Outemu vs Cherry Mechanical Keyboard Switches
Up until this point, we have pretty much compared all sorts of mechanical keyboard switches (Kailh vs Cherry, Razer vs Cherry, etc) but we are yet to touch upon the ultra-budget switch option – Outemu.
These are the so-called reverse Holy Pandas because you can buy them easily and for cheap. You will most likely find these switches in budget keyboards and can buy them individually for personal builds.
In the spirit of trying to cover most of the basic switches on the market today, we will talk about Outemu vs Cherry, their direct comparison, and if you should even consider Outemu switches for your keyboards.
Outemu vs Cherry – Which One Should You Pick?
The reality about Outemu switches vs Cherry switches is that Outemu just like Gateron and Kailh basically produce cheaper Cherry clones with very small distinctions between them.
A non-initiated person would most likely never be able to tell the difference between a Gateron Brown, Kailh Brown, Cherry Brown, or an Outemu Brown switch.
The real differences can come in the quality of the product, with Outemu switches being sometimes wobblier, or having a somewhat subpar build. In most cases, however, Outemu mechanical switches are about as good as Cherry switches, which in terms of enthusiast-grade choices still means nobody will put them in their custom keyboards since there are other better switches.
The one big thing to mention is the value proposition at hand, with Outemu switches being rather cheap. The downside to this value proposition is the fact that technically Outemu switches are rated for fewer clicks than Cherry switches.
At the same time the matter of the fact is that nobody really cares about those click values since your keyboard will most likely die before you even reach those humongous numbers.
This is all to say that if you have less money, or want something different than just default feeling Cherry Browns, then trying out some Outemu switches is not a bad idea at all. Since these are Cherry clones you can use them with any hot-swap build, and any Cherry-compatible keycap set!
Outemu Brown vs Cherry MX Brown
When looking at the Outemu Brown vs Cherry MX Brown switch you are basically dealing with the same type of tactile switch. The Outemu Brown switch needs 55g of actuation force and offers a pretty smooth experience compared to a Cherry MX Brown.
Even though smoother, the Outemu Brown switch is less stable as expected, so when actuated from the edges it feels a bit wobblier. The sound of the Outemu Brown switch is also a bit deeper than the Cherry original but that is a plus in our opinion.
Overall we would say that the smoothness of the Outemu switch is welcomed but the wobble is something that might subtract from the typing experience. Choose based on what is more important to you.
Outemu Blue vs Cherry MX Blue
The Outemu Blue (60g) vs Cherry Blue switch comparison follows the same pattern as the previous Brown switch comparison. The Outemu Blue switch is clicky just like the original Cherry one but has its own quirks.
The sound of the switch is higher pitched and might be too much for certain people. The switch is somewhat scratchier than a Cherry Blue and also has the same rattle/wobble issues.
If you are particularly interested in a Blue switch then overall we think that the original Cherry Blue switches will do a better job at satisfying your needs. This proves that unlike the Brown Outemu switch, not every switch they produce can be recommended!
Outemu Red vs Cherry MX Red
The Outemu Red switch (50g) is the linear offering from the clone company that imitates the Cherry Red switch. This switch is supposed to have just a smooth linear feeling with no tactile bumps or clicky noises.
This is the closest to a real Cherry MX switch and acts and sounds like a Cherry Red, even though there are slight differences. The Outemu Reds are slightly smoother (microscopically better) but suffer from the same issue as the rest of the switches with wobblier stems.
This situation might become better if you lube and film the switches giving the Outemu Reds the same kind of stability the Cherry Red switches have.
In this particular case, it won’t really matter which switch you buy therefore you should simply buy the cheapest option you have (still most likely Outemu).
Is Buying a Clone Switch Bad?
The biggest reason why people knock down Outemu switches is because these are Cherry MX clones and are also budget options.
As mentioned during this comparison of Outemu vs Cherry switches, in most cases a regular buyer will NOT be able to tell these switches apart and might even prefer the Outemu switches purely based on feel and sound.
It is often that people change their minds because they see the price tag and think that if the Cherry switches are more expensive they might be better.
The only real downside of the Outemu vs Cherry comparison is that the Outemu switches tend to be wobbly sometimes. As we said, if you are trying to get the best deal possible, then buying the Outemu switches and then purchasing some switch films and lube will still be significantly cheaper than buying the original Cherry switches.
If you find yourself in a situation where budget is the main deciding factor, do not shy away from budget products just because of the price tag. Give every type of switch a fair chance and you might find that the cheaper switches feel better to you!