Kailh BCP vs. Outemu Milk Tea
An in-depth look at the Kailh BCP and the Outemu Milk Tea switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, choosing the right one can significantly enhance your typing experience, and the Kailh BCP and Outemu Milk Tea offer two distinct options suited to different preferences. The Kailh BCP is a linear switch that reimagines the beloved Black Cherry Pies with custom-molded technology, creating a smooth and bouncy typing feel accompanied by a delightful poppy and clacky sound profile. This switch excels in providing a seamless keystroke, making it perfect for those who prioritize rapid key presses and a satisfying auditory response during intense gaming sessions or fast-paced typing. On the other hand, the Outemu Milk Tea offers a tactile bump that provides tactile feedback to users, enhancing precision and ensuring a more deliberate typing experience beneficial for those who enjoy the feel of each keystroke. While the Kailh BCP appeals to users seeking fluidity and sound, the Milk Tea caters to those who appreciate the tactile responsiveness in their inputs. 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
52g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
1.40 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
Nylon
Top housing material
Ly
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
20mm single-staged spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Kailh BCP and the Outemu Milk Tea switches, one can observe a distinct contrast between their top materials, while their bottom housings share a commonality. The Kailh BCP utilizes a nylon top housing, which is lauded for its ability to produce a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is largely due to the softer nature of nylon, allowing it to absorb sound more effectively than harder plastics. In contrast, the Outemu Milk Tea features a Ly top housing, which offers a much brighter sound signature, resulting in resonant clacks during typing. This fundamental difference in the top housing materials suggests that users seeking a duller, muted acoustic experience may prefer the Kailh BCP, while those who enjoy a lively and sharp auditory feedback may lean towards the Outemu Milk Tea.
Both switches, however, utilize nylon for their bottom housings, which leads to a similar experience in terms of sound profile when the switch is bottomed out. The nylon material, known for its capacity to create a deeper sound, ensures that both switches maintain a consistent acoustic character when keys are fully pressed down. Although the impact of the bottom housing on the overall sound experience is less noticeable compared to the top housing, it still contributes to the overall typing sound by providing a fuller bottom-out noise. This common bottom housing material means that users will find that the sound signature when the keys are fully pressed will be more aligned between the two switches, regardless of the differences in the top housing materials.
In summary, the contrasting materials used for the top housings of the Kailh BCP and Outemu Milk Tea switches result in divergent sound profiles while sharing a common bottom housing. This leads to a more subdued acoustic experience with the BCP when typing and a more resonant one with the Milk Tea. However, both switches will deliver a similar bottom-out sound due to their nylon bottom housings, showcasing how mixed material usage can create a unique typing experience while still offering some elements of consistency. For enthusiasts looking for a balance between the two, the combination of these materials in either switch allows for tailored auditory feedback based on personal preference.
Weight
When comparing the Kailh BCP linear switch and the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch, it is clear that the BCP is the heavier option. The BCP features an actuation force of 52 grams and a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, indicating a medium-heavy feel that may be suitable for those who prefer a more substantial typing experience. In contrast, the Outemu Milk Tea has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams, which makes it ideal for users who favor a softer touch, helping to reduce fatigue during long typing sessions or gaming marathons. However, the bottom out force for the Milk Tea is unavailable, which means we cannot directly compare this aspect to the BCP. Overall, if you're seeking a lighter touch, the Outemu Milk Tea is the way to go, while the Kailh BCP would be better suited for those who appreciate heavier key presses.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Kailh BCP linear switch and the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch, we find a noticeable difference: the BCP has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Milk Tea measures 4 mm. This means that the Milk Tea switch offers a longer travel distance, which can provide a more substantial feel during key presses, appealing to users who enjoy a deeper keystroke. In contrast, the BCP's shorter travel distance may cater to gamers or those who prefer quicker responses, as it allows for faster actuation. Overall, the difference in travel distance reflects distinct preferences, with the BCP being the shorter option ideal for enhanced responsiveness, and the Milk Tea providing a more traditional feel with its longer travel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Kailh BCP has an MSRP of $5.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the BCP for $4.75.
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 Kailh BCP linear switch boasts a signature poppy and clacky sound profile that gives a lively acoustic feedback during typing. This characteristic makes it particularly engaging for users who enjoy an auditory dimension to their typing experience. The Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch, on the other hand, does not have a detailed sound profile provided, which makes it challenging to compare directly. However, generally, tactile switches have a sound that is less pronounced than linear switches like the BCP, typically producing a subtle thock sound with each actuation due to the tactile bump.
In terms of feel, the BCP is noted for its creamy, viscous, elastic, and bouncy experience, providing a very smooth and satisfying typing sensation that many users find enjoyable. This unique feel enhances the overall typing experience, making it ideal for long typing sessions. The Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch lacks specific characteristics in the provided information, leaving its exact feel somewhat ambiguous. However, tactile switches typically provide a noticeable bump during actuation, contributing to a different tactile feedback that some users might prefer over a linear switch.
In conclusion, the Kailh BCP linear switch offers a standout auditory and tactile experience, making it a great choice for users who appreciate a lively feel and sound when typing. Meanwhile, the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch remains undefined in terms of both sound and feel; thus, potential users may want to explore further reviews or personal testing to ascertain its qualities. Ultimately, while the BCP delivers consistency in its appealing characteristics, the Milk Tea's specific attributes remain uncertain, making it essential for newcomers to seek additional insights or hands-on experiences.
Conclusion
To conclude, the choice between the Kailh BCP linear switch and the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch largely depends on your personal preferences and typing style. If you enjoy a firmer, more substantial feeling under your fingers and appreciate a bouncy typing experience, the BCP’s medium-heavy actuation force of 63.5 grams might be the right fit for you. Its poppy and clacky sound profile can also enhance the auditory feedback you receive while you type, making it an ideal choice for those who enjoy a more pronounced auditory experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a gentler feedback with a more pronounced tactile bump, you might find the Milk Tea switch to be more suitable. Although specific details about the sound and feel of the Milk Tea are not available, tactile switches are generally well-loved for their ability to communicate key presses without overwhelming noise. Ultimately, your choice should align with your typing needs—be it for gaming, programming, or everyday tasks—so consider what aspects matter most to you in a mechanical keyboard experience.
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