Outemu Blue vs. TKC Tangerine
An in-depth look at the Outemu Blue and the TKC Tangerine switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Blue and TKC Tangerine offer distinctive characteristics to enhance your typing experience. The Outemu Blue is a clicky switch that delivers a satisfying tactile feedback with each key press, making it ideal for typists who enjoy audible responses. On the other hand, the TKC Tangerine is a linear switch known for its incredibly smooth feel, thanks to the UHWMPE housings that set it apart from other switches. While the Blue switch provides a classic and clicky typing experience, the Tangerine switch offers a quieter and buttery smooth typing feel. 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
UHWMPE
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
UHWMPE
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold coated spring
Housing materials
The Outemu Blue and the TKC Tangerine both offer unique housing materials that contribute to their distinct sound profiles. The Blue's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper and crisper sound, perfect for those who prefer a higher-pitched typing experience. In contrast, the Tangerine's UHWMPE top housing offers a bright sound signature with resonant clacks, catering to users looking for a more vibrant and lively typing sound. While both materials provide clear sound profiles, the polycarbonate top housing of the Blue is ideal for RGB lighting enthusiasts due to its translucency, whereas the UHWMPE top housing of the Tangerine is a newer material that delivers a unique typing experience.
In terms of the bottom housing, the Blue features a nylon material that produces a deeper and fuller sound profile, offering a more muffled and rounded typing experience. On the other hand, the Tangerine's UHWMPE bottom housing contributes to its bright sound signature, adding to the resonant clacks when typing on switches with such housings. The choice between the nylon and UHWMPE bottom housing will ultimately depend on individual preferences, with the nylon offering a softer and more absorbent typing feel while the UHWMPE provides a livelier and more vibrant typing experience.
Overall, the combination of different housing materials in the Outemu Blue and TKC Tangerine switches showcases how the top and bottom housing choices impact the overall sound profile and typing experience. While the Blue may offer a sharper and crisper sound with its polycarbonate top housing and nylon bottom housing, the Tangerine provides a bright and resonant typing experience with its UHWMPE top and bottom housing. Both switches cater to different preferences, with the Blue ideal for those seeking a clear and resonant typing sound, while the Tangerine appeals to users looking for a lively and vibrant typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Outemu Blue clicky switch and the TKC Tangerine linear switch, it is clear that there are some notable differences between the two. The Outemu Blue has a lighter actuation force of 50 grams, making it easier to trigger keystrokes with less effort compared to the Tangerine, whose actuation force is unknown. On the other hand, the TKC Tangerine has a heavier bottom out force of 62 grams, providing a more substantial typing experience when compared to the Outemu Blue, which has an unknown bottom out force. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Outemu Blue, while those who enjoy a heavier push feel may opt for the TKC Tangerine. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences and what type of typing experience the user is looking for.
Travel distance
Both the Outemu Blue clicky switch and the TKC Tangerine linear switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that users can expect a consistent typing experience in terms of key travel from both switches. The similarity in travel distance between the two switches ensures that users will receive similar results in terms of the tactile feedback and overall feel when typing. Users can enjoy a smooth and precise typing experience with either switch, as they both offer a comfortable travel distance that allows for efficient typing. Whether using the Outemu Blue clicky switch or the TKC Tangerine linear switch, users can expect a satisfying typing experience with consistent travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Outemu Blue comes in at $3.10, whereas the TKC Tangerine comes in at $6.30.
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
The Outemu Blue clicky switch is best known for its clicky sound profile, providing a satisfying tactile feedback with each press. On the other hand, the TKC Tangerine linear switch is renowned for its smooth feel, thanks to the UHWMPE housings that contribute to a frictionless and buttery typing experience. While the Blue switch offers a high-pitched clack when typing, the Tangerine switch produces a high-pitched sound that is sharp and crisp, catering to those who prefer a brighter sound profile. When it comes to feel, the Blue switch's tactile feedback may not be as smooth and effortless as the Tangerine switch, which is polished to minimize resistance and provide a seamless typing sensation. Ultimately, both switches offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel, catering to different preferences. While the subjective qualities may be different between the two switches, users can expect satisfying results based on their individual preferences for clickiness or smoothness in typing experience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when considering whether to choose the Outemu Blue clicky switch or the TKC Tangerine linear switch, it ultimately depends on your personal preferences and typing style. If you enjoy the clicky and tactile feedback of the Blue switch, and don't mind the higher pitch sound it produces, then that may be the best choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth and frictionless typing experience with a medium bottom out force, then the Tangerine switch could be the ideal option. Both switches have their own unique characteristics that cater to different preferences, so it is important to consider what features are most important to you when making your decision. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to your individual typing preferences and what feels most comfortable to you.
Mentioned in this article
