Gateron Luciola vs. Outemu Yellow Silver

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options that often come up are the Gateron Luciola and the Outemu Yellow Silver. The Luciola is well-known for its striking appearance as it glows in the dark, while the Yellow Silver is favored for its consistent performance. The Luciola has a medium heft, providing a satisfying feel when typing, and produces a unique "can of spray paint being shaken" sound profile. On the other hand, the Yellow Silver offers a light actuation force and a neutral sound profile, making it ideal for gamers and typists who value speed and responsiveness. These general characteristics give an idea of what each switch has to offer, but to make the best decision for your needs, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities.

By the numbers

Gateron Luciola Linear

Outemu Yellow Silver Linear

$7.50

$6.50 per 10

$3.40 per 10

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Housing materials

The Gateron Luciola and the Outemu Yellow Silver differ in their housing materials, resulting in distinct sound profiles. The Luciola features a proprietary INK blend for both its top and bottom housings. This blend creates a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound that is described as clacky. In contrast, the Yellow Silver utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. The stiffness of polycarbonate contributes to a more clear and resonant sound. If you are planning to use RGB lighting, the Yellow Silver's polycarbonate top housing is aesthetically advantageous due to its translucency.

Moving on to the bottom housings, the Luciola maintains its proprietary INK blend, resulting in a thin and higher-pitched sound profile. Conversely, the Yellow Silver employs a nylon bottom housing. Nylon is a classic switch housing material known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is because nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics. As a result, the Yellow Silver has a duller and rounder sound.

It is important to note that the qualities brought by the housing materials are divided between the top and bottom of the switch. When pressing down on a switch, the bottom housing's characteristics significantly influence the bottom-out sound and feel. On the other hand, the top housing plays a more prominent role in the sound produced when releasing a key. While the Luciola and the Yellow Silver have different housing materials, their respective profiles result in similar thin and higher-pitched sounds.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Luciola linear switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch, there are some noticeable differences. The Luciola has an actuation force of 55 grams, while the Yellow Silver has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams. This means that the Yellow Silver requires less force to trigger a keystroke, providing a relatively lighter typing experience. In terms of bottom out force, the Luciola requires 60 grams of force, while the Yellow Silver again has a lighter measurement of 55 grams. This suggests that both switches have a medium level of bottom out force, providing a similar level of resistance when pressing all the way down.

Considering weight preferences, those who enjoy a lighter typing experience might opt for the Yellow Silver switch, as its lower actuation and bottom out forces allow for reduced finger strain, making it suitable for prolonged typing or gaming sessions. On the other hand, individuals who prefer a more substantial typing feel may choose the Luciola switch, as its heavier actuation and bottom out forces provide a stronger push during keystrokes. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches depends on individual preferences and the desired typing or gaming experience.

Travel distance

The travel distance of the Gateron Luciola linear switch is 3.6 mm, while the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. In terms of comparison, the Luciola has a shorter travel distance compared to the Yellow Silver. A travel distance of 4.0mm is considered the most traditional, while 3.0mm is the shallowest. However, in recent times, shorter travel distances have become more prevalent, especially among gamers who prioritize faster response times. Therefore, if you prefer a more responsive feel, the Luciola with its shorter travel distance may be the better option for you. On the other hand, some individuals may find the shorter travel distances to feel too abrupt. In such cases, choosing the Yellow Silver switch with its longer travel distance might provide a more satisfying, deeper key press.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Gateron Luciola linear switch offers a unique and distinct experience. It is described as clacky, which means it produces a sharp and snappy sound when pressed, giving a crisp and percussive feel. It is also described as chirpy, adding a little squeak to the sound, making it stand out from other switches. Additionally, the Luciola switch is characterized as marbly, producing a resonant, high-pitched, and clean sound similar to tapping on a solid piece of marble or the collision of billiard balls. If you prefer a sharp and crisp sound profile, the Luciola switch is a great choice. However, keep in mind that the sound can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps you choose.

On the other hand, the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch is described as having a neutral sound profile. This means it has a moderate sound with no distinct characteristics. The neutral sound profile makes it suitable for various purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced user, and whether you use it at home or in the workplace. It provides a balanced and consistent sound experience that avoids any extreme tones. If you prefer a more neutral and moderate sound, the Yellow Silver switch is a reliable option.

Regarding the feel of the switches, the Gateron Luciola linear switch offers a snappy and responsive typing experience. These switches have a smooth and bouncy feel, thanks to their medium heft and the use of longer or dual-staged springs. This enhanced responsiveness gives the typing experience a lively and energetic sensation. Additionally, the Luciola switch is described as buttery, which means it provides a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. It offers a seamless and effortless typing sensation, ensuring uniformity in each keypress. Furthermore, the Luciola switch is characterized as polished, indicating a smooth and refined finish that results in a sleek typing experience. This smoothness is achieved through the use of high-quality materials or factory lubrication, reducing friction and allowing for smooth key travel.

Unfortunately, there is no available information on the feel of the Outemu Yellow Silver switch. However, based on the information provided, we can assume that it offers a light actuation force, which can contribute to a speedy and responsive typing experience. While we don't have specific details on the feel of the Yellow Silver switch, considering its light actuation force, it may provide a similar level of sensitivity and responsiveness as the Gateron Luciola switch.

In conclusion, the Gateron Luciola linear switch is known for its eye-catching glow, medium heft, smooth and bouncy typing feel, and distinct sound profile. It offers a range of sound characteristics like clacky, chirpy, and marbly, providing a sharp and crisp sound experience. On the other hand, the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch is favored for its light actuation force, neutral sound profile, and suitability for gamers and typists seeking speediness and responsiveness. While we have limited information on the feel of the Yellow Silver switch, we can infer that it offers a similar lightweight and responsive typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on individual preferences regarding sound and feel, with the Luciola switch offering more unique and pronounced characteristics, while the Yellow Silver switch emphasizes neutrality and speed.

Conclusion

To sum up, if you are looking for a switch with a medium-bottom out force and a unique visual feature, the Gateron Luciola linear switch would be a suitable choice for you. These switches are known for their eye-catching glow in the dark feature and offer a medium heft, providing a smooth and bouncy typing feel. They also produce a clacky, chirpy, marbly, or high-pitched sound when pressed, depending on your preference for sound profiles. On the other hand, if you prioritize a light actuation force and a neutral sound profile, the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch would be a better option. These switches are known for their speediness and responsiveness, making them favorable for gamers and typists. With a moderate actuation force and a neutral sound profile, they are suitable for most intents and purposes. However, it's worth noting that there is no specific description provided for the feel of the Yellow Silver switch. Ultimately, your choice between these two switches will depend on whether you prioritize visual appeal, typing feel, or actuation force and sound profile.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron Luciola Linear

$7.50

$6.50 per 10

Learn more

Outemu Yellow Silver Linear

$3.40 per 10

Learn more