Cherry MX Brown vs. Outemu Silent Grey
An in-depth look at the Cherry MX Brown and the Outemu Silent Grey switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between the Cherry MX Brown and the Outemu Silent Grey mechanical keyboard switches, you are faced with two tactile options that offer unique typing experiences. The Cherry MX Brown is praised for its subtlety, providing a light typing experience with gentle tactility and subdued sound feedback. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Grey offers a quiet and highly tactile typing experience with a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke. While the MX Brown is categorized as 'Textured', 'Bassy', and 'Low-pitched', the Silent Grey's category remains unspecified. Each switch has its own strengths and appeals, making them suitable for different preferences and needs. 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
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.60 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
The Cherry MX Brown features a nylon top housing, which creates a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic that absorbs more sound. In contrast, the Outemu Silent Grey utilizes a polycarbonate top housing that produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The use of polycarbonate also adds aesthetic appeal, especially when paired with RGB lighting due to its translucency. Despite both switches having different top housings, they both aim to enhance the sound output, where the MX Brown offers a duller and rounder sound while the Silent Grey delivers a more clear and resonant sound.
On the other hand, the housing materials used for the bottom of the switches are the same for both the Cherry MX Brown and the Outemu Silent Grey, as they both feature a nylon bottom housing. This material's softer plastic composition absorbs sound effectively, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile for both switches. The bottom housing plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel of the switches when they are pressed, contributing to a consistent typing experience for users of both the MX Brown and Silent Grey switches.
Overall, the choice of housing materials for the Cherry MX Brown and the Outemu Silent Grey impacts the sound profiles and typing experiences of these switches. While the MX Brown's nylon top housing creates a more muffled and round sound, the Silent Grey's polycarbonate top housing delivers a sharper and crisper sound. However, both switches share the use of nylon in their bottom housings, ensuring a deeper and fuller sound profile that enhances the typing experience for users of either switch. Whether one prefers a softer, duller sound or a sharper, crisper sound, both the Cherry MX Brown and the Outemu Silent Grey provide reliable housing materials that cater to different preferences and needs.
Weight
In comparing the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch to the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch, it is evident that the Silent Grey is the heavier option with a higher actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams compared to the MX Brown's 45 grams actuation force and 55 grams bottom out force. The MX Brown is considered medium-light in terms of weight, while the Silent Grey falls into the medium-heavy category. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the MX Brown may be the preferred choice as it allows for longer typing sessions without causing fatigue. On the other hand, individuals who enjoy a more substantial typing feel may opt for the Silent Grey for a stronger push experience. Ultimately, the weight of the actuation and bottom out forces play a significant role in determining the overall typing experience and comfort level for users. So, choosing between these two switches will depend on personal preference for lighter or heavier force requirements for typing.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch, both switches have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when pressing down on a key equipped with either switch, you will feel the same distance traveled from the top to the bottom. As a result, you can expect similar results in terms of overall typing feel and experience between the two switches. Thus, there is no significant difference in the travel distance between the two switches, making them equally suitable choices for individuals looking for a tactile typing experience.
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 Grey 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 offer a bassy and low-pitched typing experience, providing a deeper and richer sound profile during key presses. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Grey switches are known for their quiet operation, with no specific sound characteristics mentioned. Depending on your preference for sound, the MX Brown switches may provide a more noticeable auditory feedback compared to the Silent Grey switches.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Cherry MX Brown switches are described as textured, indicating a noticeable friction when pressed. This texture may add to the tactile feel of the switch, providing some users with a more satisfying typing experience. Unfortunately, specific information on the feel of the Outemu Silent Grey switches is not available. If you enjoy a tactile typing experience with a textured feel, the Cherry MX Brown switches may be more to your liking.
In conclusion, the Cherry MX Brown switches offer a subtler typing experience with gentle tactility and potential for a textured feel, along with a bassy and low-pitched sound profile. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Grey switches provide a quiet and highly tactile typing experience without specific details on sound or feel. Both switches cater to different preferences, so it ultimately comes down to whether you prioritize a specific sound profile, feel, or both in your mechanical keyboard switches. Keep in mind that personal preference, along with other factors like keycaps and keyboard construction, can also impact the overall typing experience.
Conclusion
To wrap up, when considering whether to choose Cherry MX Brown tactile switches or Outemu Silent Grey tactile switches, it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and typing style. If you prefer a lighter typing experience with subtle tactility and a more pronounced audio feedback, the MX Brown switches may be the better option for you. However, if you prioritize a quiet and highly tactile typing experience with a slightly heavier bottom out force, the Outemu Silent Grey switches may be more suited to your needs. Both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences, so take the time to consider what qualities are most important to you in a mechanical keyboard switch before making your decision. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on what you value most in your typing experience.
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