Outemu Silent Grey vs. KTT Vanilla Ice Cream
An in-depth look at the Outemu Silent Grey and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Silent Grey and KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches both offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Outemu Silent Grey switch provides a quiet and highly tactile typing experience, with a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke that is satisfying yet silent. On the other hand, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch stands out for its use of POK material in both the stem and bottom housing, offering typists a remarkably smooth and creamy feel with a high-pitched and clacky sound signature. Each switch category provides a different typing experience, with the Silent Grey appealing to those seeking a tactile and quiet switch, while the Vanilla Ice Cream appeals to those looking for a smooth and creamy feel with a distinct sound profile. 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
43g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POK
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Proprietary KTT blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POK
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel 18mm spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Outemu Silent Grey and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches, we can see distinct differences in the material used for their top housings. The Silent Grey utilizes polycarbonate, known for creating a sharper and crisper sound profile due to its stiffness. On the other hand, the Vanilla Ice Cream uses a proprietary blend of materials, resulting in a high-pitched and clacky sound signature. While both materials contribute to a clear sound profile, the polycarbonate of the Silent Grey may offer a more resonant and transparent sound, especially when paired with RGB lighting. In contrast, the KTT blend top housing of the Vanilla Ice Cream may provide a unique and distinct sound experience.
The variance in bottom housing materials between the two switches further sets them apart. The Silent Grey features a nylon bottom housing, known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile by absorbing more sound than harder plastics. This results in a duller and rounder sound experience that may appeal to users seeking a quieter typing experience. Conversely, the Vanilla Ice Cream utilizes POK material for its bottom housing, offering one of the smoothest surfaces available with exceptional durability and wear resistance. This material contributes to the smooth and clacky feel of the Vanilla Ice Cream switches, making them ideal for users looking for a durable and responsive typing experience.
While the qualities of the top and bottom housing materials may vary between the Outemu Silent Grey and KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches, both switches ultimately aim to provide a satisfying typing experience. The impact of the bottom housing material on the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch contrasts with the influence of the top housing material on the sound when releasing a key. Whether you prefer the sharper and clear sound of the Silent Grey with its polycarbonate top housing or the clacky and durable feel of the Vanilla Ice Cream with its proprietary blend and POK bottom housing, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences in typing sound and feel.
Weight
The Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch has a higher actuation force of 50 grams compared to the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, which has a lighter actuation force of 43 grams. In terms of bottom out force, the Silent Grey requires 65 grams of force while the Vanilla Ice Cream only needs 48 grams. This makes the Silent Grey switch on the heavier side, providing a more substantial typing experience, while the Vanilla Ice Cream switch is lighter, allowing for longer typing sessions without fatigue. Both switches offer different typing experiences based on individual preferences, with the Silent Grey offering a more tactile and heavy typing feel, and the Vanilla Ice Cream providing a smoother and lighter touch.
Travel distance
The Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. This makes the Vanilla Ice Cream switch the shorter of the two. The 0.5 mm may not seem like a significant difference, but it can impact the overall feel and responsiveness of the keyboard. Gamers may prefer the shorter travel distance of the Vanilla Ice Cream switch for faster response times, while those who prefer a more substantial keypress may opt for the Silent Grey switch with its longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two will come down to personal preference and typing style.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The KTT Vanilla Ice Cream has an MSRP of $5.78 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Vanilla Ice Cream for $4.60.
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
Overall, the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch offer distinct experiences in terms of both sound and feel. The Silent Grey switch provides a quiet and tactile typing experience with a pronounced bump, perfect for those looking for a satisfying yet silent switch. In contrast, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch offers a smooth and creamy feel thanks to its use of POK material, along with a high-pitched and clacky sound that sets it apart from the competition. While the Silent Grey switch may have a quieter sound profile and a more pronounced tactile bump compared to the Vanilla Ice Cream switch, both switches provide a satisfying typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of sound, feel, and typing preference.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when deciding between the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, you should consider your preference for typing experience. If you value a quiet and highly tactile typing experience with a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke, then the Outemu Silent Grey switch would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a remarkably smooth and creamy typing feel, reminiscent of the dessert it's named after, along with a high-pitched and clacky sound signature, then the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch is the way to go. Ultimately, your decision should be based on what type of typing sensation and sound profile you prefer for your mechanical keyboard setup.
Mentioned in this article
