Outemu Silent Yellow vs. HMX Perky
An in-depth look at the Outemu Silent Yellow and the HMX Perky switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to selecting the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, the Outemu Silent Yellow and HMX Perky offer distinct experiences that cater to varying preferences among typists and gamers alike. The Silent Yellow switch, a linear switch celebrated for its smooth keystrokes, excels in providing a quiet typing experience, making it an excellent choice for those seeking to minimize noise while maintaining responsiveness during intense gaming sessions or late-night work. In contrast, the HMX Perky switch boasts a softer, glittery nylon housing that enhances comfort and satisfaction through its neutral feel, offering a more condensed typing experience thanks to its shorter travel distance. This makes the Perky an attractive option for users who prioritize quick and light keystrokes, ideal for both gaming and prolonged typing. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the right switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Pre-travel
1.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
pom
Stem material
T2
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
22mm extended single-stage spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Outemu Silent Yellow and the HMX Perky, a clear distinction emerges between their top housings. The Silent Yellow incorporates polycarbonate as its top housing material, which contributes to a sharper and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate's stiffness, which enhances the clarity and resonance of the sound produced during typing. In contrast, the HMX Perky uses nylon for its top housing, resulting in a deeper, fuller sound profile. The soft nature of nylon absorbs more sound, creating a sound that is rounder and less piercing compared to the Sharpness offered by the Silent Yellow's polycarbonate top. These differing materials consequently reflect in the typing experience, making the Silent Yellow ideal for users who prefer a more pronounced auditory feedback.
In terms of the bottom housing, both the Silent Yellow and the HMX Perky utilize nylon, leading to similar acoustic characteristics between them. As nylon is known for its sound-absorbing qualities, both switches provide a muted bottom-out sound, which can enhance the typing experience for those who prefer a less disruptive ambiance while typing. This shared nylon material in the bottom housing means that tactile and auditory responses during key press bottoms out will feel comparably deep and full for both switches. Thus, while the top housing differences contribute significantly to the auditory experience, the bottom housings align, ensuring a consistently pleasant sound profile when typing.
Ultimately, the contrast between the top housing materials generates distinct sound profiles for the Silent Yellow and the HMX Perky. While they share nylon in their bottom housings leading to a similar roundness in sound, the use of polycarbonate in the Silent Yellow’s top provides a higher-pitched auditory feedback which alters the overall typing experience. For users seeking a more vibrant sound when releasing keys, the Silent Yellow might be more appealing due to its transparent polycarbonate, especially in setups with RGB lighting. Conversely, those who favor a more subdued acoustic experience will likely lean towards the HMX Perky, with its nylon top housing fostering a harmonious, calmer typing environment.
Weight
When comparing the actuation and bottom out forces of the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch and the HMX Perky linear switch, there are notable differences that cater to varied preferences among users. The Silent Yellow features an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams, making it a medium-weight switch that provides a satisfactory resistance during typing. In contrast, the HMX Perky has a lighter actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, ideal for those who favor a more effortless typing experience. Consequently, the Silent Yellow requires slightly more force to actuate and bottom out compared to the Perky, making the former heavier and the latter lighter. For users who enjoy longer typing sessions or gaming marathons, the Perky may be the better choice due to its lighter resistance, while the Silent Yellow may appeal to those who prefer a more substantial push feel.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch and the HMX Perky linear switch, there is a notable difference. The Silent Yellow features a travel distance of 4 mm, which aligns with more traditional specifications and provides a deeper, more tactile experience. In contrast, the HMX Perky has a shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm, appealing to those who favor quicker response times, typical of modern gaming switches. This means that if you're looking for a more abrupt and responsive feel, the Perky would be the better choice, while the Silent Yellow caters to those who appreciate a more pronounced key press. Thus, the Silent Yellow has the longer travel distance, while the HMX Perky offers a shorter, faster alternative.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Perky has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Perky for $2.99.
The Outemu Silent Yellow 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
The Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch is known for its muted acoustic profile, which provides a quieter typing experience. This makes it ideal for environments where noise minimization is essential, such as shared office spaces or quiet home settings. In contrast, the HMX Perky switch, with its softer nylon housings, can contribute to a more pleasant sound with a gentle thock upon bottoming out, although specifics about its sound quality are less defined. Overall, users can expect a sound profile from the Outemu Silent Yellow that leans towards silence, while the Perky offers a more neutral yet potentially satisfying auditory experience, making both switches suitable for different preferences regarding noise levels.
When it comes to feel, the Silent Yellow switch does not have a clear characterization in the provided information; however, the HMX Perky switch is highlighted for its neutral and deeply satisfying typing experience, attributed to its condensed travel distance. This suggests that the Perky switch provides tactile feedback that is balanced, enabling fluid and efficient typing without being overly harsh or too soft. Therefore, while the feel of the Silent Yellow remains unknown, the Perky promises a tactile experience that caters to those seeking a harmonious balance during their typing sessions.
In conclusion, both the Outemu Silent Yellow and the HMX Perky switches provide unique tactile experiences and sound profiles that appeal to different user preferences. The Silent Yellow offers a quiet typing solution, making it suitable for noise-sensitive environments, whereas the Perky excels in providing a neutral yet satisfying typing feel due to its design and shorter travel distance. Depending on your specific needs for sound and feel, you can pursue a choice that aligns with your keyboard usage, but keep in mind that the overall typing experience can also be influenced by factors such as your choice of keyboard plate and keycaps.
Conclusion
To conclude, when selecting between the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch and the HMX Perky linear switch, your choice will largely depend on your personal preferences and usage scenarios. If you prefer a slightly heavier actuation, the Silent Yellow, with its medium bottom-out force of 60 grams, may appeal to you, especially if you appreciate a more deliberate feel while typing or gaming. However, if a lighter touch and quicker response are what you seek, then the HMX Perky with its 50-gram activation force could enhance your experience, providing a more fluid typing motion that's well-suited for fast-paced environments. Additionally, the Perky switch is recognized for its unique nylon housing that contributes to a softer, yet satisfying typing experience, making it an excellent choice if comfort and reduced travel distance are your priorities. Conversely, if you're looking for a switch with a bit more heft and possibly a more traditional feel, you may find the Silent Yellow more to your liking. Ultimately, consider your typing habits, the weight you prefer, and the overall sound and tactile experience you want from your keyboard to make the best choice.
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