Outemu Silent Green vs. Bsun Ragdoll
An in-depth look at the Outemu Silent Green and the Bsun Ragdoll switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Silent Green and the Bsun Ragdoll both offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences and use cases. The Silent Green, a linear switch, is renowned for its smooth keystroke and subtle actuation, making it an excellent choice for users who prioritize a quiet typing experience, perfect for office settings or night-time gaming sessions. On the other hand, the Bsun Ragdoll, also a linear switch, is celebrated for its Y3 stem that ensures seamless travel along with a nylon-fiberglass bottom housing that produces a satisfying clacky sound, appealing to those who enjoy auditory feedback while typing. While both switches deliver a linear feel ideal for rapid key presses, the choice between them may boil down to whether you prefer a silent operation or a switch that offers a bit more acoustic personality. 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
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
52g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
pom
Stem material
Y3
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
21mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
The Outemu Silent Green and the Bsun Ragdoll keyboard switches both utilize different housing materials, leading to distinct auditory and tactile experiences. The Silent Green features polycarbonate for both its top and bottom housings, which results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, a material that enhances the clarity and resonance of the switch's acoustics. The translucent nature of polycarbonate also makes it an excellent choice for RGB lighting, as it allows light to shine brightly through the housing, creating a visually appealing effect. This uniform material choice in both the top and bottom housing contributes to a consistent auditory experience throughout the key press.
In contrast, the Bsun Ragdoll utilizes nylon for its top and bottom housings, which gives it a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to the Silent Green. Nylon, being a softer plastic, tends to absorb more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder auditory experience. The choice of nylon as a classic switch housing material has long made it a favorite for those who prefer a more muted keypress. With both top and bottom housings made from nylon, the Ragdoll's sound profile emphasizes this softer touch, providing a contrast to the crisper tones associated with polycarbonate housing switches.
When examining the switches as a whole, one must consider how the combination of different housing materials affects performance. For the Silent Green, its dual polycarbonate housings ensure that the keypress experience remains consistently sharp and resonant, particularly when bottoming out and releasing the keys. In the case of the Ragdoll, the nylon housing lends itself to a more cohesive sound with a muted characteristic that is present throughout the key press. Ultimately, if either switch were to feature a mixture of materials, such as a nylon top with a polycarbonate bottom or vice versa, the resulting auditory texture would be a blend, showcasing a hybrid sound profile influenced by both housing types. This interplay of materials highlights the complex relationship between housing choices and the overall typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the Outemu Silent Green linear switch and the Bsun Ragdoll linear switch, both switches have the same actuation force of 45 grams, making them equally responsive when it comes to registering keystrokes. However, they differ in their bottom out forces; the Silent Green has a bottom out force of 60 grams, while the Ragdoll features a lighter 52 grams. This means that while both switches require the same effort to actuate a keypress, the Silent Green provides a heavier overall feel due to its higher bottom out force. For users who prefer a lighter touch and want a less strenuous typing experience, the Bsun Ragdoll is the better choice, offering a softer landing when keys are fully pressed down. Conversely, those who enjoy a more substantial typing experience may prefer the heavier Silent Green, which provides a more pronounced feedback upon bottoming out.
Travel distance
The Outemu Silent Green linear switch features a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Bsun Ragdoll linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm. This means that the Silent Green offers a more substantial press, which some users may prefer for a more tactile experience, especially those who enjoy the depth of each key press. In contrast, the Ragdoll’s shorter travel distance allows for quicker actuation, making it more suitable for gamers who prioritize responsiveness in their keystrokes. Therefore, those leaning towards a more pronounced key feel might opt for the Silent Green, while those seeking faster response times may find the Ragdoll more appealing. Ultimately, the difference in travel distance highlights a divergence in user preference; the Silent Green stands as the longer option, whereas the Ragdoll is the shorter.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Bsun Ragdoll has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Ragdoll for $3.29.
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
When it comes to sound, the Outemu Silent Green linear switch is known for its muted profile, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a quieter typing experience. This switch prioritizes sound dampening, contributing to a more serene atmosphere without the excessive clack associated with many other switches. On the other hand, the Bsun Ragdoll linear switch is characterized by a clacky sound, thanks to its Y3 stem and nylon-fiberglass bottom housing. This design allows the Ragdoll to produce a satisfying auditory feedback that can be appealing for users who enjoy a bit of noise with their keystrokes. However, it’s important to note that the overall sound produced by either switch can vary significantly depending on the keyboard chassis and keycap material selected.
In terms of feel, the Silent Green switch offers a smooth linear experience that appeals to those who prefer a seamless keypress without tactile bumps or audible feedback. This characteristic makes it suitable for both typing and gaming, as it allows swift key transitions without interruption. Conversely, the Bsun Ragdoll linear switch provides a similarly smooth travel, but it's designed with the additional element of a slight clack that adds a unique character to the typing experience. While both switches provide linear action, users may find that the audible aspect of the Ragdoll alters the overall tactile feedback perceived during use, creating a different sensation compared to the virtually silent feel of the Silent Green.
In summary, both the Outemu Silent Green and Bsun Ragdoll linear switches cater to distinct preferences in sound and feel. The Silent Green excels in providing a quiet, unobtrusive experience ideal for office settings or shared environments, while the Ragdoll offers a more vibrant auditory signature that can enhance the tactile experience for users who enjoy a bit of sound with their keystrokes. Ultimately, your choice between these switches will depend on whether you prioritize a silent operation or a more lively typing experience.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Outemu Silent Green linear switch and the Bsun Ragdoll linear switch ultimately depends on your specific preferences and the typing experience you desire. If you prefer a heavier key feel and a switch that provides a more substantial tactile feedback, the Silent Green, with its 60-gram bottom-out force, may be the better option for you. This switch could be especially advantageous in environments where you want to focus without distractions, although it doesn’t have distinct characteristics to enhance your overall typing experience. On the other hand, if you enjoy a lighter touch while typing and appreciate a smooth action with a subtle clacky sound, then the Bsun Ragdoll, which offers a more liberating 52-gram bottom-out force and features a Y3 stem for seamless travel, could fit your style perfectly. The nylon-fiberglass bottom housing adds to the auditory feedback, making this switch a great choice for those who enjoy a bit of acoustic character in their typing experience. Ultimately, consider not only the force and sound profiles but also how each switch aligns with the tasks you engage in daily, whether it's gaming, typing long documents, or simply enjoying the tactile pleasure of your keyboard.
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