SP-Star Meteor White vs. Outemu Yellow Silver
An in-depth look at the SP-Star Meteor White and the Outemu Yellow Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the SP-Star Meteor White and the Outemu Yellow Silver are both linear switches, but they offer distinct advantages based on individual preferences. The Meteor White is renowned for its subdued nature, providing a gentle and easy typing experience. With its soft type feel and pitter-patter sound profile, this switch is perfect for those seeking a quieter and more relaxing typing session. On the other hand, the Outemu Yellow Silver is highly regarded for its light actuation force and neutral sound profile. Designed with gamers and typists in mind, this switch offers speediness and responsiveness. While these general descriptions are helpful, let's delve deeper into the specifics of each switch to help you make the best choice for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
57g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.30 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the SP-Star Meteor White and the Outemu Yellow Silver switches differ significantly in terms of the materials used. The Meteor White features a nylon top housing, while the Yellow Silver has a polycarbonate top housing. Nylon is known for its softness and ability to absorb sound, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. In contrast, polycarbonate is a stiffer plastic that produces a sharper and more resonant sound profile. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting, adding an aesthetic advantage.
Moving on to the bottom housing, both the Meteor White and the Yellow Silver switches utilize nylon. As with the top housing, nylon's softer properties contribute to a deeper and fuller sound profile as it absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics. Therefore, both switches offer a similar sound experience due to the use of nylon in their bottom housing. However, the impact of the bottom housing is more noticeable during the bottom-out sound and feel, whereas the top housing primarily influences the sound when releasing a key.
Overall, the housing materials of the SP-Star Meteor White and the Outemu Yellow Silver switches create distinct sound profiles. The Meteor White's nylon housing contributes to a duller and rounder sound, while the Yellow Silver's polycarbonate housing produces a sharper and crisper sound. The choice between the two ultimately depends on personal preference and the desired typing experience. However, if a similar sound profile is desired, both switches use nylon in their bottom housing, offering comparable deep and full sounds when typing.
Weight
When comparing the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch, there are some key differences in terms of actuation force and bottom out force. The actuation force of the Meteor White is unavailable, making it difficult to assess how it compares to the Yellow Silver's actuation force of 45 grams. However, both switches have a bottom out force in the medium-light range, with the Meteor White measuring at 57 grams and the Yellow Silver at 55 grams.
Considering the weight aspect, the lighter actuation force in the Yellow Silver switch may be preferable for individuals who value longer typing sessions or extended gaming periods. The lighter force allows for easier and smoother keystrokes, resulting in reduced fatigue over time. On the other hand, the Meteor White switch, with an unknown actuation force, may also provide a similar experience if it falls within the lighter range.
However, for those who prefer a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel, opting for switches with heavier actuation forces would be more suitable. In this case, the Yellow Silver switch with its 45-gram actuation force might not provide the desired level of resistance, while the Meteor White switch remains uncertain.
Ultimately, the actuation force and bottom out force play significant roles in determining the typing experience. While the Meteor White switch lacks specific information regarding its actuation force, the Yellow Silver switch offers a lighter actuation force paired with a similar bottom out force. Depending on the individual's preference for weight, one can make an informed decision based on the available information.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch, both switches have a travel distance of 4 mm. Therefore, pressing down on either switch will result in a similar feeling and response. Neither switch has a shorter or longer travel distance than the other, making them equal in terms of the distance they travel from the top to the bottom. Whether you choose the Meteor White or the Yellow Silver, you can expect a consistent travel distance and tactile experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The SP-Star Meteor White has an MSRP of $5.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Meteor White for $5.00.
The Outemu Yellow Silver comes in at $3.40 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 SP-Star Meteor White linear switch offers a neutral sound profile with a moderate actuation force requirement. This switch produces a gentle, pitter-patter sound that is described as soft. On the other hand, the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch also has a neutral sound profile with a moderate actuation force requirement. However, the specific sound characteristics of the Yellow Silver switch are unknown. It is important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used. Overall, both switches offer a similar sound experience with a gentle and neutral profile.
Moving on to the feel, the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch is known for providing a mild typing experience. This means that it offers a more gentle and approachable feel compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. Additionally, the Meteor White switch is described as "polished," indicating a smooth and refined finish that results in a sleek typing experience. This suggests reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the feel of the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch is unknown. Therefore, we cannot compare the feel qualities of the two switches.
Considering all the available information, both the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch have a neutral sound profile and a moderate actuation force requirement. However, the Meteor White switch is known for its soft and pitter-patter sound, while the specific sound characteristics of the Yellow Silver switch are unknown. In terms of feel, the Meteor White switch offers a mild and approachable typing experience with a polished finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. Unfortunately, the feel qualities of the Yellow Silver switch are unknown. Despite the lack of information on the Yellow Silver switch, it is likely that it will provide a similar overall experience to the Meteor White switch in terms of sound and feel, especially considering their shared neutral sound profile and actuation force requirement.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a gentle and soft typing experience with a subdued sound profile, the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch is the one for you. With a bottom out force of 57 grams, this switch offers a medium-light actuation that is easy to push. Its type feel is described as mild and polished, providing a smooth and refined finish for a sleek typing experience. The Meteor White switch also produces a neutral sound profile, making it suitable for most intents and purposes.
On the other hand, if you prefer a light actuation force and a neutral sound profile, especially for gaming or typing that requires speediness and responsiveness, the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch is the better choice. With a bottom out force of 55 grams, this switch offers a slightly lighter actuation force compared to the Meteor White. Although there is no specific description of its type feel, it shares the same neutral sound profile as the Meteor White switch.
Ultimately, the decision between the SP-Star Meteor White and the Outemu Yellow Silver switches depends on your personal preferences. If you prioritize a gentle and soft typing experience with a subdued sound profile, go for the Meteor White. If you prioritize speediness and responsiveness with a light actuation force, the Yellow Silver is the way to go. Consider your typing style, preferences, and specific use cases to make the best choice for your mechanical keyboard.
Mentioned in this article
