Outemu Cold Plum vs. HMX Vintage Citrus
An in-depth look at the Outemu Cold Plum and the HMX Vintage Citrus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Cold Plum and HMX Vintage Citrus offer distinct features that cater to different user preferences. The Outemu Cold Plum, crafted with a fully nylon construction, is celebrated for its unique thocky sound profile and smooth keystroke, making it a prime choice for typing enthusiasts who prioritize a satisfying tactile experience. On the other hand, the HMX Vintage Citrus, designed with gamers in mind, boasts an impressively low actuation force of just 1mm, allowing for rapid-fire inputs that can enhance gameplay efficiency. Its bright, clacky sound profile and smooth push feel create an invigorating typing experience that appeals to those who thrive on speed and responsiveness. While both switches are linear in nature, catering to different user bases, they serve unique purposes within the realm of mechanical keyboards. 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
60g
Actuation force
48g
Bottom-out force
70g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Total travel
3.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Nylon
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
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-staged spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Outemu Cold Plum and the HMX Vintage Citrus switches are notably similar, as both utilize nylon for their top and bottom housings. Nylon is renowned for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile, attributed to its softer composition compared to harder plastics. This characteristic allows for greater sound absorption, leading to a rounder and more subdued auditory experience during typing. As a result, users can anticipate a consistent sound signature from both switches, delivering a satisfying acoustic feedback that is ideal for those who appreciate a richer typing sound.
Despite their shared use of nylon, the distinction in design features could influence the overall typing experience subtly. For instance, while both switches will invoke the benefits of nylon's sound-dampening qualities, any minor variations in switch mechanisms or assembly might yield different tactile responses or actuation forces, even within the same material framework. However, these differences would manifest more in the feel and performance rather than in the acoustical profile, which is uniformly affected by the nylon composition.
In essence, users can expect similar auditory results when utilizing the Outemu Cold Plum and HMX Vintage Citrus switches due to their identical housing materials. Both switches promise the same qualities in terms of sound absorption and typing acoustics, ensuring a smooth and pleasing sound experience. Nevertheless, the particular feel when bottoming out or releasing the key could remain unique due to potential variations in design and construction. Thus, while the housing materials contribute significantly to the overall sound profile, the nuances in design can offer a distinct typing experience with each switch.
Weight
The Outemu Cold Plum linear switch and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch offer distinct experiences in terms of actuation and bottom out forces. The Cold Plum requires an actuation force of 60 grams and has a bottom out force of 70 grams, marking it as a medium-heavy option. In contrast, the Vintage Citrus showcases a lighter touch with an actuation force of 48 grams and a bottom out force of 53 grams, categorizing it as medium-light. This difference in weight makes the Cold Plum more suitable for those who prefer a stronger push feel, providing a substantial typing experience, while the Vintage Citrus is ideal for users seeking a lighter touch, which can facilitate longer typing sessions or extended gaming without fatigue. As a result, if you favor a heavier switch with more feedback, the Outemu Cold Plum is the better choice, whereas if you're looking for ease of use and comfort over long periods, the HMX Vintage Citrus is more advantageous.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Outemu Cold Plum linear switch and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch, we find that the Cold Plum has a travel distance of 3.3 mm, while the Vintage Citrus offers a slightly shorter travel distance of 3 mm. This difference in travel distance indicates that if you're looking for quicker responsiveness, the Vintage Citrus might be more appealing due to its shorter travel, aligning with the trend of gamers favoring rapid key presses. Conversely, those who enjoy a more substantial feel when typing may prefer the Cold Plum for its longer travel distance, providing a heavier depth to each keystroke. Overall, the Cold Plum offers a longer travel distance, making it suitable for users who appreciate more pronounced key engagement, while the Vintage Citrus caters to those who lean towards speed and efficiency with its shorter travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Vintage Citrus has an MSRP of $3.49 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Vintage Citrus for $2.79.
The Outemu Cold Plum 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
The sound profile of the Outemu Cold Plum switch is characterized by a thocky tone that appeals to those who appreciate a more subdued but rich acoustic experience. The combination of its fully nylon construction contributes to this sound quality, creating a deep and satisfying auditory feedback when typing. In contrast, the HMX Vintage Citrus switch boasts a bright, clacky sound that is sharp and snappy, providing a crisp and percussive auditory feedback. While both switches deliver unique sound experiences, the Cold Plum offers a deeper resonance, whereas the Vintage Citrus emphasizes a more lively and crisp sound. Ultimately, your choice in board and keycaps will also influence how these sound profiles manifest in practice.
When it comes to the feel of these switches, the Outemu Cold Plum offers a smooth keystroke that many enthusiasts find enjoyable. The overall typing experience is defined by its satisfying push and feedback, making it suitable for both typing and gaming. On the other hand, the HMX Vintage Citrus switch is specifically designed to enhance gaming performance with its snappy and invigorating reaction. The combination of a low actuation force and a responsive feel makes it ideal for rapid-fire inputs, providing an immersive sensation that keeps the user engaged. Therefore, while the Cold Plum focuses on a smooth and satisfying typing experience, the Vintage Citrus aims to deliver an energetic and responsive touch that enhances reaction times.
In conclusion, the Outemu Cold Plum and HMX Vintage Citrus switches present distinct qualities in both sound and feel. The Cold Plum's thocky sound and smooth keystroke make it appealing for enthusiasts seeking a rich typing experience, while the Vintage Citrus offers a bright, clacky sound and a fast, snappy feel that caters to gamers looking for quick responses. Your choice ultimately depends on whether you prioritize acoustic depth and a smooth feel or a lively sound profile with a responsive touch. Regardless, both switches deliver compelling characteristics that can enhance typing and gaming experiences, making them worthy contenders for any mechanical keyboard enthusiast.
Conclusion
To conclude, choosing between the Outemu Cold Plum and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switches largely depends on your specific typing habits and preferences. If you appreciate a medium-heavy actuation force and are looking for a unique typing experience, the Cold Plum is an excellent choice. Its thocky sound profile and fully nylon construction provide a satisfying auditory and tactile feedback, making it ideal for those who enjoy a more deliberate typing sensation and distinct sound. On the other hand, if you're primarily a gamer or someone who values speed and responsiveness in your keystrokes, the Vintage Citrus switch would likely be more suited to your needs. With its exceptionally low actuation force and snappy, clacky sound profile, it’s designed for rapid-fire inputs and delivers a lively, invigorating typing experience. Ultimately, your decision should hinge on whether you prefer the satisfying heft of the Cold Plum or the quick finesse of the Vintage Citrus.
Mentioned in this article
