Cherry MX Brown vs. Outemu Milk Tea
An in-depth look at the Cherry MX Brown and the Outemu Milk Tea switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Cherry MX Brown and Outemu Milk Tea both fall under the tactile switch category. The Cherry MX Brown is revered for its subtle typing experience, offering a light touch and gentle tactile feedback with minimal noise. On the other hand, the Outemu Milk Tea lacks distinct characteristics in terms of typing experience. While the Cherry MX Brown is described as 'Textured', 'Bassy', and 'Low-pitched', the Milk Tea doesn't have any specific qualities that stand out. Choosing between these two switches ultimately depends on your preference for typing feel and sound. 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
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
55g
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
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Ly
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Cherry MX Brown and Outemu Milk Tea switches both utilize nylon for the top housing. Nylon is known for its softer plastic composition, which absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics. This results in a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing on switches with nylon top housings, creating a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the Milk Tea's nylon top housing is said to offer a bright sound signature, with resonant clacks when typing on switches equipped with this material. While both housings are made of nylon, they produce different sound profiles, with the MX Brown emphasizing a deeper tone and the Milk Tea providing a brighter sound.
In terms of the bottom housing, both the Cherry MX Brown and Outemu Milk Tea switches also utilize nylon. The nylon bottom housing of these switches contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, similar to the impact of the nylon top housing. Due to its softer composition, nylon absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a more subdued and rounder sound when typing on switches with nylon bottom housings. Despite using the same material for the bottom housing, the Cherry MX Brown and Outemu Milk Tea switches may still have differences in sound due to variations in design and construction.
Overall, the housing materials of the Cherry MX Brown and Outemu Milk Tea switches demonstrate how the choice of materials can greatly impact the sound profile of a mechanical keyboard switch. While both switches use nylon for their top and bottom housings, they offer different sound characteristics when typing. The MX Brown emphasizes a deeper and fuller sound with a duller tone, while the Milk Tea provides a brighter sound with resonant clacks. By understanding the qualities each housing material brings to the switch, keyboard enthusiasts can choose switches that best suit their sound preferences.
Weight
When comparing the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch and the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch, the Cherry MX Brown has a slightly heavier bottom out force of 55 grams compared to the Milk Tea, whose bottom out force is not specified. Both switches share the same actuation force of 45 grams, providing a consistent typing experience in terms of initial key press. The MX Brown falls under the medium-light category, making it ideal for extended periods of typing without causing fatigue. In contrast, the Milk Tea's bottom out force is unknown, making it difficult to determine if it provides a lighter or heavier typing experience. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces, with the MX Brown being the lighter option in terms of bottoming out.
Travel distance
Both the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch and the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch have a travel distance of 4 mm, making them equal in this aspect. This means that users will experience a similar key feel and travel when typing on keyboards equipped with either of these switches. The 4 mm travel distance allows for a satisfying tactile feedback while typing, providing a balance between responsiveness and comfort. Overall, whether you choose the Cherry MX Brown or the Outemu Milk Tea switch, you can expect a consistent typing experience in terms of travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Cherry MX Brown comes in at $4.00, whereas the Outemu Milk Tea 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 Brown switches are known for their bassy and low-pitched characteristics, offering a deeper and richer sound profile during key presses. On the other hand, the Outemu Milk Tea switches do not have any specific sound descriptors available. However, it is important to note that the sound produced by a switch can be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard housing and keycap materials used.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, Cherry MX Browns are described as having a textured feeling, which can provide a unique typing experience due to the noticeable friction when keys are pressed. In contrast, there is no specific information available regarding the tactile feel of the Outemu Milk Tea switches.
Overall, while the subjective qualities of the Cherry MX Brown and Outemu Milk Tea switches have some differences in sound and feel, it is important to consider your personal preferences and needs when choosing between the two. Both switches offer tactile feedback during typing, so if you enjoy a light typing experience with a subtle tactile sensation, you may get similar results with either switch. However, if sound and feel are crucial factors for you, further research and testing may be necessary to determine which switch best suits your typing style and preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between Cherry MX Brown tactile switches and Outemu Milk Tea tactile switches, consider the typing experience you prefer. If you enjoy a subtle tactile bump and gentle typing experience with a medium-light actuation force, then the Cherry MX Browns may be the best choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a smoother typing experience without a defined actuation force and are willing to try out a newer, less-known switch, the Outemu Milk Tea switches could be a unique option to consider. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to your personal preferences for typing feel and sound.
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