Durock Medium Tactile vs. Outemu Milk Blue
An in-depth look at the Durock Medium Tactile and the Outemu Milk Blue switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Durock Medium Tactile and the Outemu Milk Blue offer distinct experiences for users. The Durock medium tactile stands out for its unique balance of tactility, providing users with a pronounced yet smooth typing experience accompanied by a jelly-like sound signature. On the other hand, the Outemu Milk Blue is known for its clicky sound and responsive feedback. While the medium tactile is categorized as accented, stepped, mild, and polished, the Milk Blue does not fall into any specific category. If you prefer a tactile typing experience with a distinctive sound, the medium tactile may be the way to go. 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
50g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.20 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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Durock Medium Tactile and the Outemu Milk Blue, both switches feature a polycarbonate top housing that delivers a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate being a stiff plastic that allows for a clear and resonant sound experience. Aesthetically, the translucent nature of polycarbonate in the top housing also makes it ideal for RGB lighting effects. However, despite these similarities, the housing materials of the two switches differ in their bottom housing composition.
While the Medium Tactile utilizes a nylon bottom housing to create a deeper and fuller sound profile, the Outemu Milk Blue also features a nylon bottom housing that has similar sound-absorbing qualities. Nylon is known for being a softer plastic that absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound experience when typing on switches made with this material. Therefore, both switches share a commonality in their use of nylon for the bottom housing, which contributes significantly to the overall sound and feel of the keystrokes.
When considering the impact of housing materials on switch performance, it is important to note how the qualities of each material are distributed between the top and bottom housings. The bottom housing plays a more significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on the switch, while the top housing influences the sound when releasing a key. Despite the differences in their bottom housing materials, both the Durock Medium Tactile and the Outemu Milk Blue aim to provide a unique typing experience through the combination of polycarbonate and nylon in their housing design.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Medium Tactile tactile switch and the Outemu Milk Blue clicky switch, we see that the Medium Tactile has a bottom out force of 65 grams, making it medium-heavy, while the Milk Blue has an actuation force of 50 grams. The actuation force for the Medium Tactile is not specified, while the bottom out force for the Milk Blue is unknown. In terms of weight, the Milk Blue is lighter in terms of actuation force, which may appeal to those looking for a lighter typing experience for extended periods of time. On the other hand, the Medium Tactile provides a more substantial typing experience with its heavier bottom out force. Both switches offer unique benefits depending on the user's preference for actuation and bottom out force.
Travel distance
Both the Durock Medium Tactile and the Outemu Milk Blue switches have a travel distance of 4 mm, making them equal in this aspect. This means that users can expect a similar tactile feel and typing experience when using either of these switches. The travel distance of a switch is crucial in determining the overall typing experience, as it affects how far the keycap needs to be pressed before registering a key press. In this case, both switches offer a moderate travel distance, providing a satisfying typing experience for users who prefer a tactile feel. Overall, the Durock Medium Tactile and the Outemu Milk Blue switches are comparable in terms of their travel distance, offering similar results for users looking for a switch with a 4 mm travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Medium Tactile has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Medium Tactile for $4.25.
The Outemu Milk Blue 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
In terms of sound, the Durock Medium Tactile switch is known for its jelly-like sound signature, providing a unique auditory experience. On the other hand, the Outemu Milk Blue switch is known for its loud and clicky sound profile, which can be satisfying for those who enjoy hearing their keystrokes. It's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard housing and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the Durock Medium Tactile switch is described as having an accented, stepped, mild, and polished tactile feel. This means that it offers a prominent yet balanced tactility that is not overwhelming, providing a smooth and refined typing experience. On the other hand, the feel of the Outemu Milk Blue switch is unknown, but it is likely to offer a sharp and crisp tactile feedback due to its clicky nature.
Overall, the Durock Medium Tactile and Outemu Milk Blue switches offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Medium Tactile switch is praised for its jelly-like sound signature and balanced tactile feel, the Milk Blue switch is known for its loud clicky sound and likely sharp tactile feedback. Depending on personal preference, users may gravitate towards one switch over the other based on their desired typing experience. However, both switches are sure to provide a satisfying and enjoyable typing experience for newcomers to the mechanical keyboard world.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Durock Medium Tactile tactile switch and the Outemu Milk Blue clicky switch, consider the characteristics that matter most to you. If you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force with pronounced yet balanced tactility and a jelly-like sound signature, the Medium Tactile may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for a clicky switch with a different feel and sound profile, the Milk Blue could be more suitable. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for typing experience and sound feedback.
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