Outemu Dustproof Purple vs. Outemu Silent Grey
An in-depth look at the Outemu Dustproof Purple and the Outemu Silent Grey switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Dustproof Purple and the Outemu Silent Grey offer unique features catering to different preferences. The purple switch is recognized for its durability, while the grey switch is known for providing a quiet and highly tactile typing experience with a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke. The Dustproof Purple is categorized as durable, while the Silent Grey falls under a different category. Each switch has its own strengths and reasons why you may want to choose it, depending on what you value in a switch. 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
55g
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
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
In comparing the housing materials of the Outemu Dustproof Purple and Outemu Silent Grey switches, both switches utilize polycarbonate for their top housing. This material is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its stiffness, making it ideal for switches with RGB lighting. The differences lie in the bottom housing material, with the Dustproof Purple featuring a nylon bottom housing, which results in a deeper and fuller sound profile. On the other hand, the Silent Grey also has a nylon bottom housing, which absorbs more sound than harder plastics, creating a duller and rounder sound.
Despite the differences in their bottom housing material, both the Dustproof Purple and Silent Grey switches share the same top housing material, polycarbonate. This means that both switches will have a similar sharp and clear sound profile when the switch is pressed, as well as an impact on the sound when a key is released. The choice of nylon for the bottom housing allows for a deeper and fuller sound profile, emphasizing the impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on the switch.
Overall, the choice between the Outemu Dustproof Purple and Outemu Silent Grey switches will come down to personal preference in sound profile. The Dustproof Purple's nylon bottom housing provides a deeper and fuller sound, while the Silent Grey's nylon bottom housing absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Both switches offer the benefits of polycarbonate top housing, creating a crisp and resonant sound profile, making them both suitable options for those looking for a switch with RGB lighting capabilities.
Weight
The Outemu Dustproof Purple clicky switch has a slightly higher actuation force of 55 grams compared to the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch which has an actuation force of 50 grams. Both switches have the same bottom out force of 65 grams, making them both medium-heavy in terms of the force needed to fully press the key. This means that while the Dustproof Purple requires a slightly heavier initial push, the overall typing experience in terms of bottoming out will be the same for both switches. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Silent Grey may be a better option, while those who prefer a slightly heavier actuation force may opt for the Dustproof Purple. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of typing feel and force required.
Travel distance
Both the Outemu Dustproof Purple clicky switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that both switches provide a consistent typing experience in terms of how far the key travels when pressed. The Dustproof Purple clicky switch offers a tactile and audible click for each keystroke, giving a satisfying feedback to the user. On the other hand, the Silent Grey tactile switch provides a quieter typing experience with a tactile bump that informs the user when the key press is registered. Both switches are ideal for different preferences, with the Dustproof Purple clicky switch offering a more pronounced clicking sound and the Silent Grey switch providing a quieter typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of typing feel and sound.
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 Dustproof Purple 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 Outemu Dustproof Purple clicky switch is known for offering a unique tactile and audible feedback experience commonly associated with clicky switches. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch is recognized for providing a quiet and tactile typing experience with a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke. This makes the Silent Grey switches ideal for those who prefer a satisfying yet silent typing experience without the audible click.
When it comes to sound, the Dustproof Purple switch produces a distinct clicky sound with each keystroke, providing an auditory confirmation of key actuation. In contrast, the Silent Grey switch is designed to reduce noise during typing, resulting in a more quiet operation that is suitable for environments where noise levels need to be kept to a minimum.
In terms of feel, the Dustproof Purple switch offers a tactile bump and audible feedback that some users find satisfying and enjoyable. On the other hand, the Silent Grey switch provides a tactile bump without the noise, allowing for a quieter typing experience while still maintaining a satisfying tactile feel.
Overall, while the Dustproof Purple and Silent Grey switches offer different sound and feel characteristics, both switches are designed to enhance the typing experience in their own unique ways. Whether you prefer the audible feedback of the Dustproof Purple or the quiet operation of the Silent Grey, both switches provide quality options for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts seeking a satisfying typing experience.
Conclusion
In closing, when choosing between the Outemu Dustproof Purple clicky switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch, consider your preference for sound and feel. If you prefer a loud and clicky typing experience, the Dustproof Purple may be the better option for you. However, if you prefer a quiet and tactile typing experience with a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke, the Silent Grey switch would be a better choice. Ultimately, the decision comes down to personal preference and the type of typing experience you are looking for. Consider these factors when making your decision on which switch to choose for your mechanical keyboard.
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