HC Studio Crabapple vs. Outemu Milk Tea
An in-depth look at the HC Studio Crabapple and the Outemu Milk Tea switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the HC Studio Crabapple and the Outemu Milk Tea offer distinct experiences worth considering. The crabapple is a linear switch crafted entirely from POM, providing an effortlessly frictionless typing journey with a unique dry smoothness and subtle texture felt with each downstroke. Its mild and understated sound signature sets it apart as a smooth, mild, subdued, textured switch. On the other hand, the Outemu Milk Tea is a tactile switch with no specific standout features, categorized as standard. Depending on your preference for a smooth and textured typing experience or a standard tactile feel, each switch offers something different. 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
37g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 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
POM
Top housing material
Ly
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Lengthened single-staged spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the HC Studio Crabapple and the Outemu Milk Tea switches offer contrasting sound profiles due to their different compositions. The Crabapple's POM top and bottom housing create a deep and muted sound, while the Milk Tea's Ly top and nylon bottom housing produce a bright and resonant sound. This contrast results in distinctive typing experiences for users of each switch, with the Crabapple offering a more subtle and low-key sound, and the Milk Tea providing a louder and more lively typing experience.
Despite their differences, the POM and Ly top housings of the Crabapple and Milk Tea switches, respectively, share a common characteristic of creating a unique and pleasing sound. Both materials bring a level of satisfaction to users through the sound profiles they produce, albeit in different ways. The POM top housing of the Crabapple offers a relatively muted sound, while the Ly top housing of the Milk Tea provides a bright and clacky typing experience. Ultimately, both switches aim to enhance the overall typing experience by offering distinct sound profiles that cater to different preferences.
When it comes to the bottom housings of the Crabapple and Milk Tea switches, further contrasts can be observed. The POM bottom housing of the Crabapple contributes to its deep and muted sound profile, while the nylon bottom housing of the Milk Tea elicits a deeper and fuller sound. This difference in material composition results in a variation in the sound produced by each switch when engaging with the bottom housing. Overall, the combination of top and bottom housings in each switch plays a crucial role in defining the overall sound and feel of the typing experience for users.
Weight
The HC Studio Crabapple linear switch has a lighter actuation force of 37 grams compared to the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch, which has a slightly heavier actuation force of 45 grams. When it comes to bottom out force, the Crabapple requires 45 grams, while the Milk Tea's bottom out force is unknown. The lighter actuation force of the Crabapple may appeal to those who prefer a less strenuous typing experience for extended periods, such as in a work setting or during long gaming sessions. Conversely, the slightly heavier actuation force of the Milk Tea may provide a more substantial and pronounced typing feel for users who prefer that kind of feedback. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will come down to individual preferences for typing feel and force requirements.
Travel distance
The HC Studio Crabapple linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. In this case, the Milk Tea switch has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Crabapple switch. Both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, but the slight difference may be noticeable to some users. Gamers who prioritize faster response times may prefer the shorter travel distance of the Crabapple switch, while those who prefer a more substantial key press may lean towards the longer travel distance of the Milk Tea switch. Overall, the choice between the two switches will ultimately depend on individual preferences for travel distance and typing feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HC Studio Crabapple has an MSRP of $5.90 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Crabapple for $4.70.
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
The Crabapple linear switch is known for its subdued sound profile, offering a dampened and subtle sound when pressed. In contrast, the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch's sound characteristics are unknown, making it difficult to directly compare the two in this aspect. When it comes to feel, the Crabapple provides a frictionless and smooth typing experience, with a mild and textured sensation felt with each keystroke. On the other hand, the tactile feel of the Milk Tea switch is not specified, leaving it open to interpretation. Overall, while the Crabapple linear switch excels in offering a smooth and gentle typing experience with a subdued sound, the information available for the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch is limited, making it challenging to make a direct comparison in terms of sound and feel. It is important to consider personal preferences and the overall typing experience desired when choosing between these two switches.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the HC Studio Crabapple linear switch and the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch, consider your preferences for typing feel and sound. If you prefer a light and frictionless typing experience with a mild and subdued sound, the Crabapple switch crafted from POM material would be a great choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with an unknown bottom out force and undefined sound and feel characteristics, the Milk Tea switch might be worth exploring. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for typing sensation and auditory feedback.
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