Outemu Brown vs. Outemu Milk Tea
An in-depth look at the Outemu Brown and the Outemu Milk Tea switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Outemu Brown and the Outemu Milk Tea. Both switches fall under the tactile category, providing a noticeable bump feedback when pressed. The Outemu Brown is known for its smooth keystrokes and moderate actuation force, making it a favored choice for typists who prefer a balance between feedback and ease of typing. On the other hand, the Outemu Milk Tea offers a slightly different tactile experience with a unique color design, appealing to those looking for a switch that stands out visually. 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
53g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
1.20 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
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
Both the Outemu Brown and Outemu Milk Tea switches feature a polycarbonate top housing, which is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile. However, the Brown's polycarbonate top housing is specifically designed to enhance the clarity and resonance of the sound, making it ideal for those who desire a crisper typing experience. On the other hand, the Milk Tea's Ly top housing offers a very bright sound signature, resulting in resonant clacks when typing. While both switches use polycarbonate for their top housing, the slight differences in sound profile may appeal to different preferences.
In terms of the bottom housing, both the Outemu Brown and Outemu Milk Tea switches utilize nylon, a classic switch housing material that elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. The nylon bottom housing is softer and absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound when typing. This shared feature provides a consistent typing experience in terms of sound and feel, as the nylon bottom housing plays a significant role in the overall sound profile of both switches. Whether you choose the Brown or the Milk Tea, you can expect a similar deep and resonant sound thanks to the nylon bottom housing.
Overall, the difference in housing materials between the Outemu Brown and the Outemu Milk Tea lies primarily in their top housings. While both switches feature a polycarbonate top housing, the Brown is tailored for a clearer and more resonant sound profile, while the Milk Tea offers a bright sound signature with resonant clacks. On the other hand, the nylon bottom housing of both switches ensures a consistent typing experience with a deep and full sound profile. Whether you prioritize a crisper sound or a bright sound when typing, both the Outemu Brown and Outemu Milk Tea switches provide quality housing materials that contribute to an enjoyable typing experience.
Weight
In comparing the Outemu Brown tactile switch and the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch, it is evident that the actuation and bottom out forces play a significant role in the typing experience. The Outemu Brown has a higher actuation force of 53 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams, providing a medium-heavy typing experience. On the other hand, the Outemu Milk Tea has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams, but the bottom out force is unknown. The difference in actuation force between the two switches indicates that the Brown switch requires more force to trigger a keystroke compared to the Milk Tea switch. This means that typing on the Outemu Brown switch may feel slightly heavier or more substantial, while the Milk Tea switch offers a lighter typing feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference for a lighter or heavier typing experience. If both switches have the same bottom out force, users can expect a similar typing experience in terms of resistance when pressing the keys all the way down.
Travel distance
Both the Outemu Brown tactile switch and the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either of these switches, you will experience a consistent 4 mm of travel from the top to the bottom. This similarity ensures that users will get similar results in terms of tactile feedback and typing experience when using either switch. Since both switches have the same travel distance, there is no significant difference in the amount of key travel between the two. Overall, whether you choose the Outemu Brown or Outemu Milk Tea switch, you can expect a consistent and satisfying typing experience with a 4 mm travel distance.
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 Brown 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
When it comes to sound, the Outemu Brown tactile switch is typically known for its moderate sound level, with a subtle tactile bump providing a satisfying feedback without being too loud. On the other hand, the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch is often praised for its quieter sound profile compared to the Brown, making it a good choice for those who prefer a more subtle typing experience. However, it's important to keep in mind that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by the keyboard housing and keycaps used.
Turning to the feel of the switches, the Outemu Brown is celebrated for its smooth tactile bump that offers a noticeable feedback without being overly pronounced, allowing for a comfortable typing experience. In contrast, the Outemu Milk Tea switch is similarly lauded for its tactile bump, which provides a distinct feedback while also being smoother and lighter in comparison to the Brown, resulting in a gentler typing sensation for users who prefer a softer touch.
Overall, when considering the subjective qualities of the Outemu Brown and Outemu Milk Tea tactile switches, it's evident that they offer distinct experiences in both sound and feel. The Brown switch provides a more pronounced tactile feedback with a moderate sound level, while the Milk Tea switch offers a quieter typing experience with a smoother tactile bump. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preference, with each switch catering to different typing styles. Regardless, users can expect a reliable and satisfying typing experience from both switches.
Conclusion
In closing, when choosing between the Outemu Brown tactile switch and the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch, consider the following guidelines: if you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force and a tactile typing experience, the Outemu Brown switch may be the better option for you. On the other hand, if you are looking to try something unique with an unknown bottom out force and want a switch that stands out visually, the Outemu Milk Tea switch could be the switch for you. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will depend on your personal preferences for typing feel, sound, and aesthetics. Happy typing!
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