Outemu Crystal Brown vs. Outemu Yellow Silver
An in-depth look at the Outemu Crystal Brown and the Outemu Yellow Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Crystal Brown and Outemu Yellow Silver are two popular options to consider. The Crystal Brown is a tactile switch, offering a satisfying bump when pressed. On the other hand, the Yellow Silver is a linear switch, providing a smooth keystroke without any tactile feedback. The Crystal Brown is best known for its tactile feel, making it ideal for typists who enjoy a more pronounced key press. In contrast, the Yellow Silver is favored for its light actuation force and neutral sound profile, making it perfect for gamers and typists looking for speediness and responsiveness. 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
55g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.30 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Outemu Crystal Brown and Outemu Yellow Silver both feature polycarbonate top housings, which create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Due to polycarbonate's stiffness, it leads to a more clear and resonant sound, making it an ideal material for those looking for a precise typing experience. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it perfect for use with RGB lighting, providing a visually appealing element to the switch. Despite both switches having the same material for their top housings, the Outemu Crystal Brown and Outemu Yellow Silver may still offer unique sound profiles based on their overall design and construction.
In terms of the bottom housing, both the Outemu Crystal Brown and Outemu Yellow Silver utilize nylon, a classic switch housing material, to elicit a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon's softness allows it to absorb more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound compared to harder plastics. This results in a more satisfying typing experience for those who prefer a quieter and smoother bottom-out sound. With both switches featuring nylon bottom housings, users can expect a similar typing experience in terms of the sound and feel created by the bottom housing material.
While the top and bottom housings of the Outemu Crystal Brown and Outemu Yellow Silver differ in material, the impact of each housing material will be felt in different aspects of the typing experience. The bottom housing will have more influence on the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing will affect the sound when releasing a key. This split between housing materials allows for a nuanced typing experience with a balance of sharpness and depth in sound profiles, catering to a variety of preferences for keyboard enthusiasts. Overall, both switches offer a unique combination of housing materials to provide users with a customized and satisfying typing experience.
Weight
The Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch both have the same actuation force of 45 grams and bottom out force of 55 grams, making them ideal for those who prefer a medium-light typing experience. The actuation force of both switches is relatively light, allowing for comfortable typing for extended periods of time. However, the bottom out force provides a bit more resistance, giving users a more substantial feel when typing. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches may come down to personal preference in terms of the typing experience desired, with the Crystal Brown offering a tactile feedback and the Yellow Silver providing a smoother linear feel.
Travel distance
Both the Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when pressing down on a key with either of these switches, you will experience the same amount of travel distance from the top to the bottom. This similarity ensures that regardless of which switch you choose, you will receive similar tactile feedback and keystroke experience. The equal travel distance of these switches allows for consistent performance and feel across different keyboard setups, making it easier for users to adjust and switch between switches if needed.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Outemu Crystal Brown comes in at $3.10, whereas the Outemu Yellow Silver comes in at $3.40.
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 Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch offer different experiences. The Crystal Brown switch's sound profile is yet to be determined, while the Yellow Silver switch is known for its neutral sound profile, making it a versatile option suitable for various uses. This difference in sound can be a crucial factor for some users, especially those who prefer a quieter typing experience or those who enjoy the audible feedback of a tactile switch.
Moving on to feel, the tactile feedback of the Crystal Brown switch is currently unspecified, whereas the Yellow Silver switch provides a light actuation force, ideal for users seeking speed and responsiveness. The tactile bump in the Crystal Brown switch could offer a more distinct typing experience compared to the smooth keystrokes of the Yellow Silver switch. The choice between these switches may come down to personal preference in terms of feel, as some users may prefer a more pronounced tactile feedback while others may prioritize a smoother linear feel.
Overall, the Outemu Crystal Brown and Yellow Silver switches offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Crystal Brown switch may appeal to those who enjoy tactile feedback, the Yellow Silver switch caters to users who prioritize a neutral sound profile and light actuation force. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will depend on the individual user's preferences and typing style. Both switches can provide a satisfying typing experience, but users should consider their sound and feel preferences before making a choice.
Conclusion
Therefore, if you are looking for a tactile switch with a medium-light bottom out force, the Outemu Crystal Brown may be a good choice for you. However, if you are seeking a linear switch with a light actuation force and a neutral sound profile, then the Outemu Yellow Silver would be a suitable option. Ultimately, your decision should be based on whether you prioritize tactility or smoothness in your typing experience.
Mentioned in this article
