Outemu Red Panda vs. Jwick Taro
An in-depth look at the Outemu Red Panda and the Jwick Taro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Red Panda and Jwick Taro both offer unique and desirable features. The Red Panda is best known for its light-medium amount of tactility, accompanied by a bassier, raindrop-like bottom-out sound and a clackier, higher-pitched top-out sound. This switch falls into the categories of 'Thocky' and 'Mild,' offering a satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, the Jwick Taro stands out with its comfortable and subdued color scheme, which carries over to the typing experience. With a snappy, medium-level of tactility and acute and crisp clacks, this switch is categorized as 'Neutral,' 'Buttery,' and 'Stepped.' Both switches have their own unique qualities, ensuring a pleasant typing experience. 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
50g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
Both the Outemu Red Panda and the Jwick Taro keyboards utilize polycarbonate for their top housing material. This choice offers similar benefits for both switches, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Polycarbonate's stiffness contributes to a clearer and more resonant sound, which enhances the overall typing experience. Furthermore, the translucent nature of polycarbonate allows for the effective use of RGB lighting, adding a visually appealing element to the keyboards.
The Red Panda and the Taro also share a nylon bottom housing material, which influences the sound produced during typing. Nylon is known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile, which adds a certain richness to the auditory experience. As a relatively softer plastic, nylon absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. This characteristic contributes to a more satisfying typing sound and feel for both keyboards.
Although the top and bottom housings differ between the Red Panda and the Taro, the qualities of each housing material are split between the two parts of the switch. When pressing down on either keyboard, the qualities of the bottom housing become evident, significantly impacting the bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, the top housing plays a greater role in the sound produced when releasing a key. Therefore, although the specific characteristics may vary slightly, users can expect similar results in terms of sound profile and typing experience from both the Red Panda and the Taro keyboards.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch and the Jwick Taro tactile switch, there are some notable differences. The Red Panda has an actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams, which places it in the medium range. On the other hand, the actuation force for the Taro switch is not available, so we cannot directly compare it with the Red Panda. However, the Taro switch does have a bottom out force of 67 grams, which is considered medium-heavy.
In terms of weight, the Red Panda is lighter than the Taro switch. This lighter weight can be beneficial for individuals who prefer a smoother typing experience or those who type for extended periods of time, such as in a work environment or during long gaming sessions. The actuation force of the Red Panda ensures that keystrokes are triggered with a moderate amount of force, providing a satisfying typing experience. Additionally, the bottom out force of 60 grams in the Red Panda offers a noticeable resistance for users seeking a more substantial typing feel.
While we don't have the exact actuation force for the Taro switch, it is known to have a heavier bottom out force of 67 grams, indicating a more forceful keystroke experience. This may appeal to typists who prefer a stronger push feel, as it provides a sense of stability and control during typing. However, without knowing the actuation force of the Taro switch, it is difficult to determine the overall typing experience in terms of sensitivity and responsiveness.
In conclusion, the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch is lighter than the Jwick Taro tactile switch. The Red Panda offers a moderate actuation force and a slightly lighter bottom out force, providing a balanced and comfortable typing experience. On the other hand, the Taro switch's heavier bottom out force suggests a more forceful keystroke, although the actuation force remains unknown. Overall, the choice between these two switches will depend on personal preferences for typing feel and desired weight.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch and the Jwick Taro tactile switch, there is a noticeable difference. The Red Panda has a travel distance of 3.3 mm, while the Taro has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.7 mm. In the realm of switch travel distances, both of these options fall within the range of shorter distances compared to the traditional 4.0 mm distance. Gamers, in particular, tend to prefer shorter travel distances for their keyboards as it allows for faster response times. If responsiveness is your priority, the Red Panda would be the optimal choice due to its slightly shorter travel distance. However, for those who enjoy a more substantial depth to their keystrokes, the Taro's longer travel distance may be more suitable. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches comes down to personal preference and the desired level of travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Jwick Taro has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Taro for $4.25.
The Outemu Red Panda comes in at $3.40 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 Red Panda and the Jwick Taro provide different auditory experiences. The Red Panda is known for its bassier bottom-out sound, which gives a deep and satisfying thocky sound when pressed and released. On the other hand, the Taro offers a more neutral sound profile, with moderate clacks that are acute and crisp. It's important to note that the sound produced by a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen.
Moving on to feel, the Red Panda is described as providing a mild typing experience. This means that the switch offers a gentle and approachable feel, making it suitable for a wide range of users. Its qualities all fall within a safe middle-ground zone, ensuring that most people will find it comfortable to type on. The Taro, on the other hand, is known for its buttery feel. This implies a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, providing a seamless and effortless typing sensation. Additionally, the Taro is also described as a stepped switch, meaning that it has a mild tactile feel with some pre-travel and/or post-travel.
Taking all the available information into account, it is clear that the Red Panda and the Taro switches offer distinct subjective qualities. While the Red Panda provides a light-medium amount of tactility and a thocky sound, the Taro offers a snappy, medium-level of tactility and acute clacks. In terms of feel, the Red Panda offers a mild and approachable typing experience, while the Taro provides a buttery and stepped feel. It's important to remember that sound and feel can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps utilized. Ultimately, both switches have their own unique characteristics, allowing users to choose based on their personal preference. If you are seeking a similar typing experience, either switch can provide satisfactory results, depending on your specific requirements and preferences.
Conclusion
In closing, if you are looking for a tactile switch with a slightly lighter bottom out force, a bassier bottom-out sound, and a clackier top-out sound, the Outemu Red Panda switch would be a good choice for you. It offers a light-medium amount of tactility and a thocky sound profile. The Red Panda switch provides a mild and approachable typing experience that would likely suit most users. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a medium-heavy bottom out force, a snappy tactility, and acute clacks, the Jwick Taro switch would be more suitable. The Taro switch has a neutral sound profile and offers a buttery and stepped typing experience, providing a seamless and effortless keystroke sensation. Ultimately, the decision between the Outemu Red Panda and the Jwick Taro switches will depend on your personal preferences for weight, sound, and feel.
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