HMX Deep Navy vs. Outemu Milk Tea

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the HMX Deep Navy and Outemu Milk Tea offer distinct experiences tailored to different typing preferences. The Deep Navy switch, recognized for its linear nature, provides a smooth and unimpeded keystroke, ideal for gamers and typists who appreciate a quieter, more fluid experience while reducing typing fatigue. With its full nylon construction and a rich, sharp sound profile, the Deep Navy excels in delivering tactile feedback alongside a silky-smooth operation thanks to its Ly stem. In contrast, the Outemu Milk Tea switch presents a tactile feel, offering users a noticeable bump upon actuation that can enhance typing accuracy and satisfaction. While those who enjoy the satisfying feedback of a tactile switch might gravitate towards the Milk Tea for its engaging sensation, others may prefer the consistent push of the Deep Navy for uninterrupted gaming or coding sessions. 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 Deep Navy Linear

Outemu Milk Tea Tactile

$3.50

$2.79 per 10

$3.10 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the HMX Deep Navy and the Outemu Milk Tea, it is evident that there are distinct differences in the top housing while the bottom housings share a similarity. The Deep Navy uses a nylon top housing, which is noted for its ability to create a deeper and fuller sound profile while typing. This characteristic is attributed to nylon being a softer plastic that effectively absorbs sound, resulting in a duller and rounder auditory experience. In contrast, the Milk Tea's top housing is made from Ly, a newer material that offers a brighter sound signature. This difference dramatically affects the typing experience; where the Deep Navy yields a more muted and subdued sound, the Milk Tea provides a more resonant clack, making it suitable for typists who prefer a sharp auditory feedback.

Both switches, however, utilize nylon for their bottom housing, which contributes to a similar foundational feel and sound trait across both models. As previously mentioned, nylon is a classic housing material known for its ability to absorb sound, providing a deeper and fuller sound profile. Since both the Deep Navy and Milk Tea share this nylon bottom housing, they will exhibit a significant overlap in sound characteristics during the bottom-out phase of typing. This results in a solid feel and sound when keys are fully pressed, supporting the idea that switching between these two models will still deliver a comparable tactile experience despite their differences in top housing materials.

Ultimately, the outcome of typing on both the Deep Navy and the Milk Tea can be expected to vary significantly due to the divergent top housing materials. However, the commonality of the nylon bottom housing ensures that certain acoustic and tactile aspects are retained in both switches. Thus, while the sound when releasing keys will be impacted differently due to the contrasting top housing materials, the bottom-out experience will be similarly enjoyable for users of both models. This blend of variance and consistency allows typists to identify their preferences clearly while also appreciating the reliable qualities brought forth by the nylon in both bottom housings.

Weight

When comparing the HMX Deep Navy linear switch to the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch, there are notable differences in their actuation forces. The Deep Navy features a lighter actuation force of 40 grams, making it ideal for those who prefer a switch that requires less effort for prolonged typing or gaming sessions. In contrast, the Milk Tea switch has a heavier actuation force of 45 grams, offering a more substantial push feel for users who enjoy a firmer typing experience. While the bottom out force for the Milk Tea switch remains unknown, the Deep Navy's bottom out force is measured at 45 grams, indicating that it provides consistent feedback when the key is fully pressed down. For users who prioritize a lighter feel, the HMX Deep Navy is the preferable option, whereas those seeking a more robust tactile experience may gravitate towards the Outemu Milk Tea despite the lack of complete information on its bottom out force.

Travel distance

The HMX Deep Navy linear switch features a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm. This difference positions the Deep Navy switch as the shorter option, catering to those who favor faster response times, especially popular among gamers. In contrast, the Milk Tea switch, with its more traditional 4 mm travel distance, may be better suited for individuals who enjoy a more substantial key response and a deeper tactile sensation. Ultimately, while both switches offer distinct experiences, the choice between them will depend on personal preferences regarding responsiveness and key feel.

Price comparison

Typing experience

The HMX Deep Navy linear switch is renowned for its rich, sharp sound profile, which contributes to a satisfying auditory experience when typing. The full nylon construction enhances the acoustic properties, making each keystroke crisp and distinct. In contrast, the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch does not have a specified sound profile available, so its auditory characteristics remain undetermined. It's important to consider that the overall sound experience of both switches can be influenced by various factors, including the keyboard build and the keycap materials used.

When it comes to feel, the Deep Navy switch offers an exceptionally smooth typing experience, thanks to its Ly stem design, which ensures that each keystroke glides effortlessly with minimal friction. This smoothness is ideal for typists who prefer a linear switch with no tactile bump or resistance. On the other hand, the feel of the Milk Tea switch is not explicitly documented, leaving potential users without a clear understanding of its tactile response and typing experience.

In summary, the HMX Deep Navy linear switch stands out with its sharp sound profile and silky smooth feel, making it a strong choice for those who prioritize audio feedback and keystroke fluidity. The Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch lacks detailed information about its sound and feel, making it harder to assess its overall performance. For those who appreciate auditory feedback and a smooth typing experience, the Deep Navy will likely be the preferred option. However, both switches could cater to specific preferences based on users’ needs once more detailed information about the Milk Tea switch becomes available.

Conclusion

To conclude, the choice between the HMX Deep Navy linear switch and the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch ultimately depends on your typing style and preferences. If you prefer a smoother typing experience with a lighter actuation force and enjoy a rich sound profile, the Deep Navy is an excellent choice for you. Its nylon construction and Ly stem provide that silky smoothness, making it suitable for both fast-paced typing and gaming. On the other hand, if you favor a tactile response that gives you feedback with each keystroke, you might find the Milk Tea switch more to your liking, despite the lack of information available about its specific characteristics. The tactile feel can enhance your typing experience, especially during long writing sessions where you want a more engaging interaction with your keyboard. Therefore, consider your own priorities: for a smooth, quiet, and lightweight option, the Deep Navy stands out, while the Milk Tea could be the better bet if you’re drawn to tactile feedback.

Mentioned in this article

HMX Deep Navy Linear

$3.50

$2.79 per 10

Learn more

Outemu Milk Tea Tactile

$3.10 per 10

Learn more