Outemu Silent Grey vs. HMX Twilight
An in-depth look at the Outemu Silent Grey and the HMX Twilight switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch, the Outemu Silent Grey and HMX Twilight switches present two distinct options tailored for different preferences. The Outemu Silent Grey is celebrated for its quiet yet tactile typing experience, featuring a pronounced bump that provides satisfying feedback with every keystroke, making it an excellent choice for those who value discretion in their typing without sacrificing sensation. In contrast, the HMX Twilight linear switch is known for its smooth actuation and extended travel distance of 3.85mm, delivering a slightly quieter experience while still retaining the signature clacky feel characteristic of HMX switches. This makes the Twilight a top pick for users who prioritize a fluid typing experience and enjoy the sound of their keystrokes. Ultimately, both switches cater to diverse typing styles and environments; however, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal 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
3.85 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
20mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
The Outemu Silent Grey and HMX Twilight switches utilize different materials for their top housings, which imparts distinct characteristics to their sound profiles. The Silent Grey features a polycarbonate top housing, renowned for its stiffness, which results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound when typing. In contrast, the Twilight's top housing is made from nylon, a softer plastic that absorbs more sound and offers a deeper, fuller sound profile. Both materials significantly affect the auditory experience of the switches; however, the Silent Grey's emphasis on clarity contrasts with the Twilight's focus on a more rounded sound, making them suited for different user preferences. If you're looking to maximize RGB lighting effects, the polycarbonate housing of the Silent Grey is especially appealing due to its translucency, allowing for vibrant illumination.
When examining the bottom housings, both the Silent Grey and Twilight employ nylon, which serves as a common foundation for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile. In this regard, the two switches share similarities as their bottom housings contribute to the overall typing experience by offering absorption that leads to a more muted and rounded auditory feedback. Consequently, regardless of the differences in their top materials, both switches create a rich sound when bottoming out, thanks to the nylon composition at the base. This allows users to experience a satisfying typing feel, anchored in the inherent qualities of nylon, which effectively dampens sounds and enhances the overall tactile experience.
Ultimately, the combination of different top housing materials in the Silent Grey and Twilight switches leads to a nuanced typing experience that highlights their individual strengths. The Silent Grey’s polycarbonate top provides crispness that's ideal for users who prefer defined keystrokes, while the Twilight’s nylon top enhances a warmer, more enveloping sound profile. Given that both switches share nylon for the bottom housing, the deeper sound characteristic remains consistent across both options during bottoming out. Thus, while their top hosing drastically alters the initial auditory feedback on key press, the underlying nylon construction ensures that both switches deliver a satisfying and rich experience in the tactile and auditory realms during actual use.
Weight
When comparing the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch and the HMX Twilight linear switch, there are notable differences in both actuation and bottom out forces. The Silent Grey features an actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams, categorizing it as medium-heavy. In contrast, the Twilight switch exhibits a lighter actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, classifying it as a light switch. This disparity indicates that the Silent Grey will provide a more substantial typing experience, which may appeal to users who prefer a stronger push feel. Conversely, the HMX Twilight's lighter actuation and bottom out forces make it more suitable for extended typing or gaming sessions, as it may reduce fatigue over time. Ultimately, those seeking a heavier switch will find the Silent Grey more satisfying, while the Twilight is ideal for those who prioritize a lighter touch.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch is 4 mm, while the HMX Twilight linear switch has a shorter travel distance of 3.85 mm. This difference means that the Silent Grey, with its longer travel distance, provides a more pronounced tactile feedback, making it a suitable option for those who enjoy a deeper keystroke. On the other hand, the Twilight switch, being slightly shorter, may appeal to gamers or users who favor quicker response times and a more immediate feel when typing or gaming. If you're seeking a switch that delivers a hearty depth in your keystrokes, the Silent Grey would be the better choice; however, for a more responsive, faster typing experience, the Twilight's shorter travel distance would be advisable.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Twilight has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Twilight for $3.29.
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 switches are renowned for their quiet operation, making them ideal for environments where noise levels need to be minimized. They produce a muted sound profile due to their design focused on silence, allowing for a quieter typing experience while maintaining a tactile bump that provides feedback on the actuation point. On the other hand, the HMX Twilight linear switches offer a slightly quieter sound thanks to their extended travel distance of 3.85mm, but they still retain the characteristic clacky sound associated with HMX switches. Therefore, while both options provide a relatively subdued acoustic footprint, the Silent Grey leans more into the realm of silence, whereas the Twilight allows for that signature sound with a softer delivery.
Regarding the feel of the switches, the Outemu Silent Grey has a highly tactile experience, with a pronounced bump that conveys a satisfying actuation without the accompanying noise often found in more traditional tactile switches. This tactile feedback, combined with a smooth keystroke, makes typing pleasurable and rewarding. Conversely, the HMX Twilight linear switch offers a different experience altogether; it provides a smooth keystroke throughout its travel, with no tactile bump. This linear design caters to those who prefer fluid key presses without the interruption of tactile feedback, allowing for fast typing with a uniform resistance.
Overall, both the Outemu Silent Grey and HMX Twilight switches cater to different preferences and typing styles. The Silent Grey is perfect for users who prioritize a quiet and tactile experience, while the Twilight appeals to those who enjoy the smoothness of linear switches but with a slightly quieter output. Ultimately, the choice between these switches hinges on whether you prefer tactile feedback and silence or smoothness and a bit of character in sound.
Conclusion
To conclude, choosing between the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch and the HMX Twilight linear switch ultimately depends on your typing preferences and environment. If you value a quieter, more tactile experience and find satisfaction in feeling a pronounced bump when you press a key, then the Silent Grey is your best bet. Its medium-heavy actuation force of 65 grams provides a sturdy feel that many typists appreciate, making it ideal for office settings or shared spaces where noise levels need to be kept in check. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter keystroke, enjoy a smooth and uninterrupted typing experience, or simply love the classic clacky sound associated with linear switches, the HMX Twilight is likely more suitable for you. With its 50 grams of actuation force and an extended travel distance of 3.85mm, it offers a more responsive feel that can enhance your gaming or general typing experience. In short, weigh the importance of tactile feedback versus a lighter, smoother action while considering your noise environment to determine which switch aligns best with your typing style and lifestyle.
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