Outemu Cream Blue vs. Outemu Crystal Brown
An in-depth look at the Outemu Cream Blue and the Outemu Crystal Brown switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, it's important to consider your preferences for tactile feedback and sound. The Outemu Cream Blue is a clicky switch, known for its audible click sound upon actuation. This is great for those who enjoy the satisfying sound and feedback while typing or gaming. On the other hand, the Outemu Crystal Brown is a tactile switch, providing a noticeable bump in the keypress without the loud click sound. This is preferred by those who appreciate the tactile feedback without the noise. 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
65g
Bottom-out force
55g
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
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Outemu Cream Blue and Outemu Crystal Brown switches both feature different housing materials for their top and bottom components, with the Cream Blue having nylon top and bottom housing, while the Crystal Brown has polycarbonate top and nylon bottom housing. The nylon top housing of the Cream Blue provides a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. In contrast, the polycarbonate top housing of the Crystal Brown creates a sharper and crisper sound profile with its stiffer plastic, leading to a more clear and resonant sound.
Despite the differences in their top housing materials, both the Cream Blue and Crystal Brown switches share a nylon bottom housing. This commonality results in a consistent deeper and fuller sound profile for both switches, as nylon's softer plastic absorbs more sound than harder plastics, creating a duller and rounder sound. The bottom housing material plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel of the switches, contributing to the overall typing experience for users.
Overall, the variation in housing materials between the Outemu Cream Blue and Outemu Crystal Brown switches impacts the sound profiles they produce. While the Cream Blue's nylon housing creates a deeper and fuller sound, the Crystal Brown's polycarbonate housing produces a sharper and crisper sound. The decision to use different materials for the top and bottom housings allows for a combination of sound characteristics, enhancing the overall typing experience for users depending on their preferences for sound profiles.
Weight
The Outemu Cream Blue clicky switch has a slightly heavier actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch with an actuation force of 45 grams, making the Cream Blue the heavier option. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Cream Blue requires 65 grams to bottom out, while the Crystal Brown only needs 55 grams. This means that the Cream Blue provides a more substantial typing experience due to its heavier bottom out force, while the Crystal Brown offers a lighter typing feel. Those who prefer a lighter touch may opt for the Crystal Brown, while those who prefer a more substantial push feel may lean towards the Cream Blue. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Outemu Cream Blue clicky switch and the Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch both have a travel distance of 4 mm, making them equal in this aspect. This means that when you press down on a key with either switch, you will experience the same amount of travel distance from the top to the bottom. This similarity allows for consistent typing experiences between the two switches. The travel distance of both switches offers a satisfying tactile feedback and audible click, making them popular choices among mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. Overall, while the Outemu Cream Blue and Outemu Crystal Brown switches may have different characteristics aside from travel distance, their equal travel distance ensures a comparable typing experience in terms of key press depth.
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 Cream Blue and Crystal Brown.
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 Cream Blue clicky switch is known for its crisp and audible click sound when typing, making it a popular choice for those who enjoy a more tactile and auditory typing experience. On the other hand, the Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch is known for its smooth and subtle tactile bump, providing a quiet typing experience compared to clicky switches. When it comes to sound, the Cream Blue clicky switch will produce a more prominent and clicky noise, while the Crystal Brown tactile switch offers a quieter typing experience. The feel of the Cream Blue switch is characterized by a distinct tactile bump and audible click, providing a satisfying and tactile typing experience. In contrast, the Crystal Brown switch offers a smoother and quieter typing feel due to its tactile bump that is not as pronounced as clicky switches. Both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences, with the Cream Blue switch being more suitable for those who enjoy a more audible and tactile typing experience, while the Crystal Brown switch is ideal for users who prefer a quieter typing feel with a subtle tactile feedback. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches will depend on your personal preference for sound and feel when typing.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Outemu Cream Blue clicky switch and the Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch, you should consider your preference for bottom out force, sound, and feel. If you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force of 65 grams and a clicky sound, the Cream Blue may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-light bottom out force of 55 grams and a tactile feel, the Crystal Brown could be more suited to your preferences. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches comes down to personal preference in terms of typing experience. Choose the one that best fits your typing style and preferences for a satisfying mechanical keyboard experience.
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