Huano Grape Orange vs. Outemu Milk Tea

Overview

When considering the best mechanical keyboard switch for your typing needs, two popular options come to mind: the Huano Grape Orange, a linear switch, and the Outemu Milk Tea, a tactile switch. The Grape Orange switches are renowned for their exceptionally light and effortless typing experience thanks to their ultra-low 40g actuation force. This makes them ideal for those who engage in extended typing sessions, as they reduce finger fatigue and allow for rapid keystrokes. In contrast, the Outemu Milk Tea switches offer a tactile experience that provides feedback during key presses, catering to users who enjoy a more pronounced response while typing, which can enhance typing accuracy and satisfaction. Both switches have their unique advantages depending on the user's preferences—whether you're drawn to the smoothness of a linear switch or the tactile feedback of a tactile switch. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the right switch for you.

By the numbers

Huano Grape Orange Linear

Outemu Milk Tea Tactile

$3.00

$2.79 per 10

$3.10 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the Huano Grape Orange and the Outemu Milk Tea, it's evident that both switches utilize polycarbonate for their top housings, albeit with slightly different implications for sound characteristics. The Grape Orange's polycarbonate top housing is particularly noted for creating a sharp, high-pitched, and crisp sound profile, which is attributed to the material's stiffness and translucency. This feature also enhances RGB lighting effects, allowing for a visually appealing and integrated multimedia experience. Conversely, the Milk Tea's Ly top housing, while also polycarbonate, contributes to a bright sound signature that delivers resonant clacks when typing. While both switches employ polycarbonate, the specific design and intended sound profile may lead to perceptibly distinct auditory experiences.

In stark contrast to their top materials, both the Grape Orange and the Milk Tea utilize nylon for their bottom housings. This homogeneity in bottom materials results in a shared characteristic: the nylon creates a deeper, fuller sound profile due to its softer nature, which absorbs more sound and, consequently, produces a duller and rounder auditory experience. The similarity in bottom housing materials means that when typing, users will likely experience a consistent sound depth and fullness from both switches. Overall, the nylon contributes to a solid foundation for sound, complementing the brighter tones produced by the polycarbonate tops in each case.

Ultimately, the distinctive sound profiles derived from the combination of materials illustrate how the interaction between top and bottom housings shapes the overall auditory experience. In switches like the Grape Orange and the Milk Tea, the polycarbonate top's sharpness contrasts with the nylon's deeper qualities, creating an engaging typing experience. The Grape Orange, with its notable crispness, and the Milk Tea, recognized for its resonant clack, both harness their respective materials to deliver unique sound signatures while benefiting from the shared qualities of nylon in their bottom housings. Thus, while the top housings define the high-pitched characteristics, the nylon bottoms ensure that the deeper sounds remain pronounced, allowing for an enjoyable typing experience across both models.

Weight

The Huano Grape Orange linear switch and the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch present compelling differences in their actuation forces. The Grape Orange has a lighter actuation force of 40 grams compared to the Milk Tea's 45 grams, making it easier to press and ideal for users who prioritize long typing sessions without fatigue. However, the bottom-out force of the Milk Tea is unknown, while the Grape Orange features a bottom-out force of 50 grams. This means that while the Grape Orange will require a firmer press to reach the bottom, the lack of information on the Milk Tea's bottom-out force leaves its overall tactile feedback and experience somewhat ambiguous. Consequently, for those who prefer a lighter switch, the Grape Orange is the clear choice, while the Milk Tea may appeal to users who enjoy a subtly more assertive keystroke, provided its bottom-out characteristics align with their preferences.

Travel distance

The Huano Grape Orange 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 may influence a user’s typing experience significantly. Gamers and those favoring speed may appreciate the shorter distance of the Grape Orange, as it can provide more responsive key presses and quicker action. On the other hand, the Milk Tea's longer travel distance offers a more pronounced tactile feedback, which some users might find more comfortable and satisfying during typing. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on personal preference for either a snappier feel or a more substantial depth in keystrokes.

Price comparison

Typing experience

The Huano Grape Orange linear switch offers a notably quiet typing experience, which is typically characterized by its smooth operation and lack of a tactile bump. This makes it an excellent choice for environments where noise is a concern, like shared spaces or offices. In contrast, the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch is generally expected to produce a more pronounced sound due to its tactile nature, which is indicative of an audible bump during keypress. However, specifics regarding the Milk Tea's sound signature remain unspecified, so the actual noise level may vary based on the keyboard build and components used.

When it comes to feel, the Grape Orange provides an exceptionally light and effortless typing experience, with a remarkably low actuation force of 40g. This makes it feel very responsive and easy to press, which can enhance comfort during long typing sessions. The tactility of the Outemu Milk Tea switch, however, is currently unspecified, making it difficult to directly compare its physical feedback to that of the Grape Orange. Generally, tactile switches provide a noticeable hill at the actuation point, but without additional information, we cannot capture how that sensation relates to the Grape Orange’s smooth linear motion.

In summary, the Huano Grape Orange linear switch stands out for offering a soft and almost silent typing experience alongside a light feel, making it optimal for prolonged use. The Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch likely introduces a different dynamic with its tactile feedback, but clarification on its key characteristics is needed to draw precise comparisons. While both switches serve different preferences—one for a smooth and easy touch and the other potentially for tactile feedback—their performance will also depend on the overall keyboard assembly, including the board and keycaps chosen.

Conclusion

To conclude, the choice between the Huano Grape Orange linear switch and the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch largely depends on your typing preferences and usage scenarios. If you are looking for an ultra-light and smooth typing experience, especially for extended sessions where fatigue could be a concern, the Grape Orange switch would be your go-to. With its 40g actuation force, it offers a fluid response ideal for gamers or writers seeking speed and minimal resistance. On the other hand, if you appreciate tactile feedback that helps you know when your keypress has registered - but still want a more muted sound profile - the Outemu Milk Tea switch could be the better option for you. While its specific actuation force details aren't provided, tactile switches generally provide a satisfying bump, suited for users who enjoy precision with each keystroke, making them a great choice for typing-heavy tasks. Ultimately, your decision should hinge on whether you prioritize a lighter linear feel or the feedback and control that tactile switches provide.

Mentioned in this article

Huano Grape Orange Linear

$3.00

$2.79 per 10

Learn more

Outemu Milk Tea Tactile

$3.10 per 10

Learn more