Outemu Black vs. HMX Xinhai
An in-depth look at the Outemu Black and the HMX Xinhai switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to comparing mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Black and the HMX Xinhai stand out as two excellent options, each offering unique features to enhance your typing experience. The Outemu Black is a linear switch known for its smooth keystrokes, making it ideal for fast typists and gamers. On the other hand, the HMX Xinhai is also a linear switch but is best known for its unique PA12 top housing and POM stem, providing a softer acoustics profile and a distinctively crisp, higher-pitched resonance. While the Black offers a straightforward and consistent typing experience, the Xinhai boasts a bouncy, clacky, and creamy feel. 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
65g
Actuation force
37g
Bottom-out force
82g
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
2.50 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
22mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
Both the Outemu Black and the HMX Xinhai utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, resulting in a sharper and crisper sound profile when typing. The relatively stiff nature of polycarbonate enhances the clarity and resonance of the sound produced by the switches. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate allows for RGB lighting effects to shine through, making it a popular choice for those looking to customize their keyboard aesthetics. With similar top housing materials, users can expect a comparable typing experience in terms of sound quality and feel between the two switches.
On the other hand, the Black and Xinhai differ in their choice of bottom housing material, with the Black using nylon and the Xinhai also employing nylon for its bottom housing. Nylon is known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing, as its softer nature absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound compared to stiffer plastics. This difference in bottom housing material may impact the overall typing experience, with the bottom housing contributing more to the bottom-out sound and feel of the key press.
In switches where the top and bottom housings are made of different materials, such as the Outemu Black and the HMX Xinhai, the qualities of each housing material will be split between the top and bottom of the switch. Pressing down on the switch will highlight the characteristics of the bottom housing, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel, while releasing a key will emphasize the impact of the top housing on the sound produced. This combination of housing materials can result in a nuanced typing experience that offers a balance of clarity, depth, and resonance in the sound profile of the switches.
Weight
When comparing the Outemu Black linear switch and the HMX Xinhai linear switch, it is evident that there are significant differences in actuation force and bottom out force. The Outemu Black has a much heavier actuation force of 65 grams and a bottom out force of 82 grams, providing a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel. In contrast, the HMX Xinhai is significantly lighter, with an actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, making it ideal for those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions. The difference in weight between the two switches caters to different preferences, with the Outemu Black being the heavier option and the HMX Xinhai being the lighter option. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches will depend on individual typing preferences and the desired typing experience.
Travel distance
The Outemu Black linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the HMX Xinhai linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. The Black's 4.0mm travel distance is slightly longer than the Xinhai's 3.4mm travel distance. The Black switch may provide a slightly deeper feel when pressed compared to the Xinhai switch. However, both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with the Black being on the longer side and the Xinhai being slightly shorter. Gamers looking for faster response times may prefer the Xinhai with its shorter travel distance, while those who prefer a more substantial keypress may lean towards the Black switch. In general, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Xinhai has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Xinhai for $2.99.
The Outemu Black 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 Outemu Black linear switch is known for providing a neutral and unassuming auditory experience, without any specific standout characteristics. In comparison, the HMX Xinhai linear switch is revered for its unique acoustics profile. The Xinhai switch offers a softer sound due to its PA12 top housing and a distinctive crisp, higher-pitched resonance from its POM stem. Users can expect a more refined and sophisticated audio feedback from the Xinhai switch, with a touch of precision that adds to the overall typing experience.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Outemu Black linear switch again presents a straightforward and standard typing sensation with no particular defining features. Conversely, the HMX Xinhai linear switch offers a more dynamic feel with its combination of characteristics. Described as both bouncy and creamy, the Xinhai switch provides a lively and elastic feedback when pressed, giving users a sense of rebound and smoothness akin to gliding their fingers effortlessly across the keys. This unique blend of tactile sensations adds a layer of depth to the typing experience, catering to users who appreciate both responsiveness and comfort in their switches.
Overall, the Outemu Black linear switch and the HMX Xinhai linear switch offer distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Black switch provides a neutral and standard experience, the Xinhai switch stands out for its refined acoustics profile and dynamic tactile feedback. Users looking for a more sophisticated and nuanced typing experience may lean towards the Xinhai switch, while those seeking a straightforward and reliable option may find the Black switch to be more suitable. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and overall typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Outemu Black linear switch and the HMX Xinhai linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your preference in typing experience. If you prefer a heavier switch with a firm bottom out force and are not particular about sound or feel, the Outemu Black may be the way to go. However, if you are looking for a lighter switch with a unique acoustics profile and a blend of bouncy and creamy feel, the HMX Xinhai could be the perfect fit for you. Just consider how you want your typing experience to be and choose the switch that aligns with your preferences.
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