Outemu Silent Yellow Jade vs. Aflion Shadow (Ink) Single Spring
An in-depth look at the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade and the Aflion Shadow (Ink) Single Spring switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade and the Aflion Shadow (Ink) Single Spring mechanical keyboard switches, both offer a tactile typing experience with a satisfying sound profile. The Silent Yellow Jade from Outemu is known for its quiet operation and punchy tactile bump, creating a "thocky" sound that many users appreciate. On the other hand, the Aflion Shadow (Ink) Single Spring switch provides a medium level of tactility with a lower actuation and bottom-out force, resulting in a bouncy and approachable typing experience. Both switches have their unique characteristics that cater to different preferences and typing styles. 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
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
pom
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
20mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade and Aflion Shadow (Ink) Single Spring, it is evident that they both offer unique sound profiles due to their different materials. The Silent Yellow Jade's nylon top and bottom housings provide a deeper and fuller sound profile, thanks to nylon's softer nature that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. In contrast, the Shadow (Ink) Single Spring's polycarbonate top and bottom housings create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, as polycarbonate is a stiffer plastic that leads to a clearer and more resonant sound. The nylon material of the Silent Yellow Jade offers a muted typing experience, while the polycarbonate material of the Aflion Shadow provides a more vibrant and defined sound.
While the housing materials of the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade and Aflion Shadow (Ink) Single Spring differ in terms of sound profile, they both excel in their own unique ways. The nylon top housing of the Silent Yellow Jade emphasizes a deeper and fuller sound, creating a more subdued typing experience. On the other hand, the polycarbonate top housing of the Aflion Shadow produces a sharper and clearer sound, enhancing the overall typing feedback. Despite their differences, both switches offer a satisfying typing experience that caters to different preferences. Whether you prefer a softer, rounder sound or a crisper, more defined sound, both switches deliver in their own right.
In terms of aesthetics, the housing materials of the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade and Aflion Shadow (Ink) Single Spring play a significant role. The Silent Yellow Jade's nylon housing provides a classic and understated look, while the polycarbonate housing of the Aflion Shadow offers a more modern and visually striking appearance, especially when paired with RGB lighting. The choice between nylon and polycarbonate housings ultimately comes down to personal preference in sound profile and aesthetics, as both materials have their own advantages and nuances. Whether you prefer a more traditional or contemporary look, both switches offer a unique typing experience that can enhance your mechanical keyboard setup.
Weight
The Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch has a slightly heavier actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Aflion Shadow (Ink) Single Spring tactile switch with 48 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Silent Yellow Jade requires 65 grams, which is heavier than the Shadow (Ink) Single Spring's 55 grams. The Silent Yellow Jade provides a more substantial typing experience with its medium-heavy forces, while the Shadow (Ink) Single Spring offers a lighter typing feel with its medium-light forces. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience for longer periods of time, the Shadow (Ink) Single Spring may be more suitable. On the other hand, if a stronger push feel is desired for a more robust typing experience, the Silent Yellow Jade would be the better choice. Overall, the weight of the actuation and bottom out forces should be considered based on individual preferences for typing or gaming needs.
Travel distance
The Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm, making it shorter than the Aflion Shadow (Ink) Single Spring tactile switch, which has a travel distance of 4 mm. The Silent Yellow Jade offers a quicker response time for gamers who prefer a shorter travel distance, while the Shadow (Ink) Single Spring provides a deeper key press for those who enjoy a more substantial feel. Both switches offer unique benefits depending on personal preference, with the Silent Yellow Jade offering a slightly shorter travel distance compared to the Shadow (Ink) Single Spring. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for key press feel and response time.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Aflion Shadow (Ink) Single Spring has an MSRP of $4.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Shadow (Ink) Single Spring for $3.57.
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
When it comes to sound, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch is known for its quiet and satisfying "thocky" sound, thanks to its unique translucent jade yellow housing. On the other hand, the Aflion Shadow (Ink) Single Spring tactile switch also offers a deep and thocky sound profile, making it a great option for those who enjoy a more pronounced auditory feedback while typing. Both switches provide a pleasant typing experience in terms of sound, with minor differences that might be more noticeable based on individual preferences and setup.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade offers a punchy tactile bump along with a quiet typing experience, ensuring a satisfying tactile feedback for users. In contrast, the Aflion Shadow (Ink) Single Spring tactile switch is described as "bouncy," providing a spring-like and elastic feedback sensation that allows for a lively and rebounding feel when pressed. While the Silent Yellow Jade focuses on a consistent tactile feedback, the Shadow (Ink) Single Spring offers a unique bouncy sensation that might be appealing to those looking for a different tactile experience.
Overall, both the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade and the Aflion Shadow (Ink) Single Spring tactile switches have their own strengths in terms of sound and feel. While the Silent Yellow Jade excels in providing a satisfyingly quiet typing experience with a distinct tactile bump, the Shadow (Ink) Single Spring offers a bouncy and lively feel along with a deep thocky sound profile. Depending on your personal preferences for sound and feel, either of these switches can provide a pleasurable typing experience, ensuring that you'll get similar results in terms of quality and performance with slight variations in sound and feel.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch and the Aflion Shadow (Ink) Single Spring tactile switch, consider your preference for bottom out force and tactility level. If you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force and a punchy tactile bump with a quiet typing experience, opt for the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-light bottom out force and a more approachable level of tactility with bouncy feedback, go for the Aflion Shadow (Ink) Single Spring. Both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences in sound and feel, so choose based on what suits your typing style best. Ultimately, the decision comes down to personal preference and the typing experience you desire.
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