Outemu Silent Yellow Jade vs. Huano Sakura
An in-depth look at the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade and the Huano Sakura switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade and Huano Sakura present two distinct typing experiences tailored to different preferences. The Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switches are celebrated for their quiet, tactile feedback, providing a satisfying "thocky" sound without disturbing those around you, making them an excellent choice for shared workspaces or late-night gaming sessions. Their unique translucent jade yellow housing and factory-lubed design enhance both their aesthetic and performance, giving users a punchy tactile bump that adds to the overall typing enjoyment. On the other hand, the Huano Sakura switches shine with their feather-light touch and medium acoustics, catering to typists who prioritize ease of use during long periods of interaction with their keyboards. This linear switch is ideal for those who prefer a smooth keystroke without any tactile interruption, perfect for rapid gaming or typing. 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
35g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
pom
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
POK
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
23mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade and the Huano Sakura switches present an intriguing contrast with respect to their top materials. While the Silent Yellow Jade utilizes a nylon top housing that contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic composition, the Huano Sakura opts for POK (polyketone) for its top housing. The softer nature of nylon enables it to absorb sound, resulting in a duller and rounder audible feedback upon key releases. In contrast, POK's higher coefficient of friction and superior durability characteristics lead to a more smooth and clacky sound, offering a distinctly different auditory experience. This divergence highlights the potential for users to experience varying sound profiles from the two switches, despite the underlying shared principles of soft plastic sound absorption in the nylon bottom housing for both switches.
The bottom housings of both the Silent Yellow Jade and Huano Sakura are made from nylon, which leads to a consistent acoustic quality that resonates across both switch types. Given that nylon is a classic material known for its sound absorption properties, users can expect a similar deeper and fuller sound when bottoming out on either switch. The presence of nylon in the bottom housing contributes significantly to the tactile feel and sound, especially upon key actuation, ensuring that both switches deliver a relatively round sound profile upon bottoming out. However, since the switching experience is also influenced by the top housing materials, the bamboo could be felt distinctly different when key releases occur, as the characteristics of the upper materials come into play.
Ultimately, the combination of nylon in the bottom housings creates a foundation that ties the auditory for both the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade and Huano Sakura switches together. Nonetheless, the differences in their top materials—nylon for the Silent Yellow Jade and POK for the Sakura—promote unique sound qualities and tactile sensations when typing. Users seeking deep, muted sounds might lean toward the Silent Yellow Jade, whereas those desiring a smoother, clacky experience could gravitate towards the Huano Sakura. Thus, while both series provide some common acoustic features due to similar bottom housing materials, their top housings create distinctions that cater to varying preferences among keyboard enthusiasts.
Weight
The Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch and the Huano Sakura linear switch exhibit notable differences in both actuation force and bottom out force. The Silent Yellow Jade has an actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams, categorizing it as medium-heavy. In contrast, the Sakura switch features a lighter actuation force of 35 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, marking it as a light switch. This disparity means that users who favor a lighter switch for longer typing sessions may prefer the Sakura for its lower resistance, while those who appreciate a more substantial feel will likely gravitate towards the heavier Silent Yellow Jade. Overall, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade offers a more forceful typing experience, while the Huano Sakura provides a lighter touch, catering to different user preferences.
Travel distance
The Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch features a travel distance of 3.3 mm, while the Huano Sakura linear switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.6 mm. This difference of 0.3 mm indicates that the Silent Yellow Jade is the shorter of the two switches, making it a better choice for those seeking quicker response times, as shorter travel distances can enhance gaming performance. On the other hand, those who enjoy a more pronounced feel while typing may prefer the Sakura switch, as its longer travel distance provides more depth and a less abrupt action. Ultimately, if one prioritizes responsiveness, the Silent Yellow Jade is the preferable option, whereas the Sakura offers a more traditional and cushioned typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Huano Sakura has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sakura for $3.29.
The Outemu Silent Yellow Jade 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
The Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switch delivers a quiet yet distinctly satisfying "thocky" sound, making it a great option for environments where noise might be a concern. The factory-lubed feature adds to the overall smoothness and minimizes any unwanted scratchiness, resulting in a peaceful typing experience. In contrast, the Huano Sakura switch is characterized by its medium acoustics, producing a more subtle sound profile. This can make it less intrusive during typing sessions, yet it still provides enough auditory feedback to ensure the user feels engaged while they type. Both switches offer a pleasant acoustic profile, but those seeking absolute silence may prefer the Silent Yellow Jade.
When it comes to tactile feedback, the Silent Yellow Jade switch features a punchy tactile bump, providing a satisfying sensation that indicates the actuation point without being overly harsh. This tactile feedback aids in typing accuracy and enhances the overall typing experience. On the other hand, the Huano Sakura switch is known for its feather-light touch, which makes it incredibly easy to press. While it lacks the tactile bump characteristic of the Silent Yellow Jade, this smoothness could appeal to users who prioritize speed and fluidity in their keystrokes. Thus, while both switches cater to different preferences, they each have their unique strengths in terms of feel.
In summary, while the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade and Huano Sakura switches offer different sound and feel experiences, they each have qualities that can cater to specific typing styles. The Silent Yellow Jade provides a quieter, tactile experience with satisfying sound, while the Sakura offers a smooth, light touch with moderate acoustics. Ultimately, the choice between the two will come down to whether you prefer a tactile response or a more fluid typing experience, as both have their own merits. Opting for one switch over the other will guide you toward the typing sensations you desire.
Conclusion
To conclude, when deciding between the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch and the Huano Sakura linear switch, consider your typing preferences and environment. If you prioritize a tactile feedback with a satisfying "thocky" sound while remaining quiet, the Silent Yellow Jade is an excellent choice, particularly if you enjoy a medium-heavy bottom-out force of 65 grams. This makes it well-suited for those who appreciate a pronounced tactile bump and prefer a more deliberate typing experience, especially in quieter settings like offices or during late-night work sessions. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth, linear feel with a notably light actuation force of 45 grams, the Huano Sakura switch is ideal for extended typing sessions, providing a plush and effortless experience. This can be particularly beneficial for gamers or fast typists who value speed and fluidity over tactile feedback. Overall, your choice should align with your specific needs—whether you desire the tactile satisfaction and quieter operation of the Silent Yellow Jade or the feather-light ease and simplicity of the Sakura.
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