Outemu Silent Yellow Jade vs. Outemu Red Panda
An in-depth look at the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade and the Outemu Red Panda switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade and Outemu Red Panda mechanical keyboard switches, both offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Silent Yellow Jade provides a quiet and tactile typing experience with a satisfying "thocky" sound, thanks to its translucent jade yellow housing and punchy tactile bump. On the other hand, the Red Panda offers a light-medium amount of tactility with a bassier bottom-out sound and a clackier top-out sound. While the Silent Yellow Jade may be ideal for those seeking a quieter typing experience, the Red Panda could appeal to those looking for a more pronounced tactile feedback. 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
50g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
pom
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade and the Outemu Red Panda, one can see a distinct difference in the sound profiles produced by these switches. The Silent Yellow Jade, with its nylon top and bottom housings, offers a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the softer plastic's ability to absorb more sound. On the other hand, the Red Panda's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, thanks to the stiffer nature of polycarbonate. These differences in sound profile highlight how the choice of housing material can greatly impact the overall typing experience.
Despite the differences in their top housings, the nylon bottom housings of both the Silent Yellow Jade and Red Panda switches provide a similar typing experience. The use of nylon in the bottom housing allows for a deeper and fuller sound profile, as the softer plastic absorbs more sound than harder plastics. This similarity in bottom housing material showcases how certain characteristics of housing materials can lead to consistent typing experiences across different switch variations. Whether it be the Silent Yellow Jade or the Red Panda, the nylon bottom housing contributes to a duller and rounder sound that enhances the overall typing experience.
When considering the impact of housing materials on switch performance, it's important to recognize how the split between top and bottom housings can influence sound and feel. The qualities of the bottom housing have a more significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when a key is pressed, while the top housing will affect the sound when a key is released. By understanding the distinct qualities of nylon and polycarbonate in switch housings, keyboard enthusiasts can tailor their typing experience to their preferences by choosing switches with the desired sound profile and feel.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch and the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch, both have the same actuation force of 50 grams. However, the Silent Yellow Jade has a heavier bottom out force of 65 grams, making it slightly heavier than the Red Panda, which has a bottom out force of 60 grams. This means that the Silent Yellow Jade will provide a more substantial typing experience due to the higher bottom out force, while the Red Panda will offer a lighter touch. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Red Panda would be the better choice, while those who enjoy a heavier push feel may lean towards the Silent Yellow Jade. Ultimately, the weight difference between the two switches will cater to different preferences, with the Silent Yellow Jade being the heavier option and the Red Panda being the lighter option.
Travel distance
Both the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade and the Outemu Red Panda tactile switches have the same travel distance of 3.3mm. This means that when pressing down on a key with either of these switches, you will experience the same distance of travel from the top to the bottom. This similarity in travel distance ensures that the typing experience will be consistent between the two switches, allowing for similar results in terms of key feel and responsiveness. Whether choosing the Silent Yellow Jade or the Red Panda, users can expect a tactile switch with a comfortable and predictable travel distance, making both options suitable for individuals who prefer a consistent typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade comes in at $3.10, whereas the Outemu Red Panda comes in at $3.40.
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 Yellow Jade tactile switch offers a quieter typing experience with a satisfying "thocky" sound and a punchy tactile bump. On the other hand, the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch provides a light-medium amount of tactility along with a bassier bottom-out sound and a clackier top-out sound. While the Silent Yellow Jade has a unique translucent jade yellow housing, the Red Panda offers a more approachable typing experience with its mild characteristics. Both switches have their own distinct sound and feel, catering to different preferences. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on whether you prefer a quieter, more tactile typing experience with the Silent Yellow Jade or a gentle typing experience with a unique sound profile with the Red Panda. However, it's important to keep in mind that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard and keycaps being used, so experimenting with different setups may yield different results.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade and the Outemu Red Panda tactile switches, consider the factors that matter most to you. If you value a quiet typing experience with a unique tactile bump and a satisfying "thocky" sound, the Silent Yellow Jade may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force, along with a raindrop-like bottom-out sound and a clackier top-out sound, the Red Panda might be the better option. Both switches offer their own distinct characteristics, so it ultimately comes down to personal preference and what you prioritize in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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