Outemu Silent Yellow Jade vs. HMX Vintage Citrus
An in-depth look at the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade and the HMX Vintage Citrus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the choice between the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade and the HMX Vintage Citrus can greatly influence your typing and gaming experience. The Outemu Silent Yellow Jade stands out with its tactile feedback and muted acoustics, making it an excellent choice for those who enjoy a quiet, yet satisfying typing experience characterized by its "thocky" sound. Its tactile bump provides clear feedback for typists, making it a favorite for office environments or shared spaces. In contrast, the HMX Vintage Citrus switch is designed with gamers in mind, featuring an incredibly low actuation force and a clacky sound profile that is truly invigorating. This linear switch allows for rapid and responsive inputs, ideal for high-speed gaming scenarios. While the Silent Yellow Jade focuses on a more controlled and refined experience, the Vintage Citrus is all about speed and agility. 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
53g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Total travel
3.00 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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade and the HMX Vintage Citrus, it is noteworthy that both switches utilize nylon for their top and bottom housings. This shared material choice provides a distinct auditory experience characterized by a deeper and fuller sound profile, which is particularly desirable in mechanical keyboards. The softness of nylon, as a plastic, plays a critical role in this sonic quality, as it absorbs sound more effectively than harder plastics. Consequently, both switches are likely to produce a similar acoustic signature, offering a balanced and rounded sound that enhances typing satisfaction.
In terms of how the materials affect the overall feel and response of the switches, the nylon housing serves to create a cohesive typing experience. Since both the Silent Yellow Jade and the Vintage Citrus switch employ nylon in both the top and bottom housings, users can expect consistency in the tactile feedback. This consistency is particularly important when considering the bottom-out sound and feel. The nylon material creates a smooth and controlled descent when pressing the keys, allowing for an enjoyable and satisfying bottom-out experience that remains uniform across both switches.
Individual experiences with the switches may vary slightly due to other factors, such as keycap profile and switch design, but the similarities in material offer a foundation for comparable results. For both the Silent Yellow Jade and the Vintage Citrus, users can anticipate a substantial absorption of sound during typing, enhancing the overall experience with less harshness and increased warmth. As a result, users looking for a mellow typing experience with pronounced acoustic qualities can confidently choose between the two switches, knowing that they share a common material advantage in their constructions.
Weight
When comparing the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch, notable differences arise in both their actuation and bottom out forces. The Silent Yellow Jade features an actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams, placing it in the medium-heavy category. In contrast, the Vintage Citrus has a lighter actuation force of 48 grams and a bottom out force of 53 grams, making it medium-light. This means that the Silent Yellow Jade requires slightly more force to trigger a keystroke and to bottom out compared to the Vintage Citrus. For users who favor a gentler touch for extended typing or gaming sessions, the Vintage Citrus would be more suitable due to its lighter forces, whereas those who prefer a more substantial typing experience might lean towards the heavier Silent Yellow Jade. Ultimately, the preference for heavier versus lighter switches largely comes down to individual typing habits and comfort.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch, the Silent Yellow Jade has a travel distance of 3.3 mm, while the Vintage Citrus offers a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.0 mm. This means that the Silent Yellow Jade provides a bit more depth in keypress, which may appeal to users who appreciate a hearty feel when typing or gaming. On the other hand, the Vintage Citrus, with its shorter 3.0 mm travel distance, is more aligned with the current trend of quicker response times preferred by many gamers. Consequently, if faster actuation is a priority, the Vintage Citrus would be the better choice; however, if a more substantial keypress is desired, the Silent Yellow Jade would be preferable. Overall, while both switches cater to different preferences, the Silent Yellow Jade's longer travel distance offers a more tactile and deeper experience compared to the quicker, shallower response of the Vintage Citrus.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Vintage Citrus has an MSRP of $3.49 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Vintage Citrus for $2.79.
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 switches provide a unique auditory experience characterized by their thocky, subdued sound. This is complemented by a muted quality that minimizes the typical noise associated with mechanical switches, making them a great choice for shared workspaces or gaming environments where silence is preferred. In contrast, the HMX Vintage Citrus switches create a bright and clacky sound profile that is sharp and snappy, perfect for those who appreciate a more vibrant auditory feedback while typing or gaming. This clacky sound stands in stark contrast to the thock of the Silent Yellow Jade, appealing to users who enjoy a more pronounced audio experience with each keystroke.
In terms of tactile feel, the Silent Yellow Jade switches are engineered to deliver a precise and sharp tactile feedback, making each keypress distinctly noticeable. This pronounced tactile bump enhances the typing experience with a satisfying response that can be felt strongly with each keystroke. On the other hand, the Vintage Citrus switches offer a snappy and invigorating typing sensation, providing immediate feedback that feels both responsive and lively. This invigorating quality, paired with a low actuation force, allows for rapid typing or gaming inputs, making it a fantastic choice for fast-paced scenarios. While both switches deliver a strong tactile experience, the Silent Yellow Jade offers a more pronounced bump, while the Vintage Citrus leans toward a quick and responsive feel.
In summary, both the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade and HMX Vintage Citrus switches cater to differing preferences in sound and feel. The Silent Yellow Jade aims for a quiet environment with a thocky sound and a sharp tactile response, making it suitable for quieter settings. Conversely, the Vintage Citrus provides a clacky sound and a snappy, invigorating typing experience, appealing to those who prefer a lively auditory and tactile interaction. Depending on your needs—whether you prioritize sound dampening or want an engaging feedback experience—you can choose the switch that best aligns with your typing style and environment.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch will heavily depend on your typing preferences and usage scenarios. If you value a quiet yet engaging typing experience, the Silent Yellow Jade is an excellent choice, especially if you're in a shared space or prefer a more subdued setup while still enjoying the tactile feedback that enhances your typing precision. Its medium-heavy weight can also provide a satisfying resistance, making it suitable for detailed work like coding or writing. On the other hand, if you're a gamer looking for rapid key presses and a lighter touch, then the Vintage Citrus switch will serve you well. Its low actuation force and snappy response facilitate quick maneuvering in fast-paced games, while the clacky sound can add an exciting auditory element to your gaming sessions. Ultimately, consider how you’ll use your keyboard most often—whether for typing, gaming, or a blend of both—before making your decision. Each switch brings something unique to the table, ensuring you can find the right fit for your mechanical keyboard experience.
Mentioned in this article
