Outemu Dustproof Red vs. Outemu Milk Tea
An in-depth look at the Outemu Dustproof Red and the Outemu Milk Tea switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Outemu Dustproof Red and the Outemu Milk Tea stand out as popular options with unique characteristics. The Dustproof Red is a linear switch, offering a smooth and consistent keystroke without any tactile feedback or audible click. On the other hand, the Milk Tea is a tactile switch, providing a slight bump and a noticeable tactile response when pressed. Both switches have their own advantages - the Dustproof Red is great for fast and precise typing, while the Milk Tea provides a satisfying feedback for those who prefer a more tactile typing experience. 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
60g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 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
In comparing the housing materials of the Outemu Dustproof Red and the Outemu Milk Tea, we can see that they both feature polycarbonate top housings. The use of polycarbonate in both switches creates a sharp, high-pitched sound profile, perfect for those who enjoy a crisp typing experience. The translucency of polycarbonate in the top housing also allows for RGB lighting to shine through, adding a visually appealing element to the switches. However, the Milk Tea's Ly top housing offers a very bright sound signature, providing resonant clacks that may appeal to users looking for a unique typing experience.
Moving on to the bottom housing, both the Dustproof Red and the Milk Tea feature nylon bottom housings. Typing on switches with nylon bottom housings elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the softer nature of nylon plastic, which absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics. This creates a duller and rounder sound that may be preferred by users looking for a more muted typing experience. However, while both switches feature the same nylon bottom housing material, the qualities of the bottom housing will have a larger impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, whereas the top housing will influence the sound when releasing a key.
Overall, both the Outemu Dustproof Red and the Outemu Milk Tea offer unique sound profiles due to their choice of housing materials. While they both feature polycarbonate top housings for a sharp and high-pitched sound, the Milk Tea stands out with its Ly top housing providing a bright sound signature. Similarly, both switches utilize nylon bottom housings for a deeper and fuller sound, appealing to users who prefer a more muffled typing experience. The differences in sound between the two switches can be attributed to the materials used in their housings, showcasing how housing materials play a crucial role in the overall typing experience.
Weight
The Outemu Dustproof Red linear switch and the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch both have an actuation force of 45 grams, making them equal in that aspect. However, the Dustproof Red has a bottom out force of 60 grams, while the bottom out force for the Milk Tea is unknown. The Dustproof Red is considered to have a medium weight when it comes to bottom out force, providing a balanced typing experience for those who prefer a bit of resistance. In contrast, the Milk Tea's bottom out force is not specified, so it is difficult to determine how it compares in terms of heaviness. It is worth noting that the actuation force of both switches is the same, but the bottom out force for the Dustproof Red is higher, which may result in a more substantial typing experience compared to the Milk Tea. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for typing feel and pressure sensitivity.
Travel distance
Both the Outemu Dustproof Red linear switch and the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when pressing down on a key with either of these switches, you will experience the same amount of travel distance. This allows for a consistent typing experience across both switches. The similarity in travel distance ensures that users will get similar results in terms of key feel and actuation point, making it easier to switch between keyboards with either switch. Overall, the Outemu Dustproof Red and Milk Tea switches offer a comfortable typing experience with a consistent 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 Dustproof Red 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, both the Outemu Dustproof Red linear switch and the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch are known for their relatively quiet operation. The Dustproof Red switch produces a soft and consistent sound with each keystroke, while the Milk Tea switch offers a slightly deeper and more muted sound profile. However, due to the various factors that can affect the sound of a switch, such as the keyboard chassis and keycap material, these differences may not be significant in practice.
In terms of feel, the Outemu Dustproof Red linear switch is praised for its smooth and consistent keystrokes, providing a satisfying typing experience for those who prefer a linear switch. On the other hand, the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch offers a tactile bump during actuation, providing feedback to the user when a key is pressed. This tactile feedback can enhance typing accuracy and make the switch preferred by those who enjoy a more pronounced typing experience.
Overall, both the Outemu Dustproof Red linear switch and the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch offer quality options for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. While the Dustproof Red switch is ideal for those who prefer a smooth and linear typing feel, the Milk Tea switch caters to users who enjoy a tactile bump during keystrokes. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will come down to personal preference and the specific typing experience desired by the user.
Conclusion
In conclusion, you should consider choosing the Outemu Dustproof Red linear switch if you prefer a medium bottom out force of 60 grams and prioritize dust resistance in your mechanical keyboard. This switch is best known for its smooth linear action, making it ideal for fast-paced typing and gaming. If you enjoy a quieter typing experience, the Dustproof Red may also be the better choice for you. On the other hand, you may want to opt for the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch if you appreciate a unique tactile bump in your keystrokes and do not mind a bottom out force that is not specified. The Milk Tea switch offers a satisfying tactile feedback, which may enhance typing accuracy and overall typing experience. Ultimately, your decision between these two switches should be based on your personal preferences in terms of bottom out force, typing feel, and sound profile.
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