TTC Gold Brown Pro vs. Outemu Milk Tea
An in-depth look at the TTC Gold Brown Pro and the Outemu Milk Tea switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch, the TTC Gold Brown Pro and the Outemu Milk Tea stand out as two excellent tactile options, each catering to different preferences. The TTC Gold Brown Pro is celebrated for its nuanced feedback, offering a subtle tactile bump that allows typists to immerse themselves in their work without being overly conscious of each keystroke. Its low-pitched sound profile ensures a quiet typing experience, making it ideal for office environments or shared spaces where distraction is a concern. On the other hand, the Outemu Milk Tea, while less defined in its standout features, is often praised for its smooth keystrokes and adaptability across various typing styles, appealing to users who enjoy a leisurely and comfortable experience. With these distinct qualities, the Gold Brown Pro is perfect for those seeking a refined, understated tactile feel, while the Milk Tea caters to a broader audience looking for versatility. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
N/A
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
NPI
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Ly
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
18mm spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The TTC Gold Brown Pro and the Outemu Milk Tea switches showcase distinct characteristics in their top housing materials, leading to notable differences in sound profile. The Gold Brown Pro features a polycarbonate top housing, known for its ability to produce a sharper and crisper sound signature due to its rigidity. This material's translucency further enhances its suitability for RGB lighting, making it a visually appealing option in well-lit setups. In contrast, the Milk Tea utilizes a newer material known as Ly for its top housing, which also provides a bright sound signature but focuses more on resonant clacks. While both materials aim for a vibrant auditory experience, their inherent properties lead to different textural sensations when typing, with the polycarbonate providing a clearer tone and the Ly creating a more clattering effect.
When examining the bottom housing, both the TTC Gold Brown Pro and the Outemu Milk Tea employ nylon, a classic switch housing material revered for its sound-absorbing capabilities. This shared feature contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, which is characterized by a softer and rounder typing experience. The nylon in both switches absorbs sound, diminishing the higher frequencies and allowing for an overall more muted presence compared to their top housing sounds. As a result, while the Gold Brown Pro's top housing emphasizes clarity, the full auditory experience of both switches is enhanced by the nylon bottom, each housing material working in tandem to create a balanced and satisfying soundscape.
In essence, while the TTC Gold Brown Pro and Outemu Milk Tea switches differ in their top housing materials — providing unique auditory experiences — their shared nylon bottom housing ensures that the deeper, fuller sound characteristic remains consistent. This means that users seeking a particular auditory experience can expect both switches to deliver rich and resonant sounds, with the top housing dictating the higher-end tones and clacks, while the bottom housing helps to round out the overall auditory profile. Consequently, whether opting for the sharper clarity of the polycarbonate or the brighter resonance of the Ly material, the deeper qualities derived from the nylon bottom will always provide a familiar foundation.
Weight
Both the TTC Gold Brown Pro and the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switches share the same actuation force of 45 grams, indicating that both switches require the same amount of effort to trigger a keystroke. This similarity may lead to comparable typing experiences for users in terms of initial key response, which could benefit those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions. However, the bottom out force for both switches is listed as "None," making it impossible to compare this aspect directly. As a result, both switches lack definitive specifications regarding the force applied when pressing the key all the way down. Given that the actuation forces are equal, users might expect similar tactile feedback and overall feel when engaging with either switch, but they may need to explore personal preferences further without concrete bottom out data. Overall, users looking for switches that feel consistent when pressed down would find both options meet that criterion.
Travel distance
The TTC Gold Brown Pro tactile switch features a travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm. This means that the Gold Brown Pro is designed for a quicker response, appealing particularly to gamers who benefit from shorter travel distances for faster key actuation. In contrast, the Milk Tea, with its traditional 4 mm travel distance, caters to those who may prefer a more pronounced tactile feedback and a deeper keystroke, providing a more substantial feel during typing. Therefore, if you're looking for a switch that offers a snappier, more responsive experience, the TTC Gold Brown Pro would be the better choice, while the Outemu Milk Tea offers a longer, more robust keystroke for those who enjoy a deeper action.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Gold Brown Pro has an MSRP of $6.11 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Gold Brown Pro for $2.90.
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
When it comes to sound, the TTC Gold Brown Pro tactile switch has a well-defined auditory presence characterized by a thocky and low-pitched profile. This means that when you press a key, it emits a deep, satisfying thud that is both rich and mellow, making it particularly enjoyable for typing without being overly loud. Such a neutral sound signature allows it to fit comfortably in various environments, whether at home or in the office, without causing disruption. In contrast, there is no information available on the sound characteristics of the Outemu Milk Tea switch, leaving its auditory experience uncertain.
In terms of feel, the Gold Brown Pro presents a polished and silky typing experience. Its mild and subtle tactile feedback provides a gentle yet adequate reminder of key presses without overwhelming the user. The switch features a stepped tactile design, which allows for some nuance in its actuation, enhancing the overall typing experience by providing a smooth action with reduced resistance. Unfortunately, the tactile feel of the Milk Tea switch is not specified, so a direct comparison here cannot be made.
Overall, the TTC Gold Brown Pro tactile switch is designed for those who appreciate a refined, smooth typing experience with a low-key sound profile, making it an excellent choice for individuals looking for a blend of subtlety and satisfaction in their typing routine. With no available information about the Outemu Milk Tea in terms of sound and feel, it stands out as an unknown element in this comparison, making the Gold Brown Pro a compelling option for newcomers seeking a well-rounded tactile switch.
Conclusion
To conclude, when deciding between the TTC Gold Brown Pro and the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switches, your personal preferences and typing environment will play a crucial role. If you prefer a typing experience that allows for focus and immersion, the Gold Brown Pro is the optimal choice. Its subtle tactile feedback and low sound profile provide just enough feedback without overwhelming your senses, making it ideal for quiet settings or extended typing sessions where distraction should be minimized. Its silky and polished feel enhances the experience, allowing for smooth key presses that won't tire you out over time. On the other hand, if you're looking for something more geared towards versatility and you appreciate a pronounced tactile experience, the Milk Tea switch could be appealing, assuming it offers more pronounced feedback—although that specific detail was not provided. While the Gold Brown Pro caters to those who value elegance and a discreet presence, the Milk Tea may draw in those who want a more engaging tactile sensation. Ultimately, your choice should reflect your environment and how you enjoy typing—be it through nuanced and gentle feedback or a more tactile and responsive feel.