Cherry Nixie vs. Outemu Yellow Silver
An in-depth look at the Cherry Nixie and the Outemu Yellow Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Cherry Nixie and the Outemu Yellow Silver both offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Cherry Nixie is a revered classic known for its substantial heft and textured typing experience, blending tradition with modern innovation through updated materials and springs. On the other hand, the Outemu Yellow Silver switch features a light actuation force and neutral sound profile, making it favorable for gamers and typists seeking speediness and responsiveness. While the Nixie is best suited for those who prefer a textured, thocky, and low-pitched typing experience, the Yellow Silver appeals to those looking for a neutral switch. 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
63.5g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
80g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.30 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
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
Gold-plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Cherry Nixie and Outemu Yellow Silver switches both feature nylon top housings, which are known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile due to their softer plastic composition. However, the Yellow Silver's polycarbonate top housing offers a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile compared to the Nixie's nylon top housing. The translucent nature of polycarbonate also makes it ideal for switches intended for use with RGB lighting, providing a visually appealing option for those looking to customize their setup.
In terms of bottom housings, both the Nixie and Yellow Silver switches utilize nylon for this component. This consistent use of nylon results in a similar deep and full sound profile for both switches, as the material's softer nature absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics. Despite this similarity, the bottom housing has a significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel of a switch when pressed, highlighting the importance of material choice even within the same switch design.
Overall, the difference in top housing materials between the Cherry Nixie and Outemu Yellow Silver switches results in distinct sound profiles, with the Nixie offering a duller and rounder sound due to its nylon construction, while the Yellow Silver provides a clearer and more resonant sound with its polycarbonate top housing. However, the shared use of nylon for bottom housings ensures a comparable typing experience in terms of sound profile for both switches. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences for sound and aesthetics, with the Nixie and Yellow Silver catering to different preferences within the mechanical keyboard community.
Weight
The Cherry Nixie linear switch has a heavier actuation force and bottom out force compared to the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch. The Nixie requires 63.5 grams to actuate and 80 grams to bottom out, making it a more substantial typing experience. In contrast, the Yellow Silver has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams, providing a smoother and lighter typing feel. Those who prefer a more substantial push feel may opt for the Cherry Nixie, while those who prefer a lighter typing experience may prefer the Outemu Yellow Silver. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual typing preferences.
Travel distance
Both the Cherry Nixie and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switches have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when pressing down on a key with either of these switches, you will experience the same amount of travel from the top to the bottom. This similarity in travel distance ensures that users will get consistent feedback and feel when typing on keyboards equipped with either of these switches. In terms of travel distance, there is no difference between the Cherry Nixie and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switches as they both offer a 4 mm travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Cherry Nixie has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Nixie for $4.19.
The Outemu Yellow Silver comes in at $3.40 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 Nixie linear switch stands out for its thocky and low-pitched characteristics, providing a deep, rich, and satisfying sound with each press. On the other hand, the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch offers a more neutral sound profile, making it suitable for a wide range of users, from beginners to advanced typists or gamers. The sound produced by these switches can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard's construction and the keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Cherry Nixie switch offers a textured typing experience, which may appeal to users who enjoy switches with noticeable friction when pressed. This textured feel can enhance the tactile feedback and overall typing experience for those who prefer a bit of resistance while typing. On the other hand, information on the specific feel of the Outemu Yellow Silver switch is not provided, so it's unclear how it compares in terms of tactile feedback and overall typing comfort.
Overall, the Cherry Nixie linear switch is favored for its substantial heft, textured typing experience, and distinctive sound profile, making it a popular choice among mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. Meanwhile, the Outemu Yellow Silver switch is noted for its light actuation force, neutral sound profile, and suitability for both gaming and typing tasks. Depending on personal preferences and specific typing needs, both switches can provide a satisfying typing experience, with the Cherry Nixie offering a more textured feel and unique sound, while the Outemu Yellow Silver offers a lighter touch and neutral sound that may appeal to a broader audience. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and typing style.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Cherry Nixie linear switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch, consider the weight of the key press and the sound profile that best suits your preferences. If you prefer a heavier key press with a thocky and low-pitched sound, the Cherry Nixie switch may be the way to go. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter key press and neutral sound profile, the Outemu Yellow Silver switch could be more suited to your needs, especially if you are a gamer or typist looking for speediness and responsiveness. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal typing preferences and the experience you are looking to achieve with your mechanical keyboard.
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