Gateron Ink Red vs. Outemu Milk Blue
An in-depth look at the Gateron Ink Red and the Outemu Milk Blue switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options that often come up for comparison are the Gateron Ink Red and the Outemu Milk Blue. The Ink Red is a linear switch, known for its lower actuation force, making it ideal for those who prefer a lighter typing style. With a smooth feel, crisp sound profile, and effortless typing experience, the Ink Red switch is categorized as neutral, silky, chirpy, mild, polished. On the other hand, the Outemu Milk Blue is a clicky switch but lacks detailed information about its characteristics. While the Ink Red offers a satisfying typing experience with its linear design, the Milk Blue might appeal to those who enjoy more tactile feedback and audible clicks while typing. However, let's delve a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
Proprietary INK blend
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Gateron Ink Red and the Outemu Milk Blue, we see that the Ink Red utilizes a proprietary INK blend for both its top and bottom housing, while the Milk Blue features a polycarbonate top housing and a nylon bottom housing. The INK blend in the Ink Red creates a high-pitched, clacky sound profile, whereas the polycarbonate top housing of the Milk Blue produces a sharper and crisper sound. Additionally, the nylon bottom housing of the Milk Blue results in a deeper and fuller sound compared to the INK blend in the Ink Red. Overall, the differences in housing materials contribute to distinct sound profiles for each switch.
While both switches have unique characteristics due to their housing materials, they also share similarities in their top housing materials. The polycarbonate top housing of the Milk Blue provides a clear and resonant sound profile, especially when paired with RGB lighting, while the INK blend top housing of the Ink Red offers a satisfying, thin, and higher-pitched sound. Both materials contribute to a distinct sound when pressing down on the switch, with the polycarbonate creating a sharper sound and the INK blend producing a clacky sound. However, the nylon bottom housing of the Milk Blue creates a deeper and fuller sound compared to the INK blend bottom housing of the Ink Red, showcasing the differences in sound profiles between the two switches.
Ultimately, the choice between the Gateron Ink Red and the Outemu Milk Blue comes down to personal preference in terms of sound and feel. The INK blend housing in the Ink Red provides a unique clacky sound, while the polycarbonate and nylon housing of the Milk Blue offers a sharper and deeper sound profile. Whether you prefer a higher-pitched sound with a clear top housing like the Ink Red, or a fuller sound with a nylon bottom housing like the Milk Blue, both switches offer distinct typing experiences that cater to different preferences. Regardless of which switch you choose, the housing materials play a significant role in determining the overall sound profile and feel of the switch.
Weight
When comparing the Gateron Ink Red linear switch and the Outemu Milk Blue clicky switch, it is clear that the Milk Blue is the heavier option with an actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Ink Red's 45 grams. However, the bottom out force of the Ink Red is 60 grams, while the bottom out force of the Milk Blue is unknown. This means that the Ink Red provides a more consistent typing experience in terms of force required throughout the keystroke compared to the Milk Blue. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Gateron Ink Red, while individuals seeking a more substantial push feel may prefer the Outemu Milk Blue. Ultimately, the weight of the switches plays a significant role in determining the typing experience for users, with lighter switches being ideal for longer typing or gaming sessions and heavier switches offering a more tactile typing experience.
Travel distance
The Gateron Ink Red linear switch and the Outemu Milk Blue clicky switch have the same travel distance of 4mm. This means that when pressing down on a key with either of these switches, you will experience a consistent 4mm distance traveled from the top to the bottom. Both switches offer a similar typing experience in terms of travel distance, ensuring that users will get similar results in terms of keypress feel. The travel distance of both switches being equal makes them equally efficient in terms of tactile feedback and overall typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Ink Red has an MSRP of $7.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Ink Red for $7.35.
The Outemu Milk Blue 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 Red linear switch offers a unique mix of a neutral sound profile with a touch of chirpiness, making it suitable for various typing environments. On the other hand, the Outemu Milk Blue clicky switch does not have any specific sound descriptors provided. Ultimately, the sound produced by both switches will be influenced by factors such as the keyboard chassis and keycap material used.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Gateron Ink Red provides a silky and polished typing experience, with a mild characteristic that appeals to a wide range of users. This smoothness is achieved through high-quality materials and factory lubing, resulting in reduced friction and effortless key travel. Conversely, the Outemu Milk Blue switch lacks any specified feel descriptions. Nonetheless, it is presumed to offer a tactile and clicky typing experience typical of clicky switches.
Overall, while the Gateron Ink Red linear switch stands out for its smoothness, lower actuation force, and moderate sound profile, the Outemu Milk Blue clicky switch is recognized for its clicky feedback. Nonetheless, without specific details on the feel and sound of the Milk Blue switch, it is difficult to make a direct comparison. In general, when examining switch characteristics, it is crucial to consider personal preferences and typing habits to determine which switch would best suit your needs.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Gateron Ink Red linear switch and the Outemu Milk Blue clicky switch, consider your typing style and environment. If you prefer a smoother and lighter typing experience with a medium actuation force, the Ink Red may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy a clicky and tactile typing experience with a unique acoustic signature, the Milk Blue switch could be more suited to your preferences. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will depend on your personal preferences for typing feel and sound. Consider trying out both switches to determine which one best suits your needs.
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