HMX Lucky vs. Outemu Silent Green

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the choice between the HMX Lucky and the Outemu Silent Green can significantly influence your typing experience. The HMX Lucky, with its softer and glittery nylon housing, offers a lightweight and neutral response that many users find deeply satisfying, making it an ideal option for those who prioritize enjoyment in their typing experience. In contrast, the Outemu Silent Green, while not as widely recognized for specific features, presents a linear switch design that is crafted for a quieter operation, appealing to users who require a more discreet keyboard experience, whether for professional environments or late-night gaming sessions. As both switches share a linear characteristic that provides a smooth keystroke without tactile bumps or audible clicks, the decision between them ultimately hinges on personal preference regarding feel and sound. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

HMX Lucky Linear

Outemu Silent Green Linear

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

$3.10 per 10

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Housing materials

The HMX Lucky and Outemu Silent Green switches present a fascinating comparison of housing materials that directly influence their auditory experiences and tactile feedback. The HMX Lucky employs nylon for both its top and bottom housings. This choice of material contributes to a deeper, fuller sound profile, as nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs sound more effectively than harder alternatives. In contrast, the Outemu Silent Green utilizes polycarbonate for both the top and bottom housings. Polycarbonate is renowned for its stiffness, resulting in a sharper and crisper sound. Consequently, users can expect a distinct auditory experience when using these switches, as the Lucky's nylon leads to a rounder and more muted sound, while the Silent Green's polycarbonate creates a brighter and more resonant experience.

Despite the differing materials, the impact of each housing on the overall sound profile is nuanced. In the case of the HMX Lucky, the nylon housing absorbs sound waves, providing a duller auditory signature and a more subdued typing experience. Users may appreciate the warmth this brings to their typing, making it ideal for environments where noise is a consideration. Conversely, the Outemu Silent Green, with its polycarbonate shells, lends itself to a livelier sound that highlights each keystroke. This clarity can be particularly appealing for those who prefer a tactile typing experience that emphasizes individual key presses, making it a strong contender in gaming and fast-paced typing scenarios.

The interaction between the housing materials and their effects on sound and feel also means that users can achieve similar typing results through differently constructed switches. For instance, while the nylon in the HMX Lucky leads to a fuller sound experience, the crisper auditory feedback of the Silent Green could be seen as offering its own unique appeal. Moreover, the varying impacts of each switch's housing on bottom-out sounds and release dynamics signal that users will experience distinct feedback behaviors, regardless of the shared qualities that fine-tune their interactions with these switches. Ultimately, while differing in materials, both the Lucky and Silent Green switches offer unique experiences for users, showcasing how housing materials can significantly influence perception in the typing landscape.

Weight

When comparing the HMX Lucky linear switch and the Outemu Silent Green linear switch, we can see notable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The HMX Lucky has a lighter actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 43 grams, making it an excellent choice for those who prefer a lighter touch, ideal for extended typing sessions or gaming marathons. In contrast, the Outemu Silent Green features a heavier actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams, providing a more substantial typing feel for users who appreciate a firmer push. This means that while the Lucky is lighter overall, the Silent Green’s higher forces cater to those seeking a stronger tactile experience. As a result, users will notice a significant difference in the typing dynamics of these switches, with the Lucky being more suitable for long-term use due to its lower forces, whereas the Silent Green may appeal more to users wanting that extra resistance and feedback in their keystrokes.

Travel distance

The HMX Lucky linear switch and the Outemu Silent Green linear switch differ in their travel distances, with the Lucky featuring a shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the Silent Green extends slightly further at 4.0 mm. This difference results in a distinct feel when typing; the Lucky may provide a more responsive experience appreciated by gamers due to its shorter actuation distance, allowing for quicker feedback during rapid keystrokes. On the other hand, the Silent Green's longer travel distance may appeal to those who prefer a more pronounced typing experience, offering a deeper key engagement that can feel more substantial. Ultimately, the choice between these switches hinges on personal preference: if you prioritize rapid response times, the HMX Lucky is the superior option, while if you favor a more traditional and hearty depth, the Outemu Silent Green would be the better fit.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the HMX Lucky linear switch provides a soft and muted acoustic profile that tends to be pleasant and unobtrusive, making it suitable for quieter environments where noise is a consideration. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Green linear switch does not have a specific sound profile detailed, but being a linear switch, it is also likely to produce a smooth and less pronounced sound compared to tactile or clicky switches. Given that sound can vary depending on keycap material and the keyboard's build, both the Lucky and Silent Green can be expected to be relatively quiet compared to their clicky counterparts.

In terms of feel, the Lucky linear switch is crafted to provide a lightweight typing experience that feels neutral yet satisfying, allowing for fluid keystrokes without significant resistance. The design emphasizes comfort during extended typing sessions. The Outemu Silent Green, while lacking specific feel descriptions, is categorized as a linear switch as well, meaning it will also offer a smooth keystroke without tactile bumps or auditory clicks. Therefore, both switches are likely to deliver a similar experience in terms of the smoothness in key presses, making them ideal for users who prefer a softer touch without distractions.

In conclusion, both the HMX Lucky and Outemu Silent Green linear switches cater to users who prioritize a quiet and smooth typing experience. While the Lucky offers known qualities of a soft sound and a neutral feel, the Silent Green is aligned in its linear nature, suggesting that it too will provide a smooth experience with potentially subdued noise. For newcomers, either switch would be a sensible choice, particularly if a quieter keyboard is a priority, as they can expect similar results regarding their performance and typing comfort.

Conclusion

In conclusion, your choice between the HMX Lucky linear switch and the Outemu Silent Green linear switch will largely depend on your personal preferences and typing style. If you prefer a lighter touch and a more responsive feel while typing, the Lucky switch, with its lower bottom-out force of 43 grams, will provide a smooth and satisfying experience that many typists find enjoyable. The softer nylon housing adds to that pleasant sensation, making it great for long typing sessions or gaming environments where quick reactions are key. On the other hand, if you value a more solid and deliberate typing feel, the Silent Green, with its heavier actuation at 60 grams, offers a firmer resistance that some users might find more comfortable for intense typing workloads. Additionally, if sound is a consideration, the Silent Green aims to provide a quieter experience, which can be beneficial if you’re in a shared or quiet workspace. Ultimately, your individual needs and the environment in which you’ll be using these switches will guide your decision—choose the Lucky for a light, engaging experience, or the Silent Green for a sturdier, quieter option.

Mentioned in this article

HMX Lucky Linear

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

Learn more

Outemu Silent Green Linear

$3.10 per 10

Learn more