KTT Miaowu vs. Outemu Silent Yellow Jade
An in-depth look at the KTT Miaowu and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the KTT Miaowu linear switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch, there are key distinctions to consider. The Miaowu Switch, known for its enhanced stem stability and smoother keystroke action, stands out with its use of POK in the stem, providing a unique typing experience categorized as 'Bouncy' and 'Clacky'. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade offers a quiet, tactile typing experience with a satisfying "thocky" sound, featuring a translucent jade yellow housing and a punchy tactile bump. While the Miaowu switch may appeal to those seeking a bouncy and clacky typing experience, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switch caters to individuals looking for a quiet yet tactile feel. 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
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POK
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
Gold-plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the KTT Miaowu and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switches both utilize nylon, but they differ in terms of their top housings. The Miaowu features a polycarbonate top housing, which offers a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its stiffness. In contrast, the Silent Yellow Jade utilizes a nylon top housing, providing a deeper and fuller sound profile as nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound. While the bottom housings of both switches are made of nylon, resulting in a similar deep and full sound when typing, the difference in the top housings leads to distinct auditory experiences when pressing and releasing keys.
Despite the differences in top housings, both the KTT Miaowu and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switches benefit from the classic nylon bottom housing material. Typing on switches with nylon bottom housings elicits a deep and full sound profile, as the softer plastic absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound. This characteristic is present in both switches, ensuring a consistent typing experience in terms of sound and tactile feedback. However, the unique qualities brought by the polycarbonate top housing of the Miaowu and the nylon top housing of the Silent Yellow Jade contribute to distinct sound profiles that cater to different preferences.
The impact of the housing materials on the overall sound and feel of the switches is noticeable in how the top and bottom housings contribute to different aspects of typing experience. The bottom housing influences the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on a key, while the top housing plays a more significant role in the sound when releasing a key. Therefore, the choice of housing materials in switches can significantly affect the auditory and tactile feedback that users experience during typing. By understanding the unique properties of materials like polycarbonate and nylon, keyboard enthusiasts can tailor their switch selection to achieve their desired sound and feel preferences.
Weight
The KTT Miaowu linear switch has a lighter actuation force of 43 grams compared to the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch, which has a heavier actuation force of 50 grams. The bottom out force of the Miaowu is also lighter at 50 grams, while the Silent Yellow Jade has a heavier bottom out force of 65 grams. Those looking for a smoother typing experience may prefer the Miaowu with its lighter actuation and bottom out forces, allowing for longer typing sessions without fatigue. On the other hand, the Silent Yellow Jade switch provides a more substantial typing experience with its heavier actuation and bottom out forces, ideal for those who prefer a stronger push feel. Ultimately, the weight of the switch plays a crucial role in determining the typing experience, with lighter switches being better for extended use and heavier switches offering a more tactile and responsive feel.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the KTT Miaowu linear switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch, it is evident that the Miaowu has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.5mm compared to the Silent Yellow Jade's 3.3mm. Both switches fall within the spectrum of shorter travel distances, which are increasingly popular among gamers for their quicker response times. However, the slight difference in travel distance may be noticeable to some users, with the Miaowu offering a slightly deeper keypress compared to the Silent Yellow Jade. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preference for the feel of the keypress, with the Miaowu providing a slightly longer and more substantial travel distance than the Silent Yellow Jade.
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 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
When it comes to sound, the KTT Miaowu linear switch offers a clacky experience, which is characterized by a sharp and snappy sound when pressed. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch is known for its quiet typing experience with a satisfying "thocky" sound, thanks to its unique translucent jade yellow housing. Both switches offer distinct sound profiles that cater to different preferences, with the Miaowu being more crisp and bright while the Silent Yellow Jade provides a quieter typing experience.
Moving on to feel, the KTT Miaowu switch is known for its bouncy feel, providing a spring-like feedback sensation that gives the keys a lively and rebound effect when pressed. Unfortunately, information regarding the tactile feel of the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switch is not provided. However, given that it is a tactile switch, it is safe to assume that it offers a tactile bump upon actuation, providing users with a tactile feedback sensation when typing.
In conclusion, the KTT Miaowu linear switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Miaowu provides a clacky sound profile and a bouncy feel, while the Silent Yellow Jade offers a quiet typing experience with a tactile bump. Depending on your preferences for sound and feel, both switches can provide an enjoyable typing experience, delivering different but equally satisfying results. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference and the specific typing experience you are looking to achieve.
Conclusion
In closing, when considering whether to choose the KTT Miaowu linear switch or the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch, you should keep a few key factors in mind. If you prefer a light bottom out force of 50 grams and value enhanced stem stability and smoother keystroke actions, the Miaowu switch may be the better option for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force of 65 grams and prioritize a quiet, tactile typing experience with a satisfying "thocky" sound, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switch would be the more suitable choice. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your preference for key feel, sound, and typing experience.