Everglide Lightning Silver V3 vs. Outemu Silent Yellow
An in-depth look at the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the Outemu Silent Yellow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the Outemu Silent Yellow both offer unique features and benefits. The Lightning Silver V3 stands out for its clacky and high-pitched sound signature, providing a satisfying typing experience. Additionally, the light diffuser enhances RGB illumination, making it visually appealing. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Yellow is known for its quiet operation, perfect for those who prefer a more discreet 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
48g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
1.50 mm
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
pom
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Lengthened gold-plated spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the Outemu Silent Yellow, both switches feature polycarbonate top housings, which create a sharper and crisper sound profile due to the stiffness of the material. This makes them ideal for switches designed to showcase RGB lighting, given polycarbonate's translucency. However, the Silent Yellow stands out with its nylon bottom housing, which offers a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to the Lightning Silver V3's polycarbonate bottom housing. This difference in bottom housing material contributes to how each switch feels and sounds when pressed.
While both switches share the use of polycarbonate for their top housings, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3's polycarbonate bottom housing provides a consistent clear and resonant sound profile throughout the keystroke. In contrast, the Outemu Silent Yellow's nylon bottom housing absorbs more sound, resulting in a softer and rounder sound during typing. This difference showcases how varying bottom housing materials can impact the overall typing experience, highlighting the importance of both top and bottom housing materials in switch design.
Overall, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the Outemu Silent Yellow demonstrate how the choice of housing materials can significantly influence the sound and feel of a mechanical keyboard switch. While both switches utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, the Silent Yellow's nylon bottom housing offers a distinct typing experience with its deeper sound profile. Understanding the unique qualities of each housing material can help keyboard enthusiasts make an informed decision based on their preference for sound, feel, and aesthetics.
Weight
The Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch has a lighter actuation force of 48 grams compared to the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch, which has a heavier actuation force of 65 grams. This means that the Lightning Silver V3 will require less pressure to register a keystroke. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Lightning Silver V3 has a bottom out force of 60 grams, while the Outemu Silent Yellow has a higher bottom out force of 80 grams. This suggests that the Silent Yellow switch will provide a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel. In terms of weight, the Lightning Silver V3 is lighter overall, making it a suitable option for those looking for a more lightweight typing experience, while the Outemu Silent Yellow is heavier and may be preferred by those who prefer a firmer typing sensation. Both switches have their strengths and weaknesses, catering to different preferences and typing styles.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch, it is evident that the Lightning Silver V3 has a shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Silent Yellow has a longer travel distance of 4 mm. The shorter travel distance of the Lightning Silver V3 may appeal to gamers seeking faster response times, while the longer travel distance of the Silent Yellow may provide a more satisfying depth to those who prefer a more pronounced key press. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to individual preference for travel distance and how it impacts the typing or gaming experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Lightning Silver V3 has an MSRP of $5.55 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Lightning Silver V3 for $4.10.
The Outemu Silent Yellow 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
When it comes to sound, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch is known for its clacky and high-pitched sound signature, resulting in a sharp and snappy typing experience. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch does not have a specific sound description provided, so it is difficult to directly compare the two in this aspect. However, both switches will ultimately produce sound that is influenced by the keyboard setup, keycaps, and personal preferences.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Lightning Silver V3 offers a silky typing experience, characterized by a smooth and seamless keypress. This feature enhances the overall smoothness of typing and reduces resistance when pressing and releasing keys. Unfortunately, there is no specific feel description provided for the Outemu Silent Yellow switch, making it challenging to make a direct comparison between the two switches in terms of tactile feedback and typing experience.
In conclusion, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch stands out for its clacky sound profile and silky smooth typing experience, making it a popular choice among mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. While the subjective qualities of the Outemu Silent Yellow switch are not explicitly described, it is important to consider how factors such as sound, feel, and overall typing experience are influenced by personal preference and individual setup configurations. Ultimately, trying out both switches in person or seeking out more detailed reviews may provide a better understanding of which option would be the best fit for your specific preferences and needs in a mechanical keyboard switch.
Conclusion
In closing, when choosing between the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch, consider your preferences for typing experience. If you enjoy a clacky and high-pitched sound with a medium bottom out force, the Lightning Silver V3 may be the better option for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a heavier bottom out force and prioritize a silent typing experience, the Outemu Silent Yellow could be the ideal choice. Ultimately, the decision comes down to your personal preferences for sound, feel, and typing force.
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