Outemu Blue vs. Outemu Milk Tea
An in-depth look at the Outemu Blue and the Outemu Milk Tea switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Blue and Outemu Milk Tea offer distinct typing experiences. The Outemu Blue switch is a clicky switch, providing a satisfying tactile and audible feedback with each keystroke. On the other hand, the Outemu Milk Tea switch is a tactile switch, offering a tactile bump without the loud clicky sound. If you enjoy a more pronounced feedback while typing, the Outemu Blue switch may be the way to go. Conversely, if you prefer a quieter typing experience while still benefiting from tactile feedback, the Outemu Milk Tea switch could be the better option. 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
50g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
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 Outemu Blue and Outemu Milk Tea both feature polycarbonate top housings, which create a sharp, high-pitched sound profile. This material is known for its stiffness, which results in clear and resonant sound when typing. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting, enhancing the aesthetics of the keyboard. On the other hand, the Milk Tea's Ly top housing offers a very bright sound signature, producing resonant clacks when typing. Both top housings contribute to the overall sound profile of the switches, with the Blue providing a sharper sound and the Milk Tea offering a brighter, more resonant sound.
In terms of the bottom housing material, both the Outemu Blue and Outemu Milk Tea feature nylon housings. Nylon is a classic switch housing material that produces a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature, which absorbs more sound than harder plastics. This results in a duller and rounder sound when typing on switches with nylon bottom housings. Because both switches share this material for the bottom housing, users can expect a similar typing experience in terms of sound profile and feel. The nylon material enhances the overall typing experience by providing a deeper sound and a softer feel compared to other housing materials.
When comparing the Outemu Blue and Outemu Milk Tea, it is evident that their top and bottom housing materials contribute to the overall sound profile of each switch. While both switches feature polycarbonate top housings for a sharp and clear sound profile, they differ in their bottom housings with nylon material for a deeper and fuller sound experience. The combination of these materials results in a unique typing experience for each switch, with the Blue offering a sharper sound and the Milk Tea providing a brighter, more resonant sound. Overall, the housing materials play a significant role in shaping the sound profile and feel of the switches, making them key factors to consider when choosing between the two options.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Outemu Blue clicky switch and the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch, it is evident that the Outemu Blue has a higher actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Outemu Milk Tea's 45 grams. However, both switches have an unknown bottom out force. This means that while the Outemu Blue may require slightly more force to trigger a keystroke, the difference is not significant. In terms of weight, the Outemu Milk Tea could be considered lighter, making it ideal for extended typing or gaming sessions where fatigue may be a concern. On the other hand, the Outemu Blue offers a slightly heavier actuation force for those who prefer a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, both switches offer a similar typing experience overall, with the main difference being the slight variance in actuation force.
Travel distance
The Outemu Blue clicky switch and the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch both have a travel distance of 4 mm, making them equal in this aspect. When comparing the two switches, they both provide a satisfying tactile feedback while typing, but the Blue switch has a clicky sound while the Milk Tea switch has a softer thock sound. This difference in sound does not affect the travel distance of the switches, as both require the same amount of travel to actuate. Ultimately, whether you choose the Outemu Blue clicky switch or the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch, you can expect a consistent travel distance and typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
In this case, both switches are $3.10. As such, price can't serve as a tiebreaker when choosing between the Blue and Milk Tea.
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 Outemu Blue clicky switch is best known for its loud and satisfying click with each key press, making it a popular choice for those who enjoy the auditory feedback of typing. On the other hand, the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch is known for its quiet and subtle tactile bump without the loud click, providing a more discreet typing experience.
When it comes to feel, the Outemu Blue switch offers a distinctive tactile feedback with each key press, making it feel responsive and clicky. Conversely, the Outemu Milk Tea switch provides a tactile bump without the audible click, offering a smooth and quiet typing experience with a more subtle feedback.
Overall, choosing between the Outemu Blue clicky switch and the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch ultimately comes down to personal preference. If you enjoy a loud and clicky typing experience, the Blue switch may be the better choice for you. However, if you prefer a quieter and more tactile typing experience, the Milk Tea switch would be more suitable. Keep in mind that both switches can provide a satisfying typing experience, so you can expect similar results in terms of build quality and durability.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Outemu Blue clicky switch and the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch, it's important to consider your personal preferences and typing habits. If you are looking for a switch that provides a satisfying clicky sound and a light touch for fast typing, you may want to choose the Outemu Blue switch. On the other hand, if you prefer a more subtle tactile bump and a quieter typing experience for extended periods of use, the Outemu Milk Tea switch may be the better option for you. Ultimately, both switches have their strengths and it ultimately comes down to your individual typing style and preferences.
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