Outemu Silent Yellow Jade vs. Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie
An in-depth look at the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade and Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie present two distinct options that cater to different typing preferences. The Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switch excels in providing a quiet, tactile experience, characterized by a pronounced tactile bump and a soft "thocky" sound that is perfect for users who appreciate a bit of feedback without the distraction of loud clicks. Its factory-lubed design and translucent yellow housing make it an attractive choice for those seeking both functionality and aesthetics. Conversely, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie offers a linear switch experience, delivering an exceptionally smooth typing sensation without a tactile bump, making it ideal for gamers or typists who prefer a fluid keypress. Its medium-weight design and thocky sound profile keep the typing experience satisfying while remaining smooth throughout. Both switches have their unique advantages, appealing to enthusiasts who seek quiet efficiency versus those desiring seamless keystrokes. 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
48g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
pom
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
20mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
The Outemu Silent Yellow Jade and Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie employ different materials for their housing, which significantly influences their auditory experience while typing. The Silent Yellow Jade features nylon for both the top and bottom housings, a material renowned for its capacity to absorb sound. This absorption results in a deeper, fuller sound profile due to nylon’s relatively softer nature, which contributes to a rounder and more muted auditory experience. Users of the Silent Yellow Jade can expect a pleasant typing experience marked by a rich, enveloping sound that feels soft and cushy, reflecting the properties of nylon as a classic housing material.
In contrast, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie utilizes POM (polyoxymethylene) for its top and bottom housings, which brings a different acoustic character to the table. POM is known for producing a unique and pleasing sound profile that also skews toward the deeper end of the spectrum, but with a distinct quality compared to nylon. While both switches share a similarity in providing a muted sound due to their softer material properties, the tonal characteristics differ slightly; POM tends to produce a sound that feels more refined and less rounded than nylon. This difference in material can lead to minute variations in the overall typing experience, where users may notice a subtle distinction in sound clarity and the nature of the bottom-out sound.
Despite the differences in material, both switches can deliver comparable auditory results, mainly due to the shared emphasis on producing muted sound profiles. When a user types on either of these switches, the bottom housing's material becomes crucial, especially regarding the bottom-out sound and the overall feel when bottoming out. The Silent Yellow Jade with its nylon materials will have a softer impact on the sound, while the Sea Salt Smoothie will have an equally deep but slightly crisper auditory feedback due to POM. Overall, both switches can effectively produce a satisfying and muted typing experience; however, the subtleties of their respective material compositions will give each a unique character that appeals to different user preferences.
Weight
When comparing the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch, notable differences in actuation force and bottom out force emerge. The Silent Yellow Jade features an actuation force of 50 grams, while the Sea Salt Smoothie has a slightly lighter actuation force of 48 grams. This implies that the Sea Salt Smoothie may be more comfortable for extended typing sessions, appealing to those who prefer a lighter feel. In contrast, the bottom out force of the Silent Yellow Jade is 65 grams, indicating a firmer tactile feedback when fully pressed down, while the bottom out force for the Sea Salt Smoothie is unknown. This makes the Silent Yellow Jade the heavier option overall, providing a more substantial feel during both actuation and bottoming out. Consequently, users seeking a heavier, more robust experience may favor the Silent Yellow Jade, while those looking for a softer touch may opt for the lighter Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie, although they won't have a full understanding of the bottom out experience for the latter.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch, we find a notable difference. The Silent Yellow Jade features a travel distance of 3.3 mm, while the Sea Salt Smoothie has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.7 mm. Therefore, if you are looking for a switch with a shorter actuation distance for quicker response times, the Silent Yellow Jade would be a more suitable choice. Conversely, if you prefer a more pronounced pressing experience with a greater depth, the Sea Salt Smoothie would be the better option. This variation in travel distance indicates that the tactile feedback and overall typing feel will differ, catering to different preferences among users.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie has an MSRP of $3.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sea Salt Smoothie for $2.70.
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
In terms of sound, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switches provide a notably quiet auditory experience, characterized by a satisfying "thocky" sound that enhances their tactile nature. This makes them particularly suitable for environments where noise reduction is a priority, allowing for a more discreet typing experience. Similarly, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie switch also delivers a 'thocky' sound profile, which suggests that while the acoustic qualities are comparable, the emphasis on smoothness in the Sea Salt Smoothie may create subtle variations in sound when utilized with different mounting surfaces and keycap materials. It's important to note that these sound qualities can be influenced by the choice of keyboard and keycaps, but on their own, they both present a pleasing auditory experience.
Regarding the feel, the Silent Yellow Jade switch stands out due to its tactile feedback, providing a pronounced bump that enhances typing precision without being overly disruptive. This tactile engagement is ideal for users who enjoy a more interactive feel while typing. On the other hand, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie switch offers a smooth linear action, promoting effortless key presses for users who prefer a less tactile, seamless typing experience. Both switches provide unique tactile experiences; however, the Silent Yellow Jade's tactile bump contrasts notably with the Sea Salt Smoothie's smoothness, catering to differing preferences in the typing experience.
In conclusion, both the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade and Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie switches offer distinct qualities that cater to diverse typing preferences. While the Silent Yellow Jade excels in offering a quiet yet tactile feel, the Sea Salt Smoothie shines with its smooth linear action, providing a unique auditory profile characterized by a satisfying "thock". Ultimately, your choice between these switches will depend on whether you prefer the tactile feedback of the Silent Yellow Jade or the fluidity of the Sea Salt Smoothie, with both options offering pleasurable sound and solid performance for any mechanical keyboard enthusiast.
Conclusion
To conclude, the choice between the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch ultimately depends on your personal preferences and typing style. If you appreciate a tactile bump and prefer a quieter typing experience, perhaps for a shared workspace or late-night typing sessions, the Silent Yellow Jade is an excellent choice. Its medium-heavy actuation force of 65 grams ensures that you can feel each keystroke without being overly taxing on your fingers, ideal for those who enjoy a more engaging typing experience. On the other hand, if you prioritize smoothness and a linear action for fast-paced gaming or uninterrupted typing, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie might be the way to go. This switch delivers a fluid, consistent keystroke that can enhance your gaming performance, particularly when you want to execute rapid sequences without the interference of tactile bumps. Both switches provide a satisfying "thocky" sound but differ in the overall typing dynamics, making your ultimate choice a reflection of whether you seek tactile feedback or buttery smoothness.
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