Haimu Neo White vs. Outemu Yellow Silver
An in-depth look at the Haimu Neo White and the Outemu Yellow Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Haimu Neo White and Outemu Yellow Silver are both linear switches that cater to different preferences in mechanical keyboard users. The Neo White stands out with its medium weight and slightly reduced total travel, which provides a distinctive typing experience with a smooth actuation, thanks to the rare use of a Ly stem. On the other hand, the Yellow Silver switch from Outemu offers a light actuation force and a neutral sound profile, making it ideal for gamers and typists looking for speediness and responsiveness. While the Neo White is categorized as 'Mild' and 'Neutral', the Yellow Silver is categorized as 'Neutral'. These general pointers can help you decide which switch may be best suited for your 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
N/A
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
58g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.30 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Double-staged spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Haimu Neo White and the Outemu Yellow Silver both feature polycarbonate top housings, which create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the stiffer nature of polycarbonate, which leads to a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, both switches are aesthetically pleasing due to their translucency, making them ideal for use with RGB lighting. However, despite these similarities, the nylon bottom housing of the Neo White elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to the Yellow Silver. Nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound when typing on switches.
While both the Neo White and Yellow Silver feature nylon bottom housings, the key difference lies in their top housings. The Neo White's polycarbonate top housing contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile when compared to the Yellow Silver's polycarbonate top housing. This difference highlights how the qualities of each housing material impact the overall sound and feel of a switch. However, when it comes to the bottom-out sound and feel, the nylon bottom housing's impact is more pronounced. Regardless of the slight differences in sound profiles between the two switches, they both offer a unique typing experience that caters to individual preferences.
In conclusion, the Haimu Neo White and the Outemu Yellow Silver showcase how housing materials can influence the sound and feel of mechanical switches. Both switches utilize polycarbonate top housings to create a sharp and resonant sound profile, while their nylon bottom housings offer deeper and fuller sound characteristics. The division of qualities between the top and bottom housings highlights the importance of considering the entirety of a switch's construction when evaluating its performance. Overall, whether you choose the Neo White or the Yellow Silver, you can expect a satisfying typing experience with distinct sound profiles to suit your preferences.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Haimu Neo White linear switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch, it is evident that the Yellow Silver switch is lighter in terms of actuation force at 45 grams compared to the Neo White's unknown value. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Neo White requires 58 grams compared to the Yellow Silver's 55 grams, making the Neo White slightly heavier in this aspect. Both switches fall within the medium to medium-light range, providing a balance between ease of typing and a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, those looking for a lighter typing feel may lean towards the Yellow Silver, while individuals seeking a slightly heavier push may prefer the Neo White. In terms of weight, both switches offer similar results that cater to different preferences depending on the user's typing style and preference for actuation and bottom out force.
Travel distance
The Haimu Neo White linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, which is shorter compared to the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch with a travel distance of 4 mm. The Neo White provides a slightly quicker response time due to its shorter travel distance, making it a favorite among gamers. On the other hand, the Yellow Silver switch offers a bit more depth to the keystroke, which some users may find more satisfying. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference - whether you prioritize a shorter travel distance for speed or a longer one for a more substantial key press feel. Both switches offer their own unique advantages and it will depend on the user's specific needs and preferences to determine which one is the better option.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Haimu Neo White comes in at $2.70, whereas the Outemu Yellow Silver comes in at $3.40.
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
As both the Haimu Neo White and Outemu Yellow Silver switches are described as having a neutral sound profile, users can expect a similar auditory experience from both switches. Depending on other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used, the sound produced by these switches may vary slightly.
When it comes to the feel of the switches, the Neo White is noted for its mild typing experience that falls in a safe, middle-ground zone appealing to most users. The use of a Ly stem in the Neo White contributes to a smooth actuation, enhancing the overall typing feel. On the other hand, information regarding the typing feel of the Yellow Silver switch is unavailable, making it difficult to directly compare the two in this aspect.
Considering all available information, both the Haimu Neo White and Outemu Yellow Silver switches provide a neutral sound profile, suitable for various purposes. While the Neo White offers a mild typing experience with its smooth actuation, the exact typing feel of the Yellow Silver remains unknown. Ultimately, choosing between these switches may come down to personal preference in terms of typing feel and any additional features or characteristics that may sway a user's decision.
Conclusion
Bringing it all together, you should choose the Haimu Neo White linear switch if you are looking for a medium-weight switch with a smooth actuation and slightly reduced total travel, providing a distinctive typing feel. This switch is ideal for those who value a satisfying keystroke experience. On the other hand, the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch is the best choice if you prefer a light actuation force and a neutral sound profile, making it suitable for gamers and typists seeking speediness and responsiveness. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences in terms of typing experience and performance requirements.