Outemu Silent Grey vs. HMX Swift
An in-depth look at the Outemu Silent Grey and the HMX Swift switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When looking at mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Silent Grey and HMX Swift are two options that offer unique typing experiences. The Outemu Silent Grey switch is favored for its quiet and highly tactile feel, providing a satisfying typing experience with its pronounced bump and smooth keystrokes. On the other hand, the HMX Swift stands out for its deeper sound profile and silky smoothness, thanks to its full nylon housings and delicate 42g actuation force. While the Silent Grey is known for its tactile typing experience, the Swift offers a different feel with its linear switch design. 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
42g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.90 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Ly
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 spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Outemu Silent Grey and the HMX Swift, one can see that they both utilize nylon for their bottom housing. This choice results in a deeper and fuller sound profile due to nylon's softer plastic composition, which absorbs more sound. However, the Silent Grey utilizes polycarbonate for its top housing, creating a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile, while the Swift also uses nylon for its top housing, further enhancing the deep and full sound experience. Despite the difference in top housing materials, both switches offer a similar typing experience in terms of sound depth.
When it comes to the sound profile produced by the two switches, the polycarbonate top housing of the Outemu Silent Grey is specifically designed to create a clear and resonant sound. In contrast, the nylon top housing of the HMX Swift absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound profile. However, the similarities lie in the nylon bottom housing of both switches, which contribute to the overall deep and full sound. This difference in top housing materials highlights how the choice of material can significantly impact the auditory experience of typing on a mechanical keyboard.
Overall, the housing materials of the Outemu Silent Grey and the HMX Swift play a crucial role in shaping the sound profiles of these switches. While the Silent Grey features a polycarbonate top housing for a sharper sound and a nylon bottom housing for a fuller sound, the Swift uses nylon for both top and bottom housings, resulting in a deeper and rounder sound profile. Despite these differences, both switches aim to provide a satisfying typing experience through their unique housing materials, showcasing how material composition can greatly influence the overall sound and feel of a keyboard switch.
Weight
The Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch has a heavier actuation force of 50 grams compared to the HMX Swift linear switch, which has a lighter actuation force of 42 grams. Similarly, the Silent Grey requires a bottom out force of 65 grams, which is heavier than the Swift's bottom out force of 50 grams. The Silent Grey offers a more substantial typing experience with its medium-heavy forces, making it suitable for those who prefer a stronger push feel. On the other hand, the Swift provides a lighter typing experience, ideal for those who prefer to type for longer periods of time without experiencing fatigue. Both switches offer different weight options, allowing users to choose based on their preference for actuation and bottom out force.
Travel distance
The Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, making it slightly longer than the 3.9 mm travel distance of the HMX Swift linear switch. Both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with the Silent Grey offering a slightly deeper key press compared to the Swift. Gamers may prefer the Swift for its slightly quicker response time due to the shorter travel distance, while those who prefer a more substantial key press may opt for the Silent Grey. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Swift has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Swift 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
In terms of sound, the Outemu Silent Grey switch is known for its quiet operation, making it a great option for those who prefer a more discreet typing experience. On the other hand, the HMX Swift switch offers a unique deep sound profile due to its full nylon housings, providing a more substantial auditory feedback compared to other linear switches. The Silent Grey switch delivers a subtle and satisfying bump while remaining silent, whereas the Swift switch produces a clacky sound that is sharp and snappy, enhancing the typing experience with its distinct sound. It is important to note that individual preferences for sound can vary greatly, so it is recommended to try both switches in person to determine which one suits your preferences best.
Moving on to feel, the Outemu Silent Grey switch provides a highly tactile typing experience with a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke, offering a satisfying tactile feedback to the user. The HMX Swift switch, on the other hand, features a silky smoothness that complements its delicate 42g actuation force, making it easy to type and requiring minimal effort to activate each key. The Swift switch is also described as easy-to-press, feathery, bouncy, and creamy, providing a range of tactile sensations that cater to different typing preferences. Whether you prefer a light and feathery feel or a more tactile and bouncy sensation, the Swift switch offers a versatile typing experience that can accommodate various typing styles.
In conclusion, the Outemu Silent Grey switch and the HMX Swift switch offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel that cater to different preferences. The Silent Grey switch excels in providing a quiet and tactile typing experience, while the Swift switch stands out for its deep sound profile and smooth keystrokes. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of sound, feel, and typing experience. It is recommended to try both switches firsthand to determine which one aligns best with your typing style and preferences.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch and the HMX Swift linear switch, consider your preferences for typing feel and sound. If you value a quiet and highly tactile typing experience with a medium-heavy bottom out force, the Outemu Silent Grey switch is a great choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a light actuation force and a smoother, easy-to-press feel with a deeper sound profile, the HMX Swift switch might be more suited to your preferences. Ultimately, the decision between these switches will depend on your personal typing style and sound preferences, so choose the one that best fits your needs for a satisfying typing experience.
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