Outemu Silent Yellow vs. HMX Poro

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboards, selecting the right switches can significantly impact your typing or gaming experience. The Outemu Silent Yellow switch offers a unique appeal to those seeking a quieter operation, making it an excellent choice for environments where noise levels are a concern. On the other hand, the HMX Poro switch is celebrated for its silky smooth keystrokes and satisfying auditory feedback, boasting a poppy and clacky sound profile that can be particularly enjoyable for typists and gamers alike. Both switches fall under the linear category, providing a smooth key press without tactile bumps, but they cater to different preferences: the Silent Yellow for those valuing discretion and subdued performance, and the Poro for users who appreciate a lively sound alongside a responsive feel. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the right switch for you.

By the numbers

Outemu Silent Yellow Linear

HMX Poro Linear

$3.10 per 10

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

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Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the Outemu Silent Yellow and the HMX Poro switches, one can immediately note a significant difference in the composition of their top housings. The Silent Yellow employs polycarbonate for its top housing, which contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile. This stiffer material enhances clarity and resonance, making it particularly suitable for setups with RGB lighting due to its translucency. Conversely, the HMX Poro opts for a nylon top housing, which is known for generating a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer characteristics. While polycarbonate promotes a more pronounced brightness, nylon offers a muted sound that tends to absorb sound frequencies better, resulting in a rounder auditory experience.

However, when we examine the bottom housings of both switches, the differences dissolve as both the Silent Yellow and the Poro utilize nylon. This commonality in material means that the deeper, fuller sound profile characteristic of nylon will be consistent across both switches when it comes to the bottom-out sound and feel. The softness of the nylon effectively absorbs sound and contributes to a pleasant keystroke experience, ensuring that users will enjoy a more muted and rounded auditory feedback when the key is pressed down. Thus, despite the variance in the materials of their top housings, the similarity in the bottom housing leads to a comparable acoustic experience when typing.

Overall, while the Outemu Silent Yellow and HMX Poro switches exhibit contrasting upper housing materials—polycarbonate versus nylon—the shared use of nylon in their bottom housings harmonizes the overall sound characteristics of both switches. This means that while users may notice a distinction in sound when pressing the keys down due to the bottom housing, the differentiation will be more prominent on release due to the disparate nature of the top materials. Consequently, switch users might find that both switches can produce enjoyable typing experiences, albeit with varying nuances dictated by the top materials employed in their designs.

Weight

When comparing the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch and the HMX Poro linear switch, we see that both share the same actuation force of 45 grams, making them equally responsive when triggering a keystroke. However, they differ in terms of their bottom out forces, with the Silent Yellow at 60 grams and the Poro at 50 grams. This means that while both switches require the same amount of force to actuate, the Silent Yellow provides a heavier resistance when fully pressed down, which may appeal to those who prefer a more substantial typing experience. In contrast, the Poro's lighter bottom out force could be advantageous for users who favor prolonged typing sessions or extended gaming, as it requires less effort to press the key all the way down. Overall, while both switches are similar in actuation force, the Silent Yellow is the heavier option, whereas the HMX Poro offers a lighter feel.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch and the HMX Poro linear switch, it's clear that the Silent Yellow offers a longer travel distance of 4 mm, while the Poro has a shorter travel distance of 3.7 mm. This difference in travel distance can significantly affect the typing experience. The Outemu Silent Yellow, with its traditional 4 mm travel, may appeal to users who favor a deeper keystroke for a more tactile and deliberate feel. On the other hand, the HMX Poro, with its 3.7 mm travel distance, could be more suitable for gamers or those who prioritize quick response times and a snappier action in their typing experience. Therefore, for individuals who enjoy responsiveness, the Poro would be the preferred option, while those who appreciate more substantial keystrokes might opt for the Silent Yellow.

Price comparison

Typing experience

The Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch is notably quiet, providing an almost inaudible sound profile that appeals to users who prefer a stealthy typing experience, making it ideal for office environments or late-night use. Conversely, the HMX Poro linear switch offers a distinct auditory experience with its satisfyingly poppy and clacky sound profile, a product of its ultra-light actuation force. While both switches produce a linear sound signature, the Silent Yellow excels in discretion, while the Poro delivers a more engaging auditory feedback, likely influenced by the lubrication and design of the switch.

When we evaluate the feel of these switches, the Silent Yellow is known for its smooth operation, ensuring that keystrokes are virtually frictionless without any tactile bumps, leading to a seamless typing experience. In contrast, the HMX Poro linear switch is also designed for smooth keystrokes, bolstered by its meticulous lubrication that enhances the effortless glide of each press. Although both switches provide a linear feel that minimizes resistance, the Poro’s lubricated design is likely to give a noticeably smoother tactile experience.

In conclusion, the Outemu Silent Yellow and HMX Poro linear switches cater to different preferences within the linear switch category. The Silent Yellow offers a quiet and unobtrusive experience, making it suitable for environments where noise control is paramount, while the Poro switch emphasizes a dynamic auditory experience combined with a buttery smooth feel thanks to its lubrication. Ultimately, while both switches prioritize smooth keystrokes, your choice will depend on whether you value sound profile or the experience of typing without distraction.

Conclusion

To conclude, choosing between the Outemu Silent Yellow and HMX Poro linear switches ultimately depends on your personal preferences and intended use. If you favor a medium bottom-out force of 60 grams, the Silent Yellow might be your go-to option, especially if you like a more controlled typing experience. However, keep in mind that it doesn’t have a particularly standout feature, so you may find it lacks the distinct character that enhances your typing experience. In contrast, the HMX Poro switch, with its lighter 50 grams actuation and silky smooth keystrokes, is ideal if you're looking for a switch that offers effortless typing with a satisfying poppy sound profile. This switch excels in environments where a quieter operation isn’t as crucial, permitting you to enjoy the actuation feedback and smoothness it provides. Ultimately, if you value a more audible and tactile experience, the HMX Poro is likely to be more enjoyable, while the Silent Yellow may suit those who prefer a bit more resistance in their keystrokes. Therefore, assess whether you prioritize sound, feel, or the weight of your keystrokes, and choose accordingly to enhance your mechanical keyboard experience.

Mentioned in this article

Outemu Silent Yellow Linear

$3.10 per 10

Learn more

HMX Poro Linear

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

Learn more