Outemu Cold Plum vs. Outemu Maple Leaf

Overview

When exploring the diverse world of mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Cold Plum and Outemu Maple Leaf stand out for their distinctive characteristics and user experiences. The Cold Plum switch is a linear switch celebrated for its smooth keystroke and satisfying thocky sound profile, making it ideal for enthusiasts who prioritize a clean, uninterrupted typing feel. Its fully nylon construction adds to its durability and enhances the overall acoustic experience, appealing to gamers and typists alike. In contrast, the Outemu Maple Leaf switch, while less publicized, offers a tactile response that provides a noticeable bump during key presses, catering to those who prefer feedback in their typing experience. This can enhance typing accuracy and overall satisfaction for users who enjoy a more connected feel with each keystroke. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches boils down to personal preference: whether you value a smooth, linear motion or the tactile feedback of a bump. However, let’s dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for you.

By the numbers

Outemu Cold Plum Linear

Outemu Maple Leaf Tactile

$3.10 per 10

$3.10 per 10

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Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the Outemu Cold Plum and Outemu Maple Leaf switches, it is striking to note that both the top and bottom housings of these switches are made from nylon. This common material choice contributes to a consistent performance characteristic across both switch types. Nylon, as noted, is celebrated for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing, largely due to its softer nature that allows for sound absorption. This leads to a duller and rounder sound quality, making both switches particularly appealing for users seeking a more subdued acoustic experience while typing.

While both switches utilize nylon for their entire housing, the impact of sound dynamics can still vary depending on how each switch is engineered beyond just the choice of materials. Since both the Cold Plum and Maple Leaf share the same nylon construction, they will deliver similar auditory results, featuring that distinctive sound profile that users of nylon switches tend to prefer. However, it's worth acknowledging that other factors, such as spring stiffness and keycap design, could influence how these switches feel and sound when in use, potentially offering subtle differences in user experience despite their shared materials.

Ultimately, the uniformity in the housing materials between the Outemu Cold Plum and Maple Leaf ensures that users can expect reliable performance with a comforting auditory feedback loop. When pressed, the qualities of the nylon housing will be uniform across both switches, creating a smoother bottom-out sound and feel. Similarly, releasing the keys will elicit a comparable sound response, reinforcing the idea that despite inherent distinctions that may arise from different design implementations, the nylon construction aligns the two switches in delivering an overall satisfying typing experience. Therefore, users can confidently choose either switch based on preference for design or feel, knowing that the nylon material will ensure a degree of consistency in performance.

Weight

The Outemu Cold Plum linear switch and the Outemu Maple Leaf tactile switch present distinct characteristics in their actuation and bottom out forces, impacting user experience based on personal preference. The Cold Plum features an actuation force of 60 grams and a bottom out force of 70 grams, making it a medium-heavy option. In contrast, the Maple Leaf has a slightly lighter actuation force of 55 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams, also categorized as medium-heavy. This means that the Maple Leaf is the lighter switch, which may be preferable for users who engage in extended typing sessions, while the Cold Plum, being heavier, offers a more substantial push feel that some users might prefer for increased tactile feedback. Overall, while both switches share a medium-heavy classification, the slight differences in their forces cater to varied typing experiences, with the Cold Plum being the heavier choice.

Travel distance

The Outemu Cold Plum linear switch and the Outemu Maple Leaf tactile switch have the same travel distance of 3.3 mm, meaning that both switches will provide a similar experience when pressed, as they require the same amount of travel from the top to the bottom to register a keypress. This equivalence in travel distance suggests that users can expect similar tactile feedback and responsiveness, making either switch a viable option based on other preferences like feel or actuation force. However, while they match in travel distance, their different characteristics—linear for the Cold Plum and tactile for the Maple Leaf—will affect the overall user experience, particularly in terms of how the switches feel during use.

Price comparison

Typing experience

The Outemu Cold Plum linear switch provides a thocky sound profile that many typists find satisfying, creating an auditory feedback that enhances the typing experience. Its fully nylon construction contributes to this unique sound, setting it apart from many other switches. On the other hand, there is no specific sound characteristic available for the Outemu Maple Leaf tactile switch, making it difficult to compare directly. However, the sound produced by both switches can also vary significantly based on the keyboard's construction, including the choice of the board and keycaps used, which can influence the overall acoustic experience.

When it comes to feel, the Cold Plum switch is noted for its smooth keystroke, delivering an enjoyable typing experience that appeals to enthusiasts. The linear action ensures a consistent force throughout the travel, favoring those who prefer uninterrupted typing. Conversely, there is limited information regarding the tactile feel of the Maple Leaf switch, which leaves an unknown aspect concerning its texture and resistance during use. This lack of detail presents a challenge in evaluating how it would compare in terms of physical feedback against the Cold Plum's linear design.

In summary, while the Outemu Cold Plum linear switch is recognized for its thocky sound and smooth keystroke, the qualities of the Outemu Maple Leaf tactile switch remain largely undetermined. The Cold Plum offers an engaging auditory and tactile typing experience, but without specific characteristics for the Maple Leaf, it's challenging to make direct comparisons. Ultimately, potential users may gravitate towards the Cold Plum for its sensory satisfaction, while the Maple Leaf remains an unknown quantity in terms of sound and feel.

Conclusion

To conclude, when deciding between the Outemu Cold Plum linear switch and the Outemu Maple Leaf tactile switch, your personal preferences and typing style will play a crucial role. If you value a unique and enjoyable typing experience, with a thocky sound profile and a smooth keystroke, the Cold Plum switch would be your ideal choice, especially if you enjoy a heavier feel with its 70-gram actuation force. This switch is perfect for enthusiasts who appreciate both sound and touch while executing their tasks, making it suitable for typists, gamers, and those who spend long hours at the keyboard. On the other hand, if you prefer a more subtle feedback with a slightly lighter actuation force of 65 grams, leaning towards tactile responsiveness rather than auditory pleasure, the Maple Leaf switch may be more aligned with your needs. It’s a solid option for those who like to feel each keystroke without the added emphasis of sound, making it apt for quieter environments or office settings. Ultimately, your choice should reflect whether you prioritize sound and smoothness or tactile feedback in your mechanical keyboard experience.

Mentioned in this article

Outemu Cold Plum Linear

$3.10 per 10

Learn more

Outemu Maple Leaf Tactile

$3.10 per 10

Learn more