Outemu Red vs. Kailh Sage
An in-depth look at the Outemu Red and the Kailh Sage switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Red and the Kailh Sage offer contrasting experiences. The Red is a linear switch, known for its smooth keystrokes without any tactile feedback. On the other hand, the Sage is a clicky switch that provides a satisfying audible click with each key press, categorized as 'Invigorating', 'Sharp', and 'Crunchy'. While the Red is ideal for those who prefer a quiet and seamless typing experience, the Sage is perfect for individuals who enjoy a more tactile and audible feedback while typing. 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
46g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
70g
Pre-travel
2.10 mm
Pre-travel
1.70 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Standard
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 housing materials of the Outemu Red and the Kailh Sage are quite similar in terms of sound profile and aesthetic appeal. Both switches feature a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. This is due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, which allows for a more resonant sound profile. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting. In terms of bottom housing, both switches use nylon, which creates a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon is softer and absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound.
While the top housing of both the Outemu Red and the Kailh Sage is made of polycarbonate, their bottom housings differ in material. The split in housing materials means that the qualities each material brings to the switch will be divided between the top and bottom of the switch. The bottom housing, being made of nylon in both switches, has more impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on a key. On the other hand, the top housing, with its polycarbonate construction, has more influence on the sound when releasing a key. This division of qualities adds complexity to the overall sound profile of the switches.
In terms of performance, both the Outemu Red and the Kailh Sage offer similar results due to their shared polycarbonate top housing. The sharp, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile created by the polycarbonate material is consistent across both switches. However, the differences in bottom housing material between the two switches may result in slight variations in sound and feel when typing. Overall, both switches offer a unique typing experience with a combination of materials that contribute to their sound profiles.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Outemu Red linear switch and the Kailh Sage clicky switch, it is evident that the Red is lighter in both aspects. The Red has an actuation force of 46 grams, while the Sage has an unknown actuation force. The Red also has a bottom out force of 62 grams, whereas the Sage has a bottom out force of 70 grams. Both switches fall within the medium range of force required for keystrokes, with the Sage being slightly heavier. Those who prefer a lighter touch may lean towards the Outemu Red for longer typing sessions or gaming, while those who prefer a more substantial typing experience may opt for the Kailh Sage with its heavier bottom out force. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on the individual's personal preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Outemu Red linear switch and the Kailh Sage clicky switch, we can see that the Red has a longer travel distance of 4 mm compared to the Sage's 3.6 mm. The Red switch offers a traditional travel distance, while the Sage falls on the shorter end of the spectrum. Gamers may prefer the Sage for its faster response time due to the shorter travel distance, while those looking for a more substantial key press may opt for the Red. Both switches offer unique advantages based on their travel distance, with the Red providing a deeper press and the Sage offering a quicker response. 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?
For 10 switches, the Outemu Red comes in at $3.10, whereas the Kailh Sage comes in at $6.25.
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 Red linear switch provides a quiet typing experience with no audible click. On the other hand, the Kailh Sage clicky switch is known for its distinct and satisfying click sound, described as crunchy and reminiscent of stepping on piles of autumn leaves. The difference in sound between the two switches can greatly affect the overall typing experience, with the Sage offering a more audible and tactile feedback for those who enjoy a clicky switch.
Moving on to the feel, the Outemu Red linear switch is known for its smooth keystrokes with no tactile bump or audible click, providing a seamless typing experience. In contrast, the Kailh Sage clicky switch is described as invigorating and sharp, offering a pronounced tactile feedback, firm actuation force, and snappy feel with each keypress. The tactile bump in the Sage switch creates a more immersive typing sensation compared to the linear feel of the Red switch.
In conclusion, the Outemu Red linear switch and the Kailh Sage clicky switch offer contrasting typing experiences in terms of sound and feel. While the Red switch provides a quiet and smooth typing experience, the Sage switch offers a distinct clicky sound and tactile bump for a more satisfying typing feedback. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on personal preference for sound and feel, but both switches would yield similar results in terms of durability and performance.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Outemu Red linear switch and the Kailh Sage clicky switch, you should consider your typing preferences. If you prefer a smooth and consistent typing experience without any tactile feedback or audible click, the Outemu Red switch may be the better option for you. However, if you enjoy a more interactive and tactile typing experience with a distinct clicky sound, the Kailh Sage switch would be a great choice. Ultimately, it all comes down to personal preference and what type of typing experience you are looking for in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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