KTT Miaowu vs. Outemu Silent Grey
An in-depth look at the KTT Miaowu and the Outemu Silent Grey switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When looking at mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the KTT Miaowu, a linear switch, and the Outemu Silent Grey, a tactile switch. The Miaowu switch from KTT is renowned for its enhanced stem stability and smooth keystroke action, thanks to the utilization of POK in its stem material. This switch is often described as 'bouncy' and 'clacky', providing a unique typing experience. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Grey switch stands out for offering a quiet and highly tactile typing sensation, with a distinct bump and smooth keystroke. This switch is perfect for those who value both satisfaction and silence while typing. 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
43g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POK
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
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the KTT Miaowu and the Outemu Silent Grey, it is clear that they both utilize polycarbonate for the top housing. This material is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its stiffness. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches that plan to use RGB lighting, offering a visually appealing feature. Despite both switches using polycarbonate for the top housing, the differences may lie in the design and overall build quality of each switch.
On the other hand, the nylon bottom housing of the Miaowu and Silent Grey switches brings a unique element to their sound profiles. Nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing on switches with nylon housing. This difference in material for the bottom housing can potentially impact the overall typing experience and feel of the switches. While both switches utilize nylon for the bottom housing, the specific design and construction of each switch may affect how these qualities are experienced by the user.
The distribution of housing materials in a switch can also play a significant role in the overall typing experience. With the qualities of the bottom housing impacting the bottom-out sound and feel, and the top housing influencing the sound when a key is released, the combination of polycarbonate and nylon in the Miaowu and Silent Grey switches creates a balanced and unique typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the Miaowu and the Silent Grey may come down to personal preference and the specific qualities each user values in a switch's sound profile and feel.
Weight
In comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Miaowu linear switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch, there are noticeable differences. The Miaowu switch has a lighter actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, providing a smoother typing experience. In contrast, the Silent Grey switch has a heavier actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams, offering a more substantial push feel. Individuals who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing sessions or gaming may gravitate towards the Miaowu switch, while those seeking a more forceful typing experience may opt for the Silent Grey switch. Both switches offer unique benefits based on their actuation and bottom out forces, allowing users to tailor their keyboard choice to their specific preferences.
Travel distance
The KTT Miaowu linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, making it slightly shorter than the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch with a travel distance of 4 mm. The Miaowu offers a quicker response time due to its shorter travel distance, which can be ideal for gamers looking for a faster keystroke. On the other hand, the Silent Grey provides a bit more depth with its longer travel distance, which may be preferred by those who enjoy a more substantial key press. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference in terms of desired key feel and responsiveness. Both switches offer unique advantages, so selecting the right one will depend on individual typing preferences.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The KTT Miaowu has an MSRP of $4.32 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Miaowu for $3.71.
The Outemu Silent Grey 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
The KTT Miaowu linear switch is known for its clacky sound profile, producing a sharp and snappy sound when pressed, which can be described as crisp, bright, and percussive. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch offers a quiet typing experience with no specific sound descriptors provided. When it comes to feel, the Miaowu switch is described as bouncy, providing a spring-like feedback sensation with lively keys that give a rebound when pressed. The feel of the Silent Grey switch is not specified.
Overall, the Miaowu switch stands out for its enhanced stem stability and smooth keystroke action thanks to the POK material in its stem, while the Silent Grey switch offers a highly tactile typing experience with a pronounced bump and quiet operation. Both switches cater to different preferences, with the Miaowu switch focusing on a clacky sound and bouncy feel, and the Silent Grey switch providing a silent and tactile typing experience. Depending on your preference for sound and feel, you can achieve similar results with either switch by pairing them with a compatible keyboard and keycaps.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the KTT Miaowu linear switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch, consider your personal preferences and typing habits. If you prefer a lighter bottom out force and are looking for a smooth keystroke action with enhanced stem stability, the Miaowu switch would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force and value a quiet and highly tactile typing experience with a pronounced bump, the Outemu Silent Grey switch would be more suitable for your needs. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches comes down to what type of typing experience you prefer and what features are most important to you.
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