Outemu Silent Grey vs. Aflion Thunder Shadow
An in-depth look at the Outemu Silent Grey and the Aflion Thunder Shadow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to compare are the Outemu Silent Grey and the Aflion Thunder Shadow. The Outemu Silent Grey is known for its quiet and highly tactile typing experience, offering a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke for a satisfying yet silent feel. On the other hand, the Aflion Thunder Shadow, from the emerging brand Aflion, provides a pronounced tactile bump with a harmonious balance, offering a medium weight feel and a neutral sound signature. Both switches cater to tactile keyboard enthusiasts, but the Silent Grey focuses on silence while the Thunder Shadow emphasizes balance and innovation. 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
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
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
20mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Outemu Silent Grey and the Aflion Thunder Shadow, it is evident that they both utilize polycarbonate for their top housings. This choice results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile for both switches due to the stiffness of polycarbonate. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it a great choice for switches intended to be used with RGB lighting. Therefore, in terms of sound profile and aesthetic appeal, the two switches would yield similar results due to their shared use of polycarbonate for the top housing.
However, when it comes to the bottom housing material, the Silent Grey features a nylon housing while the Thunder Shadow also utilizes nylon for its bottom housing. Nylon is known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softness which absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics. This results in a duller and rounder sound when typing on switches with nylon bottom housings. Therefore, while the top housings may have similar characteristics between the two switches, the nylon bottom housings may provide a slightly different typing experience in terms of sound and feel.
Ultimately, the choice between the Outemu Silent Grey and the Aflion Thunder Shadow may come down to individual preference in terms of sound profile and feel when typing. While both switches offer the benefits of a sharp and clear sound profile with their polycarbonate top housings, the slight difference in typing experience with the nylon bottom housings may sway users towards one switch over the other. It is important to consider how each housing material affects the overall typing experience and choose the switch that aligns best with your preferences.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch and the Aflion Thunder Shadow tactile switch, there are some notable differences. The Silent Grey has a lighter actuation force at 50 grams compared to the Thunder Shadow's unknown actuation force. Both switches have a medium-heavy bottom out force, with the Silent Grey requiring 65 grams and the Thunder Shadow needing 63.5 grams. This means that the Thunder Shadow may provide a slightly lighter typing experience when initially pressing the key, while both switches offer a similar resistance when fully pressed down. For those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing sessions, the Silent Grey may be the better option, while the Thunder Shadow could appeal to users who prefer a slightly heavier actuation force for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and typing style.
Travel distance
The Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Aflion Thunder Shadow tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. This means that the Silent Grey has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Thunder Shadow. A 4.0mm travel distance is considered more traditional, while a 3.5mm travel distance is shallower. Gamers who prioritize faster response times may prefer the Thunder Shadow with its shorter travel distance. However, those who prefer a more substantial keypress may opt for the Silent Grey with its longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for typing or gaming experiences.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Aflion Thunder Shadow has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Thunder Shadow for $3.91.
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
The Outemu Silent Grey switch is praised for its quiet and highly tactile typing experience, known for its pronounced bump and smooth keystrokes. On the other hand, the Aflion Thunder Shadow switch offers a striking balance between tactile feedback and overall medium weight feel, with a 63.5g bottom-out force. While the sound signature of the Silent Grey switch is not explicitly described, the Thunder Shadow switch is noted for its neutral sound profile, making it suitable for a wide range of users and environments. When it comes to the feel, the Silent Grey switch's experience is not specified, whereas the Thunder Shadow switch provides an invigorating typing sensation with pronounced feedback and a snappy, reactive feel.
In conclusion, both the Outemu Silent Grey and Aflion Thunder Shadow tactile switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences. The Silent Grey switch is ideal for those seeking a satisfying and silent typing experience, while the Thunder Shadow switch strikes a balance between tactility and overall feel, with a neutral sound profile that complements its design. Ultimately, choosing between these switches will depend on personal preference in terms of sound, feel, and typing experience. Overall, both switches promise a premium typing experience that is sure to satisfy keyboard enthusiasts.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch and the Aflion Thunder Shadow tactile switch, consider the following guidelines: opt for the Outemu Silent Grey if you prioritize a truly quiet typing experience with a pronounced tactile bump and a medium-heavy bottom-out force. On the other hand, choose the Aflion Thunder Shadow if you seek a harmonious balance of tactile feedback and medium weight feel, combined with a neutral sound signature. Ultimately, your decision should be based on whether you prefer a silent and highly tactile typing experience (Silent Grey) or a well-balanced switch with a neutral sound profile and invigorating feel (Thunder Shadow).
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