Outemu Cream Yellow vs. Durock Sea Glass
An in-depth look at the Outemu Cream Yellow and the Durock Sea Glass switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Cream Yellow and Durock Sea Glass offer unique experiences for users. The Cream Yellow switch is best known for None, while the Sea Glass stands out for its captivating pastel colors and proprietary material blend. The Cream Yellow is a tactile switch, providing feedback with each keypress, while the Sea Glass is a linear switch, offering a smooth and weightless typing experience. Both switches have their appeal - the Cream Yellow for its tactile response and the Sea Glass for its frictionless and easy-to-press nature. 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
45g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
pom
Stem material
P3+
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Outemu Cream Yellow and the Durock Sea Glass switches both feature nylon as a key component. Nylon is known for absorbing more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a fuller and deeper sound profile when typing. However, the Sea Glass switch introduces a unique blend of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE in its housing, offering a sound profile that leans towards the brighter side. This blend of materials gives the Sea Glass switch a distinct sound signature compared to the Cream Yellow.
While both switches share the use of nylon in their housing materials, the Cream Yellow switch utilizes nylon for both the top and bottom housings. This consistency in housing material provides a cohesive sound profile that is deep and fuller due to nylon's softer plastic absorbing more sound. On the other hand, the Sea Glass switch features a blend of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE for its top and bottom housings, resulting in a more balanced sound experience. The unique blend of materials in the Sea Glass switch offers a pleasant sound that is not overly sharp, but leans towards the brighter side.
In terms of overall impact on sound and feel, the bottom housing of a switch plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel when typing. The Cream Yellow switch, with nylon housing both on top and bottom, enhances the overall typing experience with a consistent and fuller sound profile. In contrast, the Sea Glass switch's blend of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE in both top and bottom housings creates a unique sound signature that is pleasant and slightly brighter. Both switches offer a different typing experience based on their housing materials, providing users with options to suit their sound preferences.
Weight
In comparing the Outemu Cream Yellow tactile switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, both have an actuation force of 45 grams, making them equally light in terms of force required to trigger a keystroke. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Cream Yellow requires 60 grams while the Sea Glass requires 62 grams, both falling into the medium category. This means that while typing on the Cream Yellow switch may feel slightly lighter overall, typing on the Sea Glass switch may provide a slightly more substantial typing experience due to the slightly heavier bottom out force. Ultimately, both switches offer a balanced typing experience with a moderate amount of force required for key presses, ensuring a satisfactory typing experience for a wide range of users.
Travel distance
In comparing the travel distance of the Outemu Cream Yellow tactile switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, it is evident that the Cream Yellow has a shorter travel distance of 3.3 mm, while the Sea Glass has a longer travel distance of 3.8 mm. The Cream Yellow provides a quicker response time due to its shorter distance, making it suitable for gamers seeking faster reactions. On the other hand, the Sea Glass offers a deeper press with its longer travel distance, appealing to those who prefer a more substantial key press. Both switches provide different tactile experiences based on their respective travel distances, catering to individual preferences for responsiveness and key feel. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches would depend on whether one prioritizes a shorter or longer travel distance for their typing or gaming needs.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Sea Glass has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sea Glass for $4.87.
The Outemu Cream Yellow 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
When it comes to sound, the Cream Yellow switch is known for its quiet operation, making it ideal for those who prefer a more subdued typing experience. On the other hand, the Sea Glass switch is described as producing a uniquely hollow sound signature, adding a touch of character to your typing sessions. However, it is important to note that the sound of a switch can be influenced by various factors such as the keyboard case and keycaps used, so individual results may vary.
Moving on to feel, the Cream Yellow switch is praised for its smooth and tactile feedback, providing a satisfying typing experience for users. In contrast, the Sea Glass switch offers a frictionless feel that is complemented by a mild and feathery typing sensation. This light actuation force makes the Sea Glass switches easy to press, reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. Both switches fall into the category of a gentle typing experience, with the Sea Glass leaning towards a lighter touch compared to the Cream Yellow.
In conclusion, the Outemu Cream Yellow tactile switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Cream Yellow excels in providing a quiet and tactile typing experience, while the Sea Glass stands out for its unique hollow sound signature and frictionless, feathery feel. Depending on personal preferences for sound and typing sensation, users may find either switch to be a suitable choice. It is recommended to try out both switches on different keyboards and setups to fully appreciate their individual characteristics and determine which one aligns best with your typing preferences. Ultimately, both switches offer a high-quality typing experience with their own unique qualities, ensuring a satisfying user experience for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Outemu Cream Yellow tactile switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, you should consider your preference for tactile versus linear switches. If you prefer a tactile typing experience with a 60g bottom-out force and are looking for a switch known for its medium feel, the Cream Yellow might be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you are drawn to the captivating pastel colors and unique feel of the Sea Glass switches with their 62g bottom-out force, smoothness, and weightlessness that defies expectations, then the Sea Glass linear switch may be more suitable for your preferences. Ultimately, your choice will depend on whether you prioritize tactile feedback or a smooth linear typing experience.
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