Outemu Silent Yellow vs. HMX Twilight
An in-depth look at the Outemu Silent Yellow and the HMX Twilight switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering the world of mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Silent Yellow and HMX Twilight stand out as intriguing options, both categorized as linear switches. The Silent Yellow is recognized for its subtlety and smooth keystrokes, making it an attractive choice for users who prefer a typing experience free of tactile feedback and audible clicks. This could be especially appealing in shared workspaces or during late-night gaming sessions where a quieter operation is crucial. On the other hand, the HMX Twilight boasts an extended travel distance of 3.85mm, which not only enhances the typing experience but also adds a unique sound profile—offering a quieter operation while still retaining a hint of that clacky vibration often associated with more traditional switches. Choosing between the two largely depends on your preferences for sound, travel distance, and overall typing feel. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
42g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.85 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
pom
Stem material
Ly
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
20mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
The Outemu Silent Yellow and the HMX Twilight showcase two distinctive approaches to switch housing design, particularly in their top housing materials. The Silent Yellow utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which is known for its stiffness and ability to produce a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile. This characteristic not only contributes to a clearer and more resonant sound but also enhances its suitability for RGB lighting, thanks to the material's translucency. In contrast, the Twilight features a nylon top housing, which offers a rounder, fuller sound due to the material's softer characteristics. While the Silent Yellow might appeal to those desiring a clear, crisp auditory experience, the HMX Twilight caters to users seeking a deeper and warmer sound profile. As such, the top housing contributes significantly to the overall typing sounds; thus, users will notice differing acoustic experiences when using each switch.
Turning to the bottom housings, both the Outemu Silent Yellow and the HMX Twilight incorporate nylon as their material choice. This shared feature means that both switches can deliver a similar sound profile in terms of depth and fullness. Nylon is known for its sound-absorbing capabilities, allowing for a duller and rounder typing experience. Consequently, when a user pushes down on either switch, they will encounter a more muted and softer sound, highlighting the impact of the bottom housing on the bottom-out feel. The uniformity of the nylon material in the bottom housing means that, regardless of the differences experienced with the top housings, the bottom-out sound and tactile feedback will retain a strong sense of similarity between the two switches.
In summary, while the Outemu Silent Yellow and the HMX Twilight diverge in their top housing materials by offering contrasting sound profiles, their shared nylon bottom housings establish a baseline of similarity in terms of acoustic depth and tactile feedback. Consequently, users can expect to experience a more robust sound on keypresses regardless of whether they are typing on the sharper, clearer Silent Yellow or the fuller, deeper Twilight. The combination of both top and bottom housings ultimately enriches the auditory experience and allows keyboard enthusiasts to choose based on their personal sound preferences while still enjoying a common feel provided by the nylon bottom.
Weight
The Outemu Silent Yellow and HMX Twilight linear switches exhibit notable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces, impacting the typing experience they offer. The Silent Yellow requires a slightly higher actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Twilight's lighter 42 grams, making the latter easier to press for prolonged typing sessions or gaming marathons. Additionally, the bottom out force of the Silent Yellow is 60 grams, whereas the Twilight has a lower bottom out force of 50 grams, further emphasizing the Twilight's lighter overall feel. This means that users seeking a more substantial typing experience might prefer the heavier Silent Yellow, while those looking for comfort and ease during extended use may gravitate toward the HMX Twilight. Overall, the Twilight offers a lighter touch, making it favorable for those prioritizing longer usability, while the Silent Yellow caters to those who enjoy a firmer push.
Travel distance
The Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the HMX Twilight linear switch features a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.85 mm. This means that the Silent Yellow switch provides a deeper pressing experience, which some users may find more satisfying and tactile. On the other hand, the Twilight's 3.85 mm travel distance caters to gamers who prefer quicker response times and a more responsive feel. Choosing the Silent Yellow switch is ideal for those who appreciate a more pronounced depth in their keystrokes, while the Twilight offers a slight edge for those seeking efficiency and speed in their key presses. Overall, the Silent Yellow is the longer switch, and the Twilight is the shorter one.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Twilight has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Twilight for $3.29.
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
When it comes to sound, the Outemu Silent Yellow switch has a reputation for being exceptionally quiet due to its design, which minimizes noise upon actuation and bottoming out. In contrast, the HMX Twilight switch has an extended travel distance of 3.85mm, leading to a quieter overall acoustics compared to many standard linear switches while still retaining a signature clacky characteristic. This means that while both switches tend to be quieter than traditional linear options, the Silent Yellow excels in dampening sound completely, while the Twilight balances a degree of noise with a more pronounced auditory feedback.
In terms of feel, the Silent Yellow switch is known for a smooth linear action that allows for seamless keystrokes without any tactile bump, making it ideal for users who prefer a fluid typing experience. The HMX Twilight, on the other hand, offers a similar linear feel but is characterized by its slightly increased travel distance that may provide a different sensation upon bottoming out, potentially making it feel more substantial. Both switches cater to the preference for linearity, offering consistent resistance without any tactile feedback, but the extended travel of the Twilight may provide a unique experience for users looking for an additional layer of depth in their keystrokes.
In conclusion, while both the Outemu Silent Yellow and HMX Twilight linear switches offer smooth and quiet typing experiences, they each have their distinctive qualities. The Silent Yellow focuses on minimizing sound for a stealthy experience, whereas the Twilight offers a balance of quietness with a longer travel distance that contributes to its clacky signature. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preferences in sound and feel, but both can provide a satisfying linear switch experience.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch and the HMX Twilight linear switch ultimately depends on your personal preferences and intended use. If you prefer a medium bottom-out force of 60 grams and seek a quieter typing experience that minimizes keystroke noise, the Silent Yellow might be your best fit, especially in environments where sound can be a distraction. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter touch with a bottom-out force of 50 grams and enjoy a more pronounced feel during typing, the Twilight switch, with its extended 3.85mm travel distance, can provide that satisfying tactile feedback while still keeping noise levels lower than typical switches. In essence, if you prioritize a balance of comfort and sound dampening, the Silent Yellow is a great choice, while the Twilight allows for a snappier response and an overall more engaging typing experience. Ultimately, consider where and how you’ll be using your keyboard most often to help guide your decision.
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