Cherry MX Brown vs. Outemu Silent Green
An in-depth look at the Cherry MX Brown and the Outemu Silent Green switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Cherry MX Brown and the Outemu Silent Green offer different experiences for users. The Cherry MX Brown switch is a tactile switch that is best known for its subtlety, providing a light typing experience with gentle tactility and subdued audio feedback. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Green switch is a linear switch that does not have any specific standout characteristics. While the MX Brown switch is categorized as textured, bassy, and low-pitched, the Silent Green switch does not fall into any specific category. If you prefer a tactile typing experience with a more subdued sound, the Cherry MX Brown switch may be the way to go. 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
2.00 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
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Cherry MX Brown and the Outemu Silent Green switches, a significant difference lies in the materials used for both top and bottom housings. The MX Brown utilizes nylon for both the top and bottom housings, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the softer nature of nylon. On the other hand, the Silent Green features polycarbonate for both housing components, leading to a sharper and crisper sound profile attributed to the stiffness of polycarbonate. This contrast in materials gives each switch a distinct auditory experience, with the MX Brown offering a rounder sound and the Silent Green providing a more resonant tone.
Additionally, the aesthetic aspect of the housing materials differs between the two switches. The MX Brown's nylon housing does not offer the translucent quality of the polycarbonate used in the Silent Green switch. Polycarbonate's translucency is particularly beneficial for switches designed for RGB lighting, as it allows the light to shine through and create a visually appealing effect. This aesthetic difference may not influence the overall performance of the switch but can play a role in the overall look and customization options for users.
Furthermore, the split of housing materials in switches with distinct top and bottom components can impact the overall sound and feel of typing. With the bottom housing affecting the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on a key, and the top housing contributing to the sound when releasing a key, the composition of both components can significantly alter the typing experience. While the MX Brown and the Silent Green switches have different housing materials for both top and bottom components, each switch offers a unique typing experience based on the qualities of their respective housing materials.
Weight
The Cherry MX Brown tactile switch and the Outemu Silent Green linear switch both have an actuation force of 45 grams, making them equal in terms of the force required to trigger a keystroke. However, the Cherry MX Brown has a bottom out force of 55 grams, while the Outemu Silent Green has a slightly heavier bottom out force of 60 grams. This means that the Cherry MX Brown is lighter in terms of the force needed to fully press the key compared to the Outemu Silent Green. Those who prefer a lighter touch may opt for the Cherry MX Brown for longer typing sessions or gaming, while those looking for a more substantial typing experience may lean towards the Outemu Silent Green. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
Both the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch and the Outemu Silent Green linear switch have a travel distance of 4 mm, making them equal in this aspect. This means that regardless of which switch you choose, you can expect a similar keypress experience in terms of how far the key travels when pressed. While some switches may have shorter or longer travel distances, in this case, both switches offer the same amount of travel distance. This can result in a consistent typing experience whether you opt for the Cherry MX Brown or the Outemu Silent Green switch.
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 Silent Green 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, which offer a deeper and richer sound profile during key presses. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Green switches have a sound description that is unknown, so it is difficult to compare the two in this aspect. However, it is important to note that the sound produced by a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps being used.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, Cherry MX Browns are often described as having a textured feel, meaning there is noticeable friction when keys are pressed. Some users prefer this subtle texture, while others prefer a smoother typing experience. Unfortunately, the feel of the Outemu Silent Green switches is unknown, so a direct comparison cannot be made in this regard.
In conclusion, Cherry MX Brown switches are characterized by their subtlety in both sound and feel, providing a light typing experience with gentle tactility and subdued audio feedback. While details about the sound and feel of Outemu Silent Green switches are lacking, it is important to consider individual preferences when choosing between the two switches. Ultimately, it is recommended to test out both options to see which one aligns better with your typing style and preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a keyboard switch that offers a subtle typing experience with gentle tactility and subdued audio feedback, the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium bottom out force and a linear switch with no tactile feedback, the Outemu Silent Green switch would be more suited to your preferences. Ultimately, your choice between these two switches will depend on whether you prioritize tactility and sound feedback (MX Brown) or a smoother, linear typing experience (Silent Green). Consider your typing style and preferences when making your decision.
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