Outemu Brown vs. Outemu Silent White
An in-depth look at the Outemu Brown and the Outemu Silent White switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Outemu Brown, a tactile switch, and the Outemu Silent White, a linear switch. The Outemu Brown switch is best known for its tactile feedback, providing a satisfying physical bump when pressed. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent White switch is best known for its quiet operation, making it ideal for those who prefer a silent typing experience. While the Brown switch offers tactile feedback for enhanced typing accuracy, the Silent White switch ensures a noise-free environment. 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
53g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
1.20 mm
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 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
Polycarbonate
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
The main difference between the housing materials of the Outemu Brown and Outemu Silent White switches lies in their bottom housing material. While both switches feature a polycarbonate top housing that creates a sharp, high-pitched sound profile and is ideal for RGB lighting due to its translucency, the Brown utilizes a nylon bottom housing that produces a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound compared to the stiffer polycarbonate.
In terms of sound profile, the Nylon bottom housing of the Outemu Brown switch adds a unique depth to the typing experience, emphasizing a fuller sound. On the other hand, the Silent White switch maintains a sharper, crisper sound profile with its consistent use of polycarbonate in both the top and bottom housing. This difference in bottom housing material reflects in the overall typing experience, with the Brown switch offering a more subdued sound compared to the Silent White switch.
Despite the variation in bottom housing material, both the Outemu Brown and Outemu Silent White switches rely on polycarbonate for the top housing, allowing for a distinct sound profile that is sharp, higher-pitched, and resonant. The use of polycarbonate in the top housing enhances the overall typing experience and ensures consistent sound quality across both switches. While the nuances in the bottom housing material contribute to a slight difference in sound profile, the use of polycarbonate unifies the switches in providing a clear and resonant typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Outemu Brown tactile switch and the Outemu Silent White linear switch, we can see that the Brown has a slightly heavier actuation force of 53 grams compared to the Silent White's 45 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Brown requires 65 grams while the Silent White needs 60 grams, making them relatively similar in this aspect. The Brown switch provides a medium-heavy typing experience, ideal for those who prefer a more substantial push feel, while the Silent White switch offers a medium force, suitable for those who prefer a lighter typing experience. Both switches offer a different typing feel based on the force required, with the Brown being slightly heavier overall than the Silent White. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on the individual's preference for a lighter or heavier typing experience.
Travel distance
In comparing the travel distance of the Outemu Brown tactile switch and the Outemu Silent White linear switch, we can see that the Brown has a longer travel distance of 4 mm compared to the 3.3 mm of the Silent White. The Brown's 4 mm distance offers a more traditional feel, while the Silent White's 3.3 mm distance provides a shallower press. Gamers may prefer the Silent White for its faster response times due to the shorter travel distance, while others may find the Brown more satisfying for its deeper press. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference in terms of travel distance and key 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 Brown and Silent White.
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 Brown tactile switch is known for its subtle tactile bump and quiet sound compared to other tactile switches. It provides a smooth typing experience with a slight resistance that can help typists to avoid bottoming out. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent White linear switch is designed to reduce noise during typing with a silent stem mechanism. It offers a smooth keystroke without the tactile bump found in the Brown switch, resulting in a quieter typing experience.
When it comes to sound, the Brown switch produces a soft thud with a slight tactile feedback, which can be satisfying for users who enjoy a subtle typing sound. In contrast, the Silent White switch is virtually silent, making it ideal for environments where noise level is a concern. Both switches can be further dampened by using sound-absorbing materials or customizing with dampening clips.
In terms of feel, the Brown switch offers a tactile bump that provides a tactile response without being too pronounced, which can help with typing accuracy. The Silent White switch, being a linear switch, offers a smooth keystroke without any tactile feedback, allowing for fast and consistent typing. Overall, the choice between the Outemu Brown tactile switch and Outemu Silent White linear switch would depend on personal preference for either a tactile or linear typing experience, as well as the noise level preference. Ultimately, both switches offer a reliable and budget-friendly option for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts seeking either tactile feedback or silent operation.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Outemu Brown tactile switch and the Outemu Silent White linear switch, you should consider your preference for a tactile typing experience. If you enjoy a slight bump when typing and don't mind a bit of noise, the Outemu Brown switch with its 65-gram bottom out force may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a smoother keystroke and want a quieter typing experience, the Outemu Silent White switch with its 60-gram bottom out force might be more suitable. Ultimately, the decision comes down to personal preference and the type of typing experience you are looking for.
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