Outemu Blue vs. Outemu Silent Yellow Jade
An in-depth look at the Outemu Blue and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to compare and contrast are the Outemu Blue, a clicky switch, and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade, a tactile switch. The Outemu Blue switch is best known for its satisfying clicky sound and tactile feedback, making it ideal for those who enjoy a more audible typing experience. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switch offers a quieter typing experience with a tactile bump that provides a satisfying "thocky" sound. This makes it a great choice for those who prefer a quieter typing experience without compromising on tactile feedback. 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
50g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Partial box
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
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Outemu Blue and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade, one key difference is the use of polycarbonate in the Blue's top housing versus nylon in the Silent Yellow Jade's top housing. Polycarbonate creates a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile, while nylon produces a deeper and fuller sound. This means that typing on the Blue switches may result in a crisper sound with more clarity, while typing on the Silent Yellow Jade switches may offer a more muted and rounder sound experience. Additionally, the translucency of the polycarbonate in the Blue switches makes them ideal for use with RGB lighting, adding an aesthetic element to the typing experience.
Another point of comparison is the nylon material used in the bottom housing of both switches. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound profile. This means that regardless of whether you are typing on the Blue or Silent Yellow Jade switches, the bottom-out sound and feel will likely be similar due to the shared nylon bottom housing. The impact of the bottom housing on the overall typing experience can be felt when pressing down on the keys, providing a consistent tactile feel across both switch types.
Overall, while the top and bottom housing materials differ between the Outemu Blue and Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switches, they each bring unique qualities to the typing experience. The Blue switches with their polycarbonate top housing offer a crisper and clearer sound profile, ideal for those seeking a sharper typing experience. On the other hand, the Silent Yellow Jade switches with their nylon top housing provide a deeper and fuller sound, perfect for users looking for a more subdued and rounded typing feel. Regardless of the differences in housing materials, both switches offer a tactile typing experience that enthusiasts can appreciate for their individual sound profiles and feel.
Weight
The Outemu Blue clicky switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch both have the same actuation force of 50 grams, making them equally responsive in terms of triggering a keystroke. However, the key difference lies in their bottom out forces. The Blue switch does not have a specified bottom out force, while the Silent Yellow Jade switch has a bottom out force of 65 grams, which is considered medium-heavy. This means that the Silent Yellow Jade switch requires more force to fully press down compared to the Blue switch. In terms of weight, some may prefer the lighter actuation force of the Blue switch for longer typing or gaming sessions, while others may prefer the heavier bottom out force of the Silent Yellow Jade switch for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Outemu Blue clicky switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch, it is evident that the Blue switch has a longer travel distance of 4 mm compared to the 3.3 mm travel distance of the Silent Yellow Jade switch. The Blue switch offers a slightly more substantial keypress depth, which may be preferred by those who enjoy a more pronounced tactile feedback. On the other hand, the Silent Yellow Jade switch provides a shorter travel distance, making it ideal for individuals who prioritize speed and responsiveness in their typing or gaming experience. Both switches have their unique advantages, with the Blue switch offering a deeper keypress and the Silent Yellow Jade switch providing a quicker response time. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for travel distance and keypress feel.
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 Yellow Jade.
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 well-known for its satisfying audible click with a tactile feedback. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch offers a quieter typing experience with a pronounced tactile bump, producing a distinctive "thocky" sound. While the Blue switch provides a more traditional clicky sensation, the Silent Yellow Jade switch offers a softer, quieter typing experience with a prominent tactile feedback.
When it comes to sound, the Blue switch is characterized by a sharp, audible click, providing a satisfying typing experience for those who enjoy a more pronounced sound with each keystroke. In contrast, the Silent Yellow Jade switch offers a quieter typing experience with a muffled "thocky" sound, making it an ideal choice for those who prefer a more subdued typing noise.
In terms of feel, the Blue switch provides a tactile bump and audible click with each keystroke, appealing to users who enjoy a more pronounced tactile feedback. On the other hand, the Silent Yellow Jade switch offers a smooth, tactile typing experience with a subtle tactile bump, making it a great choice for users who prefer a quieter typing sensation with a noticeable tactile feedback.
Overall, the Outemu Blue clicky switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch offer distinct typing experiences in terms of sound and feel. Depending on your preference for typing noise and tactile feedback, you can choose between the more traditional clicky feel of the Blue switch or the quieter, tactile typing experience of the Silent Yellow Jade switch. Both switches provide quality options for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts, ensuring a satisfying typing experience based on individual preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Outemu Blue clicky switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch, it's important to consider your environment and personal preferences. If you are looking for a keyboard switch that offers a satisfying clicky sound with no bottom out force, the Outemu Blue switch may be the right choice for you. However, if you prefer a quieter typing experience with a medium-heavy bottom out force and a tactile bump, then the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switch would be more suited to your needs. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will depend on whether you prioritize loud clicky feedback or a quieter, tactile typing experience.
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