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HMX Macchiato vs. Outemu Silent Grey

An in-depth look at the HMX Macchiato and the Outemu Silent Grey switches—which one is the best fit for you?

Overview

When choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, both the HMX Macchiato and Outemu Silent Grey offer unique characteristics that cater to different typing preferences. The HMX Macchiato, created by YG Studio, is celebrated for its silky smooth feel and bright sound profile, making it ideal for users who enjoy a more expressive and lively typing experience. Its clacky and bouncy nature lends itself well to a dynamic usage scenario, perfect for gamers and typists who thrive on auditory feedback. In contrast, the Outemu Silent Grey switches provide a highly tactile typing experience with a pronounced bump, allowing for a satisfying yet quieter keystroke. This makes them a favorable choice for those who prefer a muted and thocky feel, perfect for environments where noise reduction is a priority. Both switches have their distinct advantages, whether you seek vocal feedback or silent satisfaction. 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

42g

Actuation force

50g

Bottom-out force

50g

Bottom-out force

65g

Pre-travel

2.00 mm

Pre-travel

1.60 mm

Total travel

4.00 mm

Total travel

4.00 mm

Factory lubed

Yes

Factory lubed

Yes

Stem construction

Standard

Stem construction

Standard

Stem material

POK

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

20mm single-stage spring

Spring

Stainless steel

Housing materials

The HMX Macchiato and Outemu Silent Grey switches showcase distinct differences in their top housing materials, which profoundly influence their sound profiles. The Macchiato utilizes nylon for its top housing, a material known for its ability to absorb sound. This absorption results in a deeper and fuller auditory experience, producing a duller and rounder sound when typing. In contrast, the Silent Grey features a polycarbonate top housing, a stiffer plastic that creates a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile. The translucency of polycarbonate also facilitates enhanced RGB lighting effects, making it an appealing choice for gamers and enthusiasts looking for aesthetic vibrancy in their setups. Thus, while both switches deliver tactile feedback, their top housing materials lead to significantly different auditory experiences.

Both the HMX Macchiato and Outemu Silent Grey share nylon as their bottom housing material, ensuring some similarities between the two. Nylon’s inherent sound-absorbing properties yield a more muted and fuller sound profile, regardless of the top housing's impact. Consequently, a user pressing either switch will experience a similar depth in sound due to the nylon bottom housing, which plays a significant role in determining the bottom-out sound and feel when the key is actuated. This shared characteristic helps reinforce the tactile experience of both switches, providing a level of consistency in their performance.

Ultimately, the contrast between the top housing materials ensures that each switch appeals to different preferences. Users who favor a deeper, softer sound will likely gravitate towards the HMX Macchiato, benefiting from its nylon top housing. In contrast, those seeking a crisper, more resonant feel will prefer the Outemu Silent Grey with its polycarbonate construction. However, the shared nylon bottom housing in both adds a layer of predictability, ensuring that regardless of the top material's influence, the basic tactile experience and a characteristically full sound region remain consistent. In essence, while aesthetics and auditory profiles might differ, the fundamental switch experience on both models enjoys a common foundation through their nylon bottom housings.

Weight

When comparing the HMX Macchiato linear switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch, distinct differences in actuation and bottom out forces emerge. The Macchiato features a lighter actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, making it suitable for extended typing sessions without fatigue. In contrast, the Silent Grey requires a slightly heavier actuation force of 50 grams and has a bottom out force of 65 grams, providing a more substantial typing experience. As such, the Silent Grey is better suited for those who prefer a stronger tactile feedback, while the Macchiato caters to users seeking a lighter touch. Ultimately, if you favor a lighter switch for prolonged use, the Macchiato would be the better choice, whereas the Silent Grey offers more resistance for those who enjoy a firmer key press.

Travel distance

The HMX Macchiato linear switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch both feature a travel distance of 4 mm, meaning that users will experience the same distance when pressing down on either key. This similarity in travel distance allows for a uniform feel when typing or gaming, making both switches suitable for those who appreciate a consistent keystroke experience. As such, users can expect similar performance and responsiveness when using either switch.

Price comparison

Which switch is more bang for your buck?

The HMX Macchiato has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Macchiato 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 Macchiato linear switch offers a bright and clacky profile, characterized by a crisp and percussive tone that resonates pleasantly with each keystroke. It delivers a snappy sound that adds a lively element to the typing experience. In contrast, the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch is designed for those who prioritize noise reduction, featuring a muted quality that makes it significantly quieter. While it exhibits a low-pitched "thocky" sound, which can be rich and satisfying when pressed, the overall noise level is diminished compared to traditional mechanical switches. This means that if you’re seeking a quieter environment without sacrificing keyboard feedback, the Silent Grey excels at minimizing disruption.

In terms of feel, the Macchiato switches shine with their silky texture and bouncy responsiveness. Typing on these switches feels smooth and fluid, with a lightness that encourages rapid key presses, making them ideal for extended use without straining your fingers. The feathery nature of the Macchiato minimizes resistance, allowing for a more enjoyable typing experience. On the other hand, the Silent Grey tactile switches provide a distinct sharp tactile bump with every keystroke, offering a satisfying feedback that is noticeable yet subtle. The strong tactile response can be invigorating, helping typists feel a clear connection with each key press. While the Macchiato emphasizes a smooth and light experience, the Silent Grey focuses on providing a pronounced tactile feedback, making them fundamentally different in how they engage the user.

In summary, the HMX Macchiato linear switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch cater to different preferences in both sound and feel. The Macchiato is perfect for those who enjoy a bright, clacky sound and a silky smooth typing experience, making it suitable for both gaming and typing with minimal finger fatigue. Conversely, the Silent Grey is designed for a quieter operation, with a pronounced tactile bump that allows for satisfying feedback while maintaining a more muted sound profile. Depending on your typing style and environment, both switches will provide enjoyable experiences, just with different qualities.

Conclusion

To conclude, your choice between the HMX Macchiato linear switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch should be guided by your personal preferences and intended use. If you value a light typing experience that feels silky smooth and produces a bright, clacky sound, the Macchiato is an excellent option. This switch is particularly well-suited for those who engage in extensive typing sessions or gaming, as its feathery and bouncy characteristics reduce fatigue while providing an engaging typing feel. On the other hand, if you prefer a more pronounced tactile experience and a quieter environment, the Silent Grey switch is the way to go. With a higher bottom-out force and a distinct tactile bump, it provides satisfying feedback without the accompanying noise that can be distracting in shared spaces. Ultimately, consider your typing style and the acoustics of your surroundings to decide which switch will bring you the most joy and productivity.

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