Outemu Cream Pink vs. Outemu Tom
An in-depth look at the Outemu Cream Pink and the Outemu Tom switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Outemu Cream Pink, a linear switch, and the Outemu Tom, a tactile switch. The Cream Pink is best known for its smooth keystrokes and consistent feel, making it a favorite among gamers and typists alike. On the other hand, the Tom is renowned for its tactile feedback, providing a satisfying bump when a key is actuated. While the Cream Pink offers a seamless typing experience, the Tom offers a more tactile and responsive 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
55g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
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 housing materials of the Outemu Cream Pink and the Outemu Tom switches provide different sound profiles due to their distinct properties. The Cream Pink's nylon top housing offers a deeper and fuller sound profile, creating a duller and rounder sound due to its softer plastic that absorbs more sound. In contrast, the Tom's polycarbonate top housing produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound, thanks to its stiffer plastic material that leads to a more clear and resonant sound profile. The difference in material between these two switches results in distinct sound characteristics, making them suitable for different preferences in switch sound.
While the Cream Pink and the Tom switches share nylon bottom housing, their top housing materials make them distinct in terms of sound profiles. The shared nylon bottom housing of both switches contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, creating a more rounded and duller sound due to the soft plastic's sound-absorbing properties. This similarity in bottom housing material ensures that users can expect a consistent sound and feel when typing on switches with nylon bottom housing, regardless of the differences in their top housing materials. Overall, the combination of nylon bottom housing with different top housing materials allows for a well-rounded typing experience with subtle variations in sound tones.
In switches where the top and bottom housings differ, such as the Cream Pink and the Tom, the qualities of each housing material impact different aspects of the typing experience. The bottom housing plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on the switch, while the top housing influences the sound produced when releasing a key. This distinction showcases how the choice of housing material can affect the overall sound profile and typing sensation of a switch. By understanding the properties of each housing material, users can select switches that cater to their preferences in switch sound and feel.
Weight
In comparing the Outemu Cream Pink linear switch and the Outemu Tom tactile switch, the Cream Pink is the lighter option with an actuation force of 50 grams, while the Tom is slightly heavier with an actuation force of 55 grams. Both switches have an unknown bottom out force, but the Cream Pink has a bottom out force of 65 grams. The Cream Pink provides a medium-heavy typing experience, while the Tom offers a tactile feedback without a specified bottom out force. Those looking for a lighter typing experience may prefer the Cream Pink for longer typing sessions or gaming, while those seeking a stronger push feel may opt for the Tom for a more substantial typing experience. Overall, the actuation force and bottom out force of each switch cater to different preferences in typing feel and weight.
Travel distance
In comparing the travel distance of the Outemu Cream Pink linear switch and the Outemu Tom tactile switch, it is clear that the Cream Pink has a longer travel distance of 4 mm compared to the Tom's 3.3 mm. The Cream Pink offers a more traditional travel distance, which may be preferred by those who appreciate a deeper key press feel. On the other hand, the Tom's shorter travel distance may appeal to gamers or those seeking a quicker response time. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and desired typing experience. Both switches offer different travel distances that cater to different preferences, ensuring that users can find the switch that best suits their needs.
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 Cream Pink and Tom.
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 Cream Pink and Tom switches both offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Cream Pink switch is known for its smooth and quiet actuation, making it a popular choice for gamers and those who prefer a more subdued typing experience. On the other hand, the Tom switch offers a satisfying tactile bump upon actuation, providing a noticeable tactile feedback for typists who prefer a more pronounced feel while typing.
When it comes to sound, the Cream Pink switch is generally quieter compared to the Tom switch, which has a more audible sound due to its tactile bump. The Cream Pink switch produces a soft and subtle typing sound, making it suitable for environments where noise level is a concern. In contrast, the Tom switch may produce a slightly louder typing sound, which can be pleasantly satisfying for users who enjoy hearing the sound of their keystrokes.
In terms of feel, the Cream Pink switch is smooth and linear, providing a consistent typing experience without any tactile feedback. On the other hand, the Tom switch offers a tactile bump that creates a more tactile feel upon actuation, giving typists a physical indication that the key has been pressed. This tactile feedback can be beneficial for users who prefer a more tactile typing experience for improved accuracy and comfort.
Overall, whether you prefer the Cream Pink switch or the Tom switch ultimately depends on your personal preference for sound and feel. Both switches offer distinct characteristics that cater to different typing preferences, so trying out both switches on a keyboard in person can help you determine which one suits your typing style best. Ultimately, both switches are high-quality options from Outemu that will provide a satisfying typing experience for newcomers to the mechanical keyboard world.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering whether to choose the Outemu Cream Pink linear switch or the Outemu Tom tactile switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and typing style. If you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force and a smooth, linear typing experience, the Cream Pink may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy a tactile bump during your keystrokes and do not mind a slightly heavier bottom out force, the Tom tactile switch could be more suitable. Ultimately, both switches have their own unique characteristics and it is important to consider what factors are most important to you when making your decision.
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