HMX KD200 vs. Outemu Milk Tea

Overview

When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, the HMX KD200 and the Outemu Milk Tea offer distinct experiences that cater to different preferences. The KD200, a linear switch renowned for its clackiness, delivers a smooth and uninterrupted keypress that appeals to gamers and typists seeking rapid response times without any tactile bumps to slow them down. In contrast, the Outemu Milk Tea, classified as a tactile switch, provides a noticeable feedback with each keystroke, making it an appealing choice for those who enjoy a more engaged typing experience and appreciate the subtle confirmation of their inputs. Each switch brings unique advantages; the KD200 is perfect for those who prioritize speed and efficiency, while the Milk Tea is ideal for users who value tactile feedback for more deliberate typing. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

HMX KD200 Linear

Outemu Milk Tea Tactile

$3.50

$3.29 per 10

$3.10 per 10

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Housing materials

The housing materials of the HMX KD200 and Outemu Milk Tea switches present both similarities and differences that influence their overall sound profiles and typing sensations. The KD200 features nylon for both its top and bottom housings, which is a classic material known for its softer properties. This softness allows the nylon to absorb sound, resulting in a typing experience characterized by a deeper and fuller sound profile. On the other hand, the Outemu Milk Tea employs a different material for its top housing—Ly—which is known for projecting a brighter sound signature. This leads to a more resonant typing experience with distinct clacks, particularly noticeable when a key is pressed and released. While the KD200 benefits from a more muted auditory experience, the Milk Tea's top housing lends a sharper and more pronounced sound during key releases.

The bottom housings of both switches, however, share the same material—nylon. This commonality means that when typing on either switch, both will exhibit the deeper and fuller sound that nylon provides, especially during bottoming out. Therefore, while the KD200 and Milk Tea switches differ in the quality of sound produced by their top housings, their shared nylon bottom housing ensures that users experience a similar auditory response during the impact of a key press. This duality allows for nuanced typing feedback where the bottom housing significantly influences how the switches feel when they fully compress.

In terms of overall typability, the disparities between the top and bottom housing materials mean that users can expect a varied experience depending on which switch they choose. The KD200 offers a mellower, more subdued typing experience thanks to its consistent nylon construction, while the Outemu Milk Tea introduces a vibrant element relevant to its Ly top housing. Consequently, while both switches will provide a satisfying feel due to the nylon bottom, the top housings play a pivotal role in differentiating the two. If you're seeking a particular sound profile or tactile feedback, understanding these materials is crucial in selecting the switch that best suits your typing preferences.

Weight

When comparing the HMX KD200 linear switch and the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch, both switches share the same actuation force of 45 grams, indicating that they require an equal amount of pressure to trigger a keystroke. This similarity can be advantageous for typists as it allows for a consistent typing feel between the two switches. However, the bottom out force differs significantly; while the KD200 has a bottom out force of 50 grams, the exact value for the Milk Tea switch remains unknown, limiting our comparison. In terms of overall weight and typing experience, the KD200 is the heavier option due to its defined bottom out force, which may provide a more substantial experience for those who prefer a firmer keystroke. Conversely, the consistent actuation force of 45 grams across both switches suggests that both can be suitable for users who appreciate a lighter touch, although the KD200 will feel slightly heavier upon bottoming out. Therefore, depending on your preference for weight in a switch, the KD200 might be the better choice for those seeking a more substantial typing feel, while the Milk Tea remains a lightweight option with an unknown bottom out force.

Travel distance

The HMX KD200 linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch features a longer travel distance of 4 mm. This difference means that the KD200 will provide a quicker response time due to its shorter travel distance, making it a potentially better choice for gamers who prioritize speed. Conversely, the Milk Tea switch, with its longer travel distance, offers a more pronounced tactile experience that some users may find more satisfying, especially if they prefer a deeper key press. As such, if you lean towards a more responsive feel, the KD200 is the preferable option, whereas the Milk Tea will cater to those who enjoy a fuller depth in their keystrokes. Overall, the KD200 is the shorter switch, while the Milk Tea is the longer one.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound characteristics, the HMX KD200 linear switch stands out as the clackiest member of its family, making it a lively choice for typists who enjoy auditory feedback with their keystrokes. However, the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch does not have a specific sound profile mentioned, so it’s difficult to make a direct comparison. Nonetheless, the overall sound of both switches will ultimately be influenced by the materials used in the keyboard, the type of keycaps selected, and the construction of the keyboard itself, which can lead to a similar acoustic experience depending on the setup.

In terms of feel, the KD200 offers a smooth linear action, typically preferred by those who appreciate uninterrupted keystrokes without any tactile bump or resistance. On the other hand, since the feel of the Milk Tea switch isn’t explicitly detailed, it remains uncertain how it compares to the smoothness of the KD200. However, tactile switches generally provide a noticeable bump when the key is activated, which some users find satisfying as it adds a feedback element to each press. Depending on your preference for tactile vs. linear feel, these two switches could provide very different typing experiences.

In conclusion, choosing between the HMX KD200 linear switch and the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch will largely come down to personal preference around sound and feel. If you desire a more pronounced acoustic experience, the clackiness of the KD200 could be appealing, while the Milk Tea switch may offer a different tactile sensation that could be enjoyable in its own right. Ultimately, understanding these qualities will help you find the right fit for your typing style, but individual results may vary based on other equipment used in conjunction with the switches.

Conclusion

To conclude, when deciding between the HMX KD200 linear switch and the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch, your personal preferences and typing style play a crucial role. If you enjoy a light keypress with a clacky sound profile that provides a smooth and uninterrupted actuation, the KD200 would be an excellent choice, particularly for activities like fast-paced gaming or typing where speed is essential. On the other hand, if you prefer a tactile feedback experience that gives you a noticeable bump during actuation, which is great for both typing and casual gaming, then the Milk Tea switch is more suited for you. While the KD200 excels in smoothness and auditory feedback, the Milk Tea offers a satisfying tactile feel that can enhance your typing experience. Ultimately, your choice should reflect what feels comfortable and enjoyable for your specific use case, whether that's the quick and clacky nature of the KD200 or the tactile nuances of the Milk Tea.

Mentioned in this article

HMX KD200 Linear

$3.50

$3.29 per 10

Learn more

Outemu Milk Tea Tactile

$3.10 per 10

Learn more