Gateron CJ vs. Outemu Milk Tea
An in-depth look at the Gateron CJ and the Outemu Milk Tea switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron CJ and the Outemu Milk Tea offer unique experiences for users. The Gateron CJ is a linear switch that stands out for its unique presentation, providing a smooth push feel and higher-pitched clacks when typing. On the other hand, the Outemu Milk Tea is a tactile switch that offers a different typing experience. While the CJ is categorized as 'Chirpy', 'Neutral', 'Mild', 'Low-pitched', and 'Thocky', the Milk Tea falls under a different classification. Choosing between these switches ultimately comes down to personal preference and typing style. 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
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Top housing material
Ly
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Gateron CJ and Outemu Milk Tea switches both utilize unique housing materials that contribute to their sound profiles. The CJ's proprietary INK blend top housing produces a pointed and high-pitched sound that is described as clacky, while the Milk Tea's Ly top housing offers a bright and resonant clack when typing. In terms of the bottom housing, the CJ's POM housing creates a deeper and more muted sound profile, while the Milk Tea's nylon bottom housing elicits a fuller and rounder sound due to its softer plastic composition.
Despite their differences, both the Gateron CJ and Outemu Milk Tea switches provide distinct sound profiles that are influenced by their housing materials. The CJ's use of POM bottom housing gives it a unique depth in sound, while the Milk Tea's nylon bottom housing absorbs more sound, creating a duller yet rounder sound profile. On the other hand, the top housing materials play a role in the sound when pressing down or letting go of a key, with the CJ's INK blend contributing to a clacky sound and the Milk Tea's Ly top housing offering a resonant clack.
While the Gateron CJ and Outemu Milk Tea switches may have different top and bottom housing materials, their overall sound profiles can be similar in terms of their unique characteristics. Both switches provide a satisfying typing experience with distinct sound profiles that are influenced by their housing materials. The CJ's INK blend and POM housing create a high-pitched, clacky sound, while the Milk Tea's Ly top housing and nylon bottom housing offer a bright and resonant clack with a deeper and fuller sound profile. In conclusion, both switches showcase the impact that housing materials can have on the overall typing experience and sound quality.
Weight
The Gateron CJ linear switch has a lighter actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch with an actuation force of 45 grams, making the Milk Tea the lighter option in terms of initiating keystrokes. However, the Gateron CJ linear switch has a heavier bottom out force of 60 grams, while the bottom out force of the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch is unavailable. This means that the Gateron CJ linear switch requires more force to fully press the key down compared to the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preference for a lighter or heavier typing experience. Both switches offer similar results in terms of actuation force if a lighter touch is preferred, but the Gateron CJ linear switch provides a heavier bottom out force for those seeking a more substantial typing feel.
Travel distance
Both the Gateron CJ linear switch and the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch have a travel distance of 4 mm, making them equal in this aspect. This means that users can expect a similar tactile experience when typing on either of these switches. The 4 mm travel distance allows for consistent and smooth keystrokes, providing a satisfying typing experience. Whether you choose the CJ or the Milk Tea switch, you can be confident that you will get comparable results in terms of travel distance and overall feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron CJ has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the CJ for $5.35.
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 CJ linear switch is often described as having a chirpy and higher-pitched sound with a smooth push feel. On the other hand, the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch's sound characteristics are currently unknown, so it's difficult to directly compare the two in this aspect. However, keep in mind that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
Moving on to feel, the Gateron CJ linear switch is often noted for providing a mild typing experience that falls into a safe middle ground zone, appealing to a wide range of users with its approachable qualities. Unfortunately, information on the tactile feel of the Outemu Milk Tea switch is currently unavailable, making it challenging to make a direct comparison between the two switches in this regard.
Taking all the available information into consideration, it is clear that the Gateron CJ linear switch stands out for its unique characteristics such as a chirpy sound and a smooth push feel, appealing to those who enjoy a higher-pitched sound profile. On the other hand, the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch lacks available information on both sound and feel qualities, making it difficult to provide a detailed comparison. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches would depend on individual preferences for sound and feel, as well as other factors such as typing style and intended use. For those looking for a similar typing experience to the Gateron CJ linear switch, it may be worth exploring other linear switches with a focus on higher-pitched sound profiles and smooth actuation.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering whether to choose the Gateron CJ linear switch or the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch, it ultimately comes down to personal preference and typing experience. If you are looking for a unique and enjoyable linear switch with a medium bottom out force of 60 grams, the CJ may be the right choice for you. The CJ offers a smooth push feel and higher-pitched clacks, providing a different typing experience compared to other linear switches. On the other hand, if you prefer a tactile switch with a bottom out force of None and are interested in trying something new, the Milk Tea may be worth considering once more information becomes available. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your typing style, preferences, and the overall feel and sound you are looking for in a mechanical keyboard switch. Choose the switch that best suits your needs and enhances your typing experience.
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