Outemu Silent Grey vs. Outemu Spring Breeze
An in-depth look at the Outemu Silent Grey and the Outemu Spring Breeze switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Outemu Silent Grey and Outemu Spring Breeze mechanical keyboard switches, it becomes evident that they offer distinct typing experiences. The Outemu Silent Grey is renowned for providing a quiet and highly tactile typing experience, featuring a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke that is satisfyingly silent. On the other hand, the Outemu Spring Breeze switch does not have a specific standout feature mentioned but it falls under the clicky switch category. If you are looking for a quiet and tactile typing experience, the Outemu Silent Grey may be the better choice. 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
50g
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Pre-travel
1.50 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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Outemu Silent Grey and Outemu Spring Breeze switches, it is evident that they both use nylon for the bottom housing. This means that both switches will elicit a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the softer nature of nylon, which absorbs more sound than harder plastics. This results in a duller and rounder sound when typing on either switch. While the bottom housing may not have a direct impact on the sound when a key is released, it does contribute to the overall typing experience by influencing the bottom-out sound and feel.
However, where the switches differ is in their top housing materials. The Outemu Silent Grey features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. As a stiffer plastic, polycarbonate leads to a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches designed with RGB lighting in mind. On the other hand, the Outemu Spring Breeze utilizes a nylon top housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon contributes to a more muted and round sound when compared to the sharper sound produced by the polycarbonate top housing of the Silent Grey.
In terms of the overall typing experience, the choice between the Outemu Silent Grey and Outemu Spring Breeze ultimately comes down to personal preference. While both switches feature a similar nylon bottom housing that produces a deeper and fuller sound profile, the differences in their top housing materials result in distinct sound characteristics. The Silent Grey's polycarbonate top housing offers a crisper and more resonant sound, while the Spring Breeze's nylon top housing provides a more muted and round sound. Depending on whether you prefer a sharper or deeper sound profile, you can choose between the two switches to customize your typing experience.
Weight
The Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch has a slightly heavier actuation force and bottom out force compared to the Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch. The Silent Grey requires 50 grams of force to actuate a keystroke and 65 grams to bottom out, making it a medium-heavy switch. In contrast, the Spring Breeze only needs 40 grams to actuate and 55 grams to bottom out, categorizing it as a medium-light switch. This means that the Silent Grey will provide a bit more resistance and feedback during typing or gaming compared to the lighter Spring Breeze. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Spring Breeze would be the better choice, while the Silent Grey would be suitable for those who enjoy a more substantial push feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch and the Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch both have a travel distance of 4 mm, making them equal in this aspect. This means that when you press down on a key using either of these switches, you will feel the same amount of travel distance. Despite having the same travel distance, the Silent Grey switch offers a quieter typing experience due to its design, while the Spring Breeze switch provides a clicky sound feedback with each key press. So, while the travel distance is the same for both switches, the typing experience will be different depending on whether you prefer a quieter or clicky typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
In this case, both switches are $3.10. As such, price can't serve as a tiebreaker when choosing between the Silent Grey and Spring Breeze.
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 conclusion, the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch is best suited for those who prefer a quiet typing experience with a noticeable tactile bump, while the Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch offers a more audible typing feedback with a clicky sound. Both switches are likely to provide a satisfying typing experience, but the choice between the two ultimately comes down to personal preference. Keep in mind that factors such as keycaps and keyboard construction can also influence the overall feel and sound of the switch. Ultimately, whether you choose the Silent Grey or Spring Breeze, you can expect a quality typing experience that meets your individual preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch and the Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch, you should consider your preference for typing experience. If you prioritize a quiet and tactile typing experience with a medium-heavy bottom out force, then the Silent Grey switch is the way to go. On the other hand, if you enjoy the clicky feedback and a lighter bottom out force for a more responsive typing experience, then the Spring Breeze switch would be a better fit for you. Ultimately, it all comes down to personal preferences and what type of typing experience you are looking for in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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