HMX Lotus (Heavy) vs. Outemu Milk Blue

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboards, choosing the right switch can significantly influence your typing experience. The HMX Lotus (Heavy), a linear switch, is celebrated for its medium-heavy weight of 62.5g and a bright, resonant sound that delivers a bouncy feel, making each keystroke feel delightful and responsive. This switch is ideal for users who prefer smooth, uninterrupted key presses without the tactile bump, providing a seamless typing experience ideal for both gaming and prolonged typing sessions. Conversely, the Outemu Milk Blue is designed as a clicky switch, offering a distinctive tactile feedback and an audible click with each press, which many typists find satisfying and can enhance typing accuracy. This switch is perfect for users who enjoy the traditional typewriter feel, along with the auditory confirmation of each keystroke. 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 Lotus (Heavy) Linear

Outemu Milk Blue Clicky

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

$3.10 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the HMX Lotus (Heavy) and the Outemu Milk Blue, it is essential to consider the differences in their top housing components. The Lotus (Heavy) features a nylon top housing, which is known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile. This characteristic is attributed to nylon's softer nature, allowing it to absorb sound more effectively than harder plastics. In contrast, the Milk Blue utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The stiffness of polycarbonate contributes to a more resonant and clear auditory experience. Therefore, when typing on these switches, one can expect distinctly different sound qualities—while the Lotus (Heavy) offers warmth, the Milk Blue delivers brightness.

Looking at the bottom housing materials, both the HMX Lotus (Heavy) and the Outemu Milk Blue share a commonality: they both feature nylon for their bottom housings. As with the top housing, nylon's softer composition plays a significant role in defining the typing experience. The deeper sound profile produced by the bottom housing impacts the keystroke's bottom-out sound and tactile feel, contributing to a more subdued auditory feedback. This means that despite their contrasting top materials, both switches exhibit a similar sound quality from the bottom, which further emphasizes the warm characteristics associated with nylon.

In summary, while the HMX Lotus (Heavy) and Outemu Milk Blue differ significantly in their top housing materials—nylon versus polycarbonate, respectively—the use of nylon in their bottom housings creates a unique synergy between the two switches. For users concerned about obtaining a warm sound profile, the shared nylon bottom housing ensures a degree of similarity in the auditory experience when bottoming out, even if the release sound differs significantly due to the top housing material. This interplay between the two housing types allows for a somewhat balanced typing experience, where the characteristics of nylon manifest consistently in the overall sound profile, while the top housing material brings its own distinct flair to the mix.

Weight

The HMX Lotus (Heavy) linear switch offers a distinct typing experience with an actuation force of 55 grams and a bottom out force of 62.5 grams, making it a heavier option that may appeal to users who appreciate a more substantial and tactile feel while typing. In contrast, the Outemu Milk Blue clicky switch features a lighter actuation force of 50 grams, but its bottom out force is unspecified, preventing a direct comparison in that aspect. Consequently, those who prefer a lighter switch for extended typing sessions may gravitate towards the Milk Blue, while the Lotus (Heavy) would be better suited for those who favor a firmer touch. While both switches cater to different typing preferences, the Lotus (Heavy) is the heavier choice, providing a more robust actuation experience compared to the lighter Milk Blue.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the HMX Lotus (Heavy) linear switch and the Outemu Milk Blue clicky switch, a distinct difference emerges: the Lotus (Heavy) has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Milk Blue features a longer travel distance of 4.0 mm. This means the Outemu Milk Blue switch provides a more pronounced depth, appealing to users who enjoy a hearty feel when pressing keys. Conversely, the HMX Lotus (Heavy) offers a slightly shorter travel distance, which can result in quicker response times—an advantage for gamers seeking heightened precision and speed. Therefore, if you favor more immediate feedback and responsiveness, the Lotus (Heavy) would be the preferable choice, whereas those who appreciate a deeper key press might lean toward the Milk Blue switch.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the HMX Lotus (Heavy) linear switch produces a bright, resonant sound that adds an engaging auditory quality to each keystroke. This characteristic can enhance the typing experience, making it enjoyable and lively. In contrast, the Outemu Milk Blue clicky switch does not have a defined reputation for sound. Given that the auditory experience of a switch can be influenced by additional factors like the keyboard build and keycap choice, the bouncy resonance of the Lotus might offer a more satisfying sound profile compared to the less-defined qualities of the Milk Blue.

When it comes to feel, the Lotus (Heavy) offers a medium-heavy weight of 62.5g, providing users with a super bouncy sensation that enhances each keystroke's responsiveness and feedback. This can create a delightfully engaging typing experience, especially for those who appreciate tangible feedback when typing. The feel of the Outemu Milk Blue switch, however, is not specifically noted, which leaves its tactile and responsive qualities uncertain. Without this information, it's difficult to draw comparisons in terms of feel, which makes the Lotus switch stand out in this category.

Overall, the HMX Lotus (Heavy) linear switch is characterized by its bright, resonant sound and delightful bouncy feel, making it an appealing choice for those seeking both auditory and tactile pleasure in their typing experience. In contrast, the Outemu Milk Blue clicky switch lacks detailed descriptions of its sound and feel, making it a less compelling option for newcomers looking for specific characteristics in their mechanical keyboard switches. For a newcomer, the Lotus (Heavy) could be a more predictable choice if they're seeking clear auditory and tactile feedback, while the Milk Blue remains an unknown in these respects.

Conclusion

To conclude, your choice between the HMX Lotus (Heavy) linear switch and the Outemu Milk Blue clicky switch will largely hinge on your personal preferences for typing experience and sound profile. If you enjoy a smooth and bouncy keystroke with a medium-heavy actuation force of 62.5 grams, the Lotus (Heavy) is ideal for you. Its delightful tactile feel and distinctive sound make it great for both typing and gaming, providing a satisfying feedback with each press. On the other hand, if you're a fan of an audible click that enhances your typing experience, the Milk Blue switch may be more your speed. While the specifics of its bottom-out force and sound are less defined, it traditionally offers a classic clicky sound and feel that many typists adore. Ultimately, your choice should reflect your typing habits; opt for the Lotus (Heavy) for a fluid, noise-sensitive environment, or the Milk Blue if you seek that nostalgic click with each keystroke.

Mentioned in this article

HMX Lotus (Heavy) Linear

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

Learn more

Outemu Milk Blue Clicky

$3.10 per 10

Learn more