Outemu Silent Grey vs. Bsun Ragdoll

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboards, the choice of switch can significantly affect your typing experience. The Outemu Silent Grey switch offers a quiet yet tactile experience, making it a fantastic option for users who prefer a satisfying bump and smooth keystrokes without disturbing others around them. These switches are ideal for those who value both feedback and discretion during intense typing sessions or gaming marathons. On the other hand, the Bsun Ragdoll linear switch emphasizes smoothness and speed, featuring a Y3 stem that provides effortless key travel accompanied by a distinct clacky sound thanks to its nylon-fiberglass bottom housing. This makes the Ragdoll perfect for gamers and typists who favor uninterrupted keystrokes and a more fluid typing experience. Both switches cater to different preferences and needs: the Silent Grey for those who want a tactile yet quiet feel and the Ragdoll for those who prioritize smooth linear action. However, let’s dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Outemu Silent Grey Tactile

Bsun Ragdoll Linear

$3.10 per 10

$3.50

$3.29 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The Outemu Silent Grey and Bsun Ragdoll switches diverge significantly in their top housing materials, showcasing the impact of these choices on sound quality and acoustic profiles. The Silent Grey features a polycarbonate top housing, which is known for its rigidity and translucency, thus enhancing the clarity and sharpness of sound produced during typing. This material's stiffer nature results in a crisper sound profile, making it particularly appealing for users who prioritize a defined auditory feedback while typing. In contrast, the Ragdoll employs a nylon top housing, which is softer and helps absorb sound, resulting in a deeper and rounder sound profile. This intrinsic difference renders the sound experience distinct for each switch, with the Silent Grey eliciting a high-pitched resonance and the Ragdoll offering a mellower auditory experience.

When examining the bottom housings of both switches, a fascinating similarity arises. Both the Silent Grey and Ragdoll use nylon for their bottom housings, which contributes to a consistent core quality in typing experience. As mentioned, nylon is a classic choice that provides a fuller sound profile, absorbing impact and creating a more subdued auditory response when bottoming out. This shared use of nylon in the bottom housing means that regardless of the top housing material, both switches will impart a similar depth and resonance during every keystroke. Typing on both models will elicit a satisfying and enveloping sound due to this commonality in design, emphasizing the role of the bottom housing in overall acoustic performance.

Overall, the differences in the top housing materials of the Silent Grey and Ragdoll create distinct sound profiles, while their matching nylon bottom housings unify their acoustic foundations. This combination means that while the Silent Grey is likely to be favored by those seeking a more pronounced typing sound, the nylon bottom found in both switches ensures an impactful and rich sound experience regardless. Consequently, users who opt for either switch can expect a compatible yet varied auditory encounter, shaped by the unique properties of each material used in their construction.

Weight

The Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch and the Bsun Ragdoll linear switch exhibit distinct differences in both actuation and bottom out forces. The Silent Grey requires an actuation force of 50 grams, with a bottom out force of 65 grams, categorizing it as a medium-heavy switch. In contrast, the Ragdoll features a lighter actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 52 grams, placing it in the medium-light category. This makes the Ragdoll easier to press, which could be more suitable for users who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing sessions or gaming. Conversely, the Silent Grey offers a more substantial typing experience due to its heavier force requirement, appealing to those who enjoy a firmer key feel. Therefore, if you're looking for a switch that provides a lighter touch, the Bsun Ragdoll is the better choice, while the Outemu Silent Grey is more appropriate for those who favor a heavier push.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch and the Bsun Ragdoll linear switch, we find that the Silent Grey has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Ragdoll measures 3.8 mm. This indicates that the Silent Grey offers a slightly longer travel distance, catering to users who appreciate a more pronounced keypress and a feeling of depth when typing. In contrast, the Ragdoll's shorter travel distance may appeal to gamers and others who prioritize responsiveness and quicker key actuation, although some may find this abruptness less satisfying for longer typing sessions. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches may come down to individual preferences regarding the balance between depth and speed in key response.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Outemu Silent Grey switch is specifically designed to offer a quiet experience, making it ideal for environments where noise reduction is essential. It produces minimal audible feedback while typing, allowing for a discreet typing experience. On the other hand, the BSUN Ragdoll linear switch features a clackier sound due to its nylon-fiberglass bottom housing, which gives it a different auditory character. This clackiness can be quite satisfying for users who appreciate acoustics in their typing, although it is less suitable for quiet settings compared to the Silent Grey.

When it comes to feel, the Outemu Silent Grey switch is notable for its pronounced tactile bump, which provides a satisfying tactile feedback during each keystroke. This makes it great for users who enjoy not just the sound, but the physical sensation associated with each keystroke. In contrast, the BSUN Ragdoll linear switch is characterized by its smooth keystroke, lacking the bump that defines a tactile switch and offering a fluid experience without interruption. This smoothness makes it appealing for gamers or typists who prefer a seamless, uninterrupted key press.

Overall, both switches cater to distinct preferences. The Outemu Silent Grey excels in providing a silent yet tactile experience, perfect for those who prioritize noise control while typing, while the BSUN Ragdoll linear switch offers a more engaging sound profile and fluidity suited for those who value the auditory aspects of their mechanical keyboard. Depending on one's typing needs or preferences, either could be a fitting choice, and knowing these qualities can help newcomers make an informed decision about which switch aligns better with their typing style.

Conclusion

To conclude, your choice between the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch and the Bsun Ragdoll linear switch will largely depend on your typing preferences and the environment in which you’ll be using your keyboard. If you prioritize a quieter and more tactile experience, especially if you work in a shared or quiet space, the Silent Grey would be ideal with its pronounced bump and heavy actuation force, providing satisfying feedback without the noise. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter touch and a smoother, uninterrupted keystroke while enjoying a more pronounced sound, the Ragdoll’s 52-gram bottom-out force and clacky sound profile are great. It’s particularly suitable for gaming and fast-paced typing, where rapid key presses are essential. Ultimately, consider the balance between sound and feel that aligns with your typing style and environment—as that will guide you to your perfect switch selection.

Mentioned in this article

Outemu Silent Grey Tactile

$3.10 per 10

Learn more

Bsun Ragdoll Linear

$3.50

$3.29 per 10

Learn more