United States: Free shipping on orders over $49

HMX Cheese vs. Outemu Milk Tea

An in-depth look at the HMX Cheese and the Outemu Milk Tea switches—which one is the best fit for you?

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the HMX Cheese and the Outemu Milk Tea. The HMX Cheese is a linear switch that is praised for its unparalleled smoothness and pristine typing experience. With a satisfying clacky, poppy, and crispy sound signature, these ultra-light switches are lighter than 90% of all switches, providing a unique typing sensation. On the other hand, the Outemu Milk Tea is a tactile switch that offers a different typing experience. While not much information is available, tactile switches typically provide a slight bump or resistance when pressed, allowing for a more tactile feedback. Ultimately, the decision of choosing between the HMX Cheese and the Outemu Milk Tea will depend on personal 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

43g

Actuation force

45g

Bottom-out force

46g

Bottom-out force

N/A

Pre-travel

2.00 mm

Pre-travel

2.00 mm

Total travel

3.50 mm

Total travel

4.00 mm

Factory lubed

Yes

Factory lubed

Yes

Stem construction

Standard

Stem construction

Partial box

Stem material

Ly

Stem material

POM

Top housing material

Nylon

Top housing material

Ly

Bottom housing material

Nylon

Bottom housing material

Nylon

Mount type

PCB (5-pin)

Mount type

PCB (5-pin)

Spring

22mm single-staged spring

Spring

Stainless steel

Housing materials

The housing materials of the HMX Cheese and the Outemu Milk Tea switches are both made of nylon, a classic switch housing material known for providing a deeper and fuller sound profile. However, the Cheese's nylon top housing is described as being softer and absorbing more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. In contrast, the Milk Tea's Ly top housing is a newer material that offers a very bright sound signature with resonant clacks when typing. This difference in sound profiles could impact the overall typing experience and preference for users.

On the other hand, both the Cheese and Milk Tea switches also have nylon bottom housings that contribute to the switch's sound profile. The nylon bottom housing in both switches helps in creating a deep and full sound when typing, as the relatively softer plastic absorbs more sound than harder plastics. This similarity in bottom housing material implies that users can expect a consistent typing experience in terms of sound quality and feel, regardless of the switch they choose between the Cheese and Milk Tea.

Overall, the difference in top housing material between the HMX Cheese and the Outemu Milk Tea switches highlights the diverse sound profiles that can be achieved with varying housing materials. While the Cheese's nylon top housing creates a duller and rounder sound, the Milk Tea's Ly top housing produces a bright sound signature with resonant clacks. The consistent use of nylon for bottom housing in both switches ensures a deep and full sound profile when typing, offering users a reliable tactile experience. Ultimately, the choice between these switches may come down to personal preference for sound and typing feel.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the HMX Cheese linear switch and the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch, it is evident that the Cheese is lighter in terms of actuation force, requiring only 43 grams compared to the Milk Tea's 45 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Cheese is also lighter, needing 46 grams as opposed to the Milk Tea for which the information is not available. Both switches provide a similar typing experience in terms of actuation force, but the Cheese offers a slightly lighter touch for those who prefer a more effortless typing experience. On the other hand, the Milk Tea may provide a more substantial feel to those who prefer a bit more resistance in their keystrokes. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on an individual's preference for a lighter or heavier typing experience.

Travel distance

The HMX Cheese linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, making it shorter than the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch which has a travel distance of 4 mm. The Cheese switch would provide a quicker response time due to its shorter travel distance, making it ideal for gamers looking for fast-paced action. On the other hand, the Milk Tea switch offers a slightly deeper press, catering to those who prefer a more substantial feel when typing or gaming. Both switches provide different tactile experiences, with the Cheese switch feeling more abrupt and the Milk Tea switch offering a smoother keystroke. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and the specific needs of the user.

Price comparison

Which switch is more bang for your buck?

The HMX Cheese has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Cheese for $3.79.

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

Overall, when comparing the subjective qualities of the HMX Cheese linear switch and the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch, it is clear that the Cheese excels in providing a smooth and pristine typing experience with a unique sound profile that is both satisfying and distinct. On the other hand, information on the Milk Tea switch is limited, making it difficult to directly compare the two. However, based on the qualities of the Cheese switch, it is safe to assume that the Milk Tea switch may offer a tactile typing experience with its own unique feel. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preference and typing style, as both switches are likely to provide a high-quality typing experience.

Conclusion

To sum up, if you are looking for a smooth and light typing experience with a satisfying sound signature, the HMX Cheese linear switch would be the way to go. With a bottom out force of 46 grams, these switches offer a unique feel that is lighter than most switches on the market. On the other hand, if you prefer a tactile switch with a bottom out force of None grams and a different typing experience, you might want to consider the Outemu Milk Tea switch. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on your personal preferences and the type of typing experience you are looking for. Consider trying out both switches to see which one suits your needs best.

Mentioned in this article