Outemu Milk Blue vs. Outemu Silent Yellow Jade
An in-depth look at the Outemu Milk Blue and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the choice between clicky and tactile switches can greatly impact your typing experience. On one hand, the Outemu Milk Blue switch is a popular clicky switch known for its crisp, audible click and tactile feedback. This switch is categorized as a clicky switch, offering a satisfying typing experience for those who enjoy the sound and feel of each keystroke. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switch is a tactile switch that provides a quieter typing experience with a subtle tactile bump. This switch is categorized as a tactile switch, providing a "thocky" sound and a smooth typing experience. Each switch has its own advantages and drawbacks, but ultimately the choice between them comes down to personal preference. 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Partial box
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
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Outemu Milk Blue and Outemu Silent Yellow Jade, it is clear that both switches utilize nylon as the material for their bottom housing. This commonality means that typing on both switches will elicit a similar deep and full sound profile due to the softer nature of nylon. The absorption of sound by nylon results in a duller and rounder sound, providing users with a more muffled typing experience compared to switches with harder plastic bottom housings.
However, where the switches differ is in the material used for their top housing. The Milk Blue features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The stiffness of polycarbonate leads to a more clear and resonant sound, making it ideal for switches intended for use with RGB lighting. On the other hand, the Silent Yellow Jade utilizes a nylon top housing, known for producing a deeper and fuller sound. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound, resulting in a more muted sound when compared to the polycarbonate top housing of the Milk Blue.
The distinction between the top and bottom housing materials of the Outemu Milk Blue and Outemu Silent Yellow Jade impacts the sound and feel of each switch. When typing on these switches, the qualities of the bottom housing will be more pronounced during key presses, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, the qualities of the top housing will be more noticeable when releasing a key, affecting the sound produced when the key is let go. Overall, these housing material differences contribute to unique typing experiences for users of each switch.
Weight
When comparing the Outemu Milk Blue clicky switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch, we can see that both switches have the same actuation force of 50 grams. However, they differ in their bottom out force. The Milk Blue switch has no bottom out force specified, while the Silent Yellow Jade switch has a bottom out force of 65 grams, which is considered medium-heavy. This means that the Silent Yellow Jade switch requires more force to fully press down compared to the Milk Blue switch.
In terms of weight, some may prefer the lighter actuation force of the Milk Blue switch for longer typing sessions or gaming, while others may prefer the heavier bottom out force of the Silent Yellow Jade switch for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preference and typing style.
Travel distance
The Outemu Milk Blue clicky switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm. The Milk Blue has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Silent Yellow Jade, making it better suited for those who prefer a bit more depth when typing. On the other hand, the Silent Yellow Jade offers a slightly shorter travel distance, making it a good choice for gamers looking for quicker response times. Both switches provide a different typing experience, with the Milk Blue offering a more traditional feel and the Silent Yellow Jade offering a more modern and rapid typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and typing style.
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 Milk Blue and Silent Yellow Jade.
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 Milk Blue switch is known for a loud clicky sound, which can be satisfying for those who enjoy the audible feedback while typing. On the other hand, the Silent Yellow Jade switch provides a quiet typing experience with a subtle "thocky" sound, making it ideal for environments where noise is a concern. In terms of feel, the Milk Blue switch offers a tactile bump that is prominent and satisfying for those who prefer a more pronounced tactile feedback. Meanwhile, the Silent Yellow Jade switch also offers a tactile bump but is designed to be quieter and less jarring than the Milk Blue switch. Overall, choosing between the Outemu Milk Blue clicky switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch ultimately comes down to personal preference in terms of sound and feel, with the Milk Blue providing a louder, more clicky experience, and the Silent Yellow Jade offering a quieter, more subtle tactile typing experience.
Conclusion
To wrap up, if you're looking for a loud, clicky typing experience with no bottom out force preference, the Outemu Milk Blue switches could be the way to go. On the other hand, if you prefer a quieter, tactile typing experience with a medium-heavy bottom out force, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switches may be more suited to your preference. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of typing feel, sound, and bottom out force. Experimenting with both switches could help you determine which one best fits your typing style and preferences.
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