Outemu Silent Yellow vs. HMX Silent Sakura - 53g
An in-depth look at the Outemu Silent Yellow and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When exploring the realm of mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Silent Yellow and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g stand out as intriguing options for enthusiasts seeking a linear experience. The Silent Yellow is known for its smooth actuation and relatively quiet operation, making it a solid choice for users who appreciate a more muted typing experience without tactile feedback. On the other hand, the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g enhances the quiet typing niche with its meticulously engineered design, delivering a remarkable 53g bottom-out force that strikes a balance between a light touch and a satisfying keystroke, evoking the soothing sound of raindrops. While both switches are geared towards those who prefer linear switches with low noise, their unique characteristics offer different benefits tailored to various typing preferences. 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
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
pom
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
22mm extended single-staged spring
Housing materials
The Outemu Silent Yellow and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g exhibit contrasting characteristics in their housing materials, which directly influence the typing experience and sound profile of each switch. The Outemu Silent Yellow utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which is known for producing a sharper and crisper sound, thanks to polycarbonate's stiffer nature. This material enhances the resonance and clarity of each keystroke, making it particularly appealing for users who prefer a tactile and pronounced auditory feedback. Conversely, the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g features a nylon top housing, which yields a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nylon plastic absorbs more sound, resulting in a more muted and rounded auditory experience. Therefore, users seeking bright and clear feedback may lean towards the Outemu model, while those preferring a warmer and less intrusive sound might favor the Silent Sakura.
In terms of the bottom housings, both switches differ in their material compositions, further shaping their sound characteristics. The Silent Yellow sports a nylon bottom housing, which reinforces its overall deeper sound profile by absorbing sound waves, creating a duller and more rounded auditory experience when bottoming out. This combination with the polycarbonate top gives the Silent Yellow a unique blend of crispness and depth. On the other hand, the Silent Sakura's bottom housing is made of polycarbonate, enhancing the sharpness and clarity of its sound output. Thus, while the top housing influences the sound during release, the bottom housing plays a crucial role during key presses, providing a contrasting experience between the two switches: more pronounced for the Silent Yellow and more resonant for the Silent Sakura.
When evaluating the overall auditory experience and feel, the two switches present a distinctive blend of their housing materials. Users can expect a unified sound profile that marries the attributes of the top and bottom housings. For instance, while the Silent Yellow has a crisp top end due to its polycarbonate top, the softer nylon bottom mitigates some of the harshness, creating a balanced yet vibrant typing experience. Conversely, the HMX Silent Sakura, with its nylon top and polycarbonate bottom, offers a richer and slightly softer auditory output. Ultimately, while each switch utilizes different materials, both can cater to a range of preferences and typing styles, ensuring that users can find a switch that aligns closely with their auditory and tactile needs.
Weight
When comparing the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch with an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams to the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switch, which has the same actuation force of 45 grams but a lower bottom out force of 53 grams, we can observe some key differences. Both switches share the same actuation force, meaning users will experience similar ease when registering a keystroke, making them suitable for extended typing sessions. However, the Silent Yellow has a higher bottom out force, requiring more pressure to fully press down the key compared to the Silent Sakura. This makes the Silent Yellow heavier overall, offering a firmer feedback for typists who prefer a more substantial feel upon bottoming out. In contrast, the Silent Sakura’s lighter bottom out force may be preferable for those seeking a gentler tactile experience, especially during long gaming or typing sessions where reduced fatigue is desired. Overall, if you favor a slightly firmer key press, the Outemu Silent Yellow is the better choice, whereas the HMX Silent Sakura will be more comfortable for those who prefer lighter action.
Travel distance
The Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switch both have a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that users can expect a similar feel when pressing down on the keys, as both switches will travel the same distance from the top to the bottom. As a result, anyone using either switch will have a consistent keystroke experience in terms of how far their fingers need to travel. Since both switches have equal travel distances, they provide comparable tactile feedback and responsiveness during typing or gaming, making them excellent choices for those who prefer linear switches with reduced sound.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Outemu Silent Yellow comes in at $3.10, whereas the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g comes in at $3.50.
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 relatively silent, but specific sound qualities are not clearly defined. Conversely, the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g switch is celebrated for its remarkably quiet operation, creating a typing experience that is pleasingly soft and reminiscent of gentle raindrops. This distinct sound profile enhances the overall typing experience for those who prioritize a quiet environment. However, both switches may produce slightly different auditory characteristics based on additional factors such as the keyboard construction and keycap materials, meaning that while they can be comparable in sound levels, individual setups may lead to varied experiences.
When it comes to feel, the Outemu Silent Yellow lacks detailed descriptions, leaving its tactile feedback somewhat ambiguous. In contrast, the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g switch offers a well-balanced keystroke with a bottom-out force of 53g, making it ideal for typists who enjoy a light yet satisfying typing force. This tactile quality combined with a smooth linear action allows for a comfortable typing experience that can help reduce fatigue during long typing sessions. The definitive feel of the Silent Sakura provides a clear advantage for those looking for a more engaging switch, while the Silent Yellow's experience remains uncertain due to the lack of specific information.
In summary, the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch presents an ambiguous performance in both sound and feel, while the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g is specifically designed for a whisper-quiet typing experience paired with a satisfying keystroke. If silence is your priority alongside a pleasurable feel during typing, the Silent Sakura would be a confident choice. Meanwhile, the Silent Yellow's undefined qualities suggest it might not offer the same level of assurance in these areas. As a newcomer, focusing on the Silent Sakura could provide a more rewarding experience based on its known attributes.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switch should depend on your personal preferences and typing style. If you find yourself favoring a firmer feel with slightly heavier actuation, the Silent Yellow, with its 60g bottom-out force, could provide the satisfying resistance you seek for more deliberate typing or gaming sessions. However, if you prefer a lighter touch and a whisper-quiet experience, the Silent Sakura, with its 53g bottom-out force, is designed specifically for those moments when you want to type softly yet with a satisfying keypress. The gentle feedback of the Silent Sakura may also enhance your overall typing enjoyment, making it particularly suitable for long hours of work without fatigue. Ultimately, your decision hinges on whether comfort and a light keystroke (Silent Sakura) or a slightly sturdier, more deliberate typing experience (Silent Yellow) aligns better with your needs.
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