Cherry MX Black vs. Outemu Blue
An in-depth look at the Cherry MX Black and the Outemu Blue switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Cherry MX Black and the Outemu Blue offer two distinct typing experiences. The Cherry MX Black is a linear switch that is best known for its smoothness, deep sound profile, and stiff feel. On the other hand, the Outemu Blue is a clicky switch that provides audible and tactile feedback with each key press. While the MX Black is ideal for those who prefer a low-pitched and textured typing experience, the Blue switch is favored by those who enjoy the satisfying clicky 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
60g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
80g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
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
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Cherry MX Black and Outemu Blue switches have different materials used in their housing, with the MX Black featuring a nylon top housing and the Outemu Blue featuring a polycarbonate top housing. The nylon top housing of the MX Black creates a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the polycarbonate top housing of the Outemu Blue produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate leads to a more clear and resonant sound, making it a popular choice for switches with clear housings for RGB lighting.
Both the MX Black and Outemu Blue switches have nylon bottom housings, which contribute to a deeper and fuller sound profile as a result of the softer plastic absorbing more sound. This similarity in bottom housing material means that both switches share the quality of creating a duller and rounder sound when typing on them. While the top housing material may differ between the two switches, the consistency in the nylon bottom housing ensures a similar typing experience in terms of sound profile.
In switches where the top and bottom housings are different like the Cherry MX Black and Outemu Blue, the qualities of each housing material are split between the top and bottom of the switch. The bottom housing has more influence on the bottom-out sound and feel when the key is pressed down, while the top housing affects the sound when the key is released. This division of qualities showcases how the choice of housing material can impact the overall typing experience and sound profile of a switch, highlighting the importance of considering both top and bottom housings in switch design.
Weight
Comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Cherry MX Black linear switch and the Outemu Blue clicky switch reveals some key differences. The MX Black has a heavier actuation force of 60 grams compared to the Blue's lighter 50 grams. This means that the MX Black requires more force to register a key press. Additionally, the MX Black has a bottom out force of 80 grams, while the Blue's bottom out force is unknown. When considering weight, those who prefer a lighter touch may lean towards the Outemu Blue switch, as it requires less force to actuate. Conversely, individuals who prefer a heavier typing experience may opt for the Cherry MX Black switch. Ultimately, selecting the ideal switch comes down to personal preference and the typing experience one desires.
Travel distance
The Cherry MX Black linear switch and the Outemu Blue clicky switch both have a travel distance of 4 mm, making them equal in this aspect. When pressing down on a key with either of these switches, you will feel the same distance traveled from the top to the bottom. This means that in terms of travel distance, you can expect similar results from both switches. Despite having different characteristics in terms of actuation force and tactile feedback, the Cherry MX Black and Outemu Blue switches offer the same travel distance experience, providing consistency in keypress feel for users.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Cherry MX Black comes in at $4.00, whereas the Outemu Blue comes in at $3.10.
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 Cherry MX Black linear switch is known for its low-pitched and deep sound profile, providing a satisfying auditory experience for users. On the other hand, the Outemu Blue clicky switch's sound qualities are not specified, so it's difficult to directly compare the two in terms of sound. However, keep in mind that the sound produced by a switch can be influenced by various factors such as the keyboard chassis and keycap material.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Cherry MX Black linear switch is praised for its textured feel, offering users a unique tactile experience with noticeable friction when typing. Additionally, these switches are classified as stiff, requiring a higher amount of force to actuate and bottom out compared to other switches. Unfortunately, the specific feel of the Outemu Blue clicky switch is not provided, making it challenging to draw a direct comparison in terms of typing experience.
In conclusion, while the Cherry MX Black linear switch excels in providing a low-pitched sound profile and a textured, stiff feel, the specific qualities of the Outemu Blue clicky switch remain unknown. However, based on this information, it can be inferred that the MX Black switches would offer a distinct sound and tactile experience compared to the Outemu Blue switches. If you are seeking a switch with these particular qualities, the Cherry MX Black linear switch may be the ideal choice for you.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a heavy and smooth typing experience with a deep sound profile, the Cherry MX Black linear switch would be a great choice for you. The textured and stiff feel of the MX Black switches may appeal to users who prefer a more controlled typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter typing experience with a clicky sound profile, the Outemu Blue clicky switch might be more suitable for you. While the sound and feel characteristics of the Outemu Blue switches were not provided, the clicky nature of the switch is known for providing audible feedback with every key press. Ultimately, the decision between Cherry MX Black and Outemu Blue switches will depend on your personal preference for typing feel, sound, and actuation force.
Mentioned in this article
