Cherry MX Red vs. Outemu Silent Grey
An in-depth look at the Cherry MX Red and the Outemu Silent Grey switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Cherry MX Red and Outemu Silent Grey are two popular options to consider. The Cherry MX Red is a linear switch known for its slightly heftier feel and deeper sound profile, providing a robust typing experience that combines responsiveness with a satisfying auditory depth. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Grey offers a quiet and highly tactile typing experience, with a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke for those seeking something satisfying and silent. Each switch has its own unique characteristics and benefits, 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
N/A
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
Yes
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 Red and Outemu Silent Grey switches feature a top housing made of different materials, with the MX Red sporting a nylon top housing and the Silent Grey featuring a polycarbonate top housing. The nylon top housing of the MX Red creates a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature, absorbing more sound and resulting in a duller and rounder sound. In contrast, the polycarbonate top housing of the Silent Grey produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile as a stiffer plastic that provides clarity and resonance. While both materials offer distinct sound profiles, the choice between the two would depend on the user's preference for sound characteristics.
On the other hand, when it comes to the bottom housing, both the Cherry MX Red and Outemu Silent Grey switches utilize nylon for this component. This means that typing on either switch will result in a similar deeper and fuller sound profile, as nylon's softer nature absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound. Despite the similarities in the bottom housing material, the overall typing experience may still differ slightly due to other factors such as actuation force and key travel distance.
In terms of the impact of the housing materials on the overall typing experience, the qualities of the top housing will influence the sound when a key is released, while the qualities of the bottom housing will affect the sound and feel when a key is pressed down. This means that the sound and feel of a keystroke on the Cherry MX Red and Outemu Silent Grey switches will be influenced by a combination of the characteristics of their respective top and bottom housings. Ultimately, understanding the differences between the housing materials of these switches can help users make an informed decision based on their preferences for sound profiles and typing feel.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Cherry MX Red linear switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch, there are some notable differences. The MX Red has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Silent Grey's 50 grams, making it easier to trigger keystrokes with a lighter touch. However, the Silent Grey has a heavier bottom out force of 65 grams, providing a more substantial typing experience compared to the MX Red's unknown bottom out force. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the MX Red for its lower actuation force, while those who enjoy a stronger push feel may opt for the Silent Grey due to its heavier bottom out force. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and typing style.
Travel distance
The Cherry MX Red linear switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch both have a travel distance of 4mm. This means that when pressing down on either key, you will experience the same amount of travel distance. This makes them equally suitable for users looking for a consistent typing experience in terms of key travel. However, the unique characteristics of each switch, such as the linear feel of the Cherry MX Red and the tactile feedback of the Outemu Silent Grey, make them different in terms of typing sensation.Overall, both switches offer a comfortable typing experience despite their slight differences.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Cherry MX Red has an MSRP of $5.90 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the MX Red for $4.00.
The Outemu Silent Grey comes in at $3.10 per 10 switches.
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 Red linear switch is known for its thocky and low-pitched characteristics, providing a deep and satisfying sound profile that resonates with each keystroke. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch is designed for a quiet typing experience, making it perfect for those who prefer a more muted sound while still enjoying the tactile feedback. The Silent Grey's lack of sound descriptors indicates its focus on silent operation.
Moving on to the feel, the MX Red switch offers a textured typing experience, adding a bit of friction that some users may find preferable for a more tactile typing sensation. Meanwhile, the Outemu Silent Grey switch's feel is not described, suggesting a smoother and potentially more friction-free keystroke experience. Both switches are known for their responsiveness, but the Silent Grey switch may provide a more pronounced tactile bump during typing.
In conclusion, while the Cherry MX Red linear switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch offer distinct sound and feel characteristics, they both excel in their respective areas. If you are looking for a deeper, thocky sound profile with a textured typing experience, the MX Red switch is the way to go. However, if you prefer a quieter typing experience with a highly tactile feedback, the Silent Grey switch could be the better option. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on your personal preferences in sound, feel, and typing style.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a switch with a slightly heftier feel and deeper sound profile, the Cherry MX Red linear switch would be a great choice for you. It offers a robust typing experience that combines responsiveness with a satisfying auditory depth. On the other hand, if you prefer a quieter typing experience with a medium-heavy bottom out force and a highly tactile feel, the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch would be more suitable for you. With a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke, these switches are perfect for those seeking something satisfying and silent. Ultimately, the decision between the Cherry MX Red and Outemu Silent Grey switches will come down to your personal preference in terms of typing experience and sound profile.
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