Outemu Cream Yellow vs. Outemu Ocean
An in-depth look at the Outemu Cream Yellow and the Outemu Ocean switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Outemu Cream Yellow and Outemu Ocean both offer unique qualities to consider. The Cream Yellow is a tactile switch that provides a satisfying and responsive typing experience, perfect for those who prefer a tactile feedback while typing. On the other hand, the Ocean is also a tactile switch but offers a different feel, ensuring a smooth and consistent keystroke with every press. Both switches are categorized as tactile, but the Cream Yellow may appeal to those who prefer a more pronounced bump, while the Ocean may be preferred by those who enjoy a smoother actuation. 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
45g
Actuation force
55g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
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 Outemu Cream Yellow and Outemu Ocean switches both have unique housing materials that contribute to their sound profiles and overall performance. The Cream Yellow features a nylon top housing, which absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. On the other hand, the Ocean switch has a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper and crisper sound profile due to its stiffness. Despite these differences, both switches share a nylon bottom housing, leading to a similar deep and full sound profile when typing.
While both switches have a nylon bottom housing that provides a similar sound profile, the Outemu Cream Yellow stands out with its distinct nylon top housing. The Cream Yellow's softer nylon top housing creates a rounder sound compared to the Ocean's polycarbonate top housing, which produces a more clear and resonant sound. This difference in top housing material gives each switch its own unique sound signature and typing experience. However, both switches benefit from the nylon bottom housing's ability to absorb sound, resulting in a duller and more satisfying typing sound overall.
In conclusion, the choice between the Outemu Cream Yellow and Outemu Ocean switches comes down to personal preference in sound profile and typing experience. The Cream Yellow's nylon top housing offers a deeper and fuller sound, while the Ocean's polycarbonate top housing produces a sharper and crisper sound. Despite this difference, both switches share a nylon bottom housing that contributes to a similarly satisfying sound profile. Whether you prefer the rounder sound of the Cream Yellow or the clearer sound of the Ocean, both switches provide a high-quality typing experience with their unique housing materials.
Weight
The Outemu Cream Yellow tactile switch has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Outemu Ocean tactile switch, which has a heavier actuation force of 55 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Cream Yellow requires 60 grams while the Ocean's bottom out force is unknown. This means that the Cream Yellow switch provides a lighter typing experience in terms of actuation force, making it ideal for extended typing sessions or gaming. On the other hand, the Ocean switch may offer a more substantial typing experience due to its heavier actuation force, although without information on the bottom out force, it is unclear how they compare in that aspect. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for typing feel and force required for key presses.
Travel distance
The Outemu Cream Yellow tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm, while the Outemu Ocean tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. The Cream Yellow offers a slightly shorter travel distance, making it a preferred choice for those seeking faster response times, such as gamers. On the other hand, the Ocean switch provides a longer travel distance, which may appeal to users who prefer a more substantial feel when pressing down on a key. Both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with the Ocean being on the longer side and the Cream Yellow being on the shorter side. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference for travel distance and the type of typing or gaming experience desired.
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 Yellow and Ocean.
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
When it comes to sound, the Cream Yellow switch is known for its quiet and smooth operation, making it ideal for those who prefer a more subtle typing experience. On the other hand, the Ocean switch is also quiet but has a slightly deeper tone, adding a bit of depth to each keystroke. The sound produced by both switches can be further influenced by factors such as the keyboard case material and keycap material.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Cream Yellow tactile switch offers a light and responsive typing experience, with a tactile bump that provides feedback without being too pronounced. In comparison, the Ocean switch offers a similar light typing experience but with a slightly more pronounced tactile bump, giving users a more defined feedback with each press. Both switches are well-suited for typing tasks that require precision and speed.
In conclusion, both the Outemu Cream Yellow and Outemu Ocean tactile switches offer a quiet and smooth typing experience, with the Cream Yellow providing a more subtle tactile feedback and the Ocean offering a slightly more pronounced bump. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on personal preference for the level of tactile feedback desired. Regardless of the selection, both switches are reliable options for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts looking for a tactile typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Outemu Cream Yellow tactile switch and the Outemu Ocean tactile switch, it ultimately comes down to personal preference and the specific preferences you have for your typing experience. If you prefer a medium bottom out force of 60 grams and are looking for a switch that is best known for a certain characteristic (fill in the blank with the specific characteristic), then the Cream Yellow may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with no specific bottom out force and are looking for a switch that is best known for a different characteristic (fill in the blank with the specific characteristic), then the Ocean might be the better option for you. Consider the sound and feel descriptions of each switch as well when making your decision. Ultimately, the choice between the Cream Yellow and Ocean switches will depend on your personal preferences and what you prioritize in a mechanical keyboard switch.