Outemu Spring Breeze vs. Haimu Viola Tricolor

Overview

When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Spring Breeze, a clicky switch, and the Haimu Viola Tricolor, a tactile switch, stand out as popular options. The Spring Breeze is best known for its clicky sound profile, providing a satisfying auditory feedback with each keystroke. On the other hand, the Viola Tricolor switches are designed to deliver a thuddy and punchy sound profile that adds a touch of character to your typing experience. The Viola Tricolor offers pronounced tactility, striking a perfect balance between sharp sensation and user comfort. While the Spring Breeze offers a distinct clicking sound, the Viola Tricolor provides a more textured typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches comes down to personal preferences and typing style; however, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Outemu Spring Breeze Clicky

Haimu Viola Tricolor Tactile

$3.10 per 10

$6.60

$3.09 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The Outemu Spring Breeze and the Haimu Viola Tricolor both utilize nylon for their bottom housing, providing a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the softness of the material absorbing more sound. This results in a duller and rounder sound when typing on the switches, creating a unique tactile experience for users. On the other hand, the Viola Tricolor stands out with its polycarbonate top housing, offering a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The stiffness of polycarbonate leads to a clearer and resonant sound, making it ideal for users who prefer a more distinct typing experience. Overall, both switches offer distinctive sound profiles based on their housing materials, with the Spring Breeze focusing on a softer, deeper sound while the Viola Tricolor emphasizes a sharper, crisper sound.

While the Spring Breeze and the Viola Tricolor share a common nylon material for their bottom housing, they differ significantly in their top housing material. The Spring Breeze features a nylon top housing, contributing to a deeper and fuller sound profile, whereas the Viola Tricolor's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper and more resonant sound. The choice of material for the top housing plays a crucial role in determining the overall sound experience of the switch, with nylon offering a softer and more rounded sound compared to the crisper sound produced by polycarbonate. Despite the difference in top housing material, both switches provide a unique typing experience based on their respective housing materials, catering to different preferences among users.

When considering the impact of the top and bottom housing materials on the overall sound and feel of a switch, it is evident that each material contributes distinct qualities to the typing experience. The bottom housing influences the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch, while the top housing affects the sound when releasing a key. In the case of the Spring Breeze and the Viola Tricolor, the contrast between the nylon and polycarbonate materials in their housing results in varying sound profiles and tactile responses. Users can expect a deeper and fuller sound with a softer feel from the nylon bottom housing, while the polycarbonate top housing offers a sharper and crisper sound with a more resonant feel. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and typing experience.

Weight

When comparing the Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch and the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch, the actuation force and bottom out force play a significant role in how they perform. The Spring Breeze has a lighter actuation force of 40 grams compared to the Viola Tricolor, which has an unknown actuation force. In terms of bottom out force, the Viola Tricolor is heavier at 63.5 grams compared to the Spring Breeze's 55 grams. This means that the Viola Tricolor provides a more substantial typing experience requiring a stronger push, while the Spring Breeze allows for a lighter touch ideal for longer typing sessions. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches will depend on personal preference, whether one prefers a lighter or heavier actuation and bottom out force.

Travel distance

The Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm. In this case, the Viola Tricolor has a slightly shorter travel distance compared to the Spring Breeze. The difference in travel distance may not be significant, but it could affect the overall typing experience for some users. Those who prefer a quicker response time and a slightly shallower key press may find the Viola Tricolor more suitable, while others who enjoy a bit more depth in their keystrokes may lean towards the Spring Breeze. Both switches provide a satisfying typing experience, but the slight variation in travel distance may influence individual preferences.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch does not have a defined reputation or specific sound profile. On the other hand, the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch is known for its bassy and low-pitched sound characteristics. These switches provide a deep and rich sound during key presses, resembling the depth and richness associated with bass tones. Sound preference is subjective, so choosing between the two switches would depend on whether you prefer a more neutral sound profile or a bass-heavy tone for your typing experience.

Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Spring Breeze does not have a specific feel associated with it. In contrast, the Viola Tricolor is renowned for its accented and invigorating tactile feedback. These switches provide a medium level of tactility, offering a satisfying amount of feedback without being too overwhelming. The invigorating feel of the Viola Tricolor switches gives users a snappy and reactive typing experience, adding to the overall immersive sensation of using these switches.

In conclusion, the Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch and the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Spring Breeze lacks specific characteristics in sound and feel, the Viola Tricolor shines with its bassy sound profile and invigorating tactile feedback. Choosing between the two switches would depend on personal preferences for sound and feel during typing. Keep in mind that the overall typing experience also depends on factors such as the keyboard platform and keycaps used. Ultimately, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences, ensuring a satisfying typing experience regardless of choice.

Conclusion

In closing, when deciding between the Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch and the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch, consider your preference for bottom out force. If you prefer a softer touch, the Spring Breeze with its 55 grams bottom out force may be more suitable for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy a slightly heavier feel, the Viola Tricolor with its 63.5 grams bottom out force might be a better fit. Additionally, think about the sound and feel you desire in your typing experience. If you appreciate a crisp and clicky sound, the Spring Breeze offers that classic clicky switch experience. However, if you prefer a deeper and richer sound with a balanced tactile feedback, the Viola Tricolor delivers on both fronts. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches comes down to personal preference in terms of force, sound, and feel.

Mentioned in this article

Outemu Spring Breeze Clicky

$3.10 per 10

Learn more

Haimu Viola Tricolor Tactile

$6.60

$3.09 per 10

Learn more