Gateron Oil King (V2) vs. Outemu Milk Tea
An in-depth look at the Gateron Oil King (V2) and the Outemu Milk Tea switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Oil King and the Outemu Milk Tea offer unique experiences for users seeking different tactile sensations. The Gateron Oil King, a linear switch, is loved for its smoothness and satisfying sound profile akin to a dark chocolate bar snapping. With descriptors like 'Low-pitched', 'Creamy', and 'Buttery', this switch provides a sleek and polished typing experience. On the other hand, the Outemu Milk Tea, a tactile switch, offers a different feel with minimal information available. Tactile switches are known for providing feedback with each keystroke, and the Milk Tea may offer a satisfying tactile feel that some users prefer. 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
55g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
65g
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
Yes
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
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Color coated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The key difference between the Gateron Oil King and the Outemu Milk Tea lies in their top housing materials. The Oil King features a nylon top housing that offers a deeper and fuller sound profile, thanks to its softer plastic that absorbs more sound. In contrast, the Milk Tea's Ly top housing has a bright sound signature that provides resonant clacks when typing. While the Oil King emphasizes a rounder sound, the Milk Tea leans towards a more vibrant and pronounced sound experience.
Moving on to the bottom housing materials, the Oil King boasts a proprietary INK blend that contributes to a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound profile, resulting in a satisfying clacky sound. On the other hand, the Milk Tea utilizes a classic nylon bottom housing, which also elicits a deeper and fuller sound but with a duller and rounder effect. The difference in bottom housing materials brings varying levels of impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when typing on each switch.
Despite their differences, both the Gateron Oil King and the Outemu Milk Tea share similarities in their use of nylon as a housing material. The nylon top housing of the Oil King and the nylon bottom housing of the Milk Tea both create a deeper and fuller sound profile, albeit with slight variations in sound characteristics. This commonality in housing material ensures that users can expect a certain level of sound quality and typing experience, regardless of the specific switch they choose.
Weight
When comparing the Gateron Oil King linear switch and the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch, it is evident that the actuation force and bottom out force play a significant role in determining the typing experience. The Oil King has a medium-heavy actuation force of 55 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams, providing a substantial push feel for those who prefer a more solid typing experience. In contrast, the Milk Tea boasts a lighter actuation force of 45 grams, making it easier to type for longer periods without causing fatigue. However, the exact bottom out force of the Milk Tea is unavailable, making it difficult to determine the full extent of its tactile feedback. Ultimately, the Oil King is heavier in terms of actuation and bottom out force compared to the Milk Tea, offering a more robust typing experience for users who prefer a firmer push feel.
Travel distance
Both the Gateron Oil King and the Outemu Milk Tea switches have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when pressing down on a key with either switch, users will experience a consistent travel distance of 4 mm from the top to the bottom. As a result, both switches offer a similar typing experience in terms of key travel. This makes it easier for users to transition between keyboards with these switches, as they can expect a consistent feel and response from both the Oil King and Milk Tea switches. Overall, the travel distance of these switches plays a significant role in the tactile feedback and typing experience they provide to users.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Gateron Oil King (V2) comes in at $6.50, 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 Gateron Oil King linear switch offers a low-pitched and bassy tone, providing a deep and rich sound profile during key presses. In contrast, information on the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch's sound profile is unavailable. Keep in mind that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel, users of the Gateron Oil King linear switch often praise its creamy, silky, buttery, and polished typing experience. This means that typing on these switches feels smooth, effortless, and refined, with minimal resistance and a luxurious sensation. Unfortunately, details on the tactile feedback provided by the Outemu Milk Tea switch are not provided, making it difficult to directly compare the two switches in terms of feel.
In conclusion, based on the available information, it is clear that the Gateron Oil King linear switch excels in both sound and feel, offering a satisfyingly smooth and rich typing experience with a low-pitched and bassy sound profile. While details on the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch are lacking, it is likely that users can expect a similar level of quality in terms of sound and feel when compared to the Gateron Oil King linear switch. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches may come down to personal preference and the specific typing experience that each user is looking for.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when considering whether to choose the Gateron Oil King linear switch or the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch, you should opt for the Oil King if you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force, a low-pitched and bassy sound profile, and a creamy, silky, buttery, or polished typing experience. On the other hand, you should go for the Milk Tea if you are looking for a switch with no specified bottom out force, sound profile descriptors, or typing feel characteristics. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will come down to your personal preferences in terms of force, sound, and feel. Choose wisely based on what aspects of a mechanical keyboard switch matter most to you.
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