Durock Daybreak vs. Outemu Milk Tea
An in-depth look at the Durock Daybreak and the Outemu Milk Tea switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Durock Daybreak and the Outemu Milk Tea offer unique typing experiences for different preferences. The Durock Daybreak is a linear switch, known for its solid 67g weight which provides a hefty typing experience favored by those who enjoy a significant touch. In addition, its quiet operation makes it an excellent choice for workspaces or settings where noise reduction is crucial. On the other hand, the Outemu Milk Tea is a tactile switch, providing a different typing sensation compared to the linear Daybreak. While the Milk Tea's characteristics are not explicitly detailed, tactile switches are generally known for providing feedback and a bump during actuation, ideal for those who prefer a more tactile typing experience. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches 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
N/A
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 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
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Ly
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Durock Daybreak and the Outemu Milk Tea, it is evident that both switches utilize polycarbonate in their top housing. This material choice results in a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile with a clear and resonant quality. The use of polycarbonate in the top housing also allows for RGB lighting to shine through, offering an aesthetically pleasing feature to the switches. However, while both switches share this material choice for the top housing, the Daybreak incorporates nylon for its bottom housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile, whereas the Milk Tea also utilizes nylon for its bottom housing for a similar effect.
Despite the similarities in their top housing material, the differences in the bottom housing material of the Durock Daybreak and the Outemu Milk Tea offer distinct sound characteristics. The nylon bottom housing of the Daybreak creates a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic composition, absorbing more sound and resulting in a duller and rounder sound quality. Similarly, the Milk Tea's nylon bottom housing contributes to a resonant and clacky sound signature, offering a unique typing experience. This difference in bottom housing materials showcases how the choice of material can impact the overall sound profile of a switch.
Overall, the choice of housing materials in a switch can significantly impact the sound and feel of typing. While both the Durock Daybreak and the Outemu Milk Tea share a polycarbonate top housing for a sharp and clear sound, their diverging bottom housing materials bring distinct qualities to the switches. The nylon bottom housing of the Daybreak produces a deeper and fuller sound profile, while the Milk Tea's nylon bottom housing offers a resonant and clacky typing experience. These differences in housing materials highlight the importance of material choice in creating unique sound profiles for mechanical switches.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Daybreak linear switch and the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch, it is clear that they offer different experiences to the user. The Daybreak switch has a medium-heavy bottom out force of 67 grams, while its actuation force is not specified. In contrast, the Milk Tea switch has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams, with an unknown bottom out force. This means that the Daybreak switch would provide a more substantial typing experience with its heavier bottom out force, while the Milk Tea switch would offer a lighter touch for longer typing sessions. Both switches have their own advantages depending on the user's preference for typing feel and force required. Ultimately, the user's choice between the two switches would depend on whether they prefer a lighter or heavier typing experience.
Travel distance
The Durock Daybreak linear switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm, making it shorter than the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch, which has a travel distance of 4 mm. The Daybreak offers a slightly quicker keypress due to its shorter travel distance, which may appeal to gamers looking for faster response times. On the other hand, the Milk Tea switch provides a slightly deeper keypress experience with its longer travel distance, which some users may find more satisfying. Overall, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and desired typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Daybreak has an MSRP of $6.87 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Daybreak for $5.41.
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 Durock Daybreak linear switch is known for its heavier 67g actuation force, providing a solid typing experience for those who prefer a more substantial touch. The quiet operation of the Daybreak makes it a suitable option for environments where noise level is a concern. On the other hand, the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch does not have any notable information available at this time.
Sound-wise, the Daybreak switch produces a muted and low-pitched sound, which is softer and bass-heavy compared to regular switches. The exact sound of a switch can also be influenced by the keyboard build and keycaps used. However, details about the sound profile of the Milk Tea tactile switch are currently unknown.
When it comes to feel, the Daybreak switch is recognized for its polished finish, resulting in a smooth and refined typing experience. This polished surface reduces friction and enhances key travel, providing a sleek feel when typing. Unfortunately, there is no available information on the feel of the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch.
In conclusion, if you are looking for a linear switch with a heavier actuation force and a quiet operation, the Durock Daybreak would be a suitable choice. On the other hand, if you are interested in a tactile switch like the Outemu Milk Tea, more information would be needed to make a direct comparison in terms of sound and feel. Keep in mind that individual preferences play a significant role in determining the ideal switch for each user, so trying out different switches is crucial in finding the perfect fit for your typing needs.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Durock Daybreak linear switch and the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch, consider your preferences for typing experience and noise level. Choose the Daybreak if you prefer a medium-heavy typing experience with quiet operation, making it suitable for work environments where noise reduction is important. On the other hand, opt for the Milk Tea if you are looking for a switch with a unique tactile feedback and are open to exploring different sound profiles. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal typing preferences and requirements in terms of noise level and tactility.
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