Outemu Black vs. HMX Poro

Overview

When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch, the Outemu Black and HMX Poro switches offer distinct experiences for users seeking smooth keystrokes. The Outemu Black is known for its straightforward, linear design, providing a consistent key press without any tactile bump or audible click, making it a solid choice for those who prioritize a quiet and uninterrupted typing experience, particularly in office settings. In contrast, the HMX Poro switches are meticulously lubricated, delivering an exceptionally silky smooth typing experience while featuring a satisfyingly poppy and clacky sound profile. With their ultra-light actuation force, they cater to users who enjoy a more responsive feel, combining a gentle touch with delightful acoustics for a lively typing rhythm. Both switches excel in their respective niches, appealing to different preferences and typing styles; however, let’s dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the optimal switch for you.

By the numbers

Outemu Black Linear

HMX Poro Linear

$3.10 per 10

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

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Housing materials

The Outemu Black and the HMX Poro switches showcase distinct housing materials that influence their sound profiles and typing experiences. The Outemu Black features a polycarbonate top housing which is known for its rigidity and translucence, providing a sharper, higher-pitched sound that resonates well, particularly when RGB lighting is utilized. The clarity of the polycarbonate is crucial for achieving a crisper audio experience, making it an excellent choice for those who appreciate a more pronounced sound with quick response times. In contrast, the HMX Poro employs a nylon top housing, a material traditionally favored for its ability to produce a deeper, fuller sound. Nylon’s softer composition absorbs sound waves more effectively, resulting in a rounder audio profile that is less resonant than that of polycarbonate.

Both switches utilize nylon in their bottom housings, which lends a deeper and fuller sound profile to the overall typing experience. This consistency in bottom housing material provides both switches with a similar foundation—allowing for a more muted and rounded sound upon bottoming out. Since both the Outemu Black and HMX Poro share this nylon bottom, users can expect a comparable dampening effect when actuating keys, resulting in a softer auditory feedback that cushions the impact of each keystroke. This aspect ensures that despite the differences in top housing materials, the sound experience during actuation remains somewhat harmonious, with the nylon absorbing excess noise and facilitating a smooth typing sensation.

Overall, while the Outemu Black and HMX Poro switches diverge in their top housing materials—where polycarbonate emphasizes clarity and brightness and nylon underscores depth and warmth—both switches converge in their bottom housing, resulting in shared characteristics of sound dampening and fullness. These contrasts in top housing material ultimately affect the sound produced during key releases, while the similarity in bottom housing ensures that the typing experience retains certain consistent traits. Thus, users might appreciate the Outemu Black for its sharpness and responsiveness, while favoring the HMX Poro for its warmth and fullness, indicating a clear preference based on the intended audio experience.

Weight

When comparing the Outemu Black linear switch and the HMX Poro linear switch, there are notable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces that cater to different preferences among users. The Outemu Black requires an actuation force of 65 grams and a bottom out force of 82 grams, making it a heavier switch that offers a substantial feel during typing or gaming. In contrast, the HMX Poro is much lighter, with an actuation force of just 45 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams. This lighter resistance can make typing easier and more comfortable during long sessions, appealing to those who prioritize endurance over a pronounced tactile feedback. Consequently, users seeking a heavier and more forceful typing experience would likely prefer the Outemu Black, while those who favor a lighter touch might gravitate towards the HMX Poro. Overall, the significant difference in force characteristics highlights the unique benefits of each switch for varying user preferences.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Outemu Black linear switch and the HMX Poro linear switch, it is clear that the Black switch has a longer travel distance of 4 mm, while the Poro switch measures 3.7 mm. This means that the Outemu Black offers a more pronounced key press, which some users may prefer for a more satisfying tactile experience. In contrast, the shorter 3.7 mm travel distance of the HMX Poro provides a quicker response time, which can be advantageous for gamers seeking rapid input. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences; those who favor a deeper feel may opt for the Black, whereas those who prefer a snappier response might lean towards the Poro.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When comparing the sound profile of the Outemu Black linear switch to the HMX Poro linear switch, the Black switch remains somewhat of a mystery, as there is no specific information provided about its acoustic characteristics. In contrast, the Poro switch is noted for its "satisfyingly poppy and clacky sound profile," which is attributed to its ultra-light actuation force. This acoustic quality can enhance the typing experience, making the keystrokes feel more lively. However, it's important to remember that the overall sound produced by any switch can be influenced by other factors, including the chosen keyboard construction and keycap material.

In terms of feel, the Outemu Black switch does not have specific attributes listed, leaving its tactile characteristics unknown. The HMX Poro switch, however, is celebrated for its “silky smooth keystrokes” that result from meticulous lubrication, facilitating an effortless glide while typing. This attention to detail in the Poro switch’s construction leads to a distinctly enjoyable experience, promoting long typing sessions without fatigue. The smoothness of the action and the light touch required for actuation can significantly enhance the overall user experience.

In conclusion, while the Outemu Black switch presents uncertainties in both sound and feel, the HMX Poro switch offers a distinct and enjoyable typing experience characterized by its smooth keystrokes and engaging sound profile. Users looking for a lively auditory experience and a silky typing action should gravitate towards the Poro switch. If you prefer the qualities of the Black switch, you may find similar smoothness in certain scenarios, but the exact performance will ultimately depend on the specific attributes of each switch.

Conclusion

To conclude, choosing between the Outemu Black linear switch and the HMX Poro linear switch ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and usage scenarios. If you prefer a heavier switch that provides substantial feedback, the Outemu Black, with its robust 82-gram bottom-out force, may be more suitable for you. This switch is ideal for typists who enjoy a firmer resistance that can enhance their typing accuracy and prevent accidental key presses. On the other hand, if you favor a lighter, smoother typing experience, the HMX Poro switch, with its 50-gram bottom-out force, might be the better choice. These switches are designed for effortless keystrokes and a delightful poppy sound profile, making them perfect for gamers or those who type extensively without fatigue. The Poro’s silky smooth feel, enhanced by meticulous lubrication, provides a satisfying tactile experience. Ultimately, your choice should reflect your typing style, comfort preferences, and whether you appreciate a more pronounced keystroke or a gliding sensation.

Mentioned in this article

Outemu Black Linear

$3.10 per 10

Learn more

HMX Poro Linear

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

Learn more