Bsun Kiki Red vs. Outemu Milk Tea
An in-depth look at the Bsun Kiki Red and the Outemu Milk Tea switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Bsun Kiki Red linear switch offers a finely-tuned and tactile typing experience, striking a balance between high-pitched clackiness and smooth actuation. With POM housings and Ly stems, these switches provide a unique sound signature and exceptional smoothness. Their medium-light weighting makes them a preferred choice for enthusiasts who value subtlety in auditory feedback and finesse in performance. On the other hand, the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch is characterized by its lack of information, which may make it a bit of a mystery in terms of its performance. However, both switches offer unique benefits, with the Kiki Red providing a clacky and polished experience, while the Milk Tea may offer a different tactile feel. However, to truly determine the best switch for you, a deeper exploration into their specific characteristics is necessary.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
42g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
POM
Top housing material
Ly
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
20.4mm single-stage nickel-plated spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Bsun Kiki Red uses POM for both the top and bottom housing, which results in an incredibly pleasing and unique sound that is deep and muted. On the other hand, the Outemu Milk Tea utilizes a combination of Ly for the top housing and nylon for the bottom housing. The Ly top housing produces a bright sound signature with resonant clacks, while the nylon bottom housing creates a deeper and fuller sound profile. This contrast in housing materials leads to a noticeable difference in sound and typing experience between the two switches.
Although the top housings of the Bsun Kiki Red and Outemu Milk Tea offer distinct sound profiles, the bottom housings have more of an impact on the overall typing experience. The POM bottom housing of the Kiki Red contributes to the deep and muted sound profile, while the nylon bottom housing of the Milk Tea enhances the switch's sound by absorbing more sound and creating a duller, rounder tone. Both switches provide a unique typing experience due to the characteristics of their bottom housings, highlighting the importance of this component in determining the overall sound and feel of a switch.
In terms of sound production, the Bsun Kiki Red and Outemu Milk Tea showcase how different housing materials can influence the typing experience. While the POM housings in the Kiki Red create a unique, deep, and muted sound, the combination of Ly and nylon in the Milk Tea results in a brighter sound signature with resonant clacks. The choice of housing materials in switches plays a crucial role in dictating the sound profile, feel, and overall user experience. Whether it be POM or nylon, each material brings its own attributes to the table, offering users a variety of options to customize their typing experience.
Weight
The Bsun Kiki Red linear switch has a lighter actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, providing a smooth and effortless typing experience. In contrast, the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch has a slightly heavier actuation force of 45 grams, but the bottom out force is unknown. This means that while the Kiki Red switch may be preferred by users who prefer a lighter touch for prolonged typing or gaming sessions, the Milk Tea switch could be more appealing to those who desire a bit more resistance and feedback while typing. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch is 3.6 mm, while the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. In this case, the Milk Tea has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Kiki Red. Typically, a 4.0 mm travel distance is considered more traditional, while a 3.0 mm distance is shallower. Gamers often prefer switches with shorter travel distances for quicker response times, making the Kiki Red a popular choice in that regard. On the other hand, those who prefer a more substantial keypress may opt for the Milk Tea with its longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for keypress depth and response speed.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Bsun Kiki Red has an MSRP of $4.70 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Kiki Red for $3.83.
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
The Bsun Kiki Red linear switch is recognized for its high-pitched, clacky sound that provides a satisfying auditory feedback without being overly loud. On the other hand, the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch lacks information on its sound profile, making it difficult to draw a direct comparison in this aspect. Moving on to the feel, the Kiki Red offers a creamy, frictionless, and polished typing experience, with a silky and snappy sensation that enhances the overall smoothness of typing. Its easy-to-press nature ensures a comfortable and effortless typing session, reducing fatigue during prolonged use. Unfortunately, details on the tactile feel of the Milk Tea switch are not available, making it challenging to contrast with the Kiki Red in this regard.
Considering the available information, it is evident that the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch excels in both sound and feel, providing a balanced and enjoyable typing experience for enthusiasts who value subtle auditory feedback and finesse in performance. While the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch lacks specific details on its sound and feel characteristics, it is essential to note that individual preferences play a significant role in selecting the ideal mechanical keyboard switch. Ultimately, if one appreciates the qualities exhibited by the Kiki Red, such as its high-pitched clacky sound and smooth, easy-to-press feel, it is likely that a similar level of satisfaction can be achieved with the Outemu Milk Tea switch, given the right combination of keyboard, keycaps, and personal typing preferences.
Conclusion
In closing, when choosing between the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch and the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch, you should consider your preference in typing experience. If you value a finely-tuned, subtly clacky feel with a medium-light weighting and smooth actuation, the Kiki Red may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a unique sound signature and tactile feedback, the Milk Tea could be more suitable. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for typing sound, feel, and overall typing experience. Consider trying out both switches to see which one aligns better with your preferences and typing style.
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