Outemu Silent Green vs. Gateron Quinn
An in-depth look at the Outemu Silent Green and the Gateron Quinn switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When deciding between mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Silent Green and the Gateron Quinn stand out as popular options, each offering unique features to enhance the typing experience. The Silent Green switch is a linear switch known for its quiet operation, making it an ideal choice for those who prefer a more discreet typing experience. On the other hand, the Gateron Quinn is a tactile switch that combines a light, crisp tactility with a deep, resonant sound profile, adding a touch of character to every keystroke. While the Silent Green excels in quiet operation, the Quinn switch stands out for its tactile feedback and distinctive sound profile. 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
45g
Actuation force
59g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
pom
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
22mm double-stage gold-plated
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Outemu Silent Green and the Gateron Quinn, we can see that both switches utilize different materials for their top and bottom housings. The Silent Green features a polycarbonate top housing, known for creating a sharper and higher-pitched sound profile, while the Quinn utilizes a nylon top housing, which elicits a deeper and fuller sound. This contrast in sound profiles can greatly impact the overall typing experience, with the Silent Green providing a crisper sound and the Quinn offering a more rounded tone. However, both switches aim to enhance the auditory feedback of typing, utilizing their respective housing materials to achieve distinct sound characteristics.
In terms of bottom housings, both the Outemu Silent Green and the Gateron Quinn also differ in their material choices. The Silent Green incorporates a polycarbonate bottom housing, while the Quinn utilizes a nylon bottom housing. The polycarbonate bottom housing of the Silent Green contributes to its clear and resonant sound profile, emphasizing the sharpness and clarity of the switch's sound. On the other hand, the nylon bottom housing of the Quinn absorbs more sound, leading to a duller and rounder sound profile. This difference in material composition highlights the impact of bottom housing on the overall sound and feel of each switch, with the Silent Green providing a more pronounced bottom-out sound compared to the Quinn.
While the housing materials of the Outemu Silent Green and the Gateron Quinn differ in terms of their sound profiles, both switches aim to enhance the typing experience through their unique characteristics. The use of polycarbonate in the top and bottom housings of the Silent Green creates a sharper and crisper sound, while the nylon housings of the Quinn elicit a deeper and fuller sound. Despite their differences, both switches prioritize the auditory feedback of typing, utilizing their housing materials to achieve distinct sound qualities. Whether you prefer a sharper and clearer sound profile or a deeper and fuller tone, both the Outemu Silent Green and the Gateron Quinn offer unique typing experiences based on their housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Outemu Silent Green linear switch and the Gateron Quinn tactile switch, there are some notable differences. The actuation force of the Silent Green is lighter at 45 grams compared to the Quinn's 59 grams, making it easier to trigger a keystroke on the Silent Green. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Silent Green requires 60 grams while the Quinn requires 67 grams, making the Quinn slightly heavier for a more substantial typing experience. Both switches fall within the medium to medium-heavy range, providing a balance between typing ease and tactile feedback. Choosing between the two will depend on personal preference for a lighter or heavier typing feel. Overall, the actuation and bottom out forces of each switch play a significant role in the typing experience, catering to different needs and preferences.
Travel distance
The Outemu Silent Green linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Gateron Quinn tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. In this case, the Quinn has a shorter travel distance compared to the Silent Green. The shorter travel distance of the Quinn makes it ideal for those seeking faster response times, such as gamers. On the other hand, the Silent Green with its longer travel distance may provide a more satisfying typing experience for those who prefer a deeper key press. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preference for travel distance and typing feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Quinn has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Quinn for $5.50.
The Outemu Silent Green comes in at $3.10 per 10 switches.
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
In terms of sound, the Outemu Silent Green switch is known for being quiet and having a soft, muted sound profile. On the other hand, the Gateron Quinn tactile switch is known for its deep and resonant sound, offering a rich and immersive auditory experience with each key press. The Quinn switch is described as having a bassy, clacky, low-pitched, and resonant sound profile, providing a unique and characterful typing experience. It's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard's construction and keycap material, so individual preferences may vary.
When it comes to feel, the Outemu Silent Green switch's tactile feedback and overall typing sensation are not explicitly described. On the contrary, the Gateron Quinn tactile switch is known for its crisp, light switch-like tactility, providing users with a precise and clean tactile bump with each key press. The Quinn switch is described as being snappy, polished, bouncy, accented, buttery, and creamy, offering a smooth and refined typing experience with a lively rebound sensation. This tactile feedback adds to the overall typing experience and can influence how satisfying the keyboard feels to use.
In conclusion, the Outemu Silent Green linear switch and the Gateron Quinn tactile switch offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Silent Green is known for its quiet operation, the Quinn switch provides a deep and resonant sound profile. Additionally, the Quinn switch offers a crisp and light tactile bump with a smooth and refined typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and overall typing experience. However, both switches promise a high-quality typing experience that caters to different preferences in the mechanical keyboard community.
Conclusion
In summary, if you are looking for a quieter typing experience with a medium bottom out force and prefer a linear switch, the Outemu Silent Green could be the right choice for you. However, if you enjoy a unique tactile feedback with a medium-heavy bottom out force, accompanied by a deep and resonant sound profile, then the Gateron Quinn tactile switch would be more fitting. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences in terms of sound, feel, and typing experience. Both switches offer different characteristics that cater to specific preferences, so take into consideration what you value most in a keyboard switch before making your selection.
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