Gateron Oil King (V2) vs. Outemu Silent Grey
An in-depth look at the Gateron Oil King (V2) and the Outemu Silent Grey switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When looking at mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Oil King, a linear switch, and the Outemu Silent Grey, a tactile switch, are two options that stand out. The Oil King is praised for its buttery smoothness and low-pitched, creamy sound profile, reminiscent of a dark chocolate bar snapping. On the other hand, the Silent Grey offers a quiet and highly tactile typing experience, with a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke. While the Oil King provides a polished and bassy typing feel, the Silent Grey is perfect for those seeking a satisfying and silent typing experience. 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
55g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
65g
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
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Color coated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In terms of housing materials, the Gateron Oil King and the Outemu Silent Grey offer unique experiences when it comes to sound profiles. The Oil King's nylon top housing provides a deeper and fuller sound, thanks to its softer plastic that absorbs more sound. On the other hand, the Silent Grey's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper and crisper sound due to its stiffer nature. While the Oil King offers a duller and rounder sound, the Silent Grey delivers a more clear and resonant sound. This contrast in sound profiles can greatly impact the typing experience for users looking for specific auditory feedback.
Moving on to the bottom housings, the Gateron Oil King's proprietary INK blend provides a thin and high-pitched sound that is often described as clacky. In comparison, the Silent Grey's nylon bottom housing offers a deeper and fuller sound profile similar to its top housing counterpart. The split in qualities between the top and bottom housings means that when typing on these switches, users will feel the impact of the bottom housing in the bottom-out sound and feel. This division of sound qualities between top and bottom housings can result in a more dynamic auditory experience for users of both switches.
While the Gateron Oil King and the Outemu Silent Grey offer different materials for their top and bottom housings, they both aim to provide users with unique sound profiles. The Oil King excels in producing a deeper and fuller sound with its nylon top and INK blend bottom housing, while the Silent Grey focuses on delivering a sharper and crisper sound through its polycarbonate and nylon housing combination. Despite the differences in materials used, both switches can offer satisfying typing experiences based on the sound preferences of the user. Ultimately, whether you prefer a duller and rounder sound or a clearer and resonant sound, both the Gateron Oil King and the Outemu Silent Grey have their own strengths in providing distinct auditory feedback.
Weight
The Gateron Oil King linear switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch both have a bottom out force of 65 grams, providing a similar typing experience in terms of how much pressure is needed to fully press down the keys. However, the Oil King has a slightly higher actuation force of 55 grams compared to the Silent Grey's 50 grams. This means that the Oil King requires a bit more force to initiate a keystroke. Some users may prefer the lighter actuation force of the Silent Grey for longer typing sessions or gaming, while others may enjoy the heavier actuation force of the Oil King for a more substantial typing feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference in terms of typing experience and comfort.
Travel distance
Both the Gateron Oil King linear switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch have a travel distance of 4 mm, making them equal in this aspect. When comparing their travel distance, it's clear that both switches offer a consistent experience for users in terms of keypress depth. With both switches having the same travel distance, users can expect similar typing experiences when using either one. This ensures that whether you are using the Gateron Oil King or the Outemu Silent Grey, you can rely on a standard keypress depth of 4 mm for consistent and comfortable typing.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Gateron Oil King (V2) comes in at $6.50, 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 Gateron Oil King linear switch produces a low-pitched and bassy tone, providing a deep and rich sound profile akin to a dark chocolate bar snapping. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch is known for being quiet, lacking specific descriptors to compare to the Oil King. Ultimately, the sound produced by a switch is not only dependent on the switch itself but also on other factors like the keyboard and keycaps used.
Regarding the feel, the Gateron Oil King switch is praised for its creamy, silky, buttery, and polished typing experience, offering a smooth and effortless glide with each keystroke. In contrast, the feel of the Outemu Silent Grey switch is not detailed in the provided information. However, it can be assumed that as a tactile switch, it would offer a satisfying tactile bump while typing but may lack the smoothness of the Oil King.
In conclusion, the Gateron Oil King linear switch stands out for its smooth and deep sound profile combined with a creamy and polished typing feel. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch offers a quiet and tactile typing experience without specific sound and feel descriptors provided. Both switches have their unique qualities, and depending on personal preferences for sound and feel, users can expect satisfying results from either one. If you enjoy a smooth and buttery typing experience with deep and rich sound, the Gateron Oil King would be a great choice, while the Outemu Silent Grey is ideal for those seeking a quiet and tactile typing experience.
Conclusion
Therefore, when choosing between the Gateron Oil King linear switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch, consider your typing preferences. If you enjoy a smooth and buttery keystroke with a low-pitched sound profile, the Oil King would be an excellent choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a highly tactile typing experience with a pronounced bump and a silent operation, the Silent Grey switch would be more suitable. Ultimately, the decision comes down to whether you prioritize smoothness and sound profile or tactility and silence in your mechanical keyboard switches. Choose wisely based on your personal typing preferences and enjoy the satisfying typing experience that best suits you.
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