Pick up any premium mechanical gaming keyboard, and you will find a Cherry MX switch underneath the keycaps. The rise in demand for mechanical keyboards has led many gamers to find more affordable options with above-par performance. It leads most gamers to Outemu blue switches. Their clicky nature and tactile bump make any gamer crave the experience.

However, there is one big question: Can Outemu blue switches compete with the well-established Cherry MX brand? What are the technical aspects that make the two manufacturers unique? Is the Outemu switch better than Cherry MX for gaming and other applications? This article will answer all of these questions. Let's begin!

Cherry MX: The King of Mechanical Keyboards (But is it Always Right?)

Cherry has been producing electrical components since the 1950s, but it was only in 1973 that they made their first-ever keyboard switch. They produced M6, the first switch, which evolved into Cherry MX switches everyone loves today. Cherry's history is rich, but the world is shifting to find affordable alternatives due to rapid technological advancements and global outreach.

Cherry MX is the world leader in mechanical switches, but Outemu is gaining momentum in sales. Although they offer similar options with clicky, tactile, and linear mechanical switches, Outemu offers more variety over Cherry MX, opening up many more options for users.

Outemu and Dongguan Gaote Electronics Co., LTD

Outemu is a product of Dongguan Gaote Electronics Co., LTD. The company was founded in 2004 and has a 10,000m2 manufacturing facility. The company is an expert in manufacturing various products, such as USB sockets, HDMI sockets, fiber optic connectors, and more. Its versatility represents its manufacturing capability and experience in design, which led Dongguan Gaote Electronics to release its first mechanical switch in 2020.

Outemu Blue Switches: The Budget-Friendly Clicky Challenger

Outemu switches carry an image of being a replica of Cherry MX design but with an affordable price tag. Outemu switches offer similar performance that goes head to head with Cherry MX. You might be interested in the clicky blue mechanical switch as a gamer. However, as a buyer, you need to be well versed in the positive and negative aspects of Outemu Blue switches compared to the Cherry MX Blue. Continue reading to learn more!

Diving Deep: Comparing the Typing Experience

Due to their slightly different builds, the typing experience on an Outemu and Cherry MX can differ. If you plan to select one brand for your next custom or pre-assembled keyboard, take notes in the upcoming section.

● Actuation Force and Tactile Feel

Both mechanical keyboard switches' actuation force and tactile feel are slightly different. In practice, users will notice that the Outemu requires slightly more force to actuate than Cherry MX. For a proper comparison, having the same keycaps for both mechanical switches is essential, as Cherry MX and Outemu mechanical switches have varying force requirements.

● The All-Important Click: Sound and Pitch

When we compare the Cherry MX and Outemu Blue back to back, we notice a slight change in pitch. However, the loudness is similar to that of the Cherry MX mechanical switch. If we were to describe them in words, the pitch of the Outemu switch would be thicker, and Cherry MX would be thinner.

● Consistency and Durability - Can Outemu Keep Up?

The build quality of Cherry MX is exceptional. Using their German mechanical engineering legacy, Cherry has created a switch lasting 50M clicks. Outemu Blue offers a similar 50M clicks with gold-plated leaf contacts that can stand the test of time.

Beyond the Clicks: Features to Consider

● RGB Lighting and Customization

Every gamer and office employee requires RGB lighting. Sometimes, you must type, or game in a dark environment, and a backlit RGB keyboard helps. It also adds to the aesthetics. Cherry MX and Outemu mechanical switches offer an RGB lineup of products with transparent housing that allows the light to pass through to the keycap.

● Hot-Swappable Functionality - The Future of Keyboards?

If you are developing your custom hot-swappable keyboard, look for RGB switches. Both Outemu and Cherry MX mechanical switches have a similar connector configuration and are compatible with the MX switch. If you have a keyboard base with an MX switch connector, Outemu, and Cherry MX will fit firmly.

The All-Important: Outemu vs. Cherry MX

● Scratchiness: A Potential Outemu Drawback?

Outemu is a replica of the Cherry MX. Replicating the Cherry MX switch started in 2014 after their patent expired. However, Outemu has cut some corners to make its products budget-friendly. The Outemu switches are not pre-lubed like the Cherry MX, reducing the plastic parts' scratchiness during movements.

● Beyond Blue Switches: Exploring Other Outemu Options

Outemu, compared to the legacy Cherry MX, has more comprehensive options catering to the requirements of gaming keyboard wholesale. Outemu offers the primary Red, Blue, and Brown switches. In addition, they have

○ Outemu Blue: Clicky switches with acoustic feedback.

○ Outemu Red: Linear switches for balanced performance in writing and gaming.

○ Outemu Brown: Noiseless yet tactile performance

○ Outemu Black: Higher actuation force for a firm and solid keypress conformance.

○ Outemu Purple: Fast rebound with characteristics similar to the brown switch.

○ Outemu Green: Heavier force, rebound, and higher click sound than blue.

○ Outemu Orange: Faster trigger with tactile feedback like brown.

○ Outemu Silver: Improved version of a red switch for lower response times.

○ Outemu Golden: Crisp, faster, and more apparent passage than blue.

○ Outemu Silent Gray: Silicon cushion for a whisper-quiet environment.

○ Outemu Silent White: Silicon cushion, no tactile feedback, and quiet operation.

○ Outemu Dust-Proof: Extended service life in a dusty environment.

The parent company, Dongguan Gaote Electronics, offers a Gaote mechanical switch lineup that uses precision engineering to develop world-class switches. These are elite switches that perform similarly to Cherry MX in every aspect.

● Your Typing Style: Gamers vs. Writers

The keyboard usage should be the primary reason for selecting the Outemu switch over Cherry MX. If you are a writer who types away all day on their keyboard, we recommend going for the Cherry MX brand as they have less rattle and better keycap movements. However, gamers should prefer Outemu Blue mechanical switches, which are easy to replace. You never know when gamer rage will take over you!

Making the Final Decision: Choosing the Right Switch for You

You should have a good idea of the differences between Outemu and Cherry MX switches. The Outemu Blue switch, compared to the Cherry MX, has a different sound signature, movement smoothness, and build quality. Selecting either of them is a personal choice. Here are all the factors to consider:

➢ Outemu Blue offers better price/performance within a budget than Cherry MX.

➢ Outemu Blue has a thicker click than Cherry MX switches.

➢ Cherry MX comes with pre-lubed housings compared to Outemu Blue mechanical switches.

➢ Gamers should opt for Outemu, whereas Cherry MX is recommended for writers.

➢ Besides Outemu Blue switches, there are tones of options in mechanical switches by

Gaote.

We hope you can make an educated selection between the two mechanical switches. Check out the MEETION MK007 PRO. A mechanical gaming keyboard that comes pre-installed with Outemu Blue switches. The base offers hot-swappable mechanical switches that are MX-compatible.

MEETION Mechanical Keyboards

MEETION provides wholesale gaming keyboards for buyers interested in bulk or small orders. They have a well-established fan base and supply chain to cater to the needs of all distributors. Overall, they are experts in manufacturing gaming and office products. Do visit MEETION’s website!