Durock Koala vs. Outemu Silent Yellow Jade
An in-depth look at the Durock Koala and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When deciding between mechanical keyboard switches, the Durock Koala and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade both offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Durock Koalas are known for their perfect middle ground, providing a satisfying tactile bump without being too overwhelming while also offering a bit of resonance without being overly loud. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switches are praised for their quiet, tactile typing experience that comes with a satisfying "thocky" sound. 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
N/A
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
pom
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Durock Koala and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade, it is evident that they both utilize nylon for their bottom housing. This means that typing on both switches will produce a deeper and fuller sound profile, as nylon is known for absorbing sound and creating a duller and rounder sound. However, the Koala's top housing is made of polycarbonate, which results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This contrast in housing materials suggests that the Koala may provide a more clear and resonant typing experience compared to the Silent Yellow Jade.
On the other hand, when it comes to the top housing, the Silent Yellow Jade features a nylon material while the Durock Koala utilizes polycarbonate. The nylon top housing of the Silent Yellow Jade creates a deeper and fuller sound profile, which can offer a more satisfying typing experience to those who prefer a richer sound. In contrast, the polycarbonate top housing of the Durock Koala leads to a more clear and resonant sound profile, providing a sharper and crisper typing experience. These differences in top housing materials highlight the importance of considering the desired sound profile when choosing between the two switches.
It is important to note that the qualities of each housing material are split between the top and bottom of the switch. While the bottom housing has more of an impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, the top housing will affect the sound when a key is released. Therefore, the combination of polycarbonate and nylon in the Durock Koala and Outemu Silent Yellow Jade, respectively, creates a unique typing experience that balances clarity and sharpness with depth and fullness in sound. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preference for sound profile and typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Koala tactile switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch, we can see some differences. The Durock Koala has an actuation force of None grams, making it a lighter option in terms of force required to trigger a keystroke. However, the bottom out force of the Koala is 67 grams, which is considered medium-heavy. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade has an actuation force of 50 grams, slightly heavier than the Koala, but not significantly so. The bottom out force of the Silent Yellow Jade is 65 grams, also falling into the medium-heavy category. Both switches offer a substantial typing experience with a medium-heavy bottom out force, but the choice between them may come down to whether you prefer a lighter actuation force in the Koala or a slightly heavier actuation force in the Silent Yellow Jade. Ultimately, the differences in actuation and bottom out forces between the two switches may provide a similar typing experience overall, depending on personal preference.
Travel distance
The Durock Koala tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, which is on the longer side compared to the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch with a travel distance of 3.3 mm. The Koala offers a more traditional travel distance, while the Silent Yellow Jade provides a slightly shorter travel distance. Gamers may prefer the Silent Yellow Jade for its quicker response time due to the shorter travel distance, while those looking for a more substantial key press may lean towards the Durock Koala. Both switches offer different experiences based on their travel distances, catering to individual preferences for typing or gaming. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on whether you prefer a shorter or longer travel distance for your typing or gaming needs.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Koala has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Koala for $4.21.
The Outemu Silent Yellow Jade 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 Durock Koalas are known for their low-pitched and neutral sound profile, offering a bass-heavy and mellow tone suitable for a variety of uses. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switches provide a quiet and tactile typing experience with a satisfying "thocky" sound, thanks to their factory-lubed construction and unique translucent jade yellow housing. Both switches offer distinct sound profiles that cater to different preferences, with the Koala being more resonant and the Silent Yellow Jade being quieter.
When it comes to feel, the Durock Koalas are polished, accented, and stepped switches, providing a smooth and refined typing experience with a medium level of tactility that is not overwhelming. The stepped tactility of the Koalas gives them a unique feel, with a pronounced bump that is not overly stiff. On the other hand, the feel of the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switches is unknown, so it is unclear how they compare to the Koalas in terms of tactile feedback and keypress feel.
Overall, the Durock Koala switches are ideal for those seeking a balanced tactile switch with a pronounced bump and moderate force requirement, offering a satisfying typing experience with a low-pitched sound profile. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switches are a great option for those looking for a quieter typing experience with a unique "thocky" sound. Both switches have their own strengths and qualities, so choosing between the two will ultimately depend on personal preference and the desired typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Durock Koala tactile switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch, consider your preference for bottom out force, sound, and feel. If you prefer a slightly heavier bottom out force and a switch with a stepped tactility that provides a pronounced bump without being overly loud, then the Durock Koala switch may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you're looking for a quieter typing experience with a punchy tactile bump and a unique translucent jade yellow housing, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switch could be more suitable. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for typing feel and sound.
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