Everglide Crystal Violet vs. Outemu Milk Blue
An in-depth look at the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Outemu Milk Blue switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Outemu Milk Blue clicky switch, there are distinct differences to consider. The Crystal Violet offers a light operating force of 45g, providing a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience ideal for those seeking a gentle and comfortable feel. Its sound profile is pleasantly mellow and leans towards the lower-pitched spectrum, creating a subtle auditory experience. On the other hand, the Milk Blue clicky switch lacks a specific standout feature but is known for its satisfying clicky feedback. The choice between these switches ultimately comes down to personal preference and usage, with the Crystal Violet offering a creamy, low-pitched, and mild typing experience, while the Milk Blue provides a standard clicky feel. 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
45g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
ABS
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
ABS
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Everglide Crystal Violet features ABS in both its top and bottom housing, providing a relatively low-pitched sound profile when typing. In contrast, the Outemu Milk Blue utilizes polycarbonate for the top housing and nylon for the bottom housing. This combination results in a switch with a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile on the top end and a deeper, fuller sound profile on the bottom end. The use of polycarbonate in the Milk Blue's top housing also makes it ideal for enhancing RGB lighting due to its translucency, whereas the Crystal Violet's ABS housing does not offer this feature.
In terms of sound profile, the Crystal Violet and Milk Blue switches offer distinct differences due to their housing materials. The ABS housing in the Crystal Violet produces a more traditional typing sound with a low pitch, while the polycarbonate and nylon housing in the Milk Blue creates a sharper and crisper sound profile. The softer nylon bottom housing in the Milk Blue absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound compared to the Crystal Violet's ABS bottom housing. These differences highlight how housing materials can significantly impact the overall sound experience of a switch.
Although the Everglide Crystal Violet and Outemu Milk Blue feature different housing materials, they both aim to provide an enhanced typing experience through their unique sound profiles. While the Crystal Violet's ABS housing offers a low-pitched sound and a classic typing experience, the Milk Blue's combination of polycarbonate and nylon results in a sharper, crisper sound with deeper tones. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will come down to personal preference in terms of sound profile and typing feel, as well as whether the added feature of RGB lighting is a priority for the user.
Weight
In comparing the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Outemu Milk Blue clicky switch, we can see that the Crystal Violet has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Milk Blue's 50 grams. This means that the Crystal Violet may be preferred by those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions. However, the bottom out force for the Crystal Violet is slightly higher at 55 grams, providing a bit more resistance when fully pressing the key. On the other hand, the bottom out force for the Milk Blue is unknown, which may make it difficult to determine how it compares in this aspect. In terms of weight, the Crystal Violet is lighter overall, offering a medium-light feel, while the Milk Blue remains a bit of a mystery in terms of its bottom out force. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on personal preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
Both the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Outemu Milk Blue clicky switch have a travel distance of 4 mm, making them equal in this aspect. When comparing the two switches, they both offer the same tactile feedback and clicky sound, but the Crystal Violet is known for its smoother keystrokes while the Milk Blue provides a more pronounced and audible click. Despite these differences in feel, the travel distance remains consistent between the two switches, giving users a similar typing experience in terms of key travel. Overall, whether you choose the Everglide Crystal Violet or the Outemu Milk Blue, you can expect a 4 mm travel distance that will offer a satisfying typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Crystal Violet has an MSRP of $7.08 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Crystal Violet for $4.19.
The Outemu Milk Blue 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, the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch offers a pleasant and gentle typing experience with a mellow and low-pitched sound profile. With a light operating force of 45g, these switches are ideal for users seeking a relaxed and stepped tactile feedback. The creamy and mild feel of the Crystal Violet switches, combined with their stepped tactile sensation, creates a smooth and buttery typing experience. On the other hand, information regarding the Outemu Milk Blue clicky switch is not available at this time. While individual preferences may vary, those looking for a tactile switch with a comfortable feel and quiet typing sound may find the Everglide Crystal Violet to be a suitable choice. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches would depend on the specific preferences and requirements of the user.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Outemu Milk Blue clicky switch, consider your preferences for typing experience. If you value a light operating force and a gentle, stepped tactile feel with a mellow sound profile, the Crystal Violet may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a clicky switch with a defined click sound and a higher actuation force, the Milk Blue could be the better option. Ultimately, the decision should depend on your personal typing style and the type of sound and feel you prefer when using a mechanical keyboard.
Mentioned in this article
