Gateron Aliaz vs. Outemu Milk Tea
An in-depth look at the Gateron Aliaz and the Outemu Milk Tea switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When deciding between mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Aliaz and the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switches are two popular options to consider. The Gateron Aliaz is renowned for its quiet design, making it ideal for office environments where noise can be a concern. With a medium-heavy weight and a tactile feel, the Aliaz switches offer a satisfying typing experience without the loud clicking associated with other switches. On the other hand, the Outemu Milk Tea switch has a unique name but lacks a specific standout feature. However, both switches provide a tactile typing experience for users who enjoy a more pronounced feedback while typing. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference and specific typing needs; 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
60g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
75g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Ly
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Gateron Aliaz and the Outemu Milk Tea switches, it is clear that they have some distinct differences. The Aliaz features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to the stiffness of the plastic. This makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting as the translucency of polycarbonate allows for a more vibrant display. In contrast, the Milk Tea utilizes a Ly top housing, which offers a very bright sound signature and resonant clacks when typing, providing a different auditory experience compared to the Aliaz.
Moving on to the bottom housing, the Aliaz once again uses polycarbonate, resulting in a sharper and crisper sound profile similar to the top housing. The stiffness of the polycarbonate plastic contributes to a more clear and resonant sound profile overall. On the other hand, the Milk Tea switches opt for a nylon bottom housing, which elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of the nylon plastic absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound when typing compared to the Aliaz switches.
Overall, while the Gateron Aliaz and Outemu Milk Tea switches have different housing materials, they both offer unique sound profiles and experiences for users. The Aliaz switches with their polycarbonate top and bottom housings provide a sharp and crisp sound profile ideal for RGB lighting setups. In contrast, the Milk Tea switches with their Ly top housing and nylon bottom housing offer a bright sound signature with resonant clacks for a deeper and fuller sound experience. Both switches have their own strengths and qualities that cater to different preferences in mechanical keyboards.
Weight
The Gateron Aliaz tactile switch has a heavier actuation force of 60 grams compared to the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch, which has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams. However, the Gateron Aliaz also has a heavier bottom out force of 75 grams, whereas the bottom out force for the Outemu Milk Tea is unknown. The difference in actuation force means that typing on the Gateron Aliaz may require more effort to register key presses, while the Outemu Milk Tea may feel lighter and more responsive in comparison. Both switches offer a different typing experience based on their weight, with the Gateron Aliaz providing a more substantial and tactile feel, while the Outemu Milk Tea offers a lighter and potentially faster typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
Both the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch and the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when pressing down on either key, you will experience a consistent and uniform travel distance from the top to the bottom of the switch. This similarity ensures that regardless of which switch you choose, you will get comparable results in terms of key travel feel and feedback. Overall, the travel distance of both switches is equal, making them suitable choices for those who prefer a standard travel distance in their mechanical keyboards.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Aliaz has an MSRP of $8.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Aliaz for $5.50.
The Outemu Milk Tea 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
The Gateron Aliaz tactile switch is favored by many for its quiet and medium-heavy feel, perfect for those who appreciate a significant tactile feedback without the loud noise typical of mechanical keyboards. The Aliaz switch provides a muted sound, creating a softer typing experience compared to other switches, making it ideal for shared spaces like offices. Additionally, the Aliaz switch offers a silky and polished feel, ensuring a smooth and refined typing experience with reduced friction and enhanced key travel.
On the other hand, there is limited information available about the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch, making it challenging to provide a direct comparison to the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch. However, based on the qualities described above, it can be assumed that the Milk Tea switch may offer a quieter typing experience similar to the Aliaz switch, but with an unknown feel.
Overall, if you are looking for a quiet and tactile switch with a medium-heavy feel, the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch is an excellent option to consider. With its muted sound and silky, polished feel, you can expect a smooth and satisfying typing experience without the disruptive noise often associated with mechanical keyboards. Should the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch offer similar qualities, you can anticipate comparable results in terms of sound and feel.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering whether to choose the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch or the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and typing environment. If you value a heavier bottom out force and a quiet typing experience tailored for office settings, the Aliaz switches may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for a switch with an undefined bottom out force and a unique typing experience, the Milk Tea switches could be the way to go. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your desired typing feel and sound preferences, along with the specific use case for your mechanical keyboard.
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