Outemu Red vs. HMX SU

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboards, the choice of switches can significantly impact your typing experience, and two popular linear options are the Outemu Red and the HMX SU. The Outemu Red, revered for its smooth travel and consistent keystroke, is ideal for gamers seeking rapid response times and a clutter-free sound profile. In contrast, the HMX SU stands out with its full PA12 housing and T5 stem, offering a subtle yet deep sound profile that many typists appreciate for a fulfilling auditory experience. While both switches cater to users who prefer a linear feel, the Outemu Red excels in performance for fast-paced gaming, while the HMX SU provides a more tactile auditory cue that can enhance typing pleasure. However, let’s dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your needs.

By the numbers

Outemu Red Linear

HMX SU Linear

$3.10 per 10

$3.50

$3.29 per 10

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Housing materials

When comparing the Outemu Red and the HMX SU switches, a notable distinction arises in their top housing materials. The Outemu Red utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which is known for its stiffness and translucence. This results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, particularly advantageous for those who appreciate the clarity and brightness in their key presses. The polycarbonate is not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing, especially when paired with RGB lighting, as its clear nature allows for better light diffusion and visual effects. In contrast, the HMX SU features a nylon top housing, a material celebrated for its softer texture, producing a deeper and fuller sound profile that absorbs sound more effectively than the stiffer polycarbonate. This contrast between the two materials affects the top-out sound of each switch, with the Outemu Red offering a more pronounced auditory experience compared to the muted tones of the HMX SU.

Both switches, however, employ nylon for their bottom housings, which creates a consistency in how they manage the sound profile on bottoming out. The nylon material is characterized by its ability to absorb sound, yielding a rounder and more mellow auditory sensation in both switches. This similarity suggests that while the top housing materials diverge in their contributions to sound, the bottom housing of both the Outemu Red and the HMX SU delivers a deeper and fuller sound experience during key presses. This dual aspect of having different top materials and the same bottom material illustrates how the sound profile can be tuned to satisfy different user preferences through the complementary nature of these materials.

Ultimately, the contrasting upper housings result in unique auditory experiences when typing on the Outemu Red and HMX SU switches, while their shared nylon bottom housings bring consistency to the bottom-out sound and feel. If a user desires a punchier and more articulated sound, the Outemu Red would stand out, whereas those who prefer a warmer and more rounded typing experience would gravitate towards the HMX SU. Overall, the combination of different materials in the upper and lower sections of the switches offers a rich spectrum of sound profiles, illustrating how the engineering of these components can cater to varying preferences in tactile and acoustic experiences.

Weight

When comparing the Outemu Red linear switch and the HMX SU linear switch, notable differences arise in both actuation force and bottom out force. The Outemu Red features an actuation force of 46 grams and a bottom out force of 62 grams, making it a medium-weight switch. In contrast, the HMX SU has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams and a notably lower bottom out force of 50 grams. This indicates that while the Outemu Red requires slightly more force to activate, it also provides a heavier resistance when bottoming out, catering to those who prefer a more substantial typing experience. Conversely, the HMX SU's lighter actuation and bottom out forces are likely to offer a more effortless typing experience, making it ideal for extended typing or gaming sessions without fatigue. Ultimately, users who prefer a heavier feel will gravitate towards the Outemu Red, while those looking for a lighter touch will appreciate the HMX SU.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Outemu Red linear switch and the HMX SU linear switch, the Outemu Red features a travel distance of 4 mm, while the HMX SU has a shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm. This means that the Red switch offers a more traditional depth, which may appeal to users who prefer a more noticeable keypress and tactile feedback. In contrast, the HMX SU's 3.6 mm travel distance caters to gamers and users looking for quicker response times, allowing for faster actuation. If you lean towards a more responsive typing experience, the HMX SU would be the better choice, while those who appreciate a fuller keypress might favor the Outemu Red. Ultimately, the difference in travel distance reflects a broader trend in switch design, where each serves a distinct user preference within the realm of mechanical keyboards.

Price comparison

Typing experience

The Outemu Red linear switch is typically characterized as a quiet option, focusing on smooth keystrokes without any tactile feedback or click. Meanwhile, the HMX SU linear switch produces a subtle, relatively deep sound profile thanks to its full PA12 housing and T5 stem. While the Outemu Red may not have a specific sound quality that stands out, the SUs provide a more nuanced auditory experience, though it's important to note that both switches will ultimately sound different based on the keyboard construction and keycap material used.

In terms of feel, the Outemu Red linear switch is designed for a smooth and consistent keypress, which is ideal for users seeking a fluid typing experience without interruption. The HMX SU, similarly, is designed to offer a smooth feel, enhanced by its high-quality materials and construction. While the basic linear action remains similar between the two switches, the specific feel may vary slightly due to the different materials used in their construction, possibly offering a marginal difference in the tactile feedback during key presses.

In conclusion, while both the Outemu Red and HMX SU linear switches offer smooth keypress experiences, the SU stands out with its distinct sound profile, making it potentially more pleasing for users who value auditory feedback. Ultimately, both options will provide a similar overall typing experience, but those looking for a more refined sound may gravitate towards the HMX SU, while the Outemu Red remains a solid choice for a quieter interaction. The ultimate preference may hinge on individual priorities regarding sound and feel.

Conclusion

To conclude, choosing between the Outemu Red and the HMX SU linear switch ultimately depends on your personal preferences and intended use. If you favor a medium resistance and desire a more substantial typing experience, the Outemu Red might be the better choice for you, especially if you're using your keyboard for gaming where quick actuation is less critical and you appreciate a firmer bottom-out feel. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter switch with a soft touch, the HMX SU would be ideal, particularly for extended typing sessions or if you enjoy a more subdued yet pleasant sound profile thanks to its PA12 housing and T5 stem. The SU’s lighter actuation force of just 50 grams aids in a very smooth typing experience, making it more beginner-friendly. In summary, consider how much resistance you enjoy and the type of sound profile you prefer, as these factors will guide you towards selecting the switch that enhances your mechanical keyboard experience.

Mentioned in this article

Outemu Red Linear

$3.10 per 10

Learn more

HMX SU Linear

$3.50

$3.29 per 10

Learn more