeable variation in the bottom-out sound and feel of each switch, adding to the overall typing experience.
When considering the impact of housing materials on switch performance, it becomes clear that the mix of materials in the top and bottom housings can influence the sound and feel of typing on the switches. While both the Kiwi and the Silent Green offer unique sound profiles through their housing materials, the distribution of these materials in the switches affects how the sound is produced during typing. Whether it be the bright sound signature of UHWMPE in the Kiwi or the crisp sound profile of polycarbonate in the Silent Green, each housing material plays a significant role in defining the overall typing experience for users.
Weight
The TKC Kiwi tactile switch and the Outemu Silent Green linear switch have different actuation and bottom out forces. The Kiwi has a lighter actuation force of 43 grams compared to the Silent Green's 45 grams, but a heavier bottom out force of 67 grams compared to the Silent Green's 60 grams. This means that the Kiwi requires a lighter initial press but a heavier push all the way down, while the Silent Green is more consistent throughout. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Silent Green may be the better option, as it has a lower bottom out force. However, for those who prefer a more substantial feel while typing, the Kiwi may be preferred due to its heavier bottom out force. Both switches offer a different typing experience due to their varying actuation and bottom out forces, so choosing between the two will depend on personal preference.
Travel distance
Both the TKC Kiwi tactile switch and the Outemu Silent Green linear switch have a travel distance of 4 mm, making them equal in this aspect. When comparing their travel distances, it can be noted that both switches offer the same amount of key travel, providing a consistent typing experience for users. This means that whether you choose the Kiwi or the Silent Green switch, you can expect similar results in terms of the distance the switch travels from the top to the bottom. Overall, the travel distance of both switches is the same, ensuring that users will receive a consistent typing experience regardless of which switch they choose.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the TKC Kiwi comes in at $8.00, whereas the Outemu Silent Green comes in at $3.10.
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 Kiwi switch offers a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, creating a satisfyingly snappy and immersive typing experience with a medium to medium-strong bump at the top of each key press. On the other hand, the sound profile of the Outemu Silent Green linear switch is unknown, making it difficult to make a direct comparison in this aspect. However, it is important to consider that sound can also be influenced by the keyboard design and keycaps used.
Regarding the feel, the Kiwi switch provides a stepped, accented, and polished typing experience, offering a tactile feedback that is not overwhelming but still noticeable. With a smooth and refined finish, users can expect reduced friction and smooth key travel, enhancing the overall typing experience. Unfortunately, the tactile characteristics of the Outemu Silent Green switch are unknown, making it challenging to compare the feel of the two switches directly.
Overall, while the subjective qualities of the TKC Kiwi tactile switch are well-documented in terms of sound and feel, the information available for the Outemu Silent Green linear switch is limited. As a result, it is difficult to provide a comprehensive comparison between the two switches. However, based on the descriptions provided, it is clear that the Kiwi switch offers a tactile typing experience with a satisfying sound profile, making it a popular choice among mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. If you are looking for a similar tactile feedback and sound experience, the Kiwi switch may be a suitable option for you.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a tactile switch with a medium to medium-strong bump and a satisfyingly snappy sound profile, the TKC Kiwi switch would be a great choice for enhancing your typing experience. The Kiwi also offers a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, as well as a stepped, accented, and polished feel. On the other hand, if you prefer a linear switch with a lower bottom out force and silent operation, the Outemu Silent Green switch would be more suitable for you. Ultimately, the decision between the Kiwi tactile switch and the Silent Green linear switch will come down to your personal preferences for typing experience and sound profile.
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