Outemu Silent Green vs. HMX Poro

Overview

When choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Silent Green and the HMX Poro both offer unique experiences tailored to different preferences. The Outemu Silent Green is designed for users who prioritize a quieter typing experience, making it an excellent choice for office environments or late-night gaming sessions where noise might be an issue. On the other hand, the HMX Poro stands out with its silky smooth keystrokes and a satisfyingly poppy and clacky sound profile, appealing to those who relish the auditory feedback while typing or gaming. While the Silent Green emphasizes a tranquil typing scenario, the Poro enhances the tactile enjoyment of each press with its ultra-light actuation force and luxurious lubrication. 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 Silent Green Linear

HMX Poro Linear

$3.10 per 10

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

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Housing materials

The Outemu Silent Green and the HMX Poro switches showcase distinct characteristics in their choice of housing materials, which directly influences their auditory profiles and tactile feedback. The Silent Green employs polycarbonate for both its top and bottom housings, creating a sound profile that is sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper. This is due to the inherent stiffness of polycarbonate, which enhances the clarity and resonance of the sound produced when the switch is engaged and released. Furthermore, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it particularly advantageous for RGB lighting setups, as it allows light to diffuse beautifully through the housing, adding an aesthetic appeal to the switch's functionality.

In contrast, the HMX Poro features nylon for both the top and bottom housings, resulting in a deeper, fuller sound profile. Nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound than its polycarbonate counterpart. This property gives the Poro a duller yet rounder auditory quality, making it feel more substantial when typing. The difference in material properties means that while the Silent Green produces crisp sounds that may be more suited for typists who prefer tactile feedback and clarity, the Poro caters to those seeking a smoother, more muted experience.

When examining how these differences affect the overall performance, one can understand that using different materials for the top and bottom housings leads to varied auditory experiences. The Silent Green's uniform polycarbonate structure ensures that both the bottom-out sound and release sound are sharp and defined. Conversely, the Poro's consistent use of nylon dampens sound, resulting in a cohesive, softer typing experience. Ultimately, while the Silent Green offers a more resonant sound profile ideal for performance enthusiasts, the Poro’s nylon housing appeals to users looking for a comfortable and plush typing feel. Each switch excels in its own right, catering to diverging preferences in the mechanical keyboard community.

Weight

When comparing the Outemu Silent Green linear switch and the HMX Poro linear switch, we see distinct differences in their bottom out forces despite having identical actuation forces. Both switches feature an actuation force of 45 grams, making them feel quite similar in terms of the force required to trigger a keystroke, which can contribute to a comfortable typing experience for prolonged use. However, the Silent Green switch has a heavier bottom out force of 60 grams, while the Poro switch has a lighter bottom out force of 50 grams. This makes the Silent Green heavier overall, providing a more substantial typing feel that some users might prefer for tactile feedback, while the HMX Poro, being lighter in its bottom out force, may be more suitable for those who seek a softer, less tiring experience during extended use. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on personal preference for typing sensation and comfort during long sessions, with the Silent Green catering more to those favoring a firmer response and the Poro appealing to users who prefer ease and lightness.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Outemu Silent Green linear switch and the HMX Poro linear switch, there is a noticeable difference. The Silent Green features a travel distance of 4 mm, which aligns with the most traditional depth favored by many users seeking a more substantial tactile experience. In contrast, the HMX Poro has a shorter travel distance of 3.7 mm, appealing to those who prefer quicker response times often sought after by gamers. While the Silent Green’s longer travel distance may provide a more robust feel, the Poro's shorter distance can lead to faster actuation, making it ideal for rapid key presses. Ultimately, your choice between the two switches may hinge on whether you value the depth and tactile feedback of the Silent Green or the snappy responsiveness of the Poro.

Price comparison

Typing experience

The Outemu Silent Green linear switch has not been attributed a distinctive sound profile, which suggests that it may produce a quieter and more subdued auditory feedback compared to many other switches. In contrast, the HMX Poro linear switch is noted for its "poppy and clacky" sound, which is likely a result of its ultra-light actuation force that encourages a more expressive auditory experience. Despite the Silent Green’s lack of specific sonic characteristics, both switches' sound may vary depending on the keyboard build and keycap material, potentially allowing for a customized listening experience regardless of the inherent qualities of each switch.

When it comes to feel, the Silent Green switch remains without a defined tactile sensation, leaving its exact experience somewhat ambiguous. However, the HMX Poro linear switch shines in terms of tactile smoothness, as it boasts meticulously lubricated mechanics that provide an effortlessly smooth keystroke. This attention to lubrication enhances the actuation experience, making each press feel silky smooth with a delightful glide. If the Silent Green switch offers a similarly smooth performance, users can expect a generally satisfying experience; however, without specific insights, the exact nature of that feel remains unclear.

In conclusion, while the Outemu Silent Green linear switch lacks characterization in both sound and feel, the HMX Poro linear switch stands out for its enjoyably poppy sound and exceptionally smooth keystroke, attributed to its lubrication and light actuation force. If you're drawn to the idea of a pleasant auditory experience and a silky feeling, the HMX Poro may be the more attractive choice, while the Silent Green could appeal to those seeking a quieter typing experience without a defined tactile feedback. Ultimately, your choice will depend on the specific qualities that matter most to you in a mechanical keyboard switch.

Conclusion

To conclude, your choice between the Outemu Silent Green linear switch and the HMX Poro linear switch will depend largely on your typing preferences and the environment in which you use your keyboard. If you prefer a more substantial key feel with a medium bottom out force of 60 grams, the Silent Green may be the better option for you, especially if you type with more force or enjoy a firmer feedback. This can be particularly advantageous in a working environment where you want to minimize unintentional key presses. On the other hand, if you seek a smoother experience with a lighter touch, the HMX Poro linear switch is an excellent choice. With a bottom out force of just 50 grams, it allows for effortless keystrokes and enhances typing speed, making it ideal for gaming or fast-paced typing scenarios. The poppy and clacky sound profile of the Poro also adds an enjoyable auditory dimension to your typing experience, while the Silent Green is better suited for quieter settings, where noise levels need to be kept to a minimum. Ultimately, your decision will hinge on your comfort with the key feel, actuation weight, and sound preferences—consider these factors to find the switch that best aligns with your typing style and environment.

Mentioned in this article

Outemu Silent Green Linear

$3.10 per 10

Learn more

HMX Poro Linear

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

Learn more