Outemu Silent Yellow vs. Durock White Lotus
An in-depth look at the Outemu Silent Yellow and the Durock White Lotus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch to the Durock White Lotus tactile switch, they both offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences. The Silent Yellow is known for its silent operation and smooth linear feel, making it a popular choice for those who prefer a quiet typing experience. On the other hand, the White Lotus stands out for its exquisite light tactile feedback, providing a gentle bump when typing without being too overpowering. Additionally, the White Lotus features vibrant RGB lighting effects, adding a touch of visual appeal to your keyboard. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these general descriptions to help you determine the best switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
46g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
56g
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
Standard
Stem material
pom
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Modified PC & UPE Blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated long spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Outemu Silent Yellow and the Durock White Lotus differ in their top housings. The Silent Yellow features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its relatively stiffer nature. On the other hand, the White Lotus has a modified PC & UPE Blend top housing, known for its unique and premium feel. Both materials offer a transparent look, making them ideal for switches meant to be used with RGB lighting. However, the polycarbonate top housing of the Silent Yellow may provide a slightly clearer and resonant sound compared to the White Lotus's modified blend.
In terms of bottom housings, both switches use nylon, a classic switch housing material known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. With both switches utilizing nylon bottom housings, users can expect a similar typing experience in terms of sound profile and feel. This consistency in housing material for the bottom housing ensures a continuity in the acoustics and tactile feedback of the switches.
The split use of different housing materials for the top and bottom housings of a switch offers a unique typing experience. The qualities of each housing material become evident when either pressing down on the switch or releasing a key. The bottom housing influences the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing plays a significant role in the sound when a key is released. With the Silent Yellow featuring a polycarbonate top housing and a nylon bottom housing, and the White Lotus using a modified PC & UPE Blend top housing with a nylon bottom housing, users can enjoy a balanced combination of sound profiles and tactile sensations during typing.
Weight
The Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch and the Durock White Lotus tactile switch offer contrasting actuation and bottom out forces. The Silent Yellow is heavier, with an actuation force of 65 grams and a bottom out force of 80 grams, while the White Lotus is lighter, with an actuation force of 46 grams and a bottom out force of 56 grams. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience for longer periods might lean towards the White Lotus, as its lighter actuation and bottom out forces can lead to less fatigue during extended typing sessions. Conversely, the heavier forces of the Silent Yellow provide a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel. Both switches offer unique benefits based on individual preferences, so choosing between them ultimately depends on personal typing preferences.
Travel distance
Both the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch and the Durock White Lotus tactile switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when pressing down on a key with either of these switches, users will experience a consistent travel distance for their typing experience. The similarity in travel distance between the two switches ensures that users will get similar results in terms of keypress feedback and overall typing feel. While the travel distance is the same for both switches, the key difference lies in the switch type - linear for the Outemu Silent Yellow and tactile for the Durock White Lotus. This variation in switch type may result in a different typing experience, even though the travel distance remains constant. Ultimately, whether one switch is preferred over the other will depend on personal preference for linear or tactile switches.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock White Lotus has an MSRP of $5.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the White Lotus for $4.57.
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
In terms of sound, the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch is known for its quiet operation, making it a popular choice for those seeking a non-disruptive typing experience. On the other hand, the Durock White Lotus tactile switch is described as having a low-pitched and neutral sound profile. While the Silent Yellow is geared towards minimizing noise, the White Lotus offers a more mellow tone that is suitable for various environments without being too distracting. Ultimately, deciding on the sound profile that suits you best will depend on personal preference and environmental considerations, as well as other factors like the keyboard and keycaps used.
Moving on to feel, the Outemu Silent Yellow switch's tactile feedback is not specified in the information provided. In contrast, the Durock White Lotus tactile switch is described as easy-to-press, mild, and subtle in terms of the typing experience it offers. This means that the White Lotus switches provide a gentle resistance during key presses, requiring minimal force to activate while still maintaining a comfortable and low-impact typing feel. The subtle nature of these switches also ensures a pleasant typing experience for both the user and those around them in shared spaces. Choosing between these two switches will depend on whether you prefer a more pronounced or a more subtle tactile response during typing.
Taking all the available information into consideration, the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch offers a quiet typing experience, while the Durock White Lotus tactile switch provides a delicate tactility that strikes a balance between comfort and performance. The Silent Yellow focuses on noise reduction, making it ideal for those who prioritize a silent work environment, while the White Lotus enhances the overall typing experience through its light and responsive tactile feedback. Ultimately, choosing between these switches will come down to personal preference in sound, feel, and the specific typing requirements of the user. However, both switches offer high-quality performance that will undoubtedly elevate your typing experience to new heights.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch and the Durock White Lotus tactile switch, consider the factors that are most important to you. If you prefer a heavy bottom out force and are looking for a silent typing experience, the Silent Yellow may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-light bottom out force, enjoy a delicate tactile typing experience, and appreciate the option for vibrant RGB lighting effects, the White Lotus switch may be more suitable for your needs. Ultimately, the decision comes down to your personal preferences in terms of typing feel, sound, and design aesthetics.
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