Outemu Ocean vs. Huano Sakura
An in-depth look at the Outemu Ocean and the Huano Sakura switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options are the Outemu Ocean, a tactile switch, and the Huano Sakura, a linear switch. The Outemu Ocean is designed for users who appreciate the tactile feedback that enhances typing precision, making it an excellent choice for gamers and typists alike who enjoy a more pronounced response with each keystroke. In contrast, the Huano Sakura switch delivers a feather-light touch with medium acoustics, perfect for extended typing sessions, as the smooth, uninterrupted keypress reduces finger fatigue. While the Ocean provides an engaging tactile experience, the Sakura offers a seamless and swift typing motion, catering to those who prioritize speed and comfort. 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
35g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 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
POK
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
23mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
When analyzing the housing materials of the Outemu Ocean and the Huano Sakura, it's essential to note their distinct top housing compositions. The Outemu Ocean utilizes polycarbonate for its top housing, which contributes to a sharper, crisper sound profile due to the material's inherent stiffness and translucency. This characteristic not only enhances the acoustic clarity but also benefits users who intend to utilize RGB lighting, as polycarbonate allows light to shine through effectively. In contrast, the Huano Sakura employs POK (polyketone) as its top housing material. While POK offers excellent smoothness and durability, yielding clacky sound and superior shock resistance, it lacks the same level of translucency as polycarbonate, which could impact the effectiveness of RGB lighting.
Despite the differences in their top housing materials, both the Ocean and the Sakura feature nylon as their bottom housing material, which plays a significant role in the overall sound profile and tactile experience. Nylon is recognized for its softer properties, contributing to a deeper and fuller sound that absorbs more vibrations, resulting in a rounder bottom-out sound. This commonality allows both switches to provide a rich auditory experience when typing, ensuring that the deeper tones delivered by nylon are evident regardless of the top housing material. The impact of switching between the top materials becomes significant only during the release of the key, where the sharpness of the polycarbonate and the smoothness of the POK can be distinctly felt.
Overall, while the Outemu Ocean and Huano Sakura switches utilize contrasting materials for their top housings—polycarbonate for the Ocean and POK for the Sakura—their shared nylon bottom housing helps unify their sound profiles. This combination ensures an engaging typing experience characterized by a deep, resonant bottom sound paired with unique upper register notes. As such, although the switches provide different auditory qualities based on the top housing material, the nylon bottom serves to maintain a consistency in a pleasing sound profile, allowing users to enjoy a smoothly tactile experience regardless of the difference in top materials.
Weight
When comparing the Outemu Ocean tactile switch and the Huano Sakura linear switch, there is a notable difference in their actuation forces. The Ocean switch has an actuation force of 55 grams, making it heavier compared to the Sakura switch, which has a lighter actuation force of 35 grams. This means that users who prefer a lighter feel, ideal for extended typing sessions or gaming, may find the Sakura more comfortable, while those who enjoy a more robust typing experience might opt for the heavier Ocean switch. However, the bottom out force for the Outemu Ocean is unavailable, while the Sakura has a bottom out force of 45 grams, providing a clearer sense of resistance upon bottoming out. The difference in actuation forces suggests that if an individual seeks lighter keystrokes, the Huano Sakura is the preferable choice, whereas the Outemu Ocean's higher actuation force caters to those who appreciate a stronger push feel. Ultimately, while both switches serve distinct preferences, the Sakura's specifications make it the lighter option.
Travel distance
The Outemu Ocean tactile switch features a travel distance of 4.0 mm, while the Huano Sakura linear switch has a shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm. This difference in travel distance can affect the typing experience significantly. The Ocean, with its longer travel distance, offers a more pronounced feedback that some users may find satisfying, especially those who appreciate a deeper keystroke. On the other hand, the Sakura's shorter travel distance caters to gamers or those seeking quicker response times, promoting a more rapid actuation suited for fast-paced tasks. Consequently, if you prioritize responsiveness and speed, the Sakura would be the preferable choice, while the Ocean is ideal for those who favor a more traditional, deeper feel when typing.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Huano Sakura has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sakura for $3.29.
The Outemu Ocean comes in at $3.10 per 10 switches.
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
In terms of sound, the Outemu Ocean switch does not have a specific auditory characteristic highlighted, making it difficult to pinpoint its acoustic presence compared to others. On the other hand, the Huano Sakura switch is noted for its medium acoustics, providing a balanced auditory experience that is neither too loud nor too soft. This makes the Sakura sound suitable for environments that require a certain level of quietness, while still delivering enough audible feedback to indicate keypresses.
When considering the feel, the Outemu Ocean switch lacks a detailed description of its tactile feedback, leaving its overall typing experience somewhat ambiguous. In contrast, the Huano Sakura switch is known for its feather-light touch, which enhances the typing experience by reducing finger fatigue during prolonged use. This light touch, combined with its linear characteristics, allows for smooth key presses with less resistance, catering to those who prefer a more effortless typing experience.
Overall, while the Outemu Ocean lacks specific qualities that would define its sound and feel, the Huano Sakura switch stands out with its pleasant acoustic balance and feather-light touch, making it an excellent choice for users who prioritize comfort during long typing sessions. If you find yourself drawn to the characteristics of the Sakura, you may enjoy its moderate acoustics and lighter actuation force, while the Ocean's undefined traits could lead to a more unpredictable experience.
Conclusion
In the end, choosing between the Outemu Ocean tactile switch and the Huano Sakura linear switch ultimately depends on your personal preferences and typing habits. If you favor a switch that offers a smooth and consistent keystroke with an extremely light touch, then the Huano Sakura would be your best choice. Its 45-gram bottom out force and medium acoustics provide a pleasant typing experience, making it suitable for long sessions where comfort is key. On the other hand, if you enjoy a more tactile feedback in your keystrokes and aren’t primarily concerned about sound or bottom-out force, you might find the Outemu Ocean to be a compelling option for its unique characteristics, even though details on its specific metrics are not available. Ultimately, consider whether you prioritize a softer feel or an engaging tactile experience as you make your decision.
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