Gateron Ink Box Black vs. Outemu Milk Tea
An in-depth look at the Gateron Ink Box Black and the Outemu Milk Tea switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the choice between linear and tactile can greatly impact your typing experience. The Gateron Ink Box Black, a linear switch, is highly regarded for its smooth and creamy feel, with a sound signature reminiscent of a shaken spray paint can. Categorized as 'Clacky', 'High-pitched', 'Silky', and 'Polished', the Ink Box Black offers a distinctive typing sensation. On the other hand, the Outemu Milk Tea, a tactile switch, lacks specific standout features in terms of sound or feel, but is generally considered a solid option. While the Ink Box Black may appeal to those looking for a unique typing experience, the Milk Tea could be a good choice for those seeking a more standard tactile switch. 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
60g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
70g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Top housing material
Ly
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Gateron Ink Box Black and the Outemu Milk Tea, it is evident that they both offer unique sound profiles. The INK blend top housing of the Ink Box Black is praised for its clacky and relatively high-pitched sound, while the Milk Tea's Ly top housing provides a bright and resonant clack when typing. Both materials offer distinct auditory experiences, with the Ink Box Black leaning towards a thinner sound and the Milk Tea offering a fuller sound profile. While the top housing of both switches differ, their impact on key press sound is noticeable.
In terms of bottom housing materials, the Ink Box Black features the same proprietary INK blend as the top housing, resulting in a consistent high-pitched and clacky sound profile throughout the switch. On the other hand, the Outemu Milk Tea utilizes a nylon bottom housing, known for its ability to produce a deeper and fuller sound. The nylon material absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound profile. This difference in bottom housing materials contributes to the overall sound and feel of each switch, with the Milk Tea offering a softer and more muted typing experience.
Overall, while the top and bottom housing materials of the Gateron Ink Box Black and the Outemu Milk Tea may differ, both switches offer unique sound profiles that can cater to different preferences. The INK blend housing of the Ink Box Black provides a thin and clacky sound, while the Milk Tea's combination of Ly and nylon housings offers a brighter and fuller typing experience. Whether you prefer a sharper and higher-pitched sound or a deeper and rounder sound, both switches deliver distinct auditory feedback that enhances the typing experience.
Weight
The Gateron Ink Box Black linear switch has a higher actuation force and bottom out force compared to the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch. The Gateron switch requires 60 grams of force to actuate a keystroke and 70 grams to bottom out, whereas the Milk Tea switch needs only 45 grams of actuation force, with an unknown bottom out force. This makes the Ink Box Black feel heavier and more substantial when typing, while the Milk Tea offers a lighter typing experience. Some users may prefer the lighter actuation force of the Milk Tea for longer typing sessions, while others may enjoy the heavier feel of the Ink Box Black for a more tactile experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for typing force.
Travel distance
The Gateron Ink Box Black linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, making it shorter than the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch, which has a travel distance of 4 mm. If you're looking for a quicker response time and prefer a shallower travel distance, the Gateron switch would be the better option. On the other hand, if you enjoy a bit more depth and tactility in your keystrokes, the Outemu switch with the longer travel distance may be more suitable for your needs. Both switches offer different experiences in terms of travel distance, so it ultimately comes down to personal preference and what feels more comfortable for individual users.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Ink Box Black has an MSRP of $8.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Ink Box Black for $7.65.
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
In terms of sound, the Gateron Ink Box Black linear switch stands out for its clacky and high-pitched sound profile, reminiscent of a spray paint can being shaken. On the other hand, the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch has unknown sound qualities, making it difficult to make a direct comparison. It is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard's build and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Gateron Ink Box Black is praised for its silky and polished typing experience, offering smooth key presses with minimal resistance. The tactile feedback of the Outemu Milk Tea switch is not described in the provided information, making it challenging to compare directly in terms of feel. Both switches may result in a satisfying typing experience, but the exact tactile feedback of the Milk Tea switch remains unknown.
Overall, the Gateron Ink Box Black linear switch excels in both sound and feel, providing a clacky sound profile and silky smooth typing experience. While the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch may offer its own unique qualities, such as unknown sound and feel characteristics, the Ink Box Black is a reliable choice for users seeking a tactile and audible typing experience. Experimenting with different switches on various keyboards and keycap combinations can further enhance the overall typing feel to suit individual preferences.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when choosing between the Gateron Ink Box Black linear switch and the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch, it ultimately depends on your preferences and typing style. If you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force with a smooth and creamy typing experience, along with a clacky and high-pitched sound profile, then the Gateron Ink Box Black switch may be the right choice for you. However, if you prefer a switch with no specified bottom out force, and are looking for a tactile typing experience, then the Outemu Milk Tea switch could be more suitable. Remember to consider factors such as sound, feel, and bottom out force to make the best decision for your mechanical keyboard setup. Ultimately, the choice is yours and should be based on what feels most comfortable and enjoyable for your typing needs.
Mentioned in this article
