Cherry MX Red vs. Outemu Silent Yellow Jade
An in-depth look at the Cherry MX Red and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Cherry MX Red and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade offer distinct typing experiences. The Cherry MX Red is a linear switch known for its slightly heftier feel and deeper sound profile, providing a robust typing experience that is both responsive and satisfying. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade is a tactile switch that offers a quiet typing experience with a satisfying "thocky" sound. While the Cherry MX Red is categorized as 'Thocky', 'Low-pitched', 'Textured', the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade's categories are not specified. Each switch has its own unique characteristics that make it appealing to different users. 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
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
pom
Stem material
pom
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
Both the Cherry MX Red and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switches use nylon for their top and bottom housing material. This means that when typing on switches with either of these housing materials, users can expect a similar experience in terms of sound profile and feel. Nylon is known for being a softer plastic that absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. This creates a duller and rounder sound when typing on keyboards with either the MX Red or Silent Yellow Jade switches.
However, while both switches share the same housing material, it's essential to note that the qualities of the housing material will be split between the top and bottom of the switch. The bottom housing has a more significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on a key, while the top housing will affect the sound when releasing the key. This distinction may result in subtle differences in typing experience between the Cherry MX Red and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switches, despite their shared nylon housing material.
In conclusion, the use of nylon as the housing material for both the Cherry MX Red and Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switches ensures a similar sound profile and feel when typing. The softer nature of nylon allows for a deeper and fuller sound experience, creating a duller and rounder sound compared to switches with harder plastic housings. While both switches offer a consistent typing experience in terms of sound, the qualities of the nylon housing may affect the bottom-out sound and feel differently, depending on whether it's the top or bottom housing.
Weight
The Cherry MX Red linear switch has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch with an actuation force of 50 grams. Both switches do not have a specified bottom out force, but the Silent Yellow Jade is known to be medium-heavy at 65 grams. The MX Red is ideal for those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions, while the Silent Yellow Jade offers a bit more resistance for a more substantial typing feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference for actuation force and bottom out force.
Travel distance
The Cherry MX Red linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm. In this case, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switch has a shorter travel distance compared to the Cherry MX Red switch. The shorter travel distance of the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switch may appeal to gamers looking for faster response times, while the Cherry MX Red switch with a slightly longer travel distance may offer a more satisfying key press for those who prefer a bit more depth. Both switches provide a different typing experience based on their travel distance, so the choice between the two ultimately depends on personal preference.
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 Yellow Jade 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 switch is known for its thocky and low-pitched profile, providing a satisfying deep sound with each keystroke. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switch offers a quieter, thocky sound that is less pronounced compared to the MX Red. Both switches offer a unique auditory experience, with the MX Red providing a deeper and more resonant sound, while the Silent Yellow Jade offers a quieter and more subtle typing experience.
Moving on to feel, the Cherry MX Red switch is described as having a textured feel, adding a tactile element to each keystroke. This texture can provide a slightly rougher feel compared to smoother switches, which some users prefer for the added feedback during typing. On the other hand, the feel of the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switch is not specified, so it is unclear how it compares in terms of tactile feedback and overall typing experience.
In conclusion, both the Cherry MX Red linear switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the MX Red is known for its heftier feel and deeper sound profile, the Silent Yellow Jade provides a quieter typing experience with a satisfying thocky sound. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of sound, feel, and overall typing experience. Whether you opt for the MX Red or the Silent Yellow Jade, you can expect a quality typing experience tailored to your preferences.
Conclusion
To wrap up, if you are looking for a linear switch with a slightly heftier feel and deeper sound profile, the Cherry MX Red would be a great choice for you. It offers a robust typing experience with a satisfying auditory depth. On the other hand, if you prefer a quiet, tactile typing experience with a satisfying "thocky" sound, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switches would be the way to go. They provide a unique translucent jade yellow housing and a punchy tactile bump for an enjoyable typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the Cherry MX Red and Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switches comes down to your preference for linear vs. tactile switches and the specific typing experience you are looking for.
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