Aflion Blue Sky vs. Outemu Milk Tea
An in-depth look at the Aflion Blue Sky and the Outemu Milk Tea switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Aflion Blue Sky and the Outemu Milk Tea offer unique typing experiences. The Blue Sky is a linear switch that provides a crystal clear typing experience thanks to its long pole stem, offering a high-pitched sound profile and a smooth push feel. On the other hand, the Milk Tea is a tactile switch that is characterized by its undefined typing experience. While the Blue Sky is best suited for those who prefer a neutral and polished typing experience, the Milk Tea is suitable for those who enjoy a unique, undefined tactile feedback. 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
50g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
60g
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
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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
15mm spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Aflion Blue Sky and the Outemu Milk Tea, it is evident that both switches utilize polycarbonate for their top housing. Polycarbonate is known for creating a sharp, high-pitched, and clear sound profile, making it an ideal choice for switches intended for use with RGB lighting. On the other hand, the Milk Tea's Ly top housing offers a very bright sound signature, providing resonant clacks when typing. While both switches may utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, the slight differences in sound profiles can be attributed to other factors such as the switch design or keycap material.
Moving on to the bottom housing, both the Blue Sky and the Milk Tea opt for nylon material. Nylon is a classic switch housing material that elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature, which absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics. This results in a duller and rounder sound when typing on switches with nylon bottom housings. The utilization of nylon for the bottom housing in both switches showcases a preference for a more muffled and substantial sound profile, contrasting the sharper and clearer sound produced by the polycarbonate top housing.
Overall, while both the Aflion Blue Sky and the Outemu Milk Tea share similarities in their choice of housing materials, the subtle differences in sound profiles can still be noted. The Blue Sky's combination of polycarbonate top housing for a sharper sound and nylon bottom housing for a fuller sound, emphasizes a balance of clarity and depth in its typing experience. Meanwhile, the Milk Tea's utilization of polycarbonate for the top housing and nylon for the bottom emphasizes a bright sound signature with a deeper and fuller undertone. Despite these differences, both switches offer a unique typing experience that showcases the impact of housing materials on sound profiles.
Weight
The Aflion Blue Sky linear switch has a slightly higher actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch, which has an actuation force of 45 grams. This means that the Blue Sky may feel slightly more resistant to press initially. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Blue Sky requires 60 grams of force while the Milk Tea's bottom out force is unknown. In terms of weight, the Blue Sky switch is slightly heavier overall. The actuation force of both switches falls within the medium range, making them suitable for most users. The key difference between the two is the slightly higher actuation force of the Blue Sky switch, which may appeal to those who prefer a slightly more resistant key press. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference for typing feel and force required.
Travel distance
The Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch both have a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key using either of these switches, you will experience the same amount of travel distance. Both switches offer a consistent and satisfying typing experience in terms of how far the key travels from the top to the bottom. Therefore, there is no difference in the travel distance between the two switches, as they both provide the same 4 mm of travel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Aflion Blue Sky has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Blue Sky for $4.07.
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
In terms of sound, the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch is known for its high-pitched sound profile, giving a sharp and crisp typing experience when pressed. On the other hand, the sound profile of the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch is unknown. 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.
When it comes to feel, the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch offers a mild typing experience with a smooth push feel, making it approachable to most users. Additionally, the polished finish of these switches results in a sleek and refined typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. Unfortunately, the tactile feel of the Outemu Milk Tea switch is unknown.
Overall, if you enjoy a high-pitched sound profile and a smooth linear typing experience, the Aflion Blue Sky switch would be a great choice. However, if you prefer a tactile typing experience with unknown sound characteristics, the Outemu Milk Tea switch might also be worth considering. Keep in mind that personal preference plays a significant role in choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch, so experimenting with different options is key to finding the perfect fit for your typing style.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch, consider the following guidelines. Choose the Blue Sky if you prefer a medium bottom out force of 60 grams, a high-pitched sound profile, and a mild and polished typing feel. This switch is ideal for those looking for a crystal clear linear typing experience with a smooth push feel. On the other hand, opt for the Milk Tea if you are looking for a switch with a bottom out force of None and enjoy a neutral sound profile and feel. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences in terms of sound, feel, and typing experience.
Mentioned in this article
