Cherry MX Silent Red vs. Outemu Cream Yellow
An in-depth look at the Cherry MX Silent Red and the Outemu Cream Yellow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Cherry MX Silent Red and the Outemu Cream Yellow offer unique features to cater to different preferences. The MX Silent Red is a linear switch that maintains the slightly heftier feel of the MX Red but operates silently, making it ideal for noise-sensitive environments. On the other hand, the Outemu Cream Yellow is a tactile switch that offers a different typing experience. While the MX Silent Red is categorized as 'Muted', 'Thocky', 'Low-pitched', 'Textured', the Cream Yellow does not have specific categories listed. If you are looking for a quieter typing experience, the MX Silent Red may be the better choice, but if you prefer a tactile feedback while typing, the Cream Yellow could be more suitable. 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
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
pom
Stem material
pom
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Cherry MX Silent Red and the Outemu Cream Yellow, both utilizing a nylon top housing, provide a similar typing experience with a deeper and fuller sound profile. Due to the nature of nylon being a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, the switches produce a duller and rounder sound compared to switches made with harder plastics. This results in a quieter typing experience, making them ideal for those who prefer a more subtle and muted sound while typing.
While both switches share a nylon top housing, the Cherry MX Silent Red and Outemu Cream Yellow differ in their bottom housing material. The MX Silent Red features a nylon bottom housing, maintaining consistency in sound profile throughout the switch. In contrast, the Cream Yellow switches have a different bottom housing material, potentially impacting the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch. This divergence in bottom housing material may lead to subtle variations in typing experience between the two switches, with the MX Silent Red offering a more uniform sound profile.
In summary, the Cherry MX Silent Red and Outemu Cream Yellow switches demonstrate the importance of housing materials in determining the typing experience. Both switches' use of nylon in the top housing creates a similar deep and full sound profile, thanks to the material's ability to absorb sound effectively. However, the potential difference in the bottom housing material between the two switches could result in variations in the overall sound and feel of typing. Ultimately, understanding the impact of housing materials on switch performance is crucial for selecting the right switch for individual preferences in sound and typing experience.
Weight
The actuation force of the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch and the Outemu Cream Yellow tactile switch is the same at 45 grams. However, the bottom out force differs between the two switches. The MX Silent Red has an unknown bottom out force, while the Cream Yellow has a bottom out force of 60 grams, which is considered to be medium. This means that the Cream Yellow switch requires a stronger force to fully press the key compared to the Silent Red switch. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Cherry MX Silent Red may be the better option, as it allows for longer periods of typing without fatigue. On the other hand, the Outemu Cream Yellow may be preferred by those who enjoy a more substantial and tactile typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch and the Outemu Cream Yellow tactile switch, it is evident that the Cream Yellow has a shorter travel distance of 3.3 mm compared to the 3.7 mm of the MX Silent Red. This means that the Cream Yellow switch will require less force and distance to actuate compared to the MX Silent Red. In terms of responsiveness, the Cream Yellow may be more preferred by gamers who value quick response times. However, for those who prefer a more substantial key press with a bit of depth, the MX Silent Red may be the better option due to its slightly longer travel distance. Ultimately, both switches offer their own advantages and it will depend on personal preference and typing style to determine which one is the best choice.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Cherry MX Silent Red has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the MX Silent Red for $4.15.
The Outemu Cream Yellow comes in at $3.10 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 Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch offers a muted, thocky, and low-pitched typing experience, providing a softer and quieter sound profile compared to regular mechanical switches. On the other hand, the Outemu Cream Yellow tactile switch's sound characteristics are unknown, as there is no available information. When considering sound preferences, the Cherry MX Silent Red would be the preferred choice for those seeking a quieter typing experience.
Moving on to feel, the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch is described as textured, offering noticeable friction when pressed. This texture may appeal to some users who prefer a tactile feedback while typing. Unfortunately, information on the tactile feel of the Outemu Cream Yellow switch is not available. If a user is looking for a switch with a textured feel, the Cherry MX Silent Red would be a suitable option based on the provided information.
Overall, the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch stands out for its quiet operation and textured feel, making it a suitable choice for those looking for a quieter typing experience with tactile feedback. On the other hand, there is limited information available on the sound and feel of the Outemu Cream Yellow tactile switch, making it difficult to provide a direct comparison. However, if the user prefers a quieter sound profile and a textured typing experience, the Cherry MX Silent Red would likely provide similar results. Ultimately, the best switch choice would depend on the user's specific preferences in terms of sound and feel.
Conclusion
To wrap up, when it comes to choosing between the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch and the Outemu Cream Yellow tactile switch, it all comes down to your preferences and needs. If you value a quieter typing experience in a noise-sensitive environment, then the MX Silent Red would be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a tactile typing feel with a medium bottom out force, the Cream Yellow switch would be more suitable. Consider your priorities in sound, feel, and typing experience to make an informed decision on which switch would best suit your preferences. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences, so choose wisely based on what matters most to you.
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