Outemu Silent Grey vs. Gazzew U4
An in-depth look at the Outemu Silent Grey and the Gazzew U4 switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Silent Grey and the Gazzew U4 stand out as excellent choices, both offering a tactile typing experience. The Outemu Silent Grey Switches are favored for their quiet nature and highly tactile feedback, making them perfect for those who seek a satisfying yet silent typing experience. On the other hand, the Gazzew U4 switches are known for their sharp and exhilarating tactile bump, accompanied by a plush and felt-like bottom-out sensation. These switches also boast a whisper-quiet sound profile, adding a touch of subtlety to their performance. While both switches offer tactile feedback, the Outemu Silent Grey leans towards a smoother keystroke, while the Gazzew U4 provides a sharper sensation. 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
45g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel 14mm Korean spring
Housing materials
The Outemu Silent Grey and the Gazzew U4 differ in their housing materials, with the former featuring a polycarbonate top housing and a nylon bottom housing, while the latter utilizes a proprietary Gazzew blend for both the top and bottom housings. The polycarbonate top housing of the Silent Grey creates a sharper and higher-pitched sound profile, ideal for those looking for a clear and resonant typing experience, especially when paired with RGB lighting. On the other hand, the Gazzew blend top housing of the U4 delivers a rich and deep sound profile due to its softness, giving typists a more mellow and rounded typing feel.
In terms of the bottom housings, the nylon housing of the Silent Grey provides a deeper and fuller sound profile, thanks to its softer composition that absorbs more sound and creates a duller noise when typing. This contrasts with the Gazzew blend bottom housing of the U4, which also offers a rich and deep sound experience due to its softness, contributing to a consistent typing feel across the switch. While the materials differ between the two switches, they both aim to provide a satisfying typing experience through their unique sound profiles and tactile feedback.
Overall, the choice between the Outemu Silent Grey and the Gazzew U4 ultimately comes down to personal preference in terms of sound profile and typing feel. The different housing materials used in each switch offer distinct advantages and characteristics, with the Silent Grey providing a sharper and clearer sound profile with its polycarbonate top housing and nylon bottom housing, while the Gazzew U4 offers a rich and deep sound experience with its proprietary Gazzew blend top and bottom housings. Both switches aim to enhance the typing experience for users, albeit in slightly different ways due to their housing material choices.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch and the Gazzew U4 tactile switch, it is evident that the Silent Grey requires a slightly heavier actuation force of 50 grams compared to the U4's 45 grams. However, the bottom out force of the Silent Grey at 65 grams is also heavier than the U4's 62 grams. Both switches fall under the medium to medium-heavy category in terms of force required to press the keys. For those who prefer a lighter touch, the Gazzew U4 would be the better option, allowing for longer typing sessions without strain. Conversely, for users who enjoy a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel, the Outemu Silent Grey would be the ideal choice. In terms of weight, the Silent Grey offers a slightly heavier typing experience compared to the U4. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches would depend on personal preference and typing style.
Travel distance
The Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, making it the longer of the two switches compared to the Gazzew U4 tactile switch with a travel distance of 3.6 mm. Both switches fall within the traditional range of travel distances but cater to different preferences. Gamers might lean towards the U4 for its slightly shorter travel distance, which can provide faster response times. However, those who enjoy a more substantial keypress might opt for the Silent Grey with its longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and typing style.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Outemu Silent Grey comes in at $3.10, whereas the Gazzew U4 comes in at $6.50.
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
When comparing the sound of the Outemu Silent Grey and Gazzew U4 switches, it is clear that both switches are designed to offer a quiet typing experience. The Silent Grey switch is known for its silence, while the U4 switch has a whisper-quiet sound profile due to its muted and low-pitched nature. This means that whether you choose the Silent Grey or U4 switch, you can expect similar results in terms of a quieter typing experience.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Silent Grey switch offers a smooth keystroke with a pronounced bump, providing a satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, the Gazzew U4 switch is known for its sharp and exhilarating tactile bump, offering a distinctly high feedback intensity with each keypress. While the Silent Grey and U4 switches may differ in their tactile feedback, both switches are designed to deliver a tactile typing experience that many users find enjoyable.
In conclusion, both the Outemu Silent Grey and Gazzew U4 switches have their own unique qualities that cater to different preferences. The Silent Grey switch excels in providing a quiet and highly tactile typing experience, while the Gazzew U4 switch offers a sharp tactile bump and a plush bottom-out sensation. Depending on whether you prioritize a quieter typing experience or a sharper tactile feedback, either switch would be a great choice for a newcomer looking to explore mechanical keyboard switches. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and what qualities you value most in a switch.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when deciding between the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch and the Gazzew U4 tactile switch, you should consider a few key factors. If you prioritize a medium-heavy bottom out force and a highly tactile typing experience with a smooth keystroke, the Outemu Silent Grey switch is a solid choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium bottom out force, a sharp and exhilarating tactile bump, and a whisper-quiet sound profile with a plush bottom-out sensation, then the Gazzew U4 switch may be more suitable for your preferences. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for typing experience, sound profile, and tactile feedback.
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