Outemu Silent Grey vs. Akko Penguin
An in-depth look at the Outemu Silent Grey and the Akko Penguin switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between the Outemu Silent Grey and the Akko Penguin mechanical keyboard switches, both options offer a unique blend of tactile feedback and quiet operation. The Silent Grey switches from Outemu provide a highly tactile typing experience with a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke, making them perfect for those who enjoy a satisfying yet quiet typing experience. On the other hand, the Akko Penguin switches are designed for office environments where noise reduction is a priority, offering a rounded tactile bump for feedback without the clatter. Although both switches cater to individuals looking for a silent tactile typing experience, the Outemu Silent Grey is slightly more pronounced and tactile, while the Akko Penguin strikes a balance between responsiveness and quietness. 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
43g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 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
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Outemu Silent Grey and the Akko Penguin switches both offer unique sound profiles due to the differences in their top and bottom housing materials. The Silent Grey's polycarbonate top housing provides a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, while the Penguin's nylon top housing creates a deeper and fuller sound profile. This contrast between the two materials results in varying typing experiences, with the Silent Grey offering a more clear and resonant sound, and the Penguin providing a duller and rounder sound. Despite these differences, both switches excel in creating distinct sound profiles based on their housing materials.
In terms of the bottom housing, both the Silent Grey and the Penguin switches utilize nylon, resulting in a similar typing experience with a deep and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound than harder plastics, creating a dull and round sound when pressing down on the switches. This consistency in material for the bottom housing allows for a uniform typing experience between the two switches, highlighting the importance of the housing material in determining the sound profile and feel of a mechanical keyboard switch.
Overall, the combination of polycarbonate top housing in the Silent Grey and nylon bottom housing in both switches showcases the impact that housing materials can have on the sound and feel of mechanical keyboard switches. While the polycarbonate top housing of the Silent Grey offers a sharper and crisper sound profile, the nylon top housing of the Penguin provides a deeper and fuller sound. The uniform use of nylon for the bottom housing in both switches ensures a consistent typing experience with a focus on absorbing sound and creating a rounder sound profile. In conclusion, both switches demonstrate the importance of housing materials in determining the overall sound and feel of mechanical keyboards, each with their unique qualities that cater to different preferences in typing experiences.
Weight
In comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch and the Akko Penguin tactile switch, it is evident that the Silent Grey has a slightly heavier actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Penguin's 43 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Silent Grey requires 65 grams while the Penguin requires 60 grams. This makes the Silent Grey a bit heavier overall in terms of both actuation and bottom out force. For those who prefer a stronger push feel, the Silent Grey may be the better option due to its higher force requirements. On the other hand, the Penguin may be more suitable for those who prefer a lighter typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out force.
Travel distance
The Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, making it the longer option compared to the Akko Penguin tactile switch with a travel distance of 3.3 mm. Both switches offer a tactile typing experience, but the Silent Grey provides a slightly deeper press compared to the Penguin. Gamers might favor the shorter travel distance of the Penguin for quicker response times, while those who prefer a more substantial key press may opt for the Silent Grey. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference in terms of typing feel and responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Akko Penguin has an MSRP of $4.22 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Penguin for $3.10.
The Outemu Silent Grey 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 comparing the sound of the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch to the Akko Penguin tactile switch, it is evident that the Silent Grey offers a quieter typing experience. The Silent Grey switch is known for its quiet operation, making it suitable for use in environments where noise reduction is a priority. On the other hand, the Penguin switch is described as having a muted sound profile, emphasizing a softer and quieter typing experience. Both switches aim to minimize the noise associated with mechanical keyboards, with the Silent Grey being slightly quieter overall.
In terms of feel, the Outemu Silent Grey switch is recognized for its highly tactile and smooth keystroke. It provides a pronounced bump that delivers a satisfying feedback with each press. The Akko Penguin switch, on the other hand, offers a polished and mild typing experience. It features a rounded tactile bump that strikes a balance between responsiveness and comfort, making it suitable for prolonged typing sessions without causing fatigue. Both switches provide a tactile typing experience, with the Silent Grey offering a more pronounced bump compared to the Penguin's more subtle tactile feedback.
Overall, both the Outemu Silent Grey and Akko Penguin tactile switches offer a satisfying typing experience with their unique characteristics. The Silent Grey excels in providing a quiet and highly tactile typing experience with its pronounced bump and smooth keystroke. On the other hand, the Penguin switch offers a balanced tactile feedback with a muted sound profile, making it suitable for office environments where noise reduction is essential. Ultimately, choosing between these switches will depend on personal preference for sound and feel, as both switches provide quality typing experiences with their respective strengths.
Conclusion
In summary, when deciding between the Outemu Silent Grey and the Akko Penguin switches, you should consider your preference for typing experience and noise level. If you prioritize a highly tactile and silent typing experience with a medium-heavy bottom out force, the Outemu Silent Grey switches would be the best choice for you. On the other hand, if you value a rounded tactile bump, a quiet profile, and a medium bottom out force, the Akko Penguin switches would be more suitable, especially for office environments where noise reduction is important. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for feel, sound, and typing comfort.
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