Durock Koala vs. Outemu Milk Tea
An in-depth look at the Durock Koala and the Outemu Milk Tea switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Durock Koala and the Outemu Milk Tea both offer a tactile typing experience, but with distinct characteristics. The Koalas are a perfect choice for those who enjoy a tactile but not overly aggressive keystroke, boasting a stepped tactility that provides a pronounced bump without being too loud. On the other hand, the Milk Tea switch is known for its lack of specific standout features. While the Koala is categorized as 'Polished', 'Low-pitched', 'Accented', 'Neutral', 'Stepped', and 'Stiff', the Milk Tea remains uncategorized. Each switch has its own strengths and potential drawbacks, making them suitable for different preferences and typing styles. 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
N/A
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 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
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Ly
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The main difference between the housing materials of the Durock Koala and the Outemu Milk Tea switches is in the top housing material. The Koala features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. On the other hand, the Milk Tea utilizes a Ly top housing, which offers a very bright sound signature with resonant clacks when typing. Both materials provide a clear and resonant sound profile, but the Koala's polycarbonate is known for its stiffness, while the Milk Tea's Ly material is newer and offers a different type of brightness in sound.
When it comes to the bottom housing material, both the Durock Koala and the Outemu Milk Tea switches utilize nylon for their bottom housing. Nylon is a classic switch housing material that elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. The relatively softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Therefore, despite the differences in the top housing materials, both switches offer a similar typing experience due to the shared nylon bottom housing material.
Overall, the choice of housing material in a switch can have a significant impact on the sound and feel of typing. While the Durock Koala and Outemu Milk Tea switches differ in their top housing materials, they both provide a clear and resonant sound profile thanks to their respective housing materials. Whether it be the sharper sound of the Koala's polycarbonate top housing or the bright sound of the Milk Tea's Ly top housing, both switches offer unique typing experiences that cater to different preferences. Additionally, the shared use of nylon for the bottom housing ensures a deep and full sound profile for both switches, emphasizing the importance of housing materials in switch design.
Weight
In comparing the Durock Koala tactile switch and the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch, it is evident that they differ in terms of actuation force and bottom out force. The Koala has a bottom out force of 67 grams, which is considered medium-heavy, while its actuation force is unspecified. On the other hand, the Milk Tea has an actuation force of 45 grams, but its bottom out force is unknown. This implies that the Koala may provide a more substantial typing experience due to its heavier bottom out force, while the Milk Tea may be lighter on the fingers with its lower actuation force. Depending on individual preferences, some users may appreciate the Koala's heavier feel for a more satisfying typing experience, while others may prefer the lighter touch of the Milk Tea for prolonged typing sessions. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on whether one values a lighter or heavier actuation and bottom out force.
Travel distance
Both the Durock Koala tactile switch and the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch have a travel distance of 4 mm, making them equal in this aspect. When comparing their travel distance, it can be concluded that both switches offer a similar typing experience in terms of the distance traveled from the top to the bottom. This means that regardless of whether you choose the Durock Koala or the Outemu Milk Tea, you can expect to get similar results in terms of travel distance. Overall, the travel distance of both switches is the same, ensuring a consistent typing experience for users of either switch.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Koala has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Koala for $4.21.
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 Durock Koala tactile switch offers a low-pitched and neutral tone, providing a mellow and moderate sound profile that is suitable for a variety of purposes. On the other hand, the Outemu Milk Tea switch's sound characteristics are unknown, making it harder to directly compare with the Koala. Keep in mind that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Durock Koala provides a polished and accented typing experience with its stepped tactility, offering a refined finish and a moderate level of tactility without being overly scratchy or overwhelming. Additionally, the Koala switch is described as stiff, requiring a higher amount of force to actuate compared to other switches. Unfortunately, there is no available information on the feel of the Outemu Milk Tea switch, making it difficult to make a direct comparison.
Overall, based on the provided information, the Durock Koala tactile switch seems to offer a unique typing experience with its pronounced bump and smooth finish, along with a low-pitched sound profile. While the qualities of the Outemu Milk Tea switch are unknown, it is important to consider your personal preferences for sound, feel, and typing experience when choosing between these two switches. Ultimately, both switches may provide similar results in terms of performance, but the specific characteristics of each switch will cater to different preferences and typing styles.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Durock Koala tactile switch and the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch, consider the following guidelines. If you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force and a tactile bump that is not too aggressive, the Durock Koala would be a good choice for you. Additionally, if you enjoy a low-pitched sound profile and a polished typing experience, the Koala may suit your preferences. On the other hand, if you are looking for a switch with no specified bottom out force and characteristics that are not listed, the Outemu Milk Tea could be an option worth exploring. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for typing feel, sound, and overall performance.
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