Cherry MX Black vs. Outemu Milk Peach
An in-depth look at the Cherry MX Black and the Outemu Milk Peach switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to compare are the Cherry MX Black and the Outemu Milk Peach, both linear switches. The Cherry MX Black, known for its low-pitched, textured, and stiff feel, offers a classic smoothness in typing due to Cherry's Hyperglide tooling. On the other hand, the Outemu Milk Peach lacks a specific standout feature but is a linear switch as well. While both switches provide a linear typing experience, the Cherry MX Black stands out for its deep sound profile and familiar feel. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
60g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
80g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Cherry MX Black and the Outemu Milk Peach, one can see significant differences between the two. The MX Black features a nylon top housing, which creates a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the softer nature of nylon. In contrast, the Milk Peach utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The translucent quality of polycarbonate also makes it ideal for RGB lighting, providing a more visually appealing experience. While both housings have their unique qualities, the MX Black's nylon top housing offers a more subdued and rounded sound, while the Milk Peach's polycarbonate top housing provides a clearer and resonant sound.
On the other hand, when comparing the bottom housings of the two switches, both the Cherry MX Black and the Outemu Milk Peach feature a nylon bottom housing. This commonality means that typing on switches with nylon bottom housings will elicit a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to switches with harder plastics. The relatively softer nature of nylon allows for more sound absorption, creating a duller and rounder sound overall. Despite the similarity in bottom housing material, the difference in top housing material between the two switches still plays a significant role in shaping the overall sound profile of each switch.
Overall, the choice between the Cherry MX Black and the Outemu Milk Peach ultimately comes down to personal preference based on sound and feel. While both switches utilize nylon for their bottom housing, the distinct difference lies in their top housing materials. The MX Black's nylon top housing offers a deeper and fuller sound, while the Milk Peach's polycarbonate top housing provides a sharper and crisper sound. Whether one prefers a more subdued and rounded sound or a clearer and resonant sound, both switches deliver unique typing experiences based on their housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Cherry MX Black linear switch and the Outemu Milk Peach linear switch, it is clear that the Milk Peach is the lighter option. The MX Black has a higher actuation force of 60 grams and a heavier bottom out force of 80 grams, providing a more substantial typing feel. In contrast, the Milk Peach has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams, making it easier to trigger keystrokes with less effort. Additionally, the bottom out force of the Milk Peach is unknown, but it is safe to assume that it would be lighter than the MX Black due to its lower actuation force. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience for extended periods of time, the Milk Peach would be the better choice, while the MX Black would cater to those who prefer a more robust typing feel.
Travel distance
The Cherry MX Black linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Outemu Milk Peach linear switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm. In this case, the Milk Peach has a shorter travel distance compared to the MX Black. The MX Black's 4 mm travel distance is more traditional, providing a deeper key press feel, which some users may prefer for a more substantial typing experience. On the other hand, the Milk Peach's 3.3 mm travel distance is shallower, making it favored by gamers looking for faster response times. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference in terms of key press depth and speed of response.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Cherry MX Black comes in at $4.00, whereas the Outemu Milk Peach comes in at $3.10.
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 Cherry MX Black linear switch offers a low-pitched and deep sound profile, creating a satisfying typing experience with a bass-heavy tone. On the other hand, the Outemu Milk Peach linear switch's sound characteristics are unknown, so it's difficult to make a direct comparison in this aspect. However, keep in mind that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard itself and the keycaps being used.
Moving on to feel, the Cherry MX Black linear switch is known for its textured and slightly stiff nature, providing a unique tactile feedback that some users appreciate. The textured feel adds a level of satisfaction to each keystroke, while the stiffness requires a bit more force to press the keys, which can be a preference for those looking for a more deliberate typing experience. Unfortunately, the tactile feel of the Outemu Milk Peach linear switch is unspecified, making it challenging to assess how it compares to the Cherry MX Black in terms of feel.
Overall, the Cherry MX Black linear switch stands out for its refined smoothness, deep sound profile, textured feel, and stiffness, creating a distinct typing experience that many users enjoy. While the specific sound and feel characteristics of the Outemu Milk Peach linear switch are not provided, it's worth noting that both switches are linear switches, so you can expect a similar typing experience in terms of smoothness and lack of tactile feedback. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches may come down to personal preference in sound, feel, and any other unique features that may be important to you as a keyboard enthusiast.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when deciding between the Cherry MX Black linear switch and the Outemu Milk Peach linear switch, you should choose the MX Black if you prefer a heavier bottom out force, a classic textured smoothness, and a deep sound profile when typing. On the other hand, you should choose the Milk Peach if you are looking for a switch with a lighter bottom out force and are open to exploring a new switch without as much detailed information available. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will come down to your personal preferences in terms of feel, sound, and the overall typing experience you are seeking.
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