Gateron Beer vs. Outemu Milk Tea
An in-depth look at the Gateron Beer and the Outemu Milk Tea switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch, both the Gateron Beer and Outemu Milk Tea tactile switches offer distinct advantages that appeal to different typing preferences. The Gateron Beer is designed to evoke the refreshing sensation of a Tsingtao beer bottle, featuring a lightweight construction and a unique stepped tactility that delivers a more pronounced feedback with each keystroke. This allows for a clacky sound signature that can enhance the typing experience, making it pleasurable for those who appreciate audible and tactile cues. On the other hand, the Outemu Milk Tea switch, while lacking specific characteristics in its description, is often celebrated for providing a smooth and satisfying typing experience, making it a reliable option for users who prefer a more straightforward feel without the extra noise. Both switches cater to tactile enthusiasts, but their distinct profiles make them suitable for different typing styles and environments. 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
38g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
Ly
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm lengthened gold-plated spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Gateron Beer and Outemu Milk Tea switches exhibit distinct differences in their housing materials that directly influence their sound profiles. The Beer utilizes polycarbonate for both the top and bottom housings, which results in a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile characterized by crispness and clarity. Polycarbonate's rigid nature not only contributes to the overall resonance of the switch but also enhances its aesthetic appeal, particularly when paired with RGB lighting due to its translucency. In contrast, the Milk Tea switch employs a Ly plastic for its top housing and nylon for its bottom housing. Ly is a newer material that delivers a bright sound signature, producing pronounced resonant clacks when typing. The choice of nylon for the bottom housing is significant as it contrasts with polycarbonate, absorbing more sound and providing a deeper, rounder tone.
These material differences result in contrasting typing experiences when using each switch. The Gateron Beer, with its uniform polycarbonate structure, ensures that both the sound and feel remain consistent, producing a clear sound across the entire keypress. As a result, the user can expect a pronounced impact from both the bottom and top housing, which collectively contributes to a coherent and transparent auditory feedback. In comparison, the Outemu Milk Tea's dual-material construction allows for a split in sound qualities; the nylon bottom housing dampens the sound, offering a fuller base, while the Ly top housing provides a bright and lively upper sound profile. This bifurcation makes the Milk Tea switches capable of producing a more diverse auditory experience, appealing to those who appreciate a mix of brightness and depth when typing.
Ultimately, despite the variations in materials, both the Gateron Beer and Outemu Milk Tea switches can deliver satisfying auditory feedback, albeit through different mechanisms. If one were to favor the sound consistency of the Beer, they would find a sharp clarity throughout their typing experience. Conversely, those who prefer the dynamic interplay of sound characteristics in the Milk Tea would appreciate the layers offered by its combination of Ly and nylon. While the foundational elements of each switch differ, the resultant auditory properties reflect a continuum of performance from crisp clarity to layered resonance—both capable of satisfying distinct preferences among typists.
Weight
When comparing the actuation and bottom out forces of the Gateron Beer tactile switch and the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch, the difference in actuation force is notable. The Gateron Beer switch has a lighter actuation force of 38 grams, while the Outemu Milk Tea switch requires a heavier actuation force of 45 grams. This means that typists who prefer a lighter touch might lean towards the Gateron Beer, making it more suitable for longer typing or gaming sessions, while those who enjoy a more substantial feel might opt for the Milk Tea. However, the bottom out force for the Milk Tea is unspecified, leaving uncertainty regarding how it compares to the Beer switch's bottom out force of 50 grams. In summary, the Gateron Beer is the lighter option with a defined bottom out force, while the Outemu Milk Tea offers a heavier actuation force, but its bottoming out characteristics remain unknown.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Gateron Beer tactile switch and the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch, the differences are quite pronounced. The Gateron Beer has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Outemu Milk Tea features a longer travel distance of 4 mm. This makes the Gateron Beer the shorter option, catering to those who prefer quicker key presses and responsiveness, which can be beneficial for gaming scenarios. On the other hand, the Outemu Milk Tea's 4 mm travel distance aligns with traditional preferences and offers a more substantial feel, appealing to users who enjoy a deeper key press. Therefore, your choice between these two switches may hinge on whether you prioritize quick response times or a more satisfying tactile experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Beer has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Beer for $4.59.
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
When it comes to sound, the Gateron Beer tactile switch is characterized by its distinctive clacky sound signature, which provides a sharp, crisp, and percussive feedback upon each key press. This sound can enhance the overall typing experience, adding an element of auditory pleasure as you type. However, specific details about the sound profile of the Outemu Milk Tea switch are not provided, so we can't make a direct comparison in this regard. Generally speaking, sound production can vary widely based on factors such as the keyboard construction and keycap materials, but if one appreciates the auditory feedback of clacky sounds, the Beer is a clear winner.
In terms of feel, the Gateron Beer switch is designed to be easy-to-press, requiring minimal force to activate, which makes it ideal for long typing sessions by reducing finger fatigue. The stepped tactile feedback adds a unique characteristic; it allows a user to feel a gentle bump as the switch is pressed, providing a subtler tactile experience compared to more pronounced hypertactile switches. Unfortunately, the feel characteristics of the Outemu Milk Tea switches are unspecified, leaving us without a comparative basis. However, if one prefers a switch with a light touch and steps in tactility, the Beer excels in providing this type of feedback.
In conclusion, the Gateron Beer tactile switch stands out with its clacky sound and a lightweight, comfortable typing feel characterized by both ease of actuation and stepped tactility. The subjective qualities of the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch remain unclear, making it difficult to evaluate directly against the Beer. In the absence of additional details about the Milk Tea, users looking for auditory feedback and tactile sensations would likely find satisfaction with the Gateron Beer model. For a newcomer, it may be worth trying both types to determine personal preferences, as some features of mechanical switches, such as sound and feel, benefit greatly from individual user experience.
Conclusion
To conclude, the choice between Gateron Beer tactile switches and Outemu Milk Tea tactile switches ultimately depends on your typing preferences and environment. If you appreciate a lighter key feel and enjoy a distinct auditory feedback while typing, the Gateron Beer switches may be the right choice for you. Their 50-gram bottom-out force, combined with a subtly stepped tactility and a clacky sound profile, makes them ideal for both casual typing and gaming, delivering a responsive experience that reduces finger fatigue over extended use. On the other hand, if you're looking for a more versatile switch and are drawn to a quieter typing experience, you might want to consider the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switches, although their specific characteristics are less defined in this context. Therefore, weigh your personal typing style, the noise level suitable for your environment, and your sensitivity to feedback when selecting between these two options. By aligning your needs with the unique attributes of each switch, you can enhance your overall mechanical keyboard experience.
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