Outemu Gold vs. Outemu Silent Grey
An in-depth look at the Outemu Gold and the Outemu Silent Grey switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Outemu Gold, a clicky switch, and the Outemu Silent Grey, a tactile switch. The Outemu Gold switch is best known for its None. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Grey switch is highly praised for offering a quiet and highly tactile typing experience. With a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke, these switches are perfect for those seeking something satisfying and silent. While the Gold switch provides a different tactile and auditory experience, the Silent Grey switch focuses on delivering a quiet yet tactile typing experience. 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
50g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
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
The Outemu Gold and Outemu Silent Grey both feature a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its relatively stiff nature. This material is ideal for switches that prioritize sound clarity and resonance, making it a popular choice for those who enjoy a more defined typing experience. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate is perfect for switches with RGB lighting, enhancing the visual appeal of the keyboard. In terms of sound and aesthetics, both switches offer similar benefits when it comes to their polycarbonate top housing.
On the other hand, the Outemu Gold and Outemu Silent Grey differ in their bottom housing material, with the Gold featuring a nylon bottom housing and the Silent Grey utilizing the same material. Nylon is known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to harder plastics, as it absorbs more sound and produces a rounder tone. This makes typing on nylon-bottom switches a unique experience, with a softer and more muted sound compared to switches with different bottom housing materials. Both the Gold and Silent Grey benefit from nylon bottom housing in terms of sound quality, providing a more satisfying typing experience for users.
When considering the overall typing experience, the choice of housing materials in switches plays a significant role in determining the sound and feel of each keystroke. The combination of polycarbonate top housing and nylon bottom housing in the Outemu Gold and Silent Grey splits the qualities of each material between the top and bottom of the switch. While the bottom housing influences the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on a key, the top housing has a greater impact on the sound when releasing a key. This distinction highlights the importance of both housing materials in creating a balanced and enjoyable typing experience for users of these switches.
Weight
The Outemu Gold clicky switch has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch, which requires 50 grams of force to actuate. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Gold switch requires 60 grams, while the Silent Grey switch needs 65 grams, making the Silent Grey the heavier option in this aspect. Both switches fall within the medium to medium-heavy range of actuation and bottom out forces. The Gold switch would be preferable for those who prefer a lighter touch for longer typing or gaming sessions, while the Silent Grey switch would be more suitable for users who prefer a heavier push feel for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
Both the Outemu Gold clicky switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile 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 a consistent travel distance from the top to the bottom. This similarity in travel distance ensures that users will get a similar typing experience with both switches. Whether you prefer the clicky feedback of the Gold switch or the quiet operation of the Silent Grey switch, you can be assured that the travel distance will be the same for both. This makes it easier to switch between the two switches without having to adjust to a different typing feel.
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 Gold 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 Gold clicky switch is best known for its responsiveness and audible click sound, providing a satisfying and tactile typing experience. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch is known for its quiet operation and pronounced tactile bump without the clicky noise, making it ideal for those who prefer a more subtle and gentle typing feel. When it comes to sound, the Gold switch produces a loud click noise with each keypress, while the Silent Grey switch offers a silent typing experience. As for feel, the Gold switch has a light actuation force and a smooth keystroke, while the Silent Grey switch has a more pronounced tactile bump and slightly heavier actuation force. Both switches provide different typing experiences tailored to individual preferences, with the Gold being more audible and responsive, and the Silent Grey offering a quiet and tactile feel for a more discreet typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference in terms of sound and feel.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering whether to choose the Outemu Gold clicky switch or the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and typing needs. If you are looking for a switch with a lighter bottom out force and enjoy a clicky typing experience, the Outemu Gold switch may be the better option for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly heavier bottom out force and prioritize a quiet and highly tactile typing experience, the Outemu Silent Grey switch would be a great choice. Ultimately, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences, so it's up to you to decide which characteristics align best with your typing style.
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