TTC Honey vs. Outemu Yellow Silver
An in-depth look at the TTC Honey and the Outemu Yellow Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboards, the choice of switch can greatly impact your typing experience. Two popular options to consider are the TTC Honey and the Outemu Yellow Silver. The TTC Honey is best known for its smooth and creamy feel, providing a satisfying typing experience. These switches also offer a deep and pleasant sound profile. On the other hand, the Outemu Yellow Silver is favored by gamers and typists who prioritize speediness and responsiveness. With a light actuation force and a neutral sound profile, this switch is ideal for those who value a quick and efficient typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
42g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.30 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
25.5 mm lengthened spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the TTC Honey and the Outemu Yellow Silver switches are both made from polycarbonate for the top housing. This choice of material results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile for both switches. Polycarbonate is known for its stiffness, contributing to a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches that utilize RGB lighting. Therefore, users can expect similar results in terms of sound and aesthetics when comparing the top housings of these two switches.
However, when it comes to the bottom housing, the TTC Honey features a polycarbonate material, while the Outemu Yellow Silver incorporates nylon. The polycarbonate bottom housing of the Honey switch continues to offer the benefits of a stiffer plastic, resulting in a clear and resonant sound profile. On the other hand, the nylon bottom housing of the Yellow Silver switch brings a different characteristic to the table. Nylon is a softer plastic, absorbing more sound and creating a deeper and fuller sound profile. This contrast in housing materials means that the bottom-out sound and feel of the switches will differ, with the Honey switch offering a sharper impact, while the Yellow Silver switch elicits a slightly duller and rounder sensation.
In terms of functionality, the impact of the housing materials can also be felt when releasing a key. With the top housing having more influence on the sound when a key is released, users can expect a distinct sound profile when using either the Honey or the Yellow Silver switch. However, since both switches utilize polycarbonate for the top housing, there will likely be similarities in the sound produced when releasing a key.
In summary, the housing materials of the TTC Honey and the Outemu Yellow Silver switches overlap in the polycarbonate top housing, resulting in a similar sound profile and visual aesthetic. However, the differences arise in the bottom housing, with the Honey using polycarbonate and the Yellow Silver utilizing nylon. This leads to contrasting sound profiles when bottoming out a key, with the Honey switch offering a sharper impact and the Yellow Silver switch producing a deeper and fuller sound. Nevertheless, when releasing a key, the similarities in the top housing's impact on the sound can be expected between these two switches.
Weight
When comparing the TTC Honey linear switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch, there are a few notable differences in their actuation force and bottom out force. The TTC Honey has an actuation force of 42 grams, whereas the Outemu Yellow Silver has a slightly higher actuation force of 45 grams. In terms of bottom out force, the Honey requires 50 grams of force, while the Yellow Silver requires 55 grams.
In relation to weight, the Honey switch can be considered lighter, making it suitable for those who prefer a lighter typing experience. This lighter actuation force allows for longer periods of comfortable typing, making it ideal for individuals who use their keyboards for extended periods of time, either at work or during gaming sessions.
On the other hand, the Yellow Silver switch can be classified as medium-light in terms of actuation and bottom out force. It provides a slightly stronger push feel, offering a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer it. This may be advantageous for individuals who desire a bit more resistance and feedback from their keystrokes.
While the differences in actuation and bottom out force between the Honey and Yellow Silver switches are relatively small, they can still impact the typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference and the desired typing sensation. However, it is worth noting that both switches provide relatively light to medium-light actuation and bottom out forces, ensuring that users can expect similar results in terms of force required for keystrokes.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the TTC Honey linear switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch, we can see that the Honey has a travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the Yellow Silver has a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which have become increasingly popular in recent times. Gamers, in particular, often prefer shorter travel distances as it allows for faster response times. So, if you prioritize responsiveness, the Honey switch with its shorter travel distance would be a suitable choice. However, it is important to note that some individuals may find shorter travel distances to be too abrupt, and may prefer a switch with a longer travel distance for a more substantial feel. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on personal preference and the desired typing or gaming experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Honey has an MSRP of $9.99 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Honey for $6.78.
The Outemu Yellow Silver 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
In terms of sound, the TTC Honey linear switch is best described as subdued. This means that when pressed, it produces a dampened sound that is not completely silent but offers a more subtle sound signature compared to most switches. On the other hand, the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch is described as having a neutral sound profile. This means it has a moderate sound profile and is suitable for most intents and purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced user, or if you plan to use these switches at home or work. It's important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the TTC Honey linear switch offers a range of desirable qualities. It is described as creamy, which means it provides a smooth and buttery typing experience. This may be due to lubricant applied at the factory or specific materials used in the switch. Typing on a creamy switch feels like gliding your fingers effortlessly across the keys, resulting in a silky sensation. The Honey switch is also described as frictionless, offering an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience with minimal resistance or friction when pressing the keys. It is also referred to as buttery, providing a seamless and uniform typing sensation. Additionally, the Honey switch can be described as subtle, with a gentle resistance that maintains a light typing feel. The sound signature of these switches will not be resonant, making them suitable for shared spaces. Lastly, the Honey switch is described as polished, indicating a smooth and refined finish that results in a sleek typing experience. This is achieved either through the materials used or factory lubrication, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel.
Unfortunately, no specific information is available regarding the feel of the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch.
In conclusion, the TTC Honey linear switch offers a smooth and creamy feel with a deep and pleasant sound profile. It provides a dampened sound and delivers a buttery and polished typing experience. On the other hand, information is not available regarding the feel and sound of the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch. Nonetheless, based on the descriptions provided, it is likely that the Yellow Silver switch shares some similarities in terms of sound and feel. While the specific qualities may differ, both switches are designed to deliver a satisfying typing experience, albeit with their own unique traits.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you're looking for a light and smooth typing experience with a deep and pleasant sound profile, the TTC Honey linear switch is the way to go. With a bottom-out force of 50 grams and descriptors like "creamy," "frictionless," and "buttery," these switches offer a silky sensation with minimal resistance or friction when pressing the keys. The subdued sound signature also makes them suitable for shared spaces. On the other hand, if you prefer a speediness and responsiveness, the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch might be more up your alley. With a bottom-out force of 55 grams and a neutral sound profile, these switches provide a moderate typing feel and a light actuation force. They are favored by gamers and typists who value a smooth and effortless typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on your personal preferences and priorities in terms of typing feel and sound.
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