HMX Lotus vs. Outemu Silent Grey
An in-depth look at the HMX Lotus and the Outemu Silent Grey switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the HMX Lotus and the Outemu Silent Grey. The Lotus, a linear switch, stands out for its medium weight of 50g bottom out and bright, resonant sound, providing a super bouncy feeling that enhances the typing experience. On the other hand, the Silent Grey, a tactile switch, offers a quiet and highly tactile typing experience with a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke. If you're looking for a switch that is both satisfying and silent, the Silent Grey might be the perfect choice for you. 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
45g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 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
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the HMX Lotus and the Outemu Silent Grey, the main difference lies in their top housing. The Lotus utilizes a nylon top housing, which creates a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic that absorbs more sound. On the other hand, the Silent Grey features a polycarbonate top housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The translucency of polycarbonate also makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting. In terms of aesthetics and sound characteristics, these top housing materials offer distinct qualities to suit different preferences.
However, when it comes to the bottom housing of both switches, they actually share the same material - nylon. This classic switch housing material provides a deeper and fuller sound profile, similar to what the nylon top housing offers. The relatively softer plastic of nylon helps absorb sound, creating a duller and rounder sound overall. Despite having different top housing materials, the shared use of nylon in the bottom housing ensures that both the HMX Lotus and the Outemu Silent Grey maintain a consistent typing experience in terms of sound profile and feel.
Overall, the choice of housing materials in a switch can significantly impact the typing experience. While the Lotus and Silent Grey differ in their top housing materials, they share a common nylon bottom housing that contributes to a deep and full sound profile. The distinct characteristics of nylon and polycarbonate in the top housing provide users with options to tailor the sound profile to their preferences. Whether you prefer a sharper, crisper sound or a deeper, fuller tone, both switches offer unique qualities that enhance the overall typing experience.
Weight
The HMX Lotus linear switch has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch's 50 grams. However, the Lotus also has a lighter bottom out force of 50 grams, while the Silent Grey has a heavier bottom out force of 65 grams. This means that the Lotus provides a lighter overall typing experience, making it suitable for those who prefer a softer touch for extended typing or gaming sessions. On the other hand, the Silent Grey offers a more substantial typing experience with a heavier bottom out force, appealing to users who prefer a stronger push feel. In terms of weight, the Lotus is lighter overall compared to the Silent Grey. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on the user's preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the HMX Lotus linear switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch, it is evident that the Lotus has a shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm compared to the Silent Grey's 4 mm. The Lotus offers a slightly quicker response time, which may be preferred by gamers looking for faster reactions during gameplay. On the other hand, the Silent Grey provides a slightly deeper key press, which some users may find more satisfying and comfortable for typing or extended use. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for travel distance and desired typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Lotus has an MSRP of $3.49 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Lotus for $2.99.
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
When it comes to sound, the HMX Lotus linear switch offers a bright and resonant sound, providing an auditory feedback that is both satisfying and lively. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch is designed to offer a quiet typing experience, making it ideal for those who prefer minimal noise in their work environment. Both switches provide unique sound profiles, with the Lotus switch offering a more vibrant tone compared to the Silent Grey switch. However, it is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard housing and keycap material used.
Moving on to feel, the HMX Lotus linear switch provides a super bouncy feeling with a medium weight of 50g bottom out. This gives each keystroke a delightful feedback that is both responsive and enjoyable. In contrast, the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch offers a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke, providing a highly tactile typing experience that is satisfying for those who prefer a more tactile response in their switches. Both switches offer distinctive feels, with the Lotus switch focusing more on a bouncy sensation while the Silent Grey switch emphasizes a tactile feedback.
In conclusion, the HMX Lotus linear switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Lotus switch provides a bright and resonant sound with a super bouncy feeling, while the Silent Grey switch offers a quiet and tactile typing experience with a pronounced bump. Depending on personal preference for sound and feel, both switches offer distinct advantages that cater to different user preferences. Ultimately, while the two switches provide different subjective qualities, users can expect a similar level of satisfaction and performance depending on their individual preferences.
Conclusion
Therefore, when deciding between the HMX Lotus linear switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch, consider the typing experience you prefer. If you enjoy a light, bouncy feel with a bright, resonant sound, the Lotus switch would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a quiet and highly tactile typing experience with a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke, the Silent Grey switch would be the better option. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preference for typing feel and sound.
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