Gateron Luciola vs. Outemu Black
An in-depth look at the Gateron Luciola and the Outemu Black switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, two popular linear options to explore are the Gateron Luciola and the Outemu Black. The Gateron Luciola stands out for its unique glowing feature, which adds a touch of excitement to any setup. Known for its medium heft, smooth and bouncy typing feel, and distinctive sound profile reminiscent of a “can of spray paint being shaken,” the Luciola offers a range of tactile experiences with categories like 'Snappy', 'Clacky', and 'Buttery'. On the other hand, the Outemu Black is a more understated choice without any standout features. However, its simplicity may be appealing to those seeking a straightforward linear switch. To truly determine the best switch for your needs, it is essential to delve deeper beyond surface descriptions and explore how each switch performs in real-world usage scenarios.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
55g
Actuation force
65g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
82g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.50 mm
Total travel
3.60 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
Proprietary INK blend
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
22mm double-staged long spring; black-plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Gateron Luciola utilizes a proprietary INK blend top housing, which offers a satisfying thin and higher-pitched sound profile that is often described as clacky. In contrast, the Outemu Black features a polycarbonate top housing, providing a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This can be attributed to polycarbonate's stiffness, which contributes to a more clear and resonant sound. While both materials offer unique sound characteristics, the Luciola's INK blend top housing tends to produce a slightly softer sound compared to the Black's polycarbonate top housing.
In terms of bottom housing materials, the Gateron Luciola employs its proprietary INK blend, which also contributes to a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound profile. On the other hand, the Outemu Black utilizes a nylon bottom housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. This difference can be attributed to nylon being a softer plastic that absorbs more sound than harder plastics, ultimately creating a duller and rounder sound. While both bottom housings offer distinct sound profiles, the Luciola's INK blend bottom housing may provide a slightly softer and less impactful sound compared to the Black's nylon bottom housing.
Overall, the choice of housing materials in a mechanical keyboard switch can significantly impact the sound and feel of typing. While the Gateron Luciola and the Outemu Black feature different top and bottom housing materials, both switches offer unique sound profiles. The Luciola's INK blend top and bottom housings provide a satisfying thin and higher-pitched sound, while the Outemu Black's polycarbonate top and nylon bottom housings create a sharper and fuller sound. Despite these differences, the overall typing experience may be similar in terms of key feel and actuation, with the housings playing a subtle yet important role in sound production.
Weight
When comparing the Gateron Luciola linear switch to the Outemu Black linear switch, the actuation and bottom out forces differ significantly. The Luciola has a lighter actuation force of 55 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams, making it more suitable for those who prefer a lighter typing experience. In contrast, the Outemu Black switch has a heavier actuation force of 65 grams and a bottom out force of 82 grams, providing a more substantial typing feel. This makes the Outemu Black switch better suited for individuals who prefer a stronger push when typing. Overall, the Luciola offers a lighter typing experience, while the Outemu Black provides a heavier and more robust feel with each keystroke.
Travel distance
The Gateron Luciola linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Outemu Black linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. In this case, the Luciola has a shorter travel distance compared to the Black switch. The difference may not seem significant, but for those who prefer a more responsive typing experience, the shorter travel distance of the Luciola may be more preferable. On the other hand, those who enjoy a deeper key press and more tactile feedback may lean towards the Outemu Black switch with its slightly longer travel distance. Ultimately, both switches offer a different typing experience, so the choice between the two would depend on personal preference and typing style.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Luciola has an MSRP of $7.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Luciola for $6.50.
The Outemu Black 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 Gateron Luciola linear switch is known for its clacky and chirpy sound profile, giving it a unique and sharp sound when pressed. It is also described as having a high-pitched and marbly characteristic, adding to its overall crisp and bright sound. On the other hand, information about the sound profile of the Outemu Black linear switch is unknown, so it is difficult to make a direct comparison. However, it is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel, the Gateron Luciola linear switch offers a snappy and buttery typing experience, making it super responsive and smooth to the touch. The polished finish of these switches ensures a refined and sleek typing sensation with reduced friction and smooth key travel. Conversely, there is no available information about the feel of the Outemu Black linear switch, making it challenging to directly compare to the Gateron Luciola in terms of typing experience.
In conclusion, the Gateron Luciola linear switch stands out for its eye-catching design, smooth and bouncy typing feel, and distinctive sound profile. While information about the Outemu Black linear switch is limited, it is important to consider personal preferences and factors such as sound and feel when choosing a mechanical keyboard switch. Ultimately, both switches may offer similar results depending on individual needs and preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Gateron Luciola linear switch and the Outemu Black linear switch, consider the characteristics that best suit your preferences. If you are looking for a switch with a medium bottom out force, smooth and bouncy typing feel, and a unique glowing feature, the Gateron Luciola may be the choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a heavier bottom out force and are focused on sound and feel characteristics, the Outemu Black switch could be the better option. Ultimately, it all comes down to personal preference and what features are most important to you in a mechanical keyboard switch.
Mentioned in this article
