Outemu Cream Pink vs. Outemu Silent Grey
An in-depth look at the Outemu Cream Pink and the Outemu Silent Grey switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Outemu Cream Pink, a linear switch, and the Outemu Silent Grey, a tactile switch. The Cream Pink is best known for its smooth keystroke with no tactile bump, making it ideal for fast typists and gamers looking for quick key actuation. On the other hand, the Silent Grey is best known for providing a quiet and highly tactile typing experience, with a pronounced bump that gives a satisfying feedback with each key press. While the Cream Pink offers a straightforward linear feel, the Silent Grey adds a tactile element for those who prefer a more 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
2.00 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
In comparing the housing materials of the Outemu Cream Pink and Outemu Silent Grey, it is clear that they offer distinct sound profiles. The Cream Pink, with its nylon top and bottom housings, produces a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the softer nature of nylon, which absorbs more sound and creates a duller, rounder sound. On the other hand, the Silent Grey, featuring a polycarbonate top housing and nylon bottom housing, delivers a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The stiffer polycarbonate top housing enhances clarity and resonance, while the nylon bottom housing contributes to a deeper and fuller sound.
Despite their differences, both the Outemu Cream Pink and Outemu Silent Grey utilize nylon in their bottom housing, which results in a similar deep and full sound profile. However, the distinction lies in their top housings, with the Cream Pink's nylon top housing providing a duller, rounder sound compared to the Silent Grey's polycarbonate top housing, which offers a sharper and crisper sound profile. Additionally, the Cream Pink's nylon bottom housing may contribute more to the overall sound when pressing down on the key, while the Silent Grey's nylon bottom housing may impact the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch.
Overall, the choice between the Outemu Cream Pink and Outemu Silent Grey housing materials comes down to personal preference in sound profile. The Cream Pink's nylon housing offers a deeper and fuller sound with a duller tone, while the Silent Grey's polycarbonate top housing provides a sharper and crisper sound with more clarity and resonance. Both switches maintain a similar sound profile with their nylon bottom housing, but the top housing material plays a significant role in the overall sound and feel of the switch. Ultimately, users should consider their preferred typing experience and sound preference when choosing between these two options.
Weight
Comparing the Outemu Cream Pink linear 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 medium-heavy switches. The actuation force is the force needed to trigger a keystroke, while the bottom out force measures how much force is required to press the key all the way down. This means that typing on both switches will result in a similar typing experience in terms of force required. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may find the 50-gram actuation force of both switches suitable for longer typing sessions, while those who enjoy a more substantial feel may appreciate the 65-gram bottom out force for a stronger push. Ultimately, both switches offer a balance between actuation and bottom out forces, catering to different preferences.
Travel distance
Both the Outemu Cream Pink linear switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch have a travel distance of 4mm, providing a consistent and familiar typing experience. This means that whether you choose the Cream Pink or Silent Grey, you can expect similar results in terms of how far the switch travels from the top to the bottom. This uniformity in travel distance makes both switches suitable for those looking for a standard typing experience without any drastic differences in key feel. The only contrast between the two switches lies in their respective switch types - linear for the Cream Pink and tactile for the Silent Grey. Whether you prefer the smooth keystrokes of a linear switch or the tactile feedback of a tactile switch, both options offer the same travel distance, making the decision between the two a matter of personal preference rather than a significant difference in key feel.
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 Pink 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 Pink switch is known for its smooth linear feel, with no tactile bump or audible click, making it ideal for fast typists who prefer a consistent keystroke without any resistance. On the other hand, the Silent Grey switch offers a tactile bump that provides feedback with each keystroke, making it easier to register key presses without bottoming out. The Silent Grey switch is also designed to minimize noise, creating a quieter typing experience compared to the Cream Pink switch.
In conclusion, the Outemu Cream Pink linear switch is best suited for users who prioritize a smooth and fast typing experience without any tactile feedback or audible noise. Meanwhile, the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch is perfect for those who prefer a tactile bump for added feedback while typing, as well as a quieter overall typing experience. When comparing the two switches, it's important to consider your personal preferences for sound, feel, and typing speed to determine which switch would be the best fit for your mechanical keyboard setup.
Conclusion
Ultimately, when deciding between the Outemu Cream Pink linear switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch, your choice should depend on whether you prioritize a smooth keystroke or a highly tactile typing experience. If you prefer a linear switch with a medium-heavy bottom out force and a smooth keystroke, the Cream Pink may be the better option for you. On the other hand, if you value a quiet and highly tactile typing experience with a pronounced bump, then the Silent Grey switch would be more suited to your preferences. Consider your typing style and preferences when choosing between these two switches to ensure you have the best mechanical keyboard experience.
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