Outemu Purple vs. Outemu Silent Grey
An in-depth look at the Outemu Purple and the Outemu Silent Grey switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Purple and Outemu Silent Grey offer distinct experiences, both celebrated for their tactile feedback but diverging in their auditory characteristics. The Outemu Purple is noted for its pronounced tactile bump, delivering a satisfying response that encourages confident typing and gaming performance. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Grey boasts a quieter operation, featuring a pronounced bump that is complemented by a smooth keystroke, making it an ideal choice for those who value a serene typing experience without sacrificing tactile feedback. While both switches cater to tactile enthusiasts, your decision may hinge on whether you prioritize a more pronounced sound and feel or a quieter operation. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the right 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
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Outemu Purple and Outemu Silent Grey switches both feature a polycarbonate top housing, which significantly influences their acoustic properties. Polycarbonate, known for its rigidity and clarity, ensures that both switch models produce a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This characteristic is essential for users who prioritize sound clarity, especially in gaming or typing scenarios. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it especially suitable for RGB lighting setups, allowing the illumination to shine through the housing and enhance the aesthetic appeal. As both switches share this material in their top housing, users can expect similar results in terms of brightness and sound quality when utilizing these features.
In contrast, when examining the bottom housing, both the Outemu Purple and Silent Grey switches utilize nylon, which offers a distinctly different acoustic experience. Nylon is recognized for its softer texture, which results in a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to stiffer plastics. This material tends to absorb sound more effectively, producing a duller and rounder sound when keys are pressed. Therefore, while the top housing of both switches enhances brightness and resonance, the bottom nylon housing is responsible for creating a muted and rich acoustic experience. This combination effectively balances the overall sound profile, providing a nuanced auditory feedback for typists and gamers alike.
Overall, while the Outemu Purple and Outemu Silent Grey share the same top and bottom housing materials, their combination leads to a unique auditory experience that remains consistent between the two models. Users can anticipate a crisp sound from the polycarbonate top, paired with the softer, deeper tones from the nylon bottom. For individuals who enjoy the sharpness of a polycarbonate top with the rich depth provided by nylon, both options will deliver satisfying performance. The carefully considered design of these switches ensures that whether you choose Purple or Silent Grey, the blending of materials will yield an impressive typing experience with a distinctive yet harmonious sound profile.
Weight
When comparing the Outemu Purple and Outemu Silent Grey tactile switches, both switches have the same actuation force of 50 grams, making them equally responsive when it comes to triggering a keystroke. However, the difference lies in the bottom out force: the Silent Grey features a bottom out force of 65 grams, which is considered medium-heavy, while the bottom out force for the Purple switch is unknown. This means that while both switches will feel similar during regular use, the Silent Grey will require more effort to fully bottom out, giving it a heavier feel overall. For typists who prefer a lighter switch to reduce fatigue during long sessions, the outEMU Purple, being lighter overall, might be more appealing. Conversely, those who appreciate a more substantial typing experience might gravitate towards the Outemu Silent Grey due to its firmer bottoming out force.
Travel distance
Both the Outemu Purple tactile switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch have an identical travel distance of 4 mm. This means that users pressing either switch will experience the same distance traveled from the top to the bottom. As a result, both switches will deliver a similar tactile feedback and overall typing experience, making them equally suitable for those who prefer a consistent key press feel. Since the travel distances are the same, one can expect uniform performance regardless of which switch is chosen.
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 Purple and Silent Grey.
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
When it comes to sound, the Outemu Purple switch is notably less defined compared to its counterpart, as it is commonly considered to have an average sound profile that doesn't particularly stand out. In contrast, the Outemu Silent Grey switch is designed specifically to provide a quiet, tactile typing experience. This means that while the Purple produces a standard sound that might be acceptable for most users, the Silent Grey excels in producing a more subdued noise level without sacrificing the tactile feedback, making it ideal for office environments or shared spaces where sound levels are a consideration.
Moving on to feel, the Purple switch delivers a generic tactile response that can be described as moderately satisfying during typing. However, the Silent Grey provides a more pronounced tactile bump with a very smooth keystroke, enhancing the overall typing experience. Users of the Silent Grey can expect a level of tactile feedback that not only satisfies during each keystroke but also contributes to a greater sense of control and precision while typing, a quality that is particularly desirable for those engaged in long typing sessions or gaming.
In conclusion, while the Outemu Purple switch offers a viable option for those seeking a basic tactile experience, the Outemu Silent Grey switch stands out with its quiet operation and enhanced tactile feedback. Both switches cater to different preferences; if you prioritize a silent environment with a satisfying feel, the Silent Grey is the better choice. However, if you're indifferent to sound and only require the basic functionality of a tactile switch, the Purple will still deliver a competent experience. Overall, your final choice will depend on the importance of sound and tactile nuance in your typing experience.
Conclusion
To conclude, choosing between the Outemu Purple tactile switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch largely depends on your specific typing preferences and environment. If you value a pronounced tactile feedback without the loud click, the Outemu Purple is an excellent choice, especially if you enjoy feeling the distinct bump at the actuation point for a more engaging typing experience. However, since the specifics regarding sound and feel for the Purple have not been detailed, it is essential to consider your sensitivity to noise when making your decision. On the other hand, if you prioritize a quieter experience coupled with a medium-heavy actuation force, the Outemu Silent Grey switch is ideal for you. This switch provides a satisfying tactile response while minimizing noise—making it great for shared workspaces or late-night typing sessions. Ultimately, your choice should align with whether you prefer a more traditional tactile experience with some noise or a silent yet tactile feel for more discreet typing.
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