Gateron Melodic vs. Outemu Silent White
An in-depth look at the Gateron Melodic and the Outemu Silent White switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Gateron Melodic and the Outemu Silent White offer distinct experiences for users. The Gateron Melodic, a clicky switch, stands out for its smooth factory lubing and dual-railed stems, providing a classic clicky sound and tactile feedback while ensuring a buttery and resonant typing experience. In contrast, the Outemu Silent White, a linear switch, is known for its silent operation, making it ideal for those who prefer a quieter typing experience. While the Melodic offers an invigorating and crunchy feel, the Silent White remains discreet and subtle. 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
45g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
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
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Gateron Melodic and the Outemu Silent White both feature a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the relatively stiffer nature of polycarbonate, which leads to a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it especially useful for switches that plan to use RGB lighting. Both switches will provide a similar sound profile and aesthetic appeal due to their shared polycarbonate top housing.
However, where the two switches differ is in their bottom housing material. The Melodic utilizes a nylon bottom housing, which elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound than harder plastics, creating a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the Silent White also features a nylon bottom housing, providing a similar deep and full sound profile. This shared bottom housing material ensures that both switches will offer a consistent typing experience in terms of sound and feel.
When considering the impact of the top and bottom housings on the overall sound and feel of the switches, it is important to note that the bottom housing affects the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on a key, while the top housing plays a larger role in the sound when releasing the key. The split of housing materials in the Melodic and Silent White switches ensures that users will experience a balanced typing experience that combines the sharpness and clarity of polycarbonate with the depth and fullness of nylon. Ultimately, both switches offer a unique blend of materials that contribute to their individual sound profiles and typing experiences.
Weight
When comparing the Gateron Melodic clicky switch and the Outemu Silent White linear switch in terms of actuation force and bottom out force, there are some noticeable differences. The Gateron Melodic has an actuation force of None grams, making it very light, while the Outemu Silent White has an actuation force of 45 grams, which is slightly heavier. Both switches share a bottom out force of 60 grams, placing them in the medium range. The lighter actuation force of the Gateron Melodic may appeal to users who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions, while the slightly heavier actuation force of the Outemu Silent White may provide a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a bit more resistance. In terms of bottoming out, both switches offer the same level of force, ensuring similar results in that aspect. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for actuation force and typing feel.
Travel distance
The Gateron Melodic clicky switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Outemu Silent White linear switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm. The shorter distance of 3.3 mm in the Silent White switch allows for quicker response times, which is favored by gamers seeking fast reactions. On the other hand, the 4 mm travel distance of the Melodic switch provides a deeper pressing feel, which some users may find more satisfying. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference and whether one prefers a shorter or longer travel distance. Both switches offer unique experiences, so selecting one over the other would depend on individual typing or gaming style.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Melodic has an MSRP of $6.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Melodic for $6.00.
The Outemu Silent White 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 Gateron Melodic clicky switch offers a resonant and crunchy experience, with a higher-pitched sound profile and a clean, sharp clicky sound that resembles stepping on piles of autumn leaves. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent White linear switch's sound profile is unknown. Both switches will provide a unique auditory experience depending on the keyboard and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Gateron Melodic switch is known for its buttery and invigorating tactile feedback. Typing on these switches will feel smooth, fluid, and effortless, with pronounced feedback and a snappy, reactive feel. The Outemu Silent White switch's tactile feel is unknown, but it can be assumed to offer a smooth and linear typing experience.
Overall, the Gateron Melodic clicky switch offers a resonant and crunchy sound with a buttery and invigorating feel, providing a satisfying typing experience for users who enjoy both audible and tactile feedback. The Outemu Silent White linear switch, while lacking specific descriptions of its sound and feel, is expected to offer a unique typing experience with its silent operation and linear feel. Both switches can provide a diverse range of experiences to suit different preferences in mechanical keyboard switches.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Gateron Melodic clicky switch and the Outemu Silent White linear switch, consider the following guidelines. If you enjoy a classic clicky sound with tactile feedback and a smooth typing experience, the Gateron Melodic is the way to go. The Melodic offers a resonant and crunchy sound profile, along with a buttery and invigorating feel. On the other hand, if you prefer a silent typing experience without sacrificing the medium 60-gram bottom out force, the Outemu Silent White could be more suited to your preferences. Ultimately, choose the switch that aligns with your typing preferences and the overall experience you desire from your mechanical keyboard.
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