Outemu Silent Grey vs. Durock White Lotus
An in-depth look at the Outemu Silent Grey and the Durock White Lotus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Silent Grey and Durock White Lotus switches stand out as formidable options. The Outemu Silent Grey switch offers a quiet and highly tactile typing experience with a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke, making it a great choice for those looking for something satisfying yet silent. On the other hand, the Durock White Lotus switch provides an exquisite light tactile option designed for discerning typists, striking the perfect balance between tactility and user comfort. The White Lotus switch also features a unique removable light column for vibrant RGB lighting effects, adding a captivating glow to your keyboard setup. While both switches offer tactile feedback, the Silent Grey is known for its silence and pronounced bump, whereas the White Lotus is lauded for its delicate tactility and impressive RGB illumination. 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
46g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
56g
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
Modified PC & UPE Blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated long spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Outemu Silent Grey and the Durock White Lotus, it is evident that both switches prioritize sound profile in their design. The Silent Grey's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile, while the White Lotus's modified PC & UPE Blend top housing offers a unique and premium feel. However, both switches rely on a nylon bottom housing to elicit a deeper and fuller sound profile during typing. The difference lies in the sound characteristics each material brings, with polycarbonate creating a clear and resonant sound, and nylon absorbing more sound to create a duller and rounder profile.
Despite the differences in top housing materials between the Silent Grey and White Lotus switches, their shared use of nylon for the bottom housing ensures a similar typing experience. Both materials contribute to a deeper and fuller sound profile, offering a more satisfying typing experience. The split in qualities between the top and bottom housing allows each material to showcase its unique sound characteristics when pressing down on the switch or releasing a key. This balance ensures that users can enjoy a well-rounded sound profile that combines the sharpness of polycarbonate with the sound-absorbing properties of nylon.
Overall, the choice between the Outemu Silent Grey and the Durock White Lotus ultimately comes down to personal preference regarding sound profile. While the Silent Grey's polycarbonate top housing may create a sharper and crisper sound, the White Lotus's modified PC & UPE Blend top housing offers a unique and premium feel. However, both switches deliver a satisfying typing experience thanks to their shared use of nylon in the bottom housing. Whether you prefer a clear and resonant sound or a duller, rounder profile, both switches offer a high-quality housing material combination that enhances the overall typing experience.
Weight
Comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch and the Durock White Lotus tactile switch provides insight into their differences. The Silent Grey has a higher actuation force of 50 grams compared to the White Lotus's 46 grams, making it slightly heavier to trigger a keystroke. In terms of bottom out force, the Silent Grey requires 65 grams compared to the White Lotus's 56 grams, indicating that it also requires more force to fully press down. This makes the Silent Grey switch overall heavier in both actuation and bottom out forces, providing a more substantial typing experience. On the other hand, the White Lotus switch is lighter in both aspects, making it more suitable for those looking for a lighter touch for extended typing sessions. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for typing feel and the desired level of force required for typing tasks.
Travel distance
Both the Outemu Silent Grey and the Durock White Lotus tactile switches have a travel distance of 4mm, making them equal in this aspect. This means that when pressing down on a key with either of these switches, you will experience the same amount of travel. The travel distance plays a crucial role in the typing experience, providing tactile feedback and determining how far the key needs to be pressed for actuation. In this case, both switches offer a consistent typing experience in terms of travel distance, allowing users to enjoy similar results regardless of the switch they choose to use.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock White Lotus has an MSRP of $5.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the White Lotus for $4.57.
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
When it comes to sound, the Outemu Silent Grey switch is well-regarded for offering a quiet typing experience, which is particularly appreciated in shared environments or during late-night typing sessions. The sound profile of the Durock White Lotus switch, on the other hand, is described as low-pitched and neutral. This means that the White Lotus switches produce a mellow and moderate sound that is suitable for various settings without being too overwhelming. With both switches, the sound produced will also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard case and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Outemu Silent Grey switch is known for its highly tactile feedback, providing a satisfying bump with a smooth keystroke. On the other hand, the Durock White Lotus switches are described as easy-to-press, offering a gentle resistance that is ideal for reducing finger fatigue during long typing sessions. The White Lotus switches also have a mild and subtle feel, creating a smooth and approachable typing experience that is well-suited for a wide range of users. Both switches offer a tactile experience that enhances typing comfort and accuracy.
In conclusion, while the Outemu Silent Grey and Durock White Lotus switches have distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel, they both excel in providing a tactile typing experience that is satisfying and comfortable. Whether you prefer a quieter switch like the Silent Grey or a light and easy-to-press switch like the White Lotus, both options offer a premium typing feel that can elevate your overall typing experience. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of sound profile, typing feel, and desired level of tactility.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when choosing between the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch and the Durock White Lotus tactile switch, consider your preferences for typing experience and noise level. If you prioritize a quiet and highly tactile typing experience with a medium-heavy bottom out force, the Outemu Silent Grey switch would be an excellent choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a light tactile option with a medium-light bottom out force and vibrant RGB lighting effects, the Durock White Lotus switch would be more suitable for you. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal typing preferences and the environment in which you will be using your mechanical keyboard. Happy typing!
Mentioned in this article
