Gateron Jupiter Banana vs. Outemu Silent Yellow Jade
An in-depth look at the Gateron Jupiter Banana and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Gateron Jupiter Banana and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade mechanical keyboard switches, it is clear that both offer unique features catered to different preferences. The Gateron Jupiter Banana is known for its high-precision molds and softer backlight effects, providing a tactile typing experience with a strong return and consistent feel. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switches are praised for their quiet typing experience and satisfying "thocky" sound, featuring a unique translucent jade yellow housing and punchy tactile bump. While the Jupiter Banana may appeal to those looking for a polished, high-pitched switch, the Silent Yellow Jade is ideal for users seeking a quieter typing experience with a tactile bump. 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
59g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
69g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
pom
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Spring steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
Overall, the Gateron Jupiter Banana and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade both feature nylon bottom housings, which create a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the softer nature of the material. This means that when typing on either switch, users can expect a more muted and rounder sound compared to switches with harder plastic bottom housings. However, where they differ is in their top housings. The Jupiter Banana's polycarbonate top housing produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, while the Silent Yellow Jade's nylon top housing creates a deeper and fuller sound. This contrast in sound profiles can impact the overall typing experience and preference for users who may favor a particular sound signature.
In terms of aesthetics, the Gateron Jupiter Banana's polycarbonate top housing is translucent, making it ideal for showcasing RGB lighting effects. This allows for a more visually appealing switch when paired with lighting customization. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade's nylon top housing is not translucent, which may limit its customization options in terms of RGB lighting. However, both switches still offer a unique aesthetic appeal based on their housing materials. It ultimately comes down to personal preference whether one prefers a clear, translucent top housing or a solid, non-translucent one.
While the bottom housings of both switches provide a similar typing experience with their nylon material, the differences in their top housings can significantly impact the sound and feel of each key press. The Gateron Jupiter Banana's polycarbonate top housing creates a crisper sound profile, while the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade's nylon top housing produces a deeper sound. Depending on whether a user prefers a sharper or fuller sound, they may lean towards one switch over the other. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to individual preference in terms of sound profile, aesthetics, and typing experience.
Weight
Comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Jupiter Banana tactile switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch reveals some interesting differences. The Jupiter Banana has a slightly higher actuation force of 59 grams compared to the Silent Yellow Jade's 50 grams, making it the heavier of the two switches in this aspect. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Jupiter Banana requires 69 grams, while the Silent Yellow Jade requires 65 grams, making them fairly similar in terms of the force needed to fully press the key. For those who prefer a lighter touch, the Silent Yellow Jade may be the better option, as it requires less force to trigger a keystroke. However, for those who enjoy a more substantial typing experience and don't mind a slightly heavier actuation force, the Jupiter Banana could be the preferred choice. Ultimately, both switches offer a medium-heavy feel, so users can expect similar results in terms of typing experience.
Travel distance
The Gateron Jupiter Banana tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm. Both switches fall within the shorter end of the spectrum in terms of travel distance, making them ideal for applications where fast response times are crucial, such as gaming. The slight difference in travel distance may not be noticeable for most users, but those who are more sensitive to depth may prefer the Jupiter Banana for its slightly longer travel distance. Ultimately, both switches offer a similar experience in terms of travel distance, providing a balance between responsiveness and depth for users to enjoy.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Gateron Jupiter Banana comes in at $2.80, whereas the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade comes in at $3.10.
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 Gateron Jupiter Banana tactile switch offers a high-pitched and resonant typing experience, producing sharp and crisp sounds that are clean and sharp. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch is known for offering a quiet typing experience with a satisfying "thocky" sound. It is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Gateron Jupiter Banana tactile switch is known for its polished and creamy typing experience, offering smooth and refined key presses with reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the feel of the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch is not specified. However, given that both switches are tactile, they are likely to provide a similar tactile feedback to the user.
Overall, the Gateron Jupiter Banana and Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switches offer distinct sound and feel qualities that cater to different preferences of mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. The Jupiter Banana provides a high-pitched and resonant sound with a polished and creamy feel, while the Silent Yellow Jade offers a quiet typing experience with a satisfying "thocky" sound. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on the user's personal preferences in sound, feel, and overall typing experience.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Gateron Jupiter Banana tactile switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch, it's important to consider your preferences for bottom out force, sound, and feel. If you prefer a slightly higher bottom out force and enjoy high-pitched and resonant sound profiles, the Gateron Jupiter Banana may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly lower bottom out force and are looking for a quiet, tactile typing experience with a satisfying "thocky" sound, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade may be more suitable. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal typing preferences and the overall typing experience you are looking to achieve.
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