Cherry MX Brown vs. Outemu Gold
An in-depth look at the Cherry MX Brown and the Outemu Gold switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Cherry MX Brown and the Outemu Gold are popular choices, each offering unique features for different preferences. The Cherry MX Brown is a tactile switch, known for its subtlety with a light typing experience, gentle tactility, and subdued audio feedback. On the other hand, the Outemu Gold is a clicky switch with no specific defining characteristic. The Cherry MX Brown is ideal for those who prefer a quieter typing experience with tactile feedback, while the Outemu Gold may appeal to those looking for a more pronounced 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
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
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
Both the Cherry MX Brown and Outemu Gold switches feature nylon top housing material, which provides a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic nature that absorbs more sound. However, the Outemu Gold switches have a polycarbonate top housing option available, offering a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile compared to the Cherry MX Brown. The use of polycarbonate in the Gold switches creates a more clear and resonant sound, especially beneficial for RGB lighting applications due to its translucency.
In terms of bottom housing material, both the Cherry MX Brown and Outemu Gold switches utilize nylon, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile similarly to their top housing counterparts. This consistency in bottom housing material ensures a consistent typing experience across both switches, with the softer plastic absorbing sound and producing a duller and rounder sound profile. The use of nylon in the bottom housing of both switches complements the top housing material to create an overall cohesive sound profile with a unique typing feel.
Overall, the Cherry MX Brown switches provide a more consistent sound profile with nylon housing material in both the top and bottom, resulting in a deep and full typing experience. On the other hand, the Outemu Gold switches offer a potential variation with the option of polycarbonate top housing, yielding a sharper and crisper sound profile ideal for RGB lighting configurations. Despite their differences, both switches aim to deliver a tactile typing experience with unique sound profiles influenced by their housing materials. Regardless of the material used, both switches offer reliable performance and satisfying typing feedback for users seeking quality mechanical switches.
Weight
The Cherry MX Brown tactile switch and the Outemu Gold clicky switch both have an actuation force of 45 grams, making them both relatively light in terms of actuation force. However, the Cherry MX Brown has a bottom out force of 55 grams, while the Outemu Gold has a bottom out force of 60 grams, making the Outemu Gold slightly heavier in terms of bottom out force. For those who prefer a lighter touch, the Cherry MX Brown may be the better option, as it requires less force to bottom out. On the other hand, for those who prefer a bit more resistance and a more substantial typing experience, the Outemu Gold may be the preferred choice due to its slightly heavier bottom out force. Ultimately, both switches offer a similar actuation force, but differ slightly in terms of bottom out force, allowing users to choose based on their personal preference for typing feel.
Travel distance
The Cherry MX Brown tactile switch and the Outemu Gold clicky switch have the same travel distance of 4mm, meaning that both switches provide a similar tactile feedback and actuation point for users. This similarity in travel distance ensures that users will get consistent typing experiences when using either switch. However, while both switches share the same travel distance, the Cherry MX Brown is known for its smooth tactile bump, providing a quieter typing experience compared to the louder clicky feedback of the Outemu Gold switch. Overall, both switches offer a comfortable typing experience with a standard travel distance, making them reliable options for different preferences in the mechanical keyboard community.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Cherry MX Brown comes in at $4.00, whereas the Outemu Gold 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 Brown switches are known for their bassy and low-pitched characteristics, providing a rich and deep sound profile during key presses. On the other hand, the Outemu Gold switches do not have a specific sound description available, but it is important to consider that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
Moving on to feel, the Cherry MX Browns are often described as textured, offering a tactile experience with noticeable friction when pressed. This texture can be preferred by some users while others may prefer a smoother typing feel. Unfortunately, there is no specific feel description available for the Outemu Gold switches at this time.
In summary, the Cherry MX Brown switches are known for their subtlety in both sound and feel, providing a light typing experience with gentle tactility and subdued audio feedback. While the Outemu Gold switches may not have specific sound and feel descriptions available, it is worth experimenting with these switches to determine the best fit for your preferences. Ultimately, both switches offer unique qualities that can enhance your typing experience based on your personal preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch and the Outemu Gold clicky switch, consider your preference for typing experience and sound profile. If you value a light typing experience with subtle tactility and subdued audio feedback, the Cherry MX Brown might be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium typing force with a clicky and audible feedback, the Outemu Gold switch could be more suitable. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preference for typing feel and sound profile.
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