Outemu Blue vs. Outemu Silent Green
An in-depth look at the Outemu Blue and the Outemu Silent Green switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Outemu Blue and Outemu Silent Green are two popular options with distinct characteristics. The Outemu Blue switch is known for its clicky sound and tactile feedback, providing a satisfying typing experience for those who enjoy auditory feedback while typing. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Green switch is a linear switch that offers a smooth keystroke without the audible click, making it a quieter option for those who prefer a more discreet typing experience. Each switch has its own unique attributes that cater to different preferences and typing styles. 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
50g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
pom
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Outemu Blue and Outemu Silent Green switches both feature polycarbonate top housings, which create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to their relatively stiffer plastic composition. This results in a more clear and resonant sound overall. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches that utilize RGB lighting, adding a visually appealing element to the switches. However, the Silent Green also features a polycarbonate bottom housing, which further enhances the sound profile by maintaining the sharpness and clarity throughout the switch.
On the other hand, the Outemu Blue switch utilizes a nylon bottom housing, which elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to the Silent Green's polycarbonate bottom housing. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. This creates a different typing experience compared to the Silent Green switch, which maintains a consistent sharp and clear sound profile throughout due to its polycarbonate bottom housing. The contrasting materials used in the bottom housing of each switch contribute to a unique typing feel and sound.
Overall, the combination of polycarbonate top housing in both the Outemu Blue and Silent Green switches provides a consistent sharp and clear sound profile, with the main difference lying in the bottom housing material. While the Blue switch's nylon bottom housing offers a deeper and fuller sound, the Silent Green's polycarbonate bottom housing maintains the sharpness and clarity throughout. This results in a slightly different typing experience and sound profile between the two switches, catering to different preferences for typing feel and sound.
Weight
When comparing the Outemu Blue clicky switch and the Outemu Silent Green linear switch, it is evident that they have different actuation and bottom out forces. The Blue switch has an actuation force of 50 grams, which is heavier than the Silent Green's 45 grams. However, the bottom out force for the Blue switch is unknown, while the Silent Green requires 60 grams to bottom out. This means that the Silent Green switch is lighter to actuate but heavier to bottom out compared to the Blue switch. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Silent Green switch may be more suitable, as it requires less force to trigger a keystroke. On the other hand, the Blue switch may be preferred by those who enjoy a more substantial typing feel, as it has a higher actuation force. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for typing weight and feel.
Travel distance
The Outemu Blue clicky switch and the Outemu Silent Green linear switch both have a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either of these switches, you will feel the key travel 4 mm from the top to the bottom. Therefore, both switches offer a similar typing experience in terms of travel distance. The difference between these switches lies in their actuation and sound properties rather than the distance traveled by the key. This makes them suitable for different preferences in typing feel and sound output.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
In this case, both switches are $3.10. As such, price can't serve as a tiebreaker when choosing between the Blue and Silent Green.
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
The Outemu Blue clicky switch is best known for its tactile feedback and audible click sound, making it a popular choice for typists who enjoy the satisfying click with each key press. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Green linear switch is best known for its smooth keystrokes and quiet operation, making it a preferred option for those who prefer a quieter typing experience without sacrificing the feel of a mechanical switch.
In terms of sound, the Outemu Blue clicky switch produces a distinct and audible click with each keystroke, providing both tactile and auditory feedback to the user. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Green linear switch is designed to minimize noise, resulting in a quieter typing experience that is less likely to disturb others nearby. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard housing and keycap material.
In terms of feel, the Outemu Blue clicky switch is known for its tactile bump and audible click, providing a satisfying typing experience for those who enjoy the tactile feedback of a clicky switch. In comparison, the Outemu Silent Green linear switch offers a smooth and consistent keystroke without any tactile feedback, ideal for users who prefer a linear switch with a quieter operation. Both switches provide different typing experiences, so it ultimately comes down to personal preference.
In conclusion, the Outemu Blue clicky switch and the Outemu Silent Green linear switch offer different qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Blue switch provides a tactile and audible typing experience, while the Silent Green switch offers a smooth and quiet operation. Depending on your personal preference for sound and feel, either switch could be the right choice for you. Ultimately, trying out both switches on different boards and keycap setups will give you a better idea of which one suits your typing style best.
Conclusion
To sum up, when you're looking for a loud and clicky switch that provides a satisfying tactile feedback, you should consider the Outemu Blue clicky switch. The lack of bottom out force makes it great for typists who enjoy the audible feedback. On the other hand, if you prefer a quieter typing experience with a smoother linear switch, the Outemu Silent Green would be a better choice with its 60-gram bottom out force. The Silent Green is ideal for those who want a more subtle typing experience without sacrificing the performance of a mechanical keyboard. Consider your preferences in sound and feel when deciding between these two switches to find the one that best suits your typing style.
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