Outemu Silent Grey vs. Aflion Shadow (Ink) Single Spring
An in-depth look at the Outemu Silent Grey and the Aflion Shadow (Ink) Single Spring switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Silent Grey and Aflion Shadow (Ink) Single Spring are both popular choices for those seeking a tactile typing experience. The Outemu Silent Grey switches offer a quiet and highly tactile feel with a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke, perfect for those who appreciate a satisfying yet silent typing experience. On the other hand, the Aflion Shadow (Ink) Single Spring switch provides a medium level of tactility with a lower actuation and bottom-out force, resulting in a very approachable tactile feel. Additionally, the Shadow switch features a deep and thocky sound profile for those who prefer a more auditory typing experience. 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
48g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
20mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
Comparing the housing materials of the Outemu Silent Grey and the Aflion Shadow (Ink) Single Spring, both switches feature a polycarbonate top housing. This material provides a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile due to its stiffness, creating a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, polycarbonate is translucent, making it ideal for switches with RGB lighting. However, the Silent Grey has a nylon bottom housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to the Shadow's polycarbonate bottom housing.
In terms of sound characteristics, the Silent Grey's nylon bottom housing absorbs more sound due to its softer nature, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. This contrasts with the Shadow (Ink) Single Spring's polycarbonate bottom housing, which contributes to a sharper and crisper sound profile. While the top housings of both switches offer a similar sound profile, the material of the bottom housing plays a significant role in the overall sound and feel of the switch when pressed.
Overall, while both switches share a polycarbonate top housing that enhances sound clarity and resonance, the difference in bottom housing material significantly impacts the overall sound profile. The Silent Grey's nylon bottom housing creates a deeper and fuller sound, while the Shadow's polycarbonate bottom housing produces a sharper and crisper sound. Understanding the impact of different housing materials on sound can help users choose switches that best suit their preferences and typing style.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch and the Aflion Shadow (Ink) Single Spring tactile switch, it is evident that the Silent Grey has a slightly heavier actuation and bottom out force compared to the Shadow (Ink) Single Spring. The Silent Grey requires 50 grams of force to actuate and 65 grams to bottom out, making it a medium-heavy switch. On the other hand, the Shadow (Ink) Single Spring needs 48 grams to actuate and 55 grams to bottom out, classifying it as medium-light. Both switches provide a tactile typing experience, but the Silent Grey offers a firmer and more substantial feel due to its heavier force requirements. In contrast, the Shadow (Ink) Single Spring provides a lighter touch, suitable for longer typing sessions or gaming marathons. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference, with some preferring the lighter actuation of the Shadow (Ink) Single Spring and others favoring the heavier feel of the Outemu Silent Grey.
Travel distance
Both the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch and the Aflion Shadow (Ink) Single Spring tactile switch have a travel distance of 4 mm, making them equal in this aspect. This means that when pressing down on a key with either of these switches, you will experience the same amount of travel distance. This can result in a similar typing experience and feel when using either switch. Overall, the travel distance of these two switches is the same, providing consistent feedback and performance for users.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Aflion Shadow (Ink) Single Spring has an MSRP of $4.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Shadow (Ink) Single Spring for $3.57.
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
In terms of sound, the Outemu Silent Grey switch is known for offering a quiet typing experience with a smooth keystroke, making it ideal for those who prefer a silent environment while typing. On the other hand, the Aflion Shadow (Ink) Single Spring switch is praised for its deep and thocky sound profile, providing a satisfying auditory experience. It's important to note that the sound produced by a switch can be influenced by various factors such as the keyboard layout and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the Outemu Silent Grey switch is commended for its highly tactile feedback with a pronounced bump, delivering a satisfying typing experience for those who enjoy tactile switches. In contrast, the Aflion Shadow (Ink) Single Spring switch is described as bouncy, offering a spring-like feedback sensation that provides a lively feel and rebound when pressed. This makes it a great choice for individuals looking for a switch with a medium level of tactility.
Overall, both the Outemu Silent Grey and Aflion Shadow (Ink) Single Spring switches offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. If you prefer a quieter typing experience with a smooth keystroke and pronounced bump, the Silent Grey switch would be a suitable choice. On the other hand, if you enjoy a deeper sound profile and a bouncy tactile feedback, the Shadow (Ink) Single Spring switch may be more appealing to you. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on personal preference and the specific typing experience you are looking for.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch and the Aflion Shadow (Ink) Single Spring tactile switch, you should consider the level of tactility and sound profile you prefer. If you value a highly tactile and silent typing experience with a medium-heavy bottom out force, the Silent Grey would be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-light bottom out force and a more bouncy and thocky sound profile along with approachable tactility, the Shadow (Ink) Single Spring switch would be the ideal option. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for typing feel and sound.
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