Gateron Melodic vs. Outemu Silent Yellow Jade
An in-depth look at the Gateron Melodic and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Gateron Melodic and Outemu Silent Yellow Jade offer unique features catering to different preferences. The Gateron Melodic stands out for its reinvigoration of the clicky switch category, providing a satisfyingly smooth typing experience with a classic clicky sound and tactile feedback. In contrast, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade offers a quiet, tactile typing experience with a distinctive "thocky" sound, ideal for those seeking a more subdued typing noise. Both switches have their own strengths and appeal to different preferences in typing feel and sound. 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
60g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
pom
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
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 Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switches both offer unique housing materials that contribute to their sound profiles. The Melodic's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper, higher-pitched sound, while the Silent Yellow Jade's nylon top housing produces a deeper and fuller sound. The polycarbonate material is stiffer, resulting in a clearer and more resonant sound, whereas the softer nylon material of the Silent Yellow Jade absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound. Overall, the choice between these two switches will depend on whether you prefer a sharper and crisper sound (Melodic) or a deeper and fuller sound (Silent Yellow Jade).
In terms of the bottom housing material, both the Gateron Melodic and Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switches use nylon. This classic switch housing material contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile for both switches. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Therefore, the bottom housing of both switches plays a significant role in the overall sound experience when typing. Whether you choose the Melodic or Silent Yellow Jade, you can expect a similar sound quality from the bottom housing material.
Overall, the choice between the Gateron Melodic and Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switches will come down to personal preference in sound profile. The polycarbonate top housing of the Melodic offers a sharper and crisper sound, while the nylon top housing of the Silent Yellow Jade provides a deeper and fuller sound. Both switches utilize nylon for the bottom housing, contributing to a similar deep and full sound profile. Whether you prefer a more resonant and clear sound (Melodic) or a softer and rounder sound (Silent Yellow Jade), both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences in mechanical keyboard switches.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Melodic clicky switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch, the Melodic has an actuation force of None grams, which means it is lighter compared to the Silent Yellow Jade with an actuation force of 50 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Melodic requires 60 grams, while the Silent Yellow Jade needs 65 grams, making the latter slightly heavier. Both switches provide a medium to medium-heavy typing experience, allowing for a satisfying tactile feel while typing. Those who prefer a lighter touch for longer typing sessions may lean towards the Melodic, while those seeking a more robust typing experience may opt for the Silent Yellow Jade. Regardless, both switches offer a balance between actuation and bottom out forces, providing users with reliable keystrokes and a comfortable typing experience.
Travel distance
The Gateron Melodic clicky switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm. This means that the Melodic switch has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Silent Yellow Jade switch. The Melodic switch may provide a more satisfying tactile feedback due to its longer travel distance, while the Silent Yellow Jade switch may offer a quicker response time for those who prefer shorter travel distances. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for travel distance and typing experience. Both switches offer unique benefits, so it's important to consider what type of typing experience you prefer before making a decision.
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 Yellow Jade 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
In terms of sound, the Gateron Melodic clicky switch offers a resonant and crunchy typing experience, providing a high-pitched sound profile with a clean and sharp click reminiscent of stepping on piles of autumn leaves. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch is known for its quiet yet satisfying "thocky" sound, offering a tactile typing experience with a punchy bump. Depending on your preference for sound, the Melodic switch may be more immersive and dynamic, while the Silent Yellow Jade switch provides a more subtle and subdued typing experience.
When it comes to feel, the Gateron Melodic switch is praised for its buttery and invigorating keystroke sensation, delivering a smooth, fluid typing experience with pronounced feedback and moderate to firm actuation force. This creates a seamless and reactive feel, enhancing the overall typing sensation. Unfortunately, there is no specific information available on the feel of the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switch. However, based on its tactile nature and quiet operation, it is likely to offer a tactile bump with a smooth and comfortable typing experience.
In conclusion, the Gateron Melodic clicky switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch offer distinct sound and feel profiles to cater to different preferences. The Melodic switch provides a resonant, crunchy sound with a buttery, invigorating feel, ideal for those seeking a dynamic and immersive typing experience. On the other hand, the Silent Yellow Jade switch delivers a quiet, thocky sound and likely offers a tactile bump with a smooth typing experience. Depending on whether you prioritize sound, feel, or a combination of both, you can choose the switch that best suits your preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering whether to choose the Gateron Melodic or the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switch, it ultimately comes down to your preference for sound and feel. If you are looking for a switch with a resonant and crunchy sound profile, along with a buttery and invigorating typing experience, then the Gateron Melodic clicky switch is the way to go. On the other hand, if you prefer a quiet, "thocky" sound and a tactile typing experience with a unique translucent jade yellow housing, then the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch is the better choice for you. Keep these factors in mind when making your decision, and you'll end up with a mechanical keyboard switch that suits your preferences perfectly.
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