Outemu Cream Blue vs. Jwick Semi-Silent Linear
An in-depth look at the Outemu Cream Blue and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between the Outemu Cream Blue clicky switch and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switch, both offer unique features for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. The Cream Blue is best known for its satisfying clicky sound and tactile feedback, making it a popular choice for those who enjoy a more pronounced typing experience. On the other hand, the Semi-Silent Linear stands out for its innovative design that provides a whisper-quiet topping-out sound while maintaining a clacky bottom-out sound. This switch offers a silky smooth typing feel without being overly polished. While the Cream Blue is more suitable for those who prefer a louder and more tactile typing experience, the Semi-Silent Linear is a great option for those looking for a more subdued, neutral, and buttery smooth 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 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
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The main difference between the Outemu Cream Blue and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear lies in their top housing materials. The Cream Blue features a nylon top housing, which absorbs more sound due to its softer nature, resulting in a duller and rounder sound profile. On the other hand, the Semi-Silent Linear's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This difference in material properties leads to distinct sound experiences when typing on the switches.
Interestingly, both the Outemu Cream Blue and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear share a nylon bottom housing. This material choice contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, as nylon is known for absorbing more sound compared to harder plastics. With the same bottom housing material, users can expect a consistent typing experience in terms of sound when comparing these two switches. However, the impact of the bottom housing material may be more pronounced during the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on the switch.
In conclusion, while the Outemu Cream Blue and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear differ in their top housing materials, they offer a similar typing experience in terms of sound due to their shared nylon bottom housing. The nylon bottom housing in both switches contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, creating a consistent typing experience. However, the choice of top housing material significantly influences the overall sound profile, with the Cream Blue's nylon providing a duller and rounder sound, while the Semi-Silent Linear's polycarbonate produces a crisper and sharper sound.
Weight
The Outemu Cream Blue clicky switch has a slightly heavier actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear linear switch, which has an unknown actuation force. However, both switches have a similar bottom out force, with the Cream Blue requiring 65 grams and the Semi-Silent Linear requiring 62 grams. The Cream Blue offers a medium-heavy feel, providing a substantial typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push, while the Semi-Silent Linear falls into the medium category. When considering weight, some may favor the Cream Blue for its slightly heavier actuation force, which can provide a satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, the Semi-Silent Linear may be a better choice for those who prefer a lighter actuation force for prolonged typing or gaming sessions. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for typing feel and force requirements.
Travel distance
The Outemu Cream Blue clicky switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.7 mm. This means that the Cream Blue will provide a slightly deeper key press compared to the Semi-Silent Linear. Gamers who prioritize faster response times may prefer the shorter travel distance of the Semi-Silent Linear, while those who prefer a more substantial key press may lean towards the Cream Blue. In general, the difference in travel distance between the two switches is minimal, so users can expect similar results in terms of feel when pressing down on the keys.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Jwick Semi-Silent Linear has an MSRP of $6.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Semi-Silent Linear for $5.27.
The Outemu Cream Blue 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
In terms of sound, the Outemu Cream Blue switch is best known for its loud and clicky typing experience, making it a popular choice for those who enjoy auditory feedback while typing. On the other hand, the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switch is known for its subdued and semi-silent operation, offering a quieter typing experience that is perfect for environments where noise may be a concern. Both switches offer different sound profiles, with the Cream Blue providing a more pronounced and clicky sound, while the Semi-Silent Linear delivers a quieter and more subtle typing experience.
When it comes to feel, the Outemu Cream Blue switch offers a tactile and clicky typing experience, with a noticeable bump and audible click with each keystroke. In contrast, the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switch is described as having a mild and buttery feel, providing a smooth and gentle typing experience. The Semi-Silent Linear switch is also noted for its snappy and polished feel, offering a responsive and refined typing sensation that is comfortable for long typing sessions. Both switches offer different tactile experiences, with the Cream Blue providing a more tactile and clicky feel, while the Semi-Silent Linear delivers a smoother and quieter typing experience.
In conclusion, the Outemu Cream Blue clicky switch and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear linear switch offer distinct sound and feel profiles for users to choose from. The Cream Blue switch is best suited for those who prefer a loud and tactile typing experience, while the Semi-Silent Linear switch is ideal for users who prioritize a quieter and smoother typing feel. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preference and the specific typing environment. Whether you opt for the clickiness of the Cream Blue or the quietness of the Semi-Silent Linear, both switches offer unique qualities that will enhance your typing experience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when deciding between the Outemu Cream Blue clicky switch and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your preference for sound and feel. If you enjoy a more traditional, clicky sound and prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force, then the Cream Blue may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you appreciate a more innovative, semi-silent switch with a silky smooth feel and a slightly lighter bottom out force, the Semi-Silent Linear could be the better option. Consider your typing environment and personal typing style to make the best decision for your mechanical keyboard switch preference.
Mentioned in this article
