Outemu Red Panda vs. Gazzew U4T
An in-depth look at the Outemu Red Panda and the Gazzew U4T switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two options stand out - the Outemu Red Panda and the Gazzew U4T. Both switches offer a unique tactile experience that many keyboard enthusiasts appreciate. The Red Panda is known for its light-medium amount of tactility, accompanied by a bassier bottom-out sound and a clackier top-out sound. On the other hand, the Gazzew U4Ts provide a harmonious fusion of thockiness and sharp tactility, resulting in a bassy 'thock' sound profile and an assertive tactile feedback. These differences in sound and tactility categorize the Red Panda as thocky and mild and the U4T as bassy, thocky, and sharp. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your typing needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
3.30 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel 17.5mm Korean spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Outemu Red Panda and the Gazzew U4T differ in terms of their composition and resulting sound profiles. The Red Panda features a polycarbonate top housing, which is known for its stiffness. This leads to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting. On the other hand, the U4T utilizes a proprietary Gazzew blend top housing, often referred to as "boba plastic." This unique blend delivers a rich and deep sound profile due to its softness. While both materials have distinct qualities, they both contribute to enhancing the sound when releasing a key.
Moving on to the bottom housings, the Red Panda incorporates a nylon material known for its classic switch housing characteristics. Typing on switches with nylon elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is because nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound overall. In contrast, the Gazzew U4T also utilizes its proprietary Gazzew blend for the bottom housing, which shares similarities with the top housing. The softness of this blend contributes to a rich and deep sound profile. The bottom housing, in particular, plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on these switches.
Although the housing materials of the Outemu Red Panda and Gazzew U4T differ, both switches aim to provide a unique and enhanced audio experience. The Red Panda utilizes polycarbonate for its top housing and nylon for its bottom housing, resulting in a sharper and deeper sound profile, respectively. Similarly, the Gazzew U4T employs its proprietary Gazzew blend for both top and bottom housings, contributing to a rich and deep sound overall. Despite the variation in materials, both switches prioritize delivering a satisfying sound when releasing keys.
Weight
When comparing the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch to the Gazzew U4T tactile switch, there are some similarities and differences in their actuation force and bottom out force. The Red Panda has an actuation force of 50 grams, while the U4T's actuation force is unknown. Both switches, however, have a medium bottom out force, with the Red Panda requiring 60 grams and the U4T requiring 62 grams.
Considering weight, some users may prefer a lighter switch, such as the Red Panda, as it allows for longer periods of typing without fatigue. This makes it ideal for work tasks or extended gaming sessions. On the other hand, those seeking a more substantial typing experience might opt for a switch with a heavier force. In this case, the U4T's slightly heavier bottom out force could provide the desired push feel.
Though the actuation force of the U4T is unavailable, it can be assumed that it would be similar to the Red Panda in terms of triggering a keystroke due to both switches being tactile switches. However, without concrete information on the U4T's actuation force, it is difficult to draw direct comparisons in this aspect.
In summary, the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch is lighter in terms of actuation force, while the Gazzew U4T tactile switch has a slightly heavier bottom out force. Users seeking a lighter and more ergonomic typing experience may lean towards the Red Panda, whereas those prioritizing a stronger push feel might be inclined towards the U4T.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch is 3.3 mm, while the Gazzew U4T tactile switch has a longer travel distance of 4 mm. The Red Panda falls on the shallower end of the spectrum with its shorter travel distance, making it a preferred choice for gamers looking for faster response times. On the other hand, the U4T with its longer travel distance offers a more substantial key press experience, which may be preferred by those who prefer a deeper and more satisfying feeling when typing. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences and the desired typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Outemu Red Panda comes in at $3.40, whereas the Gazzew U4T comes in at $6.50.
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
When it comes to sound, the Red Panda switch provides a unique auditory experience. Typing on these switches creates a light-medium level of tactility, accompanied by a bassier sound upon bottoming out and a clackier, higher-pitched sound when releasing the key. This combination of sounds gives the Red Panda switch a distinct character. On the other hand, the U4T switch offers a harmonious blend of thockiness and sharp tactility. With its bassy 'thock' sound profile and assertive tactile feedback, each keystroke on the U4T switch offers both auditory and tactile satisfaction. While both switches provide a pleasing sound during typing, the U4T may lean towards a deeper and richer bass tone compared to the Red Panda.
Moving on to feel, the Red Panda switch is described as providing a mild typing experience. These switches offer a more gentle feel, making them approachable to most users. The Red Panda's qualities exist in a safe, middle-ground zone, ensuring a comfortable typing experience without any extreme characteristics. On the other hand, the U4T switch is known for its sharp tactility. This means that the tactile bump is highly pronounced and distinctly felt with each keypress. If you prefer a more intense tactile feedback, the U4T switch is a great choice.
In conclusion, the Red Panda and U4T switches have distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Red Panda offers a light-medium level of tactility with a bassier bottom-out sound and a clackier top-out sound. Its feel is mild, providing a comfortable and approachable typing experience. On the other hand, the U4T switch combines thockiness with sharp tactility, resulting in a bassy 'thock' sound profile and an intense tactile feedback. While the two switches have their unique characteristics, they both deliver satisfying auditory and tactile experiences. Depending on your preferences for sound and feel, either of these switches can enhance your typing experience.
Conclusion
In closing, when choosing between the Outemu Red Panda and Gazzew U4T tactile switches, it ultimately depends on your personal preferences and what you value in a switch.
If you prioritize a light-medium amount of tactility, alongside a bassier bottom-out sound and a clackier top-out sound, the Red Panda is a solid choice for you. With a bottom-out force of 60 grams, it offers a medium typing experience that is approachable to most, providing a gentle typing experience.
On the other hand, if you are looking for a switch that combines thockiness with sharp tactility, the Gazzew U4T is the way to go. With a bottom-out force of 62 grams, it offers a slightly higher level of feedback intensity and a more assertive tactile bump with each key press. The U4T switches provide both auditory and tactile satisfaction, with a bassy 'thock' sound profile that is characterized by a lower frequency range.
Both switches have thocky sound profiles, which produce a deep, rich, and satisfying sound when pressed and released. However, the U4T switches offer a deeper and richer sound profile due to their bassy characteristics.
Overall, the decision comes down to whether you prefer a milder typing experience with a medium amount of tactility (Red Panda) or a sharper and more intense tactile feedback with a bassy 'thock' sound profile (U4T). Consider your personal preferences and typing style to make the best decision for you.
Mentioned in this article
