Outemu Silent Green vs. Huano Sakura
An in-depth look at the Outemu Silent Green and the Huano Sakura switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Silent Green and Huano Sakura represent two appealing options for users seeking a linear experience. The Silent Green is notable for its smoother keystroke and overall build quality, providing a consistent typing feel that many gamers and typists appreciate. On the other hand, the Huano Sakura is renowned for its feather-light touch combined with medium acoustics, making it a fantastic choice for long typing sessions without causing fatigue. While the Silent Green caters to those who desire minimal noise and a refined typing experience, the Sakura’s lightweight actuation and moderate sound level make it an attractive alternative for users who value comfort and efficiency. 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
35g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
pom
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
POK
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
23mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Outemu Silent Green and the Huano Sakura switches, the differences between their top housings stand out prominently. The Silent Green features a polycarbonate top housing, which is noted for its ability to produce a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is attributed to the material's stiffness, which enhances clarity and resonance, making it particularly advantageous for setups that utilize RGB lighting due to its translucency. In contrast, the Huano Sakura employs a POK top housing. POK, or polyketone, is recognized for its smoothness and durability, leading to a sound that is both clacky and robust. While both materials contribute unique auditory experiences, the polycarbonate of the Silent Green is likely to offer a more defined and brighter sound, whereas the POK in the Sakura might lean towards a smoother, slightly more muted profile.
The bottom housings of these switches further highlight their material characteristics and how they influence overall sound. The Silent Green uses a polycarbonate bottom housing, which complements its top housing by maintaining that crisp sound profile. This consistency in material—both top and bottom being polycarbonate—ensures that the switch produces a unified auditory experience, especially in terms of the bottom-out sound and the tactile feedback during keypresses. On the other hand, the Sakura switch incorporates a nylon bottom housing. Nylon is known for yielding a deeper, fuller sound due to its softer nature, which absorbs more sound waves compared to harder plastics. As a result, when users engage the Sakura switches, they will experience a more rounded and rich auditory feedback, distinguishing it from the Silent Green's sharper tones.
When considering the interplay of the top and bottom housings in both switches, it's essential to understand how these materials interact to create distinct yet complementary sound experiences. In the Silent Green, the uniformity of polycarbonate across both housings aids in achieving a consistent sound identity, optimizing the acoustic properties during both keypresses and releases. In contrast, the different materials in the Huano Sakura—polyketone on top and nylon on the bottom—introduce a division of sound characteristics, resulting in a more complex tonal profile. The bottom housing significantly influences the key feel and bottom-out sound, while the top housing impacts the sound upon releasing the key. Therefore, although each switch has different materials, they each yield enjoyable typing experiences, demonstrating that varied compositions can still complement and balance one another in creating unique yet satisfying results for the user.
Weight
When comparing the Outemu Silent Green linear switch to the Huano Sakura linear switch, there are notable differences in both actuation and bottom out forces. The Silent Green switch has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams, making it a medium-weight option. In contrast, the Huano Sakura switch features a lighter actuation force of 35 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams. This difference indicates that the Sakura switch is overall lighter than the Silent Green, making it more suitable for users who prefer less resistance for prolonged typing sessions or gaming. While both switches serve different user preferences—with the Silent Green providing a more substantial feel—and light touch experience, one can expect a lighter touch and smoother feedback from the Sakura, whereas the Silent Green requires more force for actuation, catering to those who prefer a heavier switch for a more pronounced typing experience.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Outemu Silent Green linear switch and the Huano Sakura linear switch, there is a clear distinction: the Silent Green has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Sakura measures 3.6 mm. This means that the Silent Green offers a longer travel distance, which can provide a more pronounced and satisfying tactile feedback—ideal for those who appreciate a deeper keypress. In contrast, the shorter 3.6 mm travel distance of the Sakura may appeal more to gamers seeking rapid response times, as shorter distances typically facilitate quicker key actuation. Hence, if you prefer a more responsive feel, the Sakura would be the better choice. Conversely, if you enjoy a more substantial depth with each keystroke, the Silent Green would cater to that preference.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Huano Sakura has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sakura 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 offers a unique experience that is not characterized by any notable acoustic qualities. Users seeking minimal auditory feedback may find this advantageous, especially in quieter environments. On the other hand, the Huano Sakura linear switch is noted for its medium acoustics, producing a sound profile that strikes a balance between presence and discretion. This makes the Sakura an excellent choice for those who appreciate a lightly audible click without overwhelming noise, allowing for a satisfying typing experience that won't disturb others nearby.
In terms of feel, the Outemu Silent Green switch does not have a specific feel to highlight, which might suggest a smooth linear action that's consistent across keypresses. In contrast, the Huano Sakura switch is known for its feather-light touch, making it a very accessible option for users who may tire quickly from heavier switches. This lighter actuation can contribute to a more comfortable typing experience during extended sessions, allowing for faster and more effortless keystrokes.
In conclusion, both the Outemu Silent Green and Huano Sakura linear switches offer unique qualities to consider. While the Silent Green emphasizes a quieter operation, the Sakura provides a more balanced audio experience coupled with an ease of use that may benefit those who type for long periods. Choosing between them may come down to personal preferences in sound and feel, but both switches can help you achieve a satisfying typing experience tailored to your needs.
Conclusion
To conclude, the choice between the Outemu Silent Green and the Huano Sakura linear switches depends largely on your personal preferences and intended use. If you prioritize a slightly heavier keypress with a bottom-out force of 60 grams, the Silent Green switch might be the right fit for you, especially if you often type in environments where noise reduction is beneficial. These switches can offer a balanced feel, making them a good option for both typing and gaming if you prefer tactile feedback without the auditory distraction of clicky switches. On the other hand, if you find yourself engaged in long typing sessions and appreciate a lighter touch, the Huano Sakura switches, with their 45-gram bottom-out force, excel in comfort and ease of use. Their medium acoustics also mean that while they're not completely silent, they're less intrusive—making them ideal for office environments or shared spaces where noise level can be a concern. Ultimately, think about how these switches align with your typing style and the environment in which you'll be using them to make the best choice.
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