Gateron Baby Kangaroo (V2) vs. Outemu Tom
An in-depth look at the Gateron Baby Kangaroo (V2) and the Outemu Tom switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between two tactile mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Baby Kangaroo (V2) and the Outemu Tom both offer unique characteristics to enhance your typing experience. The Baby Kangaroo (V2) is renowned for its crisp, light switch-like tactility and marbley sound profile, giving it qualities of being 'Clacky', 'Marbly', 'High-pitched', 'Resonant', 'Snappy', 'Bouncy', and 'Polished'. On the other hand, the Tom lacks specific standout features but provides a more traditional tactile feel. While both switches offer tactile feedback, they cater to different preferences and typing styles. 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
55g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.20 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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
22mm double-stage gold-plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
Both the Gateron Baby Kangaroo (V2) and the Outemu Tom keyboards feature polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The use of polycarbonate is beneficial for switches intended to be used with RGB lighting, as its translucency allows for the colorful lighting effects to shine through. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate also contributes to a more clear and resonant sound profile. Despite both switches sharing this material for their top housing, the unique design of each keyboard may still result in a slightly different sound and feel when typing.
On the other hand, the Baby Kangaroo (V2) and the Outemu Tom keyboards diverge in their choice of bottom housing material. The Baby Kangaroo (V2) features a nylon bottom housing, which is known to elicit a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. Nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound than harder plastics, creating a duller and rounder sound. In contrast, the Tom keyboard also utilizes a nylon bottom housing, ensuring a similar typing experience in terms of sound and feel. This shared material choice may result in a consistent sound profile between the switches, even with their differences in other components.
While the top and bottom housings of the Gateron Baby Kangaroo (V2) and the Outemu Tom keyboards are composed of different materials, both switches offer a balanced typing experience that combines the qualities of each housing material. The bottom housing has a more significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on a key, while the top housing influences the sound when releasing a key. Despite these distinctions, both keyboards provide users with a tactile and auditory typing experience that reflects the unique properties of their housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Baby Kangaroo (V2) tactile switch and the Outemu Tom tactile switch, it is evident that the Baby Kangaroo (V2) is heavier with an actuation force of 59 grams and a bottom out force of 67 grams. In contrast, the Tom has a slightly lighter actuation force of 55 grams, but the bottom out force is unknown. Both switches provide tactile feedback, but the Baby Kangaroo (V2) offers a more substantial typing experience with its higher actuation and bottom out forces. On the other hand, the Tom may be preferred by those who prefer a lighter typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference in terms of typing feel and force requirements.
Travel distance
The Gateron Baby Kangaroo (V2) tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Outemu Tom tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are becoming more popular among users looking for faster response times, especially in gaming. However, the slight difference in travel distance between the two switches may not be noticeable to the average user. If anything, the Gateron Baby Kangaroo switch would be considered slightly longer than the Outemu Tom switch by 0.1 mm. Ultimately, both switches offer a relatively short travel distance compared to the traditional 4.0 mm, making them suitable choices for those seeking quick key actuation.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Baby Kangaroo (V2) has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Baby Kangaroo (V2) for $5.50.
The Outemu Tom 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 Gateron Baby Kangaroo (V2) tactile switch is known for producing a clacky and marbly sound profile. The sharp and snappy sounds when pressed, along with the resonant, high-pitched qualities, give users an immersive auditory experience. On the other hand, the Outemu Tom tactile switch's sound characteristics are not provided, making it difficult to directly compare the two in this aspect. However, 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.
Moving on to the feel, the Gateron Baby Kangaroo (V2) tactile switch is described as snappy, bouncy, and polished. These qualities contribute to a super responsive typing experience with a spring-like feedback sensation and smooth key travel. Conversely, information on the tactile feel of the Outemu Tom switch is not available, making it challenging to contrast the two switches in this regard.
In conclusion, the Gateron Baby Kangaroo (V2) tactile switch stands out for its unique sound profile characterized by a clacky and marbly nature, coupled with a tactile feel that is snappy, bouncy, and polished. While specific information on the Outemu Tom tactile switch's sound and feel is lacking, if they are similar to the description of the Gateron Baby Kangaroo (V2), users can expect comparable results in terms of sound and feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches may come down to personal preference and the overall typing experience desired by the user.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering whether to choose the Gateron Baby Kangaroo (V2) tactile switch or the Outemu Tom tactile switch, you should opt for the Baby Kangaroo if you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force and enjoy a crisp, light switch-like tactility with a marbley sound profile. This switch is ideal for those who appreciate a clacky, marbly, high-pitched, and resonant sound, along with a snappy, bouncy, and polished feel. On the other hand, if you are looking for a switch with an unspecified bottom out force and unknown characteristics, the Tom may be the one for you. Ultimately, your choice should be based on your personal preferences for typing experience and sound profile.
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