HMX Gravel vs. Outemu Milk Tea
An in-depth look at the HMX Gravel and the Outemu Milk Tea switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the HMX Gravel and the Outemu Milk Tea offer two distinct experiences that cater to different preferences. The HMX Gravel, a linear switch, is celebrated for its exceptional smoothness and refined typing feel, providing a medium-light actuation force that allows for a responsive and effortless typing experience – ideal for those who favor quick keystrokes without tactile feedback. On the other hand, the Outemu Milk Tea, categorized as a tactile switch, brings a different dynamic to the table with its satisfying bump that offers tactile feedback, making it a great choice for users who enjoy a more pronounced keypress experience, perfect for typing and gaming alike. Ultimately, both switches have their unique strengths, whether you prefer the seamless flow of the Gravel or the tactile satisfaction of the Milk Tea. 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
50g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 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
22mm single-stage spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the HMX Gravel and the Outemu Milk Tea switches demonstrate both similarities and differences that contribute to their overall sound profiles. The Gravel's top housing is made from polycarbonate, renowned for its ability to produce a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. This is largely due to polycarbonate's stiffer structure, which enhances clarity and resonance. In contrast, the Milk Tea's top housing is constructed from Ly, a newer material that, while also capable of delivering a bright sound signature, focuses on providing resonant clack sounds when typing. Both materials play a significant role in defining the switch's acoustic characteristics; however, the Gravel’s polycarbonate top may lend itself to a more vivid clarity, whereas the Milk Tea's Ly housing could present a slightly different tonality despite its brightness.
On the bottom housing side, both the Gravel and the Milk Tea utilize nylon, a classic choice that results in a deep and full sound profile. The properties of nylon contribute to a rounded and soft auditory experience, absorbing some of the sound energy and thereby creating a more muted effect compared to the sharper tones produced by their respective top housings. This consistent use of nylon across both models means that while there might be differences in the top housing materials, the bottom housing will share a significant sonic characteristic, ensuring that both switches have a foundational depth in their sound. The nylon's ability to provide a full sound profile ultimately ties both switches together in terms of experiencing a satisfying bottom-out feel.
The combination of materials in the Gravel and Milk Tea switches results in nuanced yet distinct auditory signatures. With the Gravel's polycarbonate top delivering more clarity and the Milk Tea's Ly top contributing to a unique resonance, the overall typing experience will vary depending on the preferences of the user. However, since both switches employ the same nylon bottom housing, they are likely to produce a similarly deep and rich sound on bottoming out. This harmony between the different top materials combined with the uniform nylon base allows users to achieve different sound profiles even within the same foundational acoustic characteristics, lending to a personalized typing experience contingent on the top housing material chosen.
Weight
The HMX Gravel linear switch and the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch offer an interesting comparison in terms of actuation force and bottom out force. Both switches have the same actuation force of 45 grams, indicating that they require an equal amount of force to trigger a keystroke, which may appeal to typists who prefer a lighter touch for prolonged usage during work or gaming sessions. However, the bottom out force of the Gravel switch is 50 grams, meaning it requires slightly more force to press down completely compared to the Outemu Milk Tea, for which the bottom out force is unknown. This lack of a specified bottom out force for the Milk Tea switch leaves a gap in direct comparison. Consequently, users who prefer a heavier feel during typing might find the Gravel switch to their liking due to its higher bottom out force. Ultimately, if you’re looking for a lighter feel, both switches perform similarly in actuation, but the Gravel provides a more substantial experience upon bottoming out.
Travel distance
The HMX Gravel linear switch features a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm. This makes the Gravel the shorter of the two, providing a more responsive feel that can be particularly appealing to gamers who prefer quicker key presses for faster reaction times. On the other hand, the Milk Tea switch, with its longer travel distance, offers a more substantial feel that many users appreciate for a deeper typing experience. If you enjoy a tactile response and prefer a switch that provides a sense of depth in each keystroke, the longer Milk Tea switch may be the better choice for you. Ultimately, the choice between these switches depends on personal preference regarding response time and typing feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Gravel has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Gravel for $2.99.
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 comparing the sound profiles of the HMX Gravel linear switch and the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch, the Gravel is known for its smooth operation that typically results in a quieter typing experience, as linear switches tend to minimize any audible feedback. The Milk Tea switch, however, has no specific information available regarding its sound characteristics. It's worth noting that the sound produced by both switches will ultimately depend on various factors such as the keyboard frame, keycap material, and even the typing style of the user.
In terms of feel, the Gravel switch excels with its exceptional smoothness and refined typing experience, catering to those who appreciate a more effortless and fluid keystroke. The medium-light actuation force of the Gravel provides a gentle yet responsive touch that many find enjoyable over extended typing sessions. In contrast, the Outemu Milk Tea switch lacks detailed descriptions about its feel, leaving users uncertain about the tactile feedback and overall typing sensation it offers.
In conclusion, the HMX Gravel linear switch is celebrated for its smoothness and light feel, making it a preferred choice for those who enjoy a seamless typing experience. While the auditory aspects of the Gravel lean towards a quieter output, the Milk Tea switch remains an enigma without specific sound or feel characteristics. For users seeking a refined typing experience, the Gravel stands out as a strong candidate, while the Milk Tea's tactile qualities await further exploration to understand its true potential.
Conclusion
To conclude, choosing between the HMX Gravel linear switch and the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch largely depends on your typing preferences and usage scenarios. If you prioritize a smooth and responsive typing experience, the Gravel is an excellent choice. With its lighter actuation force of 50 grams, you will find typing to be effortless, making it particularly suitable for long typing sessions or if you prefer rapid keystrokes for gaming. The Gravel's smooth feel enhances the overall experience, allowing for a fluid flow that could benefit both casual and competitive users alike. On the other hand, if you enjoy a tactile feedback that provides a noticeable bump during actuation, the Milk Tea switch may be more to your liking. While the specifics of the Milk Tea’s bottom-out force and sound profile are not detailed, switches with tactile feedback are generally preferred by typists who like to feel when their keypresses register, potentially improving typing accuracy and creating a more engaging experience. Ultimately, consider what aspects of typing and gaming you value more: the silky smoothness of the Gravel or the satisfying tactile response of the Milk Tea when making your decision.
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