Outemu Silent Green vs. SP-Star Yanyu
An in-depth look at the Outemu Silent Green and the SP-Star Yanyu switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Outemu Silent Green and the SP-Star Yanyu both offer unique features and benefits. The Silent Green is a linear switch that is best known for its quiet operation, making it ideal for environments where noise level is a concern. On the other hand, the Yanyu is also a linear switch but is best known for its delicate typing experience and crisp sound profile, perfect for those who type for long periods of time. While the Silent Green falls under a more general category, the Yanyu is categorized as 'Neutral', 'Mild', 'Thocky', 'Feathery', 'Subtle', and 'Polished'. Each switch has its own strengths and advantages, 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
43g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold plated
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Outemu Silent Green and the SP-Star Yanyu, one can see that the Silent Green features a polycarbonate top and bottom housing, while the Yanyu incorporates a unique blend of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE in both its top and bottom housing. The Silent Green's polycarbonate housing is known for creating a sharper, crisper sound profile due to its stiffness, making it ideal for RGB lighting effects. On the other hand, the Yanyu's blend of polymers offers a more pleasant and brighter sound profile, deviating from the sharpness of polycarbonate.
Despite the differences in housing materials, both the Outemu Silent Green and the SP-Star Yanyu aim to provide an enhanced sound experience for users. The Silent Green's polycarbonate housing produces a high-pitched and resonant sound, while the Yanyu's unique blend of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE creates a pleasant and bright sound profile. Both housing materials bring their own distinct qualities to the switches, catering to different preferences in terms of sound and feel when typing on a keyboard.
The impact of the housing material can be felt in different ways depending on whether it is the top or bottom housing of the switch. The qualities of the bottom housing will influence the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on a key, while the top housing will have a greater impact on the sound when releasing a key. While the Outemu Silent Green and SP-Star Yanyu utilize different housing materials, they both play a crucial role in the overall typing experience, offering users a variety of sound profiles to choose from.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Outemu Silent Green linear switch and the SP-Star Yanyu linear switch, it is evident that there are some key differences. The Silent Green has an actuation force of 45 grams, while the Yanyu's actuation force is unknown. However, the Silent Green has a bottom out force of 60 grams, which is heavier than the Yanyu's bottom out force of 43 grams. This means that the Silent Green provides a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel compared to the lighter and softer typing experience of the Yanyu. This makes the Silent Green more suitable for those who prefer a heavier switch, while the Yanyu is better suited for individuals who prefer a lighter typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on the individual's preference for actuation force and bottom out force.
Travel distance
Both the Outemu Silent Green linear switch and the SP-Star Yanyu linear switch have a travel distance of 4 mm, making them equal in this aspect. This means that when pressing down on a key with either of these switches, you will experience the same amount of travel. This allows for a consistent typing experience regardless of which switch you choose. The similarity in travel distance also means that you will get similar results in terms of feedback and typing feel when using either switch. In conclusion, whether you opt for the Outemu Silent Green or the SP-Star Yanyu linear switch, you can expect a travel distance of 4 mm, providing a smooth and consistent typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The SP-Star Yanyu has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Yanyu for $5.40.
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 switch is known for its lack of audible click or tactile bump, providing a quiet typing experience. On the other hand, the SP-Star Yanyu switch offers a crisp sound profile, making it ideal for those seeking a more delicate typing experience. The Yanyu switch falls into the neutral category, offering a moderate sound profile suitable for various typing purposes, while also providing a thocky sound that produces a deep and satisfying noise when pressed. Keep in mind that the sound produced by a switch is influenced by factors such as the keyboard's construction and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Outemu Silent Green switch's specific characteristics are not provided. However, the SP-Star Yanyu switch is described as offering a mild and feathery typing experience, with a subtle and polished feel. The Yanyu switch provides a gentle resistance, light actuation force, and smooth key travel, reducing finger fatigue and providing comfort for extended typing sessions. Additionally, the Yanyu switch's gentle characteristics make it suitable for shared spaces due to its non-resonant sound signature.
In conclusion, the Outemu Silent Green and SP-Star Yanyu switches offer different sound and feel qualities that cater to various preferences. The Silent Green switch is best known for its quiet operation, making it suitable for noise-sensitive environments. On the other hand, the Yanyu switch provides a crisp sound profile and a gentle typing experience, making it suitable for those looking for a more delicate and comfortable typing feel. Depending on your preferences and requirements, both switches can offer a satisfying typing experience, even though they cater to different sound and feel preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Outemu Silent Green linear switch and the SP-Star Yanyu linear switch, you should consider the bottom out force, typing experience, sound profile, and feel that best suits your needs. If you prefer a medium bottom out force and are looking for a versatile switch without any specific standout characteristics, the Silent Green may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force, a more delicate typing experience, and a unique sound profile such as a thocky sound, the Yanyu switch could be a better fit. Ultimately, it is important to consider your own preferences and typing habits when selecting the mechanical keyboard switch that best suits your needs.
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