Outemu Dustproof Blue vs. Gateron Weightlessness
An in-depth look at the Outemu Dustproof Blue and the Gateron Weightlessness switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Mechanical keyboard enthusiasts often find themselves weighing the advantages of different switch types, and two notable contenders in this realm are the Outemu Dustproof Blue and the Gateron Weightlessness. The Dustproof Blue, renowned for its clicky feedback, delivers an engaging auditory experience that many typists appreciate, making it a popular choice for those who enjoy the satisfying sound of each keystroke. In contrast, the Gateron Weightlessness is distinguished by its subtle to moderate tactile feedback, offering a balanced sound profile that complements its tactile characteristics without the loud click, making it an ideal option for users seeking a quieter workspace while still enjoying a satisfying typing experience. While the Dustproof Blue switches cater to those who revel in audible confirmation with every press, the Weightlessness switches create an inviting environment for prolonged typing sessions thanks to their softer sound. 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
N/A
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
22mm double-staged spring
Housing materials
When examining the housing materials of the Outemu Dustproof Blue and the Gateron Weightlessness switches, a distinct contrast is seen in their top housing components. The Outemu Dustproof Blue employs a polycarbonate top housing, which is known for its stiffness and clarity, producing a sharper and more resonant sound profile. This makes it particularly suitable for those who favor a brighter auditory experience, especially when utilizing RGB lighting, where the clear nature of polycarbonate provides vibrant illumination. In contrast, the Gateron Weightlessness features a nylon top housing, a classic material known for its softer texture. This contributes to a deeper, fuller sound due to nylon's sound-absorbing properties, creating a smoother, rounder tone. The difference in these materials means that users can expect a noticeably varied experience between the two switches, especially when it comes to the tonal characteristics during key releases.
Conversely, both switches utilize nylon in their bottom housing, which provides them with a shared attribute when it comes to sound absorption and tactile feedback. The nylon used in the Dustproof Blue's bottom housing contributes similarly to that of the Weightlessness, imparting a deep, mellow sound profile that minimizes harshness upon bottoming out. This shared material ensures that while their top experiences differ significantly in sound traits, the outcome regarding the bottom-out sound is more cohesive. Users can thus expect a deeper, rounder sound when they press down on either switch, fostering a familiar tactile experience despite the divergence in top housing materials.
Ultimately, the contrast between the Outemu Dustproof Blue's polycarbonate top housing and the Gateron Weightlessness's nylon top housing exemplifies how diverse switch designs can influence a keyboard's auditory experience. While both switches exhibit a commonality through their nylon bottom housings, which results in a satisfying and fuller sound when bottoming out, the overall sound profiles diverge drastically. This illustrates the critical role that top housing materials play in shaping the user’s experience, underscoring that the subtleties of sound and feel in keyboard switches can be carefully curated through the selection of materials. For enthusiasts, this means that choosing between these two switches can largely depend on personal preferences for sound characteristics and tactile responses during key presses and releases.
Weight
The Outemu Dustproof Blue clicky switch and the Gateron Weightlessness tactile switch both feature an actuation force of 50 grams, making them equally matched in terms of the force required to trigger a keystroke. This similarity means that typists and gamers alike can expect a comparable initial resistance when pressing the keys, which may contribute to extended typing sessions without fatigue. However, the bottom out forces differ significantly; the Dustproof Blue has a bottom out force of 65 grams, indicating a heavier feel when pressing the key all the way down. In contrast, the Gateron Weightlessness lacks a specified bottom out force, which suggests that users may not experience a defined substantial resistance at the end of the key press. Thus, while both switches share the same actuation force, the Dustproof Blue provides a heavier overall typing experience due to its bottom out force, making it potentially more suitable for those who prefer a more tactile feedback and a stronger push feel. Conversely, for users who favor a lighter overall experience, the Gateron Weightlessness may be the better choice, given that it offers a lesser-defined feedback upon bottoming out.
Travel distance
The Outemu Dustproof Blue clicky switch features a travel distance of 4 mm, making it the longer option compared to the Gateron Weightlessness tactile switch, which has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. This 0.6 mm difference means that the Dustproof Blue offers a more pronounced key feel that some users might prefer for its deeper response, making it suitable for those who enjoy a hearty depth in their typing experience. On the other hand, the shorter travel distance of the Weightlessness can provide a quicker actuation, which tends to appeal more to gamers who favor a faster response time. Ultimately, your choice between these switches will depend on whether you prefer the traditional, more tactile feedback of a 4 mm travel distance or the more rapid response of the 3.4 mm distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Weightlessness has an MSRP of $6.10 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Weightlessness for $5.50.
The Outemu Dustproof 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
The Outemu Dustproof Blue switch creates a distinct auditory experience, typified by its pronounced click sound that resonates as a hallmark of clicky switches. This type of sound is generally sharp and noticeable, making it an ideal choice for typists who enjoy an audible confirmation with each keystroke. Conversely, the Gateron Weightlessness switch features a more subdued sound profile, which provides a softer auditory experience that complements its tactile nature. While the Dustproof Blue delivers an iconic click, the Weightlessness prioritizes a balanced sound that is less intrusive, catering to those who prefer a quieter environment while still enjoying some level of auditory feedback. It's important to note that the final sound experience will also depend on the keyboard's build and the keycap material you choose.
When it comes to feel, the Outemu Dustproof Blue switch offers a robust tactile response characterized by a definitive bump that users can readily feel during typing. This strong tactile feedback can enhance the typing experience for many who favor clear and affirmative keystrokes. On the other hand, the Gateron Weightlessness switch provides a subtle to moderate tactile feel, which creates a less aggressive typing experience. This makes it suitable for users who appreciate an understated tactile sensation that doesn't overwhelm but still gives enough feedback to feel satisfying.
Overall, both the Outemu Dustproof Blue and Gateron Weightlessness switches cater to different preferences in sound and feel. The Dustproof Blue excels in delivering a pronounced click that can be satisfying for those who enjoy auditory cues, while the Weightlessness offers a more muted sound and a softer tactile feel that may appeal to those who prefer a more refined experience. Depending on your individual preferences, either switch can provide a fulfilling typing experience.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Outemu Dustproof Blue clicky switch and the Gateron Weightlessness tactile switch ultimately depends on your typing preferences and intended use. If you enjoy the satisfying feedback of a clicky switch that provides distinct auditory and tactile responses, and you don’t mind a medium-heavy actuation force of 65 grams, then the Dustproof Blue would be an excellent choice. It's particularly suited for typists who appreciate a robust typing experience and often find themselves writing long documents or coding, where the tactile feedback helps to prevent typos. On the other hand, if you prefer a subtler typing experience with a gentle tactile feel that doesn’t produce a loud clicking sound, the Gateron Weightlessness is the way to go. Its gentle tactile characteristics and quieter operation make it ideal for office environments or shared spaces where noise could be a concern. Ultimately, it all boils down to whether you prioritize a pronounced tactile and auditory experience or a smoother, quieter typing experience.
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