Outemu Cream Blue vs. Outemu Silent Grey
An in-depth look at the Outemu Cream Blue and the Outemu Silent Grey switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Cream Blue and Outemu Silent Grey offer distinct typing experiences. The Cream Blue is a clicky switch, known for its audible feedback and tactile response. On the other hand, the Silent Grey is a tactile switch, offering a quiet yet highly tactile typing experience with a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke. Choosing the Cream Blue would be ideal for those who enjoy the satisfying click sound while typing, while the Silent Grey would be perfect for individuals seeking a quiet and tactile typing experience. 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
65g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
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 main difference between the Outemu Cream Blue and Outemu Silent Grey housing materials lies in their top housing material. The Cream Blue features a nylon top housing, which absorbs more sound due to its softer plastic composition, resulting in a deeper and duller sound profile. In contrast, the Silent Grey's polycarbonate top housing is a stiffer plastic, leading to a sharper and more resonant sound profile. Additionally, the polycarbonate material is clear, making it ideal for RGB lighting effects. While both materials are classic switch housing options, their acoustic properties set them apart in terms of sound quality.
On the other hand, when it comes to the bottom housing material, both the Cream Blue and Silent Grey switches utilize nylon. The nylon material in the bottom housing of these switches contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, similar to that of the nylon top housing. The softer nature of nylon plastic allows for more sound absorption, resulting in a rounder and less crisp sound compared to other harder plastics. Despite the similar bottom housing material, the different top housing materials still play a significant role in defining the overall sound profile of the switches.
Ultimately, the choice between the Outemu Cream Blue and Outemu Silent Grey housing materials will come down to personal preference in sound profile. While both switches offer a deep and full sound experience thanks to their nylon bottom housing, the top housing material makes a noticeable difference in the overall sound characteristics. Those looking for a softer and rounder sound may prefer the Cream Blue with its nylon top housing, while individuals seeking a crisper and more resonant sound may lean towards the Silent Grey with its polycarbonate top housing. Despite these differences, both switches provide a quality typing experience with their classic housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the Outemu Cream Blue clicky switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch, both switches have the same actuation force of 50 grams and bottom out force of 65 grams, making them equally medium-heavy in terms of weight. The actuation force of 50 grams is light enough to provide a smooth typing experience without causing fatigue over extended periods, while the bottom out force of 65 grams gives a satisfying tactile feedback. This makes both switches suitable for a variety of typing tasks, whether it be for work or gaming. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would come down to personal preference in terms of the clicky feedback of the Cream Blue or the quieter typing experience of the Silent Grey.
Travel distance
The travel distance of both the Outemu Cream Blue clicky switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch is 4 mm, making them equal in this aspect. This means that when you press down on a key with either of these switches, you will feel the same distance of travel from the top to the bottom. However, despite having the same travel distance, the Cream Blue clicky switch provides a clicky feedback while the Silent Grey tactile switch offers a quieter typing experience. So, although they travel the same distance, the sensation and sound of typing on these switches are different.
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 Silent Grey.
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 Cream Blue and Silent Grey switches offer distinct characteristics in both sound and feel. The Cream Blue switch is known for its clicky sound, providing a satisfying auditory feedback with each keystroke. On the other hand, the Silent Grey switch offers a quiet typing experience, making it a suitable option for those who prefer minimal noise during use. In terms of feel, the Cream Blue switch offers a certain tactile response, while the Silent Grey switch boasts a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke for a highly tactile typing experience.
Overall, choosing between the Outemu Cream Blue clicky switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch ultimately comes down to personal preference. If you enjoy a clicky sound with tactile feedback, the Cream Blue switch may be the better option for you. However, if you prefer a quieter typing experience with a pronounced bump, the Silent Grey switch could be the ideal choice. Regardless of your selection, both switches offer quality components and performance that will enhance your typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Outemu Cream Blue clicky switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preference and typing environment. If you enjoy a more audible and clicky typing experience, the Cream Blue would be a great choice with its satisfying click and medium-heavy bottom out force. On the other hand, if you prefer a quieter typing experience with a pronounced tactile bump, the Silent Grey would be the better option. Its smooth keystroke and silent operation make it ideal for those who work in shared spaces or simply prefer a quieter keyboard. Consider your typing style, surroundings, and preference for clicky or tactile switches when choosing between these two options. Ultimately, both switches offer a unique typing experience catered to different preferences, so choose the one that best suits your needs.
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