Gateron Mars vs. Outemu Silent Grey

Overview

When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch, the Gateron Mars and Outemu Silent Grey switches present two distinct options catering to different preferences. The Gateron Mars is a linear switch renowned for its innovative design, featuring a POK stem and a housing made from a blend of Nylon and POM. This switch is perfect for users who prefer a smooth, uninterrupted keystroke, making it ideal for fast-paced gaming or typing scenarios where minimal resistance is desired. In contrast, the Outemu Silent Grey serves as a tactile switch that prides itself on delivering a quiet yet responsive typing experience. With its pronounced bump and smooth keystroke, it’s well-suited for those who appreciate tactile feedback without the noise, making it a fantastic choice for office environments or shared spaces. While both switches have their standout features—smoothness for the Mars and tactile sensation for the Silent Grey—let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that meets your unique typing needs.

By the numbers

Gateron Mars Linear

Outemu Silent Grey Tactile

$6.10

$5.50 per 10

$3.10 per 10

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Housing materials

When analyzing the housing materials of the Gateron Mars and the Outemu Silent Grey, significant differences in sound profiles and material properties emerge. The Mars employs a nylon top housing, which is known for its ability to produce a deeper and fuller sound. This is largely due to nylon's relatively soft composition, which absorbs sound and creates a more muted auditory experience. In stark contrast, the Silent Grey features a polycarbonate top housing, known for its clarity and sharpness. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate results in a higher-pitched, crisper sound profile, making it particularly advantageous in scenarios involving RGB lighting due to its translucency, which allows for light to pass through more vividly.

When examining the bottom housings, we see a further contrast in materials with the Mars utilizing POM and the Silent Grey employing nylon. The POM bottom housing of the Mars contributes to a unique and more muted sound profile, while the nylon bottom housing of the Silent Grey also promotes a deeper sound but, due to its soft properties, allows for a fuller auditory experience. Both switches, therefore, give rise to different experiences based on their bottom housing. Notably, while the Mars offers a combination of velvety depth from the POM with a softer top, the Silent Grey's nylon provides a similar fuller sound, creating an interesting dichotomy between their respective sound profiles.

Considering the overall configurations, the different top and bottom housing materials play distinct roles in the feel and sound when typing. The nylon top housing of the Mars tempers the sharper tones produced by the softer POM bottom housing, allowing for a smooth and plush typing experience. Meanwhile, the transcriptional qualities of the Silent Grey are shaped by its nylon bottom and polycarbonate top; the softness of the nylon balances out the sharper clarity of the polycarbonate, yielding a more rounded sound. Therefore, while both switches produce different tonal qualities due to their varied materials, the interplay between their individual components can lead to surprisingly nuanced similarities in typing sound, particularly with the impact of the bottom housing being notable in both cases.

Weight

When comparing the Gateron Mars linear switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch, there are notable differences in their actuation forces, though information regarding the bottom-out force of the Mars is unavailable. The Gateron Mars features a lighter actuation force of 45 grams, making it ideal for users who prefer a softer touch, which can facilitate longer typing sessions or gaming marathons without fatigue. In contrast, the Outemu Silent Grey has a heavier actuation force of 50 grams, paired with a bottom-out force of 65 grams, providing a more substantial feel during each keystroke, which caters to those who appreciate a firmer typing experience. Ultimately, while the Mars may offer a gentler touch, the Silent Grey is better suited for those who favor a stronger tactile feedback. Since there's no provided bottom-out force for the Gateron Mars, comparisons in that respect remain inconclusive.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Gateron Mars linear switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch, a notable difference emerges. The Mars switch features a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Silent Grey switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm. This means that the Mars switch offers a shorter travel distance, which may appeal to gamers seeking quicker response times. In contrast, the longer travel distance of the Silent Grey switch provides a more traditional feel that some users may prefer for its more substantial feedback. Overall, the choice between these two switches will depend on individual preferences regarding response time versus depth in key presses.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Gateron Mars linear switch is relatively quiet, allowing for a subtle typing experience, which makes it ideal for environments where noise levels need to be controlled. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch is designed specifically for a quieter experience, characterized by a pronounced bump without the harsh noise typically associated with tactile switches. Both switches prioritize reducing sound output, making them suitable choices for those who need to minimize disturbances in shared spaces.

Regarding feel, the Gateron Mars switch provides a smooth linear experience, allowing for effortless keystrokes without any tactile feedback to interrupt the flow of typing. This can be appealing for users who prefer a seamless and uninterrupted typing experience. Conversely, the Outemu Silent Grey switch offers a tactile bump that provides a satisfying feedback with each keystroke, ensuring a more engaging typing experience. While both switches cater to different tactile preferences, they can present smooth interactions without excessive noise distractions.

In conclusion, when comparing the Gateron Mars linear switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch, it’s clear that both are excellent in producing a quieter typing experience suited for different typing styles. The Mars focuses on a smooth, linear feel ideal for uninterrupted typing, while the Silent Grey emphasizes tactile feedback for a more satisfying experience. Depending on your personal preference for tactile sensations and sound levels, either switch can deliver a satisfying experience in a similar noise-sensitive environment.

Conclusion

To conclude, your choice between the Gateron Mars linear switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch ultimately hinges on your typing preferences and intended usage scenario. If you're looking for a smooth and uninterrupted keystroke experience without any tactile feedback, the Gateron Mars is your go-to option, especially if you prefer a lighter touch and fast typing, making it ideal for gaming or rapid typing. On the other hand, if you appreciate a pronounced tactile bump that provides feedback with each press and you value a quieter typing experience, the Outemu Silent Grey would be more suitable for you. Its 65-gram bottom-out force caters well to those who enjoy a medium-heavy feel, which can enhance typing accuracy and satisfaction, particularly in a work environment or shared spaces. In the end, the decision comes down to whether you favor the smooth linearity of the Mars or the tactile yet quiet nature of the Silent Grey, ensuring you select the switch that best matches your personal style and functional needs.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron Mars Linear

$6.10

$5.50 per 10

Learn more

Outemu Silent Grey Tactile

$3.10 per 10

Learn more