Outemu Ocean vs. TTC Silent Red

Overview

When choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Outemu Ocean, a tactile switch, and the TTC Silent Red, a linear switch. The Outemu Ocean stands out for its unique qualities, while the Silent Red is favored for its smooth and quiet typing experience. The Ocean switch is known for its firmness and is categorized as a tactile switch. On the other hand, the Silent Red switch is best known for its buttery, mild, muted, and polished characteristics. If you're looking for a switch that delivers a smooth and seamless typing experience without all the noise, the Silent Reds are the perfect choice. With a muted sound profile, these switches are perfect for office or shared living space use, offering a padded bottom-out feel for maximum comfort. However, let's delve a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for you.

By the numbers

Outemu Ocean Tactile

TTC Silent Red Linear

$3.10 per 10

$5.28

$4.38 per 10

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Housing materials

In comparing the housing materials of the Outemu Ocean and the TTC Silent Red, both switches feature polycarbonate top housings which create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, which results in a clear and resonant sound. Aesthetically, the translucent nature of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches designed to be used with RGB lighting. On the other hand, the nylon bottom housings of both switches elicit a deeper and fuller sound when typing. Nylon's softer nature absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound profile compared to the polycarbonate top housing.

While both the Outemu Ocean and TTC Silent Red utilize polycarbonate top housings for similar sound characteristics, the difference lies in the nylon bottom housings. The Outemu Ocean's nylon bottom housing contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, while the TTC Silent Red's nylon bottom housing creates a similar effect with a duller and rounder sound. The split between top and bottom housing materials in a switch determines the overall sound and feel when typing. The bottom housing influences the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing has a greater impact on the sound when releasing a key.

Ultimately, the choice between the Outemu Ocean and TTC Silent Red housing materials may come down to personal preference in sound profile. Both switches offer a combination of polycarbonate for a sharper, higher-pitched sound and nylon for a deeper, fuller sound. Depending on whether you prefer a crisper sound with resonance or a duller, rounder sound, one switch may suit your typing style better than the other. Regardless of the differences in housing materials, both switches are designed to provide a satisfying typing experience with their unique sound profiles.

Weight

In comparing the Outemu Ocean tactile switch and the TTC Silent Red linear switch, it is evident that the actuation force and bottom out force play a crucial role in determining the typing experience. The Outemu Ocean tactile switch has a higher actuation force of 55 grams compared to the Silent Red's 45 grams, making the Ocean slightly heavier. However, the bottom out force of the Silent Red is 63.5 grams, which is higher than the bottom out force of None for the Ocean. The Ocean switch provides a lighter typing experience due to its lower actuation force, ideal for prolonged typing sessions, while the Silent Red offers a more substantial push feel with its heavier bottom out force. Both switches have their advantages depending on personal preferences, with the Ocean being lighter and the Silent Red being heavier, ensuring a varied typing experience for users.

Travel distance

In comparing the travel distance of the Outemu Ocean tactile switch and the TTC Silent Red linear switch, we find that the Ocean has a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm, while the Silent Red has a shorter travel distance of 3.7 mm. The Ocean's 4.0mm travel distance falls into the more traditional range, providing a deeper key press feel, which can be preferred by some users. On the other hand, the Silent Red's 3.7 mm travel distance is slightly shorter, making it ideal for gamers seeking quicker response times. Both switches offer distinct advantages based on their travel distance, with the Ocean providing a deeper tactile feel and the Silent Red offering a quicker key press response. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and the desired typing experience.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Outemu Ocean switch is known for being quiet and unobtrusive, making it a good option for those who prefer a more subtle typing experience. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Red switch is specifically designed for noise reduction, providing a muted sound profile that is ideal for office environments or shared spaces. Both switches offer a quiet typing experience, but the Silent Red switch is tailored for those seeking the utmost discretion in their typing.

In terms of feel, the Outemu Ocean switch does not have a distinctive characteristic mentioned in the provided information. However, the TTC Silent Red switch is described as having a buttery and polished feel, offering a smooth and fluid typing experience with reduced friction. Additionally, the mild characteristics of the Silent Red switch provide a gentle typing sensation that falls within a safe, middle-ground zone for most typists. Overall, the Silent Red switch is designed to deliver a comfortable and consistent typing experience with a cushioned bottom-out feel for added comfort.

In conclusion, both the Outemu Ocean tactile switch and the TTC Silent Red linear switch offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences. While the Ocean switch provides a quiet and unobtrusive typing experience, the Silent Red switch is specifically engineered for noise reduction and offers a buttery, polished feel for smooth and comfortable typing. Depending on your preferences for sound and feel, both switches provide distinct advantages that can enhance your overall typing experience. Ultimately, choosing between the two would be a matter of personal preference and the specific typing environment in which the switches will be used.

Conclusion

To sum up, when choosing between the Outemu Ocean tactile switch and the TTC Silent Red linear switch, you should consider your priorities. If you value a switch with a light bottom out force and prioritize a particular feature unique to the Ocean, then the Ocean switch may be the right choice for you. However, if you prefer a medium-heavy bottom-out force and prioritize a smooth and quiet typing experience, then the TTC Silent Red switch would be more suitable. Ultimately, the decision should be based on your personal preferences and the specific qualities that are most important to you in a mechanical keyboard switch.

Mentioned in this article

Outemu Ocean Tactile

$3.10 per 10

Learn more

TTC Silent Red Linear

$5.28

$4.38 per 10

Learn more