Outemu Silent Yellow Jade vs. Aflion Windy Shadow
An in-depth look at the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade and the Aflion Windy Shadow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When looking at mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade and Aflion Windy Shadow offer distinct typing experiences. The Silent Yellow Jade from Outemu is a tactile switch that provides a quiet and satisfying "thocky" sound with each key press. On the other hand, the Windy Shadow from Aflion is a linear switch that offers a neutral sound profile and a distinctive bounce from its extended spring. While the Silent Yellow Jade is best for those who prefer a tactile typing experience, the Windy Shadow is ideal for those looking for a smooth and consistent typing feel. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these 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
55g
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
19.7mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade and the Aflion Windy Shadow, we can see that both switches use nylon for their bottom housing. This means that typing on both switches will elicit a deeper and fuller sound profile due to nylon's ability to absorb more sound than harder plastics. However, the Silent Yellow Jade uses nylon for its top housing as well, creating a duller and rounder sound profile, while the Windy Shadow uses polycarbonate for its top housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This contrast in top housing material gives each switch a unique sound characteristic.
In terms of aesthetics, the Windy Shadow's use of polycarbonate in the top housing allows for the switch to have a clear housing, making it ideal for users who plan to use RGB lighting. On the other hand, the Silent Yellow Jade's all-nylon construction may not offer the same visual appeal for those looking for a more visually striking switch. However, both switches offer a similar typing experience with their nylon bottom housing, providing a deep and full sound profile while typing.
It is worth noting that even though the top and bottom housings of the Silent Yellow Jade and the Aflion Windy Shadow differ in material, the qualities each housing material brings to the switch will be split between the bottom and top of the switch. This means that the bottom housing will have more of an impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing will influence the sound when releasing a key. This split in housing materials gives users a unique typing experience with each switch, offering a variety of sound profiles to suit different preferences.
Weight
In comparing the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch and the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch, we see a clear difference in both actuation force and bottom out force. The Silent Yellow Jade has a higher actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Windy Shadow's unknown actuation force. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Windy Shadow requires less force at 55 grams while the Silent Yellow Jade needs 65 grams. This makes the Windy Shadow the lighter option overall compared to the Silent Yellow Jade, which falls on the medium-heavy side. This means that the Windy Shadow may be more suitable for those who prefer a lighter typing experience, while the Silent Yellow Jade would cater to those who enjoy a more substantial push feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for typing experience and force requirements.
Travel distance
The Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.3mm, while the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5mm. In this case, the Windy Shadow has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Silent Yellow Jade. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are becoming more popular in the gaming community for their faster response times. Gamers who prefer a more responsive feel may gravitate towards the shorter travel distance of the Silent Yellow Jade, while those who enjoy a bit more depth in their keystrokes may prefer the slightly longer travel distance of the Windy Shadow. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for typing or gaming experiences.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Aflion Windy 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 Windy 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
In terms of sound, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switches are best known for their quiet, tactile typing experience with a satisfying "thocky" sound. On the other hand, the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switches are described as having a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, providing a bass-heavy and mellow tone with a moderate actuation force requirement. The choice between the two will ultimately depend on personal preference and the environment in which the keyboard will be used.
In terms of feel, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switches offer a punchy tactile bump, while the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switches provide a mild and gentle typing experience that falls in a safe, middle-ground zone. Both switches offer a comfortable typing experience, making them suitable for extended use.
Overall, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switches and the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switches each have their own unique qualities that cater to different preferences. The Silent Yellow Jade switches are ideal for those looking for a quieter typing experience with a tactile bump, while the Windy Shadow linear switches are a good choice for users seeking a low-pitched sound profile and a comfortable typing feel. Ultimately, trying out both switches on different keyboards may be necessary to determine which best suits your needs.
Conclusion
In closing, when choosing between the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch and the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch, consider your priorities. If you value a quiet and tactile typing experience with a medium-heavy bottom out force, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade may be the right choice for you. However, if you prefer a neutral sound profile with a medium-light bottom out force and a gentle typing experience, the Aflion Windy Shadow could be more suitable. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for sound, feel, and typing experience.
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