HMX Lotus vs. Outemu Yellow Silver
An in-depth look at the HMX Lotus and the Outemu Yellow Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the HMX Lotus and the Outemu Yellow Silver both offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Lotus is a linear switch with a medium weight of 50g bottom out, providing a bright and resonant sound that gives each keystroke a satisfying bounce. On the other hand, the Yellow Silver from Outemu is a linear switch with a light actuation force and a neutral sound profile, making it ideal for gamers and typists looking for speediness and responsiveness. While both switches have their strengths, such as the bouncy feeling of the Lotus and the quick actuation of the Yellow Silver, there are specific aspects that make each switch stand out. 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
45g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.30 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
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
The HMX Lotus and Outemu Yellow Silver switches both utilize nylon for their bottom housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. The softer nature of nylon allows for more sound absorption, creating a duller and rounder sound. In contrast, the Lotus features a nylon top housing, while the Yellow Silver uses a polycarbonate top housing. The polycarbonate top housing of the Yellow Silver contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, thanks to its stiffer nature. This difference in top housing material between the two switches may lead to varying sound experiences during key presses.
However, despite the difference in top housing material, both the Lotus and Yellow Silver switches ultimately offer a similar typing experience due to their shared use of nylon for the bottom housing. Both switches elicit a deep and full sound profile when typing, creating a satisfying auditory experience for users. The nylon bottom housing on each switch absorbs sound effectively, resulting in a rounder and duller sound compared to switches with harder plastic bottom housings. This commonality in bottom housing material ensures that users can expect a consistent sound profile regardless of the differences in top housing material between the HMX Lotus and Outemu Yellow Silver switches.
In summary, the choice of housing material in mechanical switches significantly influences the sound profile and typing experience. While the HMX Lotus and Outemu Yellow Silver switches differ in their top housing materials, their shared use of nylon for the bottom housing ensures a similar sound profile during typing. The Lotus's nylon top housing contributes to a deeper and fuller sound, while the Yellow Silver's polycarbonate top housing adds a sharper and higher-pitched element to the typing experience. Ultimately, both switches offer a satisfying typing experience, with the bottom housing material playing a crucial role in shaping the overall sound profile.
Weight
The HMX Lotus linear switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch both have the same actuation force of 45 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Lotus has a lighter force of 50 grams compared to the Yellow Silver's slightly heavier force of 55 grams. This means that the Lotus will provide a lighter typing experience overall, making it ideal for those who prefer a gentler touch for extended typing sessions or gaming. On the other hand, the Yellow Silver switch offers a slightly stronger push feel, which may be more suitable for users who want a more substantial typing experience. Both switches offer similar actuation forces, so users can expect similar results in terms of responsiveness when typing. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on whether a lighter or slightly heavier typing experience is preferred.
Travel distance
The HMX Lotus linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. In this case, the Lotus has a shorter travel distance compared to the Yellow Silver. The Lotus may be preferred by gamers looking for a faster response time due to its shorter travel distance, while the Yellow Silver may be more suitable for those who prefer a deeper key press sensation. Both options fall within the range of travel distances commonly found in mechanical keyboards, with 4 mm being the more traditional distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and typing style.
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 Yellow Silver comes in at $3.40 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
The HMX Lotus linear switch is praised for its bright, resonant sound that provides a super bouncy feeling with a medium weight of 50g bottom out. On the other hand, the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch offers a neutral sound profile, making it suitable for gamers and typists who prefer a speedy and responsive typing experience. The sound produced by a switch is influenced by various factors such as the keyboard casing and keycaps used, so it's important to consider these when choosing a switch based on sound quality.
When it comes to feel, the Lotus switch is known for its specific tactile feedback and smooth keystrokes, providing a satisfying typing experience. The feel of the Outemu Yellow Silver switch is not explicitly described, but being a linear switch with a light actuation force, it likely offers a smooth and consistent keypress without any tactile bump.
Overall, if you're looking for a switch with a bright, resonant sound and a bouncy feel, the HMX Lotus linear switch is a great choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a neutral sound profile and a light actuation force for a speedy typing experience, the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch would be a better fit. Keep in mind that personal preference plays a significant role in choosing the right switch, so experimentation and testing different switches is key to finding the perfect match for your typing style and preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering whether to choose the HMX Lotus linear switch or the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch, you should consider your preference for bottom out force and sound profile. If you prefer a light bottom out force of 50 grams with a bouncy feeling and bright, resonant sound, the HMX Lotus switch would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly heavier bottom out force of 55 grams with a light actuation force and a neutral sound profile, the Outemu Yellow Silver switch is the way to go, especially for gamers and typists who prioritize speediness and responsiveness. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal typing preferences and usage scenarios.
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