HMX Cloud - 50g vs. Outemu Milk Tea

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the HMX Cloud - 50g and the Outemu Milk Tea present distinct options that cater to different typing preferences. The HMX Cloud - 50g, a linear switch, is celebrated for its clacky sound profile and silky smooth feel, making it an attractive choice for enthusiasts who seek a bright and effortless typing experience. Its lighter actuation force allows for quick and responsive keystrokes, ideal for gaming and fast-paced typing. In contrast, the Outemu Milk Tea, classified as a tactile switch, offers a satisfying bump at the point of actuation, providing feedback that many users find rewarding. While it does not have a distinct sound profile, the tactile sensation can enhance typing accuracy and comfort, making it a great choice for those who do a lot of typing or prefer more deliberate key presses. However, let’s dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

HMX Cloud - 50g Linear

Outemu Milk Tea Tactile

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

$3.10 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the HMX Cloud - 50g and the Outemu Milk Tea, notable differences are evident particularly in the top housing. The Cloud - 50g utilizes a nylon top housing, a classic switch housing material known for its softer composition. This softness allows nylon to absorb sound more effectively, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile characterized by duller and rounder tones when typing. In contrast, the Milk Tea employs a Ly top housing, which is a more modern material that contributes to a brighter sound signature. The Ly housing produces sharper, more resonant clacks, presenting a more pronounced auditory experience when keys are activated and released.

Interestingly, both switches feature nylon in their bottom housings, which is where their audio similarities converge. The Cloud - 50g and the Milk Tea share the same properties for their nylon bottoms, both providing a deeper and more muffled sound profile. This shared material diminishes the impact of sound output from the bottom of the switch, making both switches exhibit a fuller sound when bottoming out, regardless of the differences in their top housing materials. This commonality indicates that while the overall sound experience may differ because of the top housing, the bottom housing ensures that both switches benefit from the same muted sound signature when the key is fully pressed down.

Ultimately, the performance of both switches reveals how the dual housing materials can interact. While the Cloud - 50g produces a more subdued auditory profile due to its predominantly nylon housing, the Milk Tea’s contrasting Ly top provides a bright and resonant typing experience. Nevertheless, the nylon bottom housing in both cases serves to unify the sound characteristics, contributing significantly to the overall typing experience. Users may appreciate the unique acoustic qualities of each switch, recognizing that the combination of materials yields a diverse range of sound profiles depending on the housing configuration.

Weight

When comparing the HMX Cloud - 50g linear switch and the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch, the actuation forces highlight a notable distinction. The Cloud switch has an actuation force of 42 grams, making it lighter and easier to trigger, which is beneficial for long typing sessions or gaming marathons. In contrast, the Milk Tea switch has a slightly heavier actuation force of 45 grams, appealing to those who prefer a more substantial feel while typing. However, the bottom out force for the Milk Tea switch is unknown, leaving a gap in our understanding of its overall resistance when fully pressed down. While the Cloud switch has a bottom out force of 50 grams, offering clarity on its resistance, the lack of this information for the Milk Tea switch prevents a direct comparison of the bottoming out experience. Overall, for users seeking a lighter feel, the Cloud switch is clearly the better option, while the Milk Tea switch caters to those who appreciate a firmer push.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the HMX Cloud - 50g linear switch and the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch, we see distinct differences that cater to varying preferences. The Cloud - 50g features a travel distance of 3.9 mm, while the Milk Tea switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm. This makes the Cloud - 50g the shorter option, ideal for users who prioritize a more responsive feel in their key presses, which can be particularly advantageous for gaming. On the other hand, the Milk Tea's 4 mm travel distance offers a bit more depth, appealing to those who prefer a more substantial tactile experience when typing. For users seeking speed and brevity, the Cloud - 50g is likely the better choice, whereas the Milk Tea will satisfy those looking for a richer key press experience.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the HMX Cloud - 50g linear switch is recognized for its clacky sound profile, which provides a lively acoustic experience that many enthusiasts find appealing. This brighter sound can enhance the typing experience and has the potential to cut through background noise, making each keystroke feel more pronounced. On the other hand, the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch does not have a specific sound profile mentioned; however, tactile switches generally produce a muted sound compared to linear switches. The overall sound experience from the Milk Tea may vary based on the keyboard build, keycap material, and the switch installation.

When considering the feel of these switches, the Cloud - 50g is noted for its silky smooth action, providing a pleasant typing experience with minimal resistance. This smoothness is especially appealing for typists looking for quick and fluid keystrokes. In contrast, the feel of the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch isn't specified, but tactile switches generally offer a noticeable bump at the actuation point, giving users tactile feedback that can enhance typing accuracy and satisfaction. Depending on personal preference, the tactile feedback may appeal to those who enjoy feeling the activation of each key.

Overall, both the HMX Cloud - 50g and Outemu Milk Tea switches cater to different typing experiences. The Cloud - 50g offers a bright, clacky sound and a silky smooth feel, making it great for enthusiasts who seek a lively and rapid typing action. While the Milk Tea’s sound characteristics are not detailed, its tactile nature typically provides a different type of feedback, appealing to those who prefer a pronounced bump when typing. Ultimately, the decision between the two will come down to personal preference in sound and feel, but each has its own merits within the mechanical keyboard landscape.

Conclusion

To sum up, when deciding between the HMX Cloud - 50g linear switch and the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch, consider your typing preferences and the kind of feedback you enjoy while using your keyboard. If you favor a smooth and lively typing experience, the HMX Cloud - 50g is an excellent choice thanks to its light 50-gram actuation force and its clacky sound profile which adds a certain excitement to every keystroke. This switch is particularly suited for gamers or typists who prefer rapid keystrokes without the resistance of heavier switches. On the other hand, if you appreciate tactile feedback that helps you feel each key press without being overtly noisy or disruptive, the Outemu Milk Tea switch would serve you well, especially in quieter environments where a tactile but muted experience is preferred. Ultimately, your choice between these two switches should reflect your specific typing style: go for the HMX Cloud - 50g for a bright, smooth, and engaging experience, and choose the Outemu Milk Tea if you desire a more subtle and tactile feedback while keeping noise levels down.

Mentioned in this article

HMX Cloud - 50g Linear

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

Learn more

Outemu Milk Tea Tactile

$3.10 per 10

Learn more