Cherry MX Red vs. Outemu Milk Blue
An in-depth look at the Cherry MX Red 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 Cherry MX Red and the Outemu Milk Blue stand out as popular options, each offering unique characteristics that cater to different preferences. The MX Red is a linear switch that is recognized for its slightly heftier feel and deeper sound profile, providing a robust typing experience that balances responsiveness with a satisfying auditory depth. On the other hand, the Milk Blue is a clicky switch that offers a tactile bump and audible click with each keystroke. While the MX Red is ideal for those who prefer a smoother typing experience, the Milk Blue is perfect for users who enjoy the tactile feedback and audible clicks. 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
50g
Bottom-out force
N/A
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
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
The key difference between the Cherry MX Red and the Outemu Milk Blue lies in the material used for their top housing. The MX Red utilizes nylon for its top housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile thanks to the softer nature of the plastic. In contrast, the Milk Blue features a polycarbonate top housing, creating a sharper and crisper sound due to polycarbonate's stiffness. While both materials offer unique sound profiles, the polycarbonate of the Milk Blue is especially beneficial for RGB lighting due to its translucency, adding an aesthetic appeal to the switch.
On the other hand, both the MX Red and the Milk Blue share a nylon bottom housing, which contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile during typing. The nylon bottom housing's softer nature absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics, resulting in a rounder and duller sound. This similarity in bottom housing material results in a consistent typing experience in terms of sound profile between the two switches. While the bottom housing may have a more significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch, the differences in the top housing between the MX Red and Milk Blue contribute to distinct sound profiles when pressing and releasing keys.
In conclusion, the choice between the Cherry MX Red and the Outemu Milk Blue ultimately comes down to personal preference in sound profile. The MX Red's nylon top and bottom housing offer a deeper and fuller sound, while the Milk Blue's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper and crisper sound. However, both switches still provide a satisfying typing experience with their shared nylon bottom housing contributing to a consistent sound profile. Whether you prefer a rounder sound with the MX Red or a clearer sound with the Milk Blue, both switches offer quality housing materials that enhance the overall typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Cherry MX Red linear switch and the Outemu Milk Blue clicky switch, it is clear that the MX Red is lighter with an actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Milk Blue's 50 grams. Both switches have an unknown bottom out force. The lighter actuation force of the MX Red may appeal to those who prefer a lighter touch for longer typing sessions or gaming, while the heavier actuation force of the Milk Blue may be favored by those seeking a more substantial typing experience. In terms of bottoming out, without specific data, it is difficult to determine the differences. Overall, the actuation and bottom out forces of these switches play a significant role in the typing experience, with individual preferences determining which switch is most suitable for a user.
Travel distance
Both the Cherry MX Red linear switch and the Outemu Milk Blue clicky switch have a travel distance of 4 mm, meaning that they offer a similar typing experience in terms of key travel. This means that users can expect consistent tactile feedback and responsiveness from both of these switches. Despite both switches having the same travel distance, they offer different typing experiences due to their unique characteristics. The MX Red switch is known for its smooth linear movement, making it ideal for fast-paced typing and gaming. On the other hand, the Milk Blue switch provides a tactile bump and audible click when pressed, offering a more pronounced typing experience. Overall, while both switches have the same travel distance, the Cherry MX Red may be preferred for those looking for a smoother typing experience, while the Outemu Milk Blue may be favored by users who enjoy a more tactile and clicky typing feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Cherry MX Red has an MSRP of $5.90 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the MX Red for $4.00.
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
When it comes to sound, the Cherry MX Red linear switch is known for its thocky and low-pitched sound profile, providing a deep and satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, the Outemu Milk Blue clicky switch does not have any specific sound descriptors available. However, clicky switches like the Milk Blue are generally known for their crisp and tactile sound, offering a more audible typing experience compared to linear switches like the MX Red.
In terms of feel, the Cherry MX Red switch is described as textured, which can provide some users with a more tactile typing experience. On the other hand, there are no specific feel descriptors available for the Outemu Milk Blue switch. Clicky switches like the Milk Blue typically offer a more tactile feedback with a pronounced bump during actuation, which can enhance the typing experience for those who prefer a more tactile feel.
Overall, the Cherry MX Red linear switch and the Outemu Milk Blue clicky switch offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the MX Red provides a deeper sound profile and a textured feel for a robust typing experience, the Milk Blue clicky switch offers a more audible and tactile typing experience with a pronounced bump during actuation. Depending on your preferences for sound and feel, you can choose the switch that best suits your typing style.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Cherry MX Red linear switch and the Outemu Milk Blue clicky switch, consider choosing the MX Red if you prefer a slightly heftier feel and deeper sound profile for a robust typing experience that combines responsiveness with a satisfying auditory depth. The MX Red is also known for its thocky and low-pitched sound characteristics, providing a unique typing experience. On the other hand, opt for the Milk Blue if you enjoy a clicky switch that offers a tactile bump and audible click during typing. Ultimately, your choice between these two switches will depend on your personal preferences for typing feel and sound.
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