Outemu Gold vs. HMX Silent Sakura - 53g

Overview

When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switches, personal preference plays a crucial role, as each switch offers a distinctive typing experience. The Outemu Gold switch, recognized for its clicky feedback, is designed to provide auditory and tactile sensations that many typists find satisfying, making it an excellent choice for users who enjoy a more pronounced response with each keystroke. In contrast, the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g switches are engineered for those who prefer a quieter, more subdued typing experience. With their whisper-soft keystrokes reminiscent of raindrops and a balanced 53g bottom-out force, these linear switches cater to the needs of professionals and gamers who seek a smooth, uninterrupted flow while typing or gaming. Both switches have their unique appeal; the Gold offers an engaging keystroke sound, while the Silent Sakura prioritizes a tranquil environment. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the right switch for you.

By the numbers

Outemu Gold Clicky

HMX Silent Sakura - 53g Linear

$3.10 per 10

$3.50 per 10

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Housing materials

The Outemu Gold and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g switches utilize different materials for their top and bottom housings, leading to distinct sound profiles and tactile experiences. The Gold features a polycarbonate top housing, known for producing a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound due to its stiffer nature. This material is particularly favorable for RGB implementations, enhancing visual aesthetics without sacrificing sound clarity. Conversely, the Silent Sakura-53g employs a nylon top housing, which provides a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is attributed to nylon’s softer, sound-absorbing characteristics, resulting in a rounder acoustic experience. Thus, it is evident that while both switches have unique top housing materials, their sound profiles are tailored to different preferences, with the Gold catering to those who favor brightness, and the Silent Sakura appealing to those who enjoy warmth.

Examining the bottom housing of both switches reveals an interesting contrast where the materials are reversed. The Outemu Gold incorporates a nylon bottom housing, enhancing the overall depth and fullness of sound, consistent with traditional switch design principles that favor a duller acoustic result. In contrast, the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g has a polycarbonate bottom housing, which contributes to a clearer and more resonant sound profile, similar to its top housing. This difference implies that while the top and bottom housings of the Gold prioritize sound clarity and sharpness, the Silent Sakura balances the full-bodied sound of nylon with the crispness of polycarbonate. The impact of bottom housing on sound and feel is significant, especially upon bottoming out, spotlighting how these material choices affect overall switch performance.

Ultimately, these contrasting choices in housing materials highlight the nuanced sound characteristics that can be achieved between the two switches. If a user seeks a well-rounded, deep acoustic experience, the Silent Sakura - 53g would be preferable due to its consistent use of nylon. On the other hand, those who desire a more defined and brighter typing experience may gravitate towards the Outemu Gold, which presents a sharper sound profile with its polycarbonate integration. Regardless of preference, users can achieve satisfactory results by understanding how the interaction between the top and bottom housings works: the Gold offers clarity when typing and bottoming out, while the Silent Sakura brings fullness to the touch, demonstrating how materials shape keyboard experiences distinctly yet effectively.

Weight

The Outemu Gold clicky switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switch exhibit some similarities and differences in actuation and bottom out forces that cater to varying preferences among users. Both switches have the same actuation force of 45 grams, allowing for a similar typing experience in terms of ease of key activation. However, the Outemu Gold has a heavier bottom out force of 60 grams compared to the Silent Sakura's 53 grams. This means that while both switches require the same force to register a keystroke, the Outemu Gold provides a more substantial push when fully pressed down, making it better suited for users who prefer a firmer typing experience. Conversely, the HMX Silent Sakura is lighter overall, with a bottom out force that allows for a softer landing when bottoming out, which may be more comfortable for extended typing sessions. Thus, users looking for a lighter typing force might gravitate toward the Silent Sakura, while those who appreciate a stronger tactile feedback may prefer the Outemu Gold.

Travel distance

Both the Outemu Gold clicky switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switch feature a travel distance of 4 mm, meaning that users can expect a similar feel when pressing down on the keys. Because they share the same travel distance, both switches will deliver an equivalent typing experience in terms of how far the key travels from the top to the bottom while being pressed. This similarity allows typists and gamers to achieve comparable results when using either switch, appealing to those who prioritize consistent key feel across different keyboard setups.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Outemu Gold clicky switch remains unspecified, leaving us with an unknown characteristic regarding its auditory profile. Conversely, the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switch is renowned for providing a notably quiet typing experience, likened to the soft sound of raindrops. This switch’s design minimizes noise, making it an excellent option for those who wish to keep their typing discreet while still enjoying the tactile feedback common to mechanical switches.

In terms of feel, the specific qualities of the Outemu Gold switch are not detailed, which means we're left without a direct comparison. However, the Silent Sakura - 53g boasts a perfectly balanced bottom-out force of 53g, catering to typists who favor a lighter pressure with satisfying keystrokes. This makes it comfortable for extended typing sessions, providing a unique blend of resistance without being overly taxing on the fingers, perfect for those who prefer effortless keypresses.

In summary, while the Outemu Gold clicky switch lacks specific descriptions for both sound and feel, the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switch stands out for its whisper-quiet operation and balanced tactile feedback. These differences highlight how switch characteristics can significantly influence user experience, and for anyone considering these options, the choice would largely depend on personal preference for sound levels and typing feel.

Conclusion

In summary, when deciding between the Outemu Gold clicky switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switch, consider your typing preferences and environment. If you enjoy a tactile and audible feedback while typing, the Outemu Gold may be a better fit for you, especially if you appreciate a bit of resistance with its 60g bottom-out force, which can provide a satisfying typing experience. However, if you tend to type in quieter environments or prefer a smoother and less noisy keystroke, the HMX Silent Sakura is the ideal choice, offering a gentle, quiet, and linear feel with its 53g bottom-out force. The Silent Sakura’s design minimizes sound, making it perfect for shared workspaces or late-night gaming sessions without disturbing others. Ultimately, your choice will depend on whether you prioritize the clicky sound and feel of the Gold or the serene and subdued nature of the Silent Sakura.

Mentioned in this article

Outemu Gold Clicky

$3.10 per 10

Learn more

HMX Silent Sakura - 53g Linear

$3.50 per 10

Learn more