Outemu Gold vs. Outemu Milk Tea
An in-depth look at the Outemu Gold and the Outemu Milk Tea switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Gold and Outemu Milk Tea offer unique typing experiences. The Gold switch is a clicky switch, providing audible feedback with each keypress, making it ideal for those who enjoy a satisfying click sound while typing. On the other hand, the Milk Tea switch is a tactile switch, offering a gentle bump upon actuation without the accompanying noise, perfect for those who prefer a more subtle typing experience. While the Gold switch is categorized as a high-performance option and the Milk Tea switch as a comfortable choice, both switches have their own strengths and appeal to different preferences. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal 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
1.80 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
The Outemu Gold and Outemu Milk Tea both feature polycarbonate top housings, which create a sharp, high-pitched, and crisp sound profile. This material is known for its stiffness, which helps produce a clear and resonant sound. In terms of aesthetics, polycarbonate is often used for switches with clear housings, making it ideal for those planning to use RGB lighting. On the other hand, the Milk Tea utilizes a Ly top housing, which offers a very bright sound signature with resonant clacks during typing. While both materials provide a distinct sound profile, the polycarbonate used in the Gold switch may produce a sharper tone compared to the Milk Tea's Ly material.
In regards to the bottom housings, both the Outemu Gold and the Outemu Milk Tea utilize nylon, a classic switch housing material known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile. The nylon material is softer compared to other plastics, absorbing more sound and producing a duller and rounder tone. This results in a more muted sound when typing on switches with nylon bottom housings. Despite both switches using the same material for their bottom housings, the impact of the nylon material on the sound profile may differ slightly between the Gold and Milk Tea switches due to other factors in their design.
Overall, the choice of housing materials plays a significant role in determining the sound profile of a mechanical keyboard switch. While the Outemu Gold and Outemu Milk Tea both offer unique characteristics in their housing materials, such as polycarbonate for the top housing in the Gold switch and Ly for the top housing in the Milk Tea switch, they both use nylon for the bottom housing. The differences in material properties between polycarbonate and Ly may result in slight variations in sound quality, with polycarbonate providing a sharper sound compared to the bright sound signature of Ly. However, the use of nylon for the bottom housing in both switches ensures a deeper and fuller sound profile, making them both suitable choices for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts looking for a specific sound experience.
Weight
The Outemu Gold clicky switch and the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch have similar actuation forces of 45 grams, providing a light and responsive keystroke. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Outemu Gold requires 60 grams for a more substantial typing experience, while the bottom out force for the Outemu Milk Tea is unknown. The Gold switch offers a medium bottom out force, making it suitable for those who prefer a stronger push feel, while the Milk Tea switch's force is unavailable. Both switches provide a satisfying typing experience, but the Gold switch is heavier, ideal for those looking for a more substantial typing experience, while the Milk Tea switch may be lighter and more suitable for longer periods of typing or gaming. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for actuation and bottom out force.
Travel distance
The Outemu Gold clicky switch and the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch both have a travel distance of 4mm, making them equal in this aspect. This means that when typing with either of these switches, you can expect a similar typing experience in terms of the distance the keys travel from the top to the bottom. Both switches offer a comfortable typing experience with a consistent travel distance, allowing for smooth and precise keystrokes. Whether you choose the Outemu Gold clicky switch or the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch, you can be confident that you will get a reliable and satisfying 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 Gold 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 Gold clicky switch is known for its satisfying click sound that is crisp and loud, providing a tactile auditory feedback with each key press. On the other hand, the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch is recognized for its smooth and quiet operation, offering a more subtle typing experience without the noticeable click sound commonly associated with clicky switches.
As for the feel of the switches, the Outemu Gold clicky switch is characterized by a tactile bump that is pronounced and provides a significant amount of feedback to the typist. This bump is often favored by individuals who prefer a more tactile typing experience. In contrast, the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch is known for its smooth, tactile feedback that is less pronounced compared to the Gold switch. This switch offers a more subtle tactile sensation that is gentle on the fingers during extended typing sessions.
Considering the information provided, it is clear that the Outemu Gold clicky switch and the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch offer distinct sound and feel characteristics that cater to different preferences. If you enjoy the audible click sound and pronounced tactile bump, the Gold switch may be the better choice for you. However, if you prefer a quieter typing experience with a smoother tactile feedback, the Milk Tea switch would be more suitable. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on your personal preference for sound and feel while typing.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Outemu Gold clicky switch and the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch, you should consider your preference for bottom out force, sound, and feel. If you prefer a medium bottom out force of 60 grams and a clicky sound, then the Outemu Gold switch would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a tactile switch with no specified bottom out force and a unique Milk Tea theme, then the Outemu Milk Tea switch may be more suited to your preferences. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences and typing style.
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