Outemu Silent Yellow Jade vs. Aflion Thunder Shadow
An in-depth look at the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade and the Aflion Thunder Shadow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Outemu Silent Yellow Jade and Aflion Thunder Shadow are two unique mechanical keyboard switches that offer distinct typing experiences. The Silent Yellow Jade is praised for its quiet and tactile typing feel, accompanied by a satisfying "thocky" sound. On the other hand, the Thunder Shadow by Aflion boasts a pronounced tactile bump and a medium-weight feel, with a neutral sound signature. While both switches provide tactile feedback, the Silent Yellow Jade leans towards a quieter typing experience, while the Thunder Shadow focuses on a balanced feel and sound. 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Total travel
3.50 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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
20mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade and the Aflion Thunder Shadow, it is evident that the Silent Yellow Jade features a nylon top housing, while the Thunder Shadow utilizes a polycarbonate top housing. The nylon top housing of the Silent Yellow Jade provides a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic composition, absorbing more sound and creating a duller and rounder acoustics. On the other hand, the polycarbonate top housing of the Thunder Shadow produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, attributed to its stiffer plastic composition that enhances clarity and resonance. While both materials offer unique sound characteristics, the nylon top housing of the Silent Yellow Jade focuses on creating a deeper sound, while the polycarbonate top housing of the Thunder Shadow emphasizes a clearer and more distinct sound quality.
When it comes to the bottom housing, both the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade and the Aflion Thunder Shadow feature a nylon bottom housing. This commonality in housing material means that both switches benefit from the softer plastic composition of nylon, absorbing sound effectively and resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. The nylon bottom housing in both switches contributes to a duller and rounder sound when typing, ensuring a consistent sound experience across these two switches. While the top housings differ between the Silent Yellow Jade and the Thunder Shadow, their shared nylon bottom housing provides a similar sound profile that enhances the overall typing experience for users of both switches.
In considering the impact of housing materials on switch performance, it is worth noting that the qualities of each housing material in the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade and the Aflion Thunder Shadow are distributed between the top and bottom housings. The bottom housing plays a more significant role in shaping the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch, while the top housing influences the sound produced when releasing a key. Despite the differences in top housing materials between the Silent Yellow Jade and the Thunder Shadow, the shared nylon bottom housing ensures that both switches offer a consistent experience in terms of sound profile and overall typing sensation. Ultimately, whether it is the nylon top housing of the Silent Yellow Jade or the polycarbonate top housing of the Thunder Shadow, both switches are designed to optimize sound quality and enhance user experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation and bottom out forces of the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch and the Aflion Thunder Shadow tactile switch, we see a difference in their weight. The Silent Yellow Jade has an actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams, making it medium-heavy. In contrast, the Thunder Shadow has an unknown actuation force, but a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, also falling into the medium-heavy category. This means that both switches provide a similar typing experience in terms of force required, with the Silent Yellow Jade being slightly lighter in actuation force. Some users may prefer the lighter actuation force of the Silent Yellow Jade for extended typing sessions, while others may prefer the slightly heavier bottom out force of the Thunder Shadow for a more substantial typing feel. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on personal preference for typing experience and weight.
Travel distance
The Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.3mm, while the Aflion Thunder Shadow tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.5mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, making them suitable for those who prefer quicker response times, such as gamers. The Silent Yellow Jade has a slightly shorter travel distance compared to the Thunder Shadow, which could potentially provide a slight edge in terms of speed. However, the 0.2mm difference may not be significant enough to be noticeable in everyday use. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Aflion Thunder Shadow has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Thunder Shadow for $3.91.
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 comparing the sound between the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade and the Aflion Thunder Shadow switches, the Silent Yellow Jade is known for its quiet, "thocky" sound, while the Thunder Shadow offers a neutral sound signature. This means that the Silent Yellow Jade may provide a more subdued typing experience in terms of noise, while the Thunder Shadow maintains a balanced sound profile suitable for various settings. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference and the overall sound profile desired in a keyboard setup.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Silent Yellow Jade is recognized for its tactile typing experience with a punchy bump, but specific details on their feel are unknown. On the other hand, the Aflion Thunder Shadow is described as offering an invigorating typing sensation with a pronounced tactile bump and a medium weight feel. This means that the Thunder Shadow may provide a more energetic and responsive typing experience compared to the Silent Yellow Jade. Again, individual preference and typing style will play a significant role in choosing between these two switches.
Taking all available information into account, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade and Aflion Thunder Shadow switches offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Silent Yellow Jade provides a quieter typing experience with a satisfying tactile bump, the Thunder Shadow offers a more neutral sound profile and an invigorating tactile feel. Ultimately, both switches have their strengths and appeal to different preferences, making it important for newcomers to consider their specific typing needs and preferences when deciding between the two. Depending on whether you prioritize sound, feel, or a balance of both, you can achieve similar results with either the Silent Yellow Jade or the Thunder Shadow tactile switches.
Conclusion
In closing, if you are looking for a mechanical keyboard switch that offers a quiet and tactile typing experience with a unique translucent housing, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switch may be the perfect choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch that provides a pronounced tactile bump, balanced overall feel, and a neutral sound signature, the Aflion Thunder Shadow switch could be more suited to your preferences. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal typing style, preference for sound and feel, and whether you prioritize a unique aesthetic or a harmonious balance in your typing experience. Consider these factors carefully before making your switch selection.
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