Outemu Silent Grey vs. Outemu Red Panda
An in-depth look at the Outemu Silent Grey and the Outemu Red Panda switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering two popular mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Silent Grey, a tactile switch, and the Outemu Red Panda, also a tactile switch, stand out as excellent choices for different preferences. The Silent Grey offers a quiet and highly tactile typing experience, perfect for those seeking satisfaction without the noise. On the other hand, the Red Panda provides a light-medium amount of tactility with unique bottom-out and top-out sound profiles. Both switches have their own characteristics that cater to different typing preferences. 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
50g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
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 Red Panda switches, both switches share the use of polycarbonate for their top housing. Polycarbonate is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its stiffness. This material is especially useful for switches that plan to incorporate RGB lighting, as the translucency of polycarbonate allows for light to shine through effectively. Therefore, in terms of sound profile and aesthetics related to RGB lighting, users can expect similar results from both the Silent Grey and Red Panda switches.
However, where the switches differ is in their bottom housing material. The Silent Grey features a nylon bottom housing that produces a deeper and fuller sound profile, as nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound than harder plastics. On the other hand, the Red Panda also utilizes a nylon bottom housing, offering the same benefits of a deeper and fuller sound profile. This means that when typing on either switch, users can experience a more muffled and round sound due to the properties of the nylon material in the bottom housing.
Overall, the choice between the Outemu Silent Grey and Outemu Red Panda switches may come down to personal preference in terms of sound profile. While both switches share the benefits of a polycarbonate top housing for a crisp sound profile and aesthetic appeal, the difference lies in the nylon bottom housing. Users looking for a deeper and fuller sound experience may lean towards the Silent Grey, while those who prefer a muffled and round sound may opt for the Red Panda. Each housing material plays a crucial role in shaping the overall typing experience and sound produced by the switches.
Weight
Comparing the Outemu Silent Grey and Red Panda tactile switches, the actuation force is the same at 50 grams for both models. However, the bottom out force differs slightly, with the Silent Grey requiring 65 grams and the Red Panda needing 60 grams. This makes the Red Panda slightly lighter in terms of bottom out force. The Silent Grey, with its heavier bottom out force, may provide a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel. On the other hand, the Red Panda's lighter bottom out force may be preferred by those looking for a switch that allows them to type for longer periods without fatigue. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on individual preferences for typing feel and weight.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch and the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch, it is evident that the Silent Grey has a longer travel distance of 4 mm compared to the Red Panda's 3.3 mm. The Silent Grey with its 4.0mm travel distance offers a more traditional feel, while the Red Panda's 3.3mm travel distance is slightly shallower. Gamers who prioritize faster response times may lean towards the Red Panda with its shorter travel distance. On the other hand, those who prefer a more substantial keypress may find the Silent Grey more satisfying. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches comes down to personal preference and the type of typing experience one desires.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Outemu Silent Grey comes in at $3.10, whereas the Outemu Red Panda comes in at $3.40.
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 and Red Panda switches, the Silent Grey provides a quiet typing experience with a smooth keystroke and a pronounced bump, resulting in a satisfyingly silent operation. On the other hand, the Red Panda switch offers a thocky sound profile with a bassier bottom-out and a clackier top-out sound, providing a different auditory experience for the user. The choice between the two switches would ultimately depend on personal preference and the desired sound profile for the keyboard setup.
In terms of feel, the Silent Grey switch offers a highly tactile typing experience with a pronounced bump, making it ideal for those who enjoy a more tactile feel while typing. Conversely, the Red Panda switch provides a mild tactile feedback that is approachable to most users, as it falls within a safe, middle-ground zone in terms of its tactile characteristics. The decision between the two switches would come down to whether the user prefers a more pronounced tactile bump or a gentler typing experience.
Considering the information provided, the Outemu Silent Grey and Red Panda switches offer distinct sound and feel profiles that cater to different preferences. While the Silent Grey switch delivers a quiet and highly tactile typing experience, the Red Panda switch provides a thocky sound profile and a mild tactile feedback. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on whether the user prioritizes a silent operation with pronounced tactility or a thocky sound profile and a more gentle typing experience. Regardless of the choice made, both switches are sure to deliver a satisfying typing experience for newcomers to the mechanical keyboard world.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch and the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch, you should consider the level of tactility and sound profile that you prefer. If you are looking for a quiet and highly tactile typing experience with a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke, then the Outemu Silent Grey switch would be the better choice for you. However, if you prefer a light-medium amount of tactility with a thocky, bassier bottom-out sound and clackier top-out sound, then the Outemu Red Panda switch might be more suited to your preferences. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal typing preference and the type of typing experience you are looking for.
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