Outemu Silent Yellow Jade vs. KTT Vanilla Ice Cream
An in-depth look at the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade and KTT Vanilla Ice Cream offer unique options for different typing preferences. The Silent Yellow Jade is a tactile switch known for its quiet typing experience and satisfying "thocky" sound, making it ideal for those who prefer a tactile bump while typing. On the other hand, the Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch by KTT stands out for its smooth and creamy feel, thanks to the innovative use of POK material in the stem and housing. With a high-pitched and clacky sound signature, this switch is perfect for those who prefer a linear feel while 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
43g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
pom
Stem material
POK
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Proprietary KTT blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POK
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel 18mm spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade and KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches both have unique properties that contribute to the overall sound and feel of the switch. The Silent Yellow Jade uses nylon for both the top and bottom housing, which results in a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the softness of the material. On the other hand, the Vanilla Ice Cream features a proprietary KTT blend for the top housing, providing a high-pitched and clacky sound signature. This difference in housing materials affects the overall typing experience, with the Silent Yellow Jade offering a duller and rounder sound compared to the sharper sound of the Vanilla Ice Cream.
In terms of durability and smoothness, the bottom housing of the switches plays a significant role. The Silent Yellow Jade utilizes nylon for the bottom housing, which contributes to a deeper sound profile and softer feel when bottoming out. In contrast, the Vanilla Ice Cream's POK bottom housing is exceptionally strong and smooth, providing a durable and clacky typing experience. The differences in bottom housing materials result in varying levels of impact on the overall sound and feel of the switches, with the POK material of the Vanilla Ice Cream offering superior durability and smoothness compared to the nylon bottom housing of the Silent Yellow Jade.
Overall, the choice of housing materials in mechanical switches can greatly impact the typing experience. While both the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade and KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches offer unique sound signatures, the use of different materials for the top and bottom housings can further enhance these qualities. Whether it's the deeper and fuller sound of nylon in the Silent Yellow Jade or the clacky and smooth typing experience of the Vanilla Ice Cream's POK material, each switch has its own distinct characteristics that cater to different preferences in mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Weight
The Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch has a higher actuation force of 50 grams compared to the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, which has an actuation force of 43 grams. In terms of bottom out force, the Silent Yellow Jade requires 65 grams, while the Vanilla Ice Cream only needs 48 grams. This makes the Vanilla Ice Cream switch lighter in both actuation and bottom out force, making it preferable for those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions. On the other hand, the Silent Yellow Jade switch offers a more substantial typing experience with its heavier actuation and bottom out force, appealing to users who prefer a stronger push feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for typing feel and force requirements.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch is 3.3 mm, while the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.5 mm. Both switches fall within the range considered relatively short in the world of mechanical key switches. Gamers often prefer shorter travel distances like the Silent Yellow Jade for quick response times, while those who prefer a more traditional feel may opt for the longer travel distance of the Vanilla Ice Cream. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of typing or gaming experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The KTT Vanilla Ice Cream has an MSRP of $5.78 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Vanilla Ice Cream for $4.60.
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 switch offers a quiet and satisfying "thocky" sound, while the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switch delivers a high-pitched and clacky sound signature. The Silent Yellow Jade switch provides a more muted and tactile typing experience, making it ideal for those who prefer a quieter keyboard. On the other hand, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch offers a sharp and crisp sound that stands out from the competition, appealing to typists who enjoy a more distinctive auditory experience. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of sound profile.
When it comes to feel, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switch is known for its punchy tactile bump, offering typists a satisfying feedback with each keystroke. In contrast, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switch provides a smooth and creamy typing experience, thanks to the use of POK material in both the stem and bottom housing. Typists can expect a buttery and effortless keystroke sensation when using the Vanilla Ice Cream switch, making it a popular choice for those who prioritize comfort and smoothness in their typing experience. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will depend on whether the typist prefers a more pronounced tactile feedback or a smoother typing experience.
In conclusion, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switch offer unique sound and feel qualities that cater to different preferences among typists. While the Silent Yellow Jade switch provides a quiet and tactile typing experience with a satisfying "thocky" sound, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch offers a high-pitched and clacky sound signature along with a smooth and creamy feel. Both switches have their own strengths and appeals, so choosing between them will depend on the typist's individual preferences for sound profile and typing feel. Ultimately, newcomers to the world of mechanical keyboard switches will find that both switches offer excellent options to explore and enjoy.
Conclusion
In summary, when deciding between the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, consider your preferences for typing experience. If you value a quiet and tactile typing experience with a medium-heavy bottom out force and enjoy a satisfying "thocky" sound, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switch may be the best choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a light bottom out force and a smooth, creamy typing sensation with a high-pitched and clacky sound profile, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switch could be the ideal option. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for sound, feel, and typing style.
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