Gateron Melodic vs. Outemu Green

Overview

When it comes to enhancing your typing experience, the choice of mechanical keyboard switches can make a significant difference, particularly among clicky options like the Gateron Melodic and the Outemu Green. The Gateron Melodic stands out in the clicky switch realm with its thoughtful design, featuring smooth factory lubing and dual-railed stems that promise not only the beloved classic clicky sound but also an invigorating tactile feedback. Described as buttery and resonant, it ensures that every keystroke is satisfying and enjoyable. In contrast, the Outemu Green offers a more traditional clicky experience, appealing to those who appreciate a straightforward design without the additional refinements that the Melodic boasts. While both switches cater to fans of tactile feedback and a pronounced auditory response, the Melodic leans into modern enhancements that promote smoothness and longevity. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ultimate switch for your typing needs.

By the numbers

Gateron Melodic Clicky

Outemu Green Clicky

$6.50

$6.00 per 10

$3.10 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

Both the Gateron Melodic and the Outemu Green feature polycarbonate in their top housing, which significantly contributes to their audio characteristics. The use of polycarbonate, known for its stiffness, leads to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, enhancing the typing experience with clarity and resonance. In addition, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it an attractive choice for users who want to showcase RGB lighting in their keyboards since it allows light to pass through effectively. Thus, both switches will offer similar tonal qualities in their upper housing due to this shared material choice, resulting in a bright and clear sound that enhances the overall aesthetic when backlit.

In contrast, the Melodic and Outemu Green utilize nylon for their bottom housing. Nylon, while a classic material for switch housings, yields a notably different auditory experience than polycarbonate. Being a softer plastic, nylon absorbs sound more effectively, producing a deeper and fuller tone upon bottoming out. This characteristic creates a more muted, rounder sound profile, softening the auditory sharpness introduced by the polycarbonate top. Therefore, the combination of polycarbonate on the top and nylon on the bottom ensures that while both switches share clarity and brightness when pressed, the bottom-stage resonance might differ in profoundness, offering users distinct tactile experiences.

The overall influence of these materials means that both the Melodic and Outemu Green provide a balanced typing experience. While the polycarbonate top's properties lead to a similar crisp sound when the keys are released, the differing nylon bottom impacts the feel and sound profile upon bottoming out. This split between the top and bottom housing creates a unique characteristic for each switch, allowing users to appreciate the nuanced differences, despite their similar foundational materials in the top housing. Therefore, while the switches might deliver comparable auditory experiences at the start of the keypress, the end of the keypress will reflect their individual talents, enhancing user engagement.

Weight

When comparing the Gateron Melodic clicky switch and the Outemu Green clicky switch, there is a notable difference in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Gateron Melodic has an unknown actuation force but a bottom out force of 60 grams, which falls into the medium range. In contrast, the Outemu Green has a firmer actuation force of 65 grams and a heavier bottom out force of 80 grams. This difference highlights that the Outemu Green is the heavier option, requiring more force to actuate a keystroke and to bottom out compared to the Gateron Melodic. Users who prefer a lighter switch for extended typing or gaming sessions may find the Melodic more suitable, while those who enjoy a more substantial feel during typing may lean towards the Outemu Green due to its heavier forces.

Travel distance

Both the Gateron Melodic clicky switch and the Outemu Green clicky switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm, meaning you will experience identical key press depths when typing. Since both switches offer a travel distance of 4 mm, users can expect similar tactile feedback and actuation, which can contribute to a consistent typing experience across both switch types. This equality in travel distance highlights how much they have in common, making them both viable choices for those who prefer a clicky switch feel.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Gateron Melodic clicky switch offers a unique auditory experience characterized by its resonant and crunchy tones. Its higher-pitched sound profile is clean and sharp, reminiscent of the crisp crunch of autumn leaves underfoot, providing an immersive and satisfying auditory feedback that enhances the typing experience. In contrast, the Outemu Green switch lacks specific descriptions regarding its sound profile, leaving a gap in comparative analysis. However, it's important to note that the overall sound experience can also greatly depend on the choice of keyboard, construction materials, and keycap designs used alongside the switches.

In terms of feel, the Melodic switch excels with its buttery smoothness paired with invigorating feedback. This combination facilitates an effortless and fluid keystroke experience while offering pronounced tactile feedback that makes typing engaging and lively. The actuation force is moderate to firm, ensuring that each keypress is both snappy and precise. The Outemu Green switch does not have any provided descriptors to gauge its tactile feedback and keystroke experience, making it difficult to draw a direct comparison in this category.

In conclusion, the Gateron Melodic clicky switch stands out with its nuanced sound qualities and an enjoyable typing feel, making it an appealing choice for those who appreciate both auditory and tactile feedback. The absence of specific characteristics for the Outemu Green switch in both sound and feel prevents a comprehensive comparison; however, one might find that, depending on personal preference and the keyboard build, either switch can deliver a satisfactory typing experience. For users seeking advanced smoothness and feedback, the Melodic likely offers a more refined option, but if the Green switch is chosen, it could still provide a rewarding typing experience, even if it is less defined.

Conclusion

To conclude, choosing between the Gateron Melodic clicky switch and the Outemu Green clicky switch ultimately depends on your typing preferences and style. If you value a smooth and enjoyable typing experience with a medium actuation force that balances comfort and feedback, the Gateron Melodic is likely the better option for you. Its unique combination of resonant and crunchy sounds adds a satisfying auditory experience to your keystrokes, making it ideal for both casual typing and gaming sessions. On the other hand, if you prefer a heavier switch with a more pronounced actuation force that can provide a firmer tactile sensation, you may gravitate toward the Outemu Green switch. While it doesn't boast the same innovations and sound profile as the Melodic, the Green's heavier resistance can enhance your typing discipline, making it suitable for those who enjoy a more substantial key press. Ultimately, your decision should reflect your specific typing needs and preferences in terms of sound, feel, and weight.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron Melodic Clicky

$6.50

$6.00 per 10

Learn more

Outemu Green Clicky

$3.10 per 10

Learn more