Outemu Silent Grey vs. HMX SU

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboards, the choice of switch can significantly influence your typing experience. The Outemu Silent Grey switches are designed for those who appreciate a tactile feel without the noise, offering a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke that provides both satisfaction and discretion in a quiet workspace. In contrast, the HMX SU switches cater to users who prefer a linear typing experience, featuring a full PA12 housing paired with a T5 stem, delivering a subtle yet relatively deep sound profile that enhances the seamlessness of each keystroke. While the Silent Grey is ideal for those who desire a tactile feedback combined with silence, the HMX SU switches resonate with gamers and typists who value a fluid and uninterrupted action with minimal resistance. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for your preferences.

By the numbers

Outemu Silent Grey Tactile

HMX SU Linear

$3.10 per 10

$3.50

$3.29 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

When comparing the Outemu Silent Grey and HMX SU switches, the primary distinction lies in their top housings. The Silent Grey features a polycarbonate top housing, which is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its stiffer nature. This quality allows for a more resonant sound, making polycarbonate a favored choice for RGB lighting setups as its translucency enhances the illumination effect. In contrast, the HMX SU utilizes a nylon top housing, which provides a deeper and fuller sound profile. This softer plastic absorbs more sound and results in a rounder tonal quality, contrasting sharply with the crisper notes produced by polycarbonate. Consequently, while both switches utilize nylon for their bottom housing, their top plastic compositions lead to differing audible experiences when typing.

Interestingly, both switches share nylon for their bottom housings, which contributes to their sound and feel during typing. The common use of nylon in both switches informs users that they will experience a distinctly deeper and fuller sound profile when bottoming out the keys. This material's capacity to absorb vibrations results in a muted, rounded sound that complements the typing experience. Thus, while the Silent Grey is elevated by its polycarbonate top housing highlighting sharper sounds, both switches benefit from the acoustic properties of nylon in the bottom housing, creating consistency in their fundamental sound profiles.

Ultimately, the housing materials used in each switch lead to different auditory experiences, but both can yield rewarding results depending on user preferences. The Silent Grey's polycarbonate top enhances clarity and brightness in sound—ideal for users who appreciate a more pronounced response during typing or gaming. Conversely, the HMX SU’s nylon top allows for a softer, more subdued auditory experience, appealing to those who prefer a gentler typing sound. Despite these differences, since both switches employ nylon in their bottoms, users can expect a similarly rich and dampened acoustic quality when engaging with either switch, showcasing the influence of housing materials on overall performance.

Weight

When comparing the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch and the HMX SU linear switch, we observe notable differences in both actuation and bottom out forces, influencing the overall typing experience. The Silent Grey requires an actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams, which categorizes it as medium-heavy. In contrast, the HMX SU features a lighter actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, making it significantly lighter overall. This distinction means that while the Silent Grey provides a more substantial push feel, the HMX SU allows for easier and potentially more comfortable typing over extended periods due to its lower forces. Thus, users who prefer a lighter switch for prolonged typing sessions may favor the HMX SU, while those seeking a more robust tactile experience might opt for the Silent Grey.

Travel distance

The Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the HMX SU linear switch features a shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm. This difference highlights the Silent Grey switch's deeper actuation, which may appeal to users seeking a more substantial feel when pressing keys, as it provides a more pronounced response. On the other hand, the HMX SU's shorter travel distance may cater to gamers and those prioritizing quick key responses, delivering less resistance and potentially faster actuation. As a result, users looking for a more tactile experience might prefer the Silent Grey, while those favoring speed and efficiency may find the SU to be more suitable. Ultimately, your choice will hinge on whether you value the depth of key travel or the rapid responsiveness associated with shorter distances.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Outemu Silent Grey switch is characterized by its quiet operation, which is a significant feature for those who prefer a more subdued auditory experience while typing. This switch has a pronounced tactile bump, contributing to a satisfying yet noise-minimized sound profile. On the other hand, the HMX SU linear switch produces a subtle, relatively deep sound, which can lend itself to a more muted auditory feedback during use. While both switches cater to different preferences, they emphasize a quieter experience, making them suitable for environments where noise reduction is essential.

Regarding feel, the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch offers a pronounced and satisfying tactile bump, allowing users to experience clear feedback as they actuate each key. This quality is particularly appealing to typists seeking a connection with their input without the distraction of excess noise. In contrast, the HMX SU linear switch provides a smooth keystroke without any tactile feedback. This means that users can expect a seamless transition from keypress to keypress, making it ideal for those who favor a fluid and uninterrupted typing experience.

Overall, the Outemu Silent Grey and HMX SU switches present unique qualities catering to different typing preferences. While the Silent Grey focuses on a tactile and quiet experience, the HMX SU offers a smooth and deep sound profile without tactile feedback. Users can choose based on whether they prefer tactile bumps or linear smoothness in their key presses, while also enjoying relatively quiet operation in both switches.

Conclusion

To wrap up, your choice between the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch and the HMX SU linear switch ultimately depends on your personal preferences and typing needs. If you value a quiet yet satisfying tactile feedback, the Silent Grey is a fantastic option. With a medium-heavy actuation force of 65 grams, it provides a pronounced bump that can make typing feel more engaging, all while maintaining a subdued sound profile, making it ideal for office environments or shared spaces where noise is a concern. In contrast, if you prefer a smoother, lighter touch with less tactile resistance, the HMX SU linear switch may be your best bet. Its lighter bottom out force of 50 grams allows for rapid keystrokes, making it suitable for gaming or extended typing sessions where quick responsiveness is key. The SU also boasts a unique sound profile that balances subtlety with depth, which some may find more appealing. Ultimately, consider the context in which you'll be using your keyboard, as this will greatly influence which switch aligns best with your preferences.

Mentioned in this article

Outemu Silent Grey Tactile

$3.10 per 10

Learn more

HMX SU Linear

$3.50

$3.29 per 10

Learn more