Outemu Crystal Brown vs. Outemu Milk Peach
An in-depth look at the Outemu Crystal Brown and the Outemu Milk Peach 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 Crystal Brown, a tactile switch, and the Outemu Milk Peach, a linear switch. The Crystal Brown switch is known for its tactile feedback, providing a noticeable bump during actuation. On the other hand, the Milk Peach switch is known for its smooth and consistent keystrokes, without any tactile feedback. Each switch offers a different typing experience, appealing to different preferences. If you prefer a tactile feel and feedback while typing, the Crystal Brown switch may be the right choice for you. Alternatively, if you prefer a more linear and smooth typing experience, the Milk Peach 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
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 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
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
While both the Outemu Crystal Brown and Outemu Milk Peach feature polycarbonate top housings, they differ in their bottom housings. The Crystal Brown utilizes a nylon bottom housing, known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature that absorbs more sound. On the other hand, the Milk Peach also features a nylon bottom housing, offering similar characteristics in terms of sound profile. This means that while both switches will provide a satisfying typing experience with a rich sound profile, the bottom housings may bring a different tactile feel to the typing experience.
In terms of sound, the polycarbonate top housing in both the Crystal Brown and Milk Peach switches creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is attributed to the stiffness of polycarbonate, which allows for a more resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches intended for RGB lighting setups. Despite both switches sharing this top housing material, the perceived sound differences may come from the nylon bottom housings, where the Crystal Brown's nylon may create a slightly duller sound compared to the Milk Peach's softer bottom housing.
When comparing the overall typing experience between the Outemu Crystal Brown and Outemu Milk Peach, it's essential to understand how the combination of top and bottom housing materials influences sound and feel. The split between the qualities of the bottom and top housings means that the tactile feedback and sound when pressing down on the keys will be influenced by the bottom housing, while the releasing of keys will be impacted by the top housing. As such, while both switches offer similar sound profiles due to their polycarbonate top housings, nuances in typing feel may be present due to the difference in bottom housing materials. Ultimately, choosing between the Crystal Brown and Milk Peach may come down to personal preference in terms of sound vs. feel in typing.
Weight
In comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch and the Outemu Milk Peach linear switch, it is evident that both switches have the same actuation force of 45 grams. However, the Crystal Brown has a bottom out force of 55 grams while the bottom out force of the Milk Peach is unknown. This makes the Crystal Brown the heavier option of the two, providing a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel. On the other hand, the Milk Peach may offer a lighter typing experience due to the unknown bottom out force, making it suitable for longer typing sessions or gaming marathons. Ultimately, the weight of the switch plays a significant role in determining the overall typing experience and preference for users.
Travel distance
The Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Outemu Milk Peach linear switch has a shorter travel distance of 3.3 mm. The Crystal Brown offers a more traditional travel distance, providing a deeper key press experience, which some users may find more satisfying. On the other hand, the Milk Peach offers a shorter travel distance, making it ideal for those seeking a quicker response time, such as gamers. Both switches have their advantages, with the Crystal Brown offering a longer travel distance for a more deliberate key press, and the Milk Peach providing a shorter travel distance for faster typing speed. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference and the type of typing experience you are looking for.
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 Crystal Brown and Milk Peach.
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 Crystal Brown tactile switch is known for its medium weight and crisp tactile bump, providing a satisfying typing experience. The sound profile of the Crystal Brown switch is relatively quiet when compared to other tactile switches, making it ideal for those who prefer a more subdued typing noise. On the other hand, the Outemu Milk Peach linear switch is known for its smooth linear travel and light actuation force, resulting in a buttery typing sensation. The sound produced by the Milk Peach switch is also quiet, making it a great choice for those who value a quieter typing experience. When it comes to the overall feel, the Crystal Brown switch offers a tactile feedback that can enhance typing accuracy, while the Milk Peach switch provides a smooth and consistent keystroke for fast and effortless typing sessions. Ultimately, both switches offer a pleasant typing experience, but the choice between the two will depend on personal preference for either tactile or linear switches.
Conclusion
Therefore, when choosing between the Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch and the Outemu Milk Peach linear switch, consider your preference for bottom out force and typing experience. If you prefer a medium-light bottom out force, the Crystal Brown might be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy a smoother typing experience without the tactile bump, the Milk Peach could be more suitable. Additionally, think about the sound and feel of the switches to further refine your decision. Ultimately, the best switch for you will depend on your personal preferences and typing style. Choose wisely based on what characteristics are most important to you in a mechanical keyboard switch.