KTT Mallo vs. Outemu Silent Grey
An in-depth look at the KTT Mallo and the Outemu Silent Grey switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the KTT Mallo and the Outemu Silent Grey mechanical keyboard switches, it is clear that both offer unique advantages for different preferences. The KTT Mallo is characterized by its subtle tactility and medium-light typing feel, striking a balanced chord for typists who enjoy a gentle feedback without overpowering sound. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Grey switches provide a quiet and highly tactile typing experience, with a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke that is satisfying yet silent. While the Mallo is known for its versatility and neutral sound signature, the Silent Grey excels in offering a quiet typing experience with a satisfying tactile feedback. 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
N/A
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
55g
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
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
Both the KTT Mallo and the Outemu Silent Grey feature polycarbonate top housings, which create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to the stiffness of the plastic. This makes them ideal for switches that plan to utilize RGB lighting, as the translucency of polycarbonate allows for a visually appealing lighting effect. However, the nylon bottom housing of the Mallo and the Silent Grey offer a deeper and fuller sound profile, absorbing more sound than harder plastics and creating a duller and rounder sound. This contrast in housing materials provides a unique typing experience for users of both switches.
While both switches share the same polycarbonate top housing properties, the differences lie in their nylon bottom housings. The Mallo and Silent Grey each offer a distinctive sound profile based on the softer plastic absorbing more sound in the bottom housing. This split between top and bottom housing materials allows for a more nuanced typing experience, with the bottom-out sound and feel impacted by the bottom housing, and the sound when releasing a key influenced by the top housing. These differences in housing materials contribute to the overall typing experience and sound profile of each switch.
In conclusion, while both the KTT Mallo and the Outemu Silent Grey share polycarbonate top housings that provide a sharp and clear sound profile conducive to RGB lighting, their nylon bottom housings offer contrasting sound profiles - with the Mallo providing a deeper sound and the Silent Grey offering a fuller sound. These differences in housing materials result in unique typing experiences for users of each switch, showcasing how varying housing materials can impact the overall sound and feel of mechanical keyboard switches.
Weight
In comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Mallo tactile switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch, it is clear that the Mallo is lighter in terms of actuation force with None grams compared to the Silent Grey's 50 grams. This means that the Mallo requires less force to initiate a keystroke. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Mallo has a force of 55 grams, while the Silent Grey has a heavier force of 65 grams. This indicates that the Silent Grey provides a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference - whether one prefers a lighter actuation force for longer typing sessions or a heavier bottom out force for a more robust typing experience. Both switches offer different experiences, so users can choose based on their typing style and preference for key feel.
Travel distance
Both the KTT Mallo tactile switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either of these switches, you will experience the same amount of travel from the top to the bottom. This similarity ensures that users will get consistent results in terms of how the keys feel when typing. The travel distance being equal in both switches makes them a good choice for those who prefer a certain level of key travel in their mechanical keyboard. Overall, whether you choose the KTT Mallo or the Outemu Silent Grey, you can expect a similar typing experience in terms of travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The KTT Mallo has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Mallo for $4.40.
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
The KTT Mallo switch offers a neutral and subdued sound profile that is not overpowering, making it a versatile choice for various typing environments. In contrast, the Outemu Silent Grey switch is known for being quiet, ensuring a silent typing experience with a pronounced tactile bump. When it comes to feel, the Mallo switch provides a feathery and mild typing experience, perfect for reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. On the other hand, the Silent Grey switch's tactile feel is not specified, but it is designed to offer a satisfying typing experience with its smooth keystrokes. Overall, if you are looking for a balanced and subtle tactile switch with a neutral sound profile, the KTT Mallo switch would be a suitable choice. However, if you prefer a quiet and highly tactile typing experience, the Outemu Silent Grey switch would be the ideal option for you. Both switches cater to different preferences, ensuring that you will get a satisfying typing experience based on your specific needs.
Conclusion
In closing, when choosing between the KTT Mallo tactile switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch, consider the following guidelines. If you prefer a medium-light typing feel with a gentle tactility and a neutral sound signature, the KTT Mallo switch would be an excellent choice for you. On the other hand, if you seek a medium-heavy typing experience with a pronounced bump and a quiet operation, the Outemu Silent Grey switch is the way to go. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for typing feel, sound level, and tactile feedback. Both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences, so choose wisely based on what aspects matter most to you in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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