Outemu Maple Leaf vs. HMX Silent Sakura - 43g

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboards, the choice of switches can significantly impact your typing experience. The Outemu Maple Leaf, a tactile switch, offers a satisfying bump at the actuation point, providing users with tactile feedback that can enhance typing precision and satisfaction. On the other hand, the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g, a linear switch, is celebrated for its smooth keystrokes and minimal noise, making it an excellent choice for those who prioritize quiet operation in shared spaces or for late-night gaming sessions. While the Maple Leaf caters to typists who enjoy tactile cues and feedback, the Silent Sakura appeals to users seeking a serene and uninterrupted typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your needs.

By the numbers

Outemu Maple Leaf Tactile

HMX Silent Sakura - 43g Linear

$3.10 per 10

$3.50 per 10

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Housing materials

The Outemu Maple Leaf and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g share the same material for their top housings: nylon. This commonality in housing material contributes to their deep and fuller sound profiles, which result from nylon's unique characteristics. As a softer plastic, nylon absorbs sound more effectively than harder options, creating a duller and rounder auditory experience when keying. Users of both switches will likely appreciate the softer feel and sound signature during typing, reinforcing the idea that switches with nylon tops can produce a pleasantly muted acoustic profile. This similarity suggests that, when utilizing either switch, typists can expect a richer sound, making both options suitable for individuals seeking a comfortable and acoustically pleasant typing experience.

In contrast, the bottom housing of the two switches differs significantly; the Maple Leaf utilizes a nylon bottom housing, while the Silent Sakura - 43g features a polycarbonate bottom housing. This distinction directly affects the sound profile experienced when the switch bottoms out. The nylon bottom housing in the Maple Leaf contributes to an overall deep and subdued sound, maintaining a consistency with the top housing’s characteristics. On the other hand, the polycarbonate in the Silent Sakura will deliver a sharper and crisper sound due to its stiffer nature, resulting in a more resonant auditory response when the key is fully pressed. Users of the Silent Sakura may find that the combination of a nylon top and polycarbonate bottom leads to a unique blend of warm deep tones and clear high-pitched tones, offering a different typing experience compared to the Maple Leaf.

Moreover, the differences in the bottom housing materials illustrate how each switch caters to varied auditory preferences. For typists seeking a more muted sound profile, the Outemu Maple Leaf would stand out as the optimal choice due to the consistency of nylon in both the top and bottom housings. Conversely, the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g would attract those who appreciate the aesthetics of RGB lighting paired with a brighter sound profile, courtesy of its polycarbonate bottom housing. Therefore, even though the top materials create comparable results in terms of auditory experience, the contrasting bottom materials allow each switch to shine in its own right, diversifying the options available to keyboard enthusiasts.

Weight

The Outemu Maple Leaf tactile switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g linear switch present a clear contrast in actuation and bottom out forces, catering to different typing preferences. The Maple Leaf has an actuation force of 55 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams, classifying it as medium-heavy. In contrast, the Silent Sakura features a notably lighter actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 43 grams, making it ideal for users who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing sessions or gaming. As a result, if you favor a substantial typing experience with a heavier push feel, the Maple Leaf would be more suitable, whereas the Silent Sakura is better for those who prioritize comfort during long usage periods. Overall, the Maple Leaf is the heavier switch, while the Silent Sakura is the lighter option, offering distinct keystroke feedback profiles.

Travel distance

The Outemu Maple Leaf tactile switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g linear switch exhibit distinct travel distances, with the Maple Leaf measuring 3.3 mm and the Silent Sakura extending to 4.0 mm. This difference indicates that the Silent Sakura provides a longer travel distance, which may appeal to users who prefer a more pronounced keypress and deeper engagement. In contrast, the Maple Leaf's shorter travel distance could cater to gamers who favor quicker response times, delivering a more tactile and snappy feel. Ultimately, those seeking responsiveness would benefit from the shorter travel distance of the Maple Leaf, while users who enjoy a more traditional and hearty bottom-out experience may lean towards the Silent Sakura. Thus, while both switches serve different preferences effectively, they contrast in travel distances, with the Maple Leaf being the shorter option and the Silent Sakura being the longer one.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Outemu Maple Leaf tactile switch does not have a specifically defined auditory profile, leaving its acoustic qualities somewhat unknown. In contrast, the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g linear switch is engineered for a whisper-quiet operation, evoking a calming sensation likened to gentle raindrops. This makes the Silent Sakura particularly appealing for those who prioritize a stealthy typing experience, ideal for quiet environments. However, it’s essential to recognize that the actual sound produced by either switch can vary based on keyboard construction, plate materials, and the type of keycaps used.

In terms of feel, the Outemu Maple Leaf tactile switch does not have a specified feel, which leaves some uncertainty regarding its tactile feedback and overall typing sensation. On the other hand, the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g offers an ultra-light bottom-out force, designed for a smooth and effortless typing experience. This light actuation caters to typists who prefer a less resistant feel, allowing for quicker and more frequent keystrokes without fatigue. The tactile sensation of the Maple Leaf remains undefined, but one can expect a distinctly different experience from the light and fluid motion of the Silent Sakura.

In conclusion, while the Outemu Maple Leaf tactile switch lacks clarity on its sound and feel, the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g linear switch excels in providing a silent, serene typing experience with a gentle touch. If you're inclined towards a quieter setup, the Silent Sakura would be a suitable choice, especially for light typists. Without additional information on the Maple Leaf, one can’t draw direct comparisons, but you can anticipate different results based on the qualities of the Silent Sakura. Regardless of which switch you choose, personal preference plays a critical role in your ultimate satisfaction.

Conclusion

To conclude, when deciding between the Outemu Maple Leaf tactile switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g linear switch, your choice will ultimately depend on your typing preference and environment. If you favor tactile feedback and have a penchant for keystrokes that offer a sense of resistance, the Maple Leaf might be your ideal option, especially if you don't mind a bit of sound accompanying your typing, given that it has a medium-heavy bottom-out force of 65 grams providing noticeable feedback. This switch can be particularly satisfying during long typing sessions where you desire a bit more tactile engagement. On the other hand, if you seek a quieter and smoother typing experience, especially in shared spaces or during late-night work sessions, the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g would be a better fit. With its ultra-light 43g bottom-out force and whisper-quiet operation, it allows for fast typing with minimal distraction, making it perfect for those who prefer a serene atmosphere. Ultimately, your comfort and typing style should guide your decision, ensuring that you choose the switch that best enhances your daily experience.

Mentioned in this article

Outemu Maple Leaf Tactile

$3.10 per 10

Learn more

HMX Silent Sakura - 43g Linear

$3.50 per 10

Learn more