Kailh Box White V2 vs. Outemu Milk Tea

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboards, the choice of switch can profoundly affect your typing experience, and two popular options on the market are the Kailh Box White V2 and the Outemu Milk Tea switches. The Kailh Box White V2 is celebrated for its clicky nature, delivering a crisp tactile feedback accompanied by a distinct audible click, making it an excellent choice for typists and gamers who enjoy a more traditional, responsive feel that enhances their keystrokes. In contrast, the Outemu Milk Tea switches offer a tactile experience without the pronounced click, providing a satisfying bump when pressed that many users appreciate for its quieter operation, ideal for shared spaces or longer typing sessions. While the Box White V2 stands out for its enthusiastic auditory feedback, the Milk Tea switches are often favored for their smoothness, creating a more subtle engagement. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the right switch for you.

By the numbers

Kailh Box White V2 Clicky

Outemu Milk Tea Tactile

$3.50

$3.00 per 10

$3.10 per 10

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Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the Kailh Box White V2 and the Outemu Milk Tea, significant distinctions arise, particularly in their top housings. The Box White V2 features a polycarbonate top housing, which is recognized for creating a sharper and crisper sound profile. Due to its stiffer nature, polycarbonate contributes to brighter sounds, enhancing the clarity and resonance experienced during typing. This attribute is especially beneficial for users who prioritize RGB lighting, as the translucency of polycarbonate allows light to pass through effectively, showcasing vibrant illumination. In contrast, the Outemu Milk Tea's top housing is made from Ly, which is a more contemporary material. Ly is characterized by its capability to produce bright sound signatures and resonant clacks, providing a distinct auditory experience when compared to the sharper resonance of polycarbonate. While both top housings aim for a bright sound profile, the specific timbre and quality are differentiated by the inherent properties of the materials used.

Both switches feature nylon bottom housings, leading to a convergence in the sound characteristics associated with the lower half of the switches. Nylon, a classic material for switch housings, is recognized for its softer and more absorptive qualities. As a result, both the Kailh Box White V2 and the Outemu Milk Tea deliver deeper and fuller sound profiles when pressed down. The nylon material dampens sound more effectively than harder plastics, yielding a duller and rounder sound that contributes to a comfortable typing experience. This similarity reinforces the notion that while the top housings differ, the sound and feel experienced at the bottom-out moment remain consistent across both models, benefiting from the nylon’s acoustic properties.

Overall, the differences in the top housings of the Kailh Box White V2 and Outemu Milk Tea shape the overall auditory experience, while the nylon bottom housings ensure a unified sound quality during bottom-out. By combining a bright and resonant top housing with a fuller and deeper bottom housing, users of both switches can appreciate a diverse typing experience. Ultimately, the specific selection between these two switches may come down to personal preference regarding the nuances of sound produced at the top with the pressing action, while both provide the comfort and depth attributed to their similar nylon materials.

Weight

The Kailh Box White V2 clicky switch and the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch exhibit similarities in their actuation force but differ in their bottom out force information. Both switches require an actuation force of 45 grams, making them relatively easy to press and suitable for long typing sessions or extended gaming marathons. However, while the Box White V2 has a defined bottom out force of 50 grams, indicating a slightly heavier resistance when bottoming out, the Outemu Milk Tea switch's bottom out force is unknown. This lack of information means we cannot compare their bottom out characteristics directly. Overall, while both switches feel similar in actuation, the Kailh Box White V2 provides a more substantial push at the bottom, which could cater to users who prefer a heavier typing experience. Thus, if you prioritize a lighter typing feel for extended use, the Box White V2 is a solid choice, whereas the ambiguity around the Outemu Milk Tea may leave users wondering about its true performance.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Kailh Box White V2 clicky switch and the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch, a clear distinction emerges. The Kailh Box White V2 has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Outemu Milk Tea features a longer travel distance of 4 mm. This means that if you opt for the shorter Box White V2, you'll experience a more responsive action that may be preferred by gamers who appreciate quicker key presses. In contrast, the 4 mm travel of the Milk Tea switch provides a deeper, more robust feel, which might appeal to those who favor a more tactile experience during their typing or gaming sessions. Ultimately, your choice between the two will depend on whether you prioritize speed and responsiveness or a satisfying depth in your keystrokes.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Kailh Box White V2 switches are celebrated for their distinct and pronounced audible click, which provides a satisfying auditory feedback with each keystroke. This sound is sharp and crisp, making it particularly appealing for those who enjoy the auditory aspect of typing. Conversely, the Outemu Milk Tea switches do not have a well-documented sound profile, leaving their acoustic qualities somewhat unknown. However, it is important to note that the sound produced by any switch can vary significantly based on the keyboard's construction and the type of keycaps used, which means users may have a unique experience with both switches.

When it comes to feel, the Box White V2 switches offer a firm tactile bump that adds a layer of engagement to typing. This tactile feedback helps typists to identify key presses without needing to look, enhancing the typing experience for users who prefer a more interactive response. While the Outemu Milk Tea switches are categorized as tactile, specific details about their feel are not provided. Generally, tactile switches offer a softer bump compared to clicky switches, but without more information, it's unclear how the tactile experience of the Milk Tea compares directly to the pronounced feedback of the Kailh Box White V2.

In summary, the Kailh Box White V2 excels in both sound and feel with its crisp clicking sound and firm tactile bump, making it an excellent choice for those who appreciate audible feedback and an engaging typing experience. Meanwhile, the Outemu Milk Tea switches, while lacking detailed information on their sound and feel, still fall into the tactile category, which may provide a different but potentially satisfactory experience for users drawn to a softer actuation. Ultimately, your preference will depend on whether you value the pronounced click and feeling of the Box White V2 or wish to explore the subtler tactile feedback offered by the Milk Tea switches.

Conclusion

To conclude, the choice between Kailh Box White V2 clicky switches and Outemu Milk Tea tactile switches largely depends on your typing preferences and the type of experience you seek. If you enjoy an engaging typing experience with distinct tactile feedback and an audible click with every keystroke, the Kailh Box White V2 is an excellent option. Its light bottom-out force of 50 grams makes it suitable for fast typing without much fatigue. This is ideal for those who appreciate a more expressive sound and feel while typing, making it perfect for typing-heavy activities or simply enjoying the auditory feedback. On the other hand, if you prefer a smoother and quieter tactile experience, the Outemu Milk Tea switches might be more in alignment with your needs. While their specific characteristics in sound and feel aren’t detailed here, tactile switches are generally appreciated for their understated feedback, offering a balance between sound and responsiveness. Thus, if you’re looking for a more subdued typing experience that’s comfortable for casual use or long stints of typing, the Milk Tea switches would be the way to go. Ultimately, consider what matters most to you in your typing experience, whether it be the crisp clicks of the Box White V2 or the subtle tactile response of the Milk Tea, to make an informed decision.

Mentioned in this article

Kailh Box White V2 Clicky

$3.50

$3.00 per 10

Learn more

Outemu Milk Tea Tactile

$3.10 per 10

Learn more