Outemu Silent Grey vs. HMX Perky
An in-depth look at the Outemu Silent Grey and the HMX Perky switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Silent Grey and the HMX Perky offer two distinct yet appealing options tailored to different typing preferences. The Outemu Silent Grey is celebrated for its quiet and tactile nature, delivering a pronounced bump that enhances the satisfaction of each keystroke while minimizing noise—a perfect choice for those who require a discreet typing experience, whether in an office setting or during late-night gaming sessions. In contrast, the HMX Perky features a linear switch design, characterized by its softer and glittery nylon housings that provide a smooth, streamlined keystroke. The Perky's shorter travel distance leads to a more condensed typing experience, ideal for users who prioritize speed and fluidity in their keystrokes, such as gamers or fast typists. Ultimately, your choice between these two switches will depend on your specific needs and preferences, but 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
50g
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Pre-travel
1.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
T2
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
22mm extended single-stage spring
Housing materials
The Outemu Silent Grey and HMX Perky switches both employ nylon for their bottom housings, leading to a similar auditory experience characterized by a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is primarily due to nylon's softer plastic properties, which absorb more sound vibrations than harder materials. Consequently, when typing on both switch types, users will experience a cushioned and rounded sound at the bottoming-out stage, resulting in a satisfying thud. This shared characteristic of the bottom housing allows for continuity in acoustic performance, creating a pleasant typing experience irrespective of the differences in their top housing materials.
Contrastingly, the top housings of the Outemu Silent Grey and HMX Perky switches markedly influence the switches' sound profiles. The Silent Grey employs a polycarbonate top housing, known for its rigidity and translucence. This material generates a sharper, crisper sound profile, making it particularly favorable for users who appreciate bright acoustic feedback when releasing a key. In contrast, the HMX Perky utilizes nylon for its top housing, which contributes to a duller, rounder sound due to its softer, sound-absorbing properties. As a result, the differences in top housing materials between these two switches create distinct auditory signatures: the Silent Grey offers clarity and brightness, while the Perky provides a more muted and grounded response.
Ultimately, the combination of housing materials in each switch results in unique typing experiences. The Silent Grey's polycarbonate top enhances the clarity of the sounds produced during key release, while its nylon bottom maintains a deep resonance upon actuation. On the other hand, the all-nylon configuration of the HMX Perky fosters a coherent, warm sound throughout the keystroke, merging the bottom and top housings' traits. While users can achieve a satisfying experience with both switches, the differences in the top housings play a critical role in ultimately defining the overall sound and feel of each switch when typing.
Weight
The Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch exhibits a medium-heavy actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams, making it a bit more taxing to press down compared to the HMX Perky linear switch, which features a lighter actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams. This difference means that those who prefer a lighter typing experience, conducive to prolonged use, might lean toward the Perky switch, which is designed for ease and comfort in extended sessions. In contrast, users who enjoy a more substantial tactile feedback may find the heavier Silent Grey switch more to their liking, as it offers a firmer touch. Ultimately, the Silent Grey is the heavier option, while the Perky is the lighter one, providing distinctly different experiences suited to user preferences. Since both switches have varying actuation and bottom out forces, the typing experience will differ significantly between the two, leading users to make a choice based on their typing style and comfort.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch and the HMX Perky linear switch, the Silent Grey features a longer travel distance of 4 mm, while the Perky has a shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm. This distinction significantly impacts the typing experience; the Silent Grey offers a more substantial feel with its traditional depth, making it suitable for users who appreciate a tactile and hearty keystroke. In contrast, the Perky, with its reduced travel distance, caters to those seeking quicker response times, which is particularly favored by gamers. Therefore, if you lean towards a more responsive feel, you would likely prefer the HMX Perky, while those who enjoy a deeper engagement would opt for the Outemu Silent Grey.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Perky has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Perky for $2.99.
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
The Outemu Silent Grey switch is celebrated for its quiet operation, making it an excellent choice for those who desire a more subdued typing experience. Its design minimizes noise, allowing users to type in shared environments without disturbing others. In contrast, the HMX Perky linear switch produces a different sound profile that is generally quieter compared to traditional non-silent switches, but specific details about its acoustic characteristics are less defined. Like the Silent Grey, the sound quality can vary depending on the keyboard and keycap choice, so both switches can be tailored to achieve near-similar sound results based on their respective setups.
When it comes to feel, the Silent Grey switch offers a pronounced tactile bump that provides a satisfying feedback during key presses. This standout tactile response caters to typists seeking both a clear indication of actuation and smooth keystrokes throughout. On the other hand, the HMX Perky switch emphasizes a more neutral typing experience due to its shorter travel distance, resulting in a feeling that some users may find more condensed and less about tactile feedback, yet deeply satisfying in its own right. Though the Perky lacks the distinct tactile bump of the Silent Grey, it offers its own unique appeal for those preferring linear feel without noticeable resistance.
In summary, when comparing the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch and the HMX Perky linear switch, one can identify significant differences in sound and feel. The Silent Grey shines in its quiet, tactile performance, ideal for users who desire pronounced feedback, while the Perky provides a more neutral and condensed typing experience that appeals to lovers of linear switches. Ultimately, both switches are designed to enhance typing satisfaction, yet their specific characteristics cater to different preferences. Selecting between the two will largely depend on whether one values pronounced tactile feedback or a streamlined, linear typing sensation.
Conclusion
In summary, when deciding between the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch and the HMX Perky linear switch, your ultimate choice will hinge on your personal typing preferences and usage scenarios. If you appreciate a more pronounced tactile feedback with a satisfying bump and prefer a quieter typing experience—perhaps for shared workspaces or late-night gaming sessions—the Silent Grey, with its medium-heavy 65-gram bottom-out force, is likely the better fit. The tactile nature of these switches is particularly rewarding for those who enjoy a more engaged typing experience while maintaining discretion. Conversely, if you lean towards a lighter and smoother keystroke, you might find the HMX Perky switch to be more appealing. With a bottom-out force of just 50 grams, the Perky provides a gentle touch and a quick response, making it ideal for fast typists or gamers seeking a streamlined, efficient experience. Both switches deliver distinct satisfaction; thus, your final decision should be guided by whether you value tactile feedback and sound dampening or prefer a rapid, light touch in your typing engagements.
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