Cherry MX Brown vs. Outemu Purple
An in-depth look at the Cherry MX Brown and the Outemu Purple switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to comparing the Cherry MX Brown and Outemu Purple mechanical keyboard switches, both fall under the tactile switch category. The MX Brown is praised for its subtlety, providing a light typing experience with gentle tactility and muted audio feedback. On the other hand, the Outemu Purple lacks a clear defining trait but still falls under the tactile switch type. While the Cherry MX Brown is known for its textured, bassy, and low-pitched characteristics, the Outemu Purple's qualities remain unspecified. Choosing between these two switches may come down to personal preference and the specific typing experience you are looking for. 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
50g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 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
When comparing the housing materials of the Cherry MX Brown and the Outemu Purple switches, it is evident that they both utilize nylon for their bottom housing. This commonality results in similar sound profiles when typing on switches that use nylon, as the softer plastic absorbs more sound, creating a deeper and fuller sound. However, when it comes to the top housing, the Cherry MX Brown utilizes nylon, while the Outemu Purple utilizes polycarbonate. The polycarbonate top housing of the Outemu Purple results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile compared to the duller and rounder sound produced by the nylon top housing of the Cherry MX Brown.
In terms of aesthetics, the use of nylon in both the top and bottom housing of the MX Brown provides a classic look and feel, creating a timeless appeal. On the other hand, the polycarbonate top housing of the Outemu Purple allows for a clear housing, making it ideal for showcasing RGB lighting effects. This difference in material choice for the top housing not only impacts the sound profile but also the visual appeal of the switches. While the Cherry MX Brown offers a traditional design with its nylon top housing, the Outemu Purple stands out with its polycarbonate top housing that enhances the overall appearance of the switch.
Overall, the choice of housing materials for switches can significantly impact the typing experience and aesthetics of a keyboard. While both the Cherry MX Brown and the Outemu Purple switches use nylon for their bottom housing, they differ in the top housing material, with the Cherry MX Brown using nylon and the Outemu Purple using polycarbonate. This contrast results in distinct sound profiles, with the Cherry MX Brown offering a deeper and fuller sound and the Outemu Purple providing a sharper and crisper sound. Additionally, the polycarbonate top housing of the Outemu Purple enhances its visual appeal, especially when paired with RGB lighting, making it a popular choice for gamers and enthusiasts looking to customize their keyboard setup.
Weight
The Cherry MX Brown tactile switch has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Outemu Purple tactile switch's 50 grams. However, the MX Brown has a slightly heavier bottom out force of 55 grams, while the bottom out force of the Purple switch is not specified. This means that the MX Brown may provide a more consistent typing experience with a more noticeable tactile feedback due to the higher bottom out force. In contrast, the Outemu Purple may be easier to actuate but could potentially lack the same level of resistance when bottoming out. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on whether the user prefers a lighter actuation force for longer typing sessions or a heavier bottom out force for a more substantial typing feel.
Travel distance
Both the Cherry MX Brown and Outemu Purple tactile switches have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when pressing down on a key with either of these switches, you will experience a consistent travel distance from the top to the bottom. This similarity ensures that users will get similar results in terms of the tactile feedback and typing experience provided by both switches. Overall, whether you choose the Cherry MX Brown or Outemu Purple tactile switch, you can expect a reliable and consistent travel distance when typing.
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 Purple 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 often praised for their bassy and low-pitched characteristics, providing a deep and rich sound profile during key presses. On the other hand, information on the sound profile of the Outemu Purple switches is unknown, so it's difficult to make a direct comparison in this aspect.
Moving on to feel, Cherry MX Brown switches are known for their textured feel, offering a tactile feedback with noticeable friction when pressed. This texture can be preferred by some users, while others may prefer a smoother typing experience. Unfortunately, details on the feel of the Outemu Purple switches are not available, making it challenging to compare the tactile experience between the two.
In conclusion, Cherry MX Brown switches are recognized for their subtle tactility, bassy sound profile, and textured feel, appealing to those who enjoy a lighter typing experience with gentle feedback. While information on the Outemu Purple switches is lacking in terms of sound and feel, it's worth noting that choosing between the two ultimately comes down to personal preference. If you enjoy the qualities of the Cherry MX Brown switches, you may find similar results with the Outemu Purple switches. Consider trying out both to see which one suits your typing style and preferences best.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Cherry MX Brown and Outemu Purple tactile switches, consider the following guidelines. You may want to choose the Cherry MX Brown if you prefer a medium-light bottom out force, subtle tactility, and a bassy, low-pitched sound profile. The MX Brown is ideal for those looking for a typing experience with gentle feedback and a textured feel. On the other hand, consider the Outemu Purple if you are looking for a switch with a bottom out force of None grams and are open to trying a switch with unknown characteristics. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will depend on your personal preferences and typing style.
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