Outemu Milk Blue vs. SP-Star Polaris Purple
An in-depth look at the Outemu Milk Blue and the SP-Star Polaris Purple switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between the Outemu Milk Blue and the SP-Star Polaris Purple mechanical keyboard switches, you may be looking for distinct features that cater to your typing preferences. The Milk Blue switch is known for its clicky sound profile, which adds an auditory element to typing. On the other hand, the Polaris Purple switch stands out for its significant tactile bump, providing a satisfying and responsive typing experience. While the Milk Blue switch is categorized as a clicky switch, the Polaris Purple switch is characterized by a neutral feel. Each switch offers unique benefits, so it ultimately depends on your personal preference and typing style. However, let's dive a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the right switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold plated
Housing materials
The key difference between the housing materials of the Outemu Milk Blue and the SP-Star Polaris Purple switches lies in their bottom housing. The Milk Blue features a nylon bottom housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the softer nature of nylon that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. In contrast, the Polaris Purple utilizes a polycarbonate bottom housing, which, like its top housing counterpart, creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This difference in bottom housing material can significantly impact the overall typing experience and the sound produced by each switch.
On the other hand, both the Milk Blue and the Polaris Purple switches share a polycarbonate top housing, which contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Polycarbonate is known for its translucency, making it ideal for switches that will be used with RGB lighting. The similarity in top housing material between these two switches suggests that users can expect a similar sound profile and aesthetic appeal when it comes to the top housing of the switches. This consistency in housing material may provide a sense of familiarity for users who are accustomed to the sound and feel of switches with polycarbonate top housings.
Overall, the combination of different housing materials in the Outemu Milk Blue and the SP-Star Polaris Purple switches results in unique typing experiences for users. While the Milk Blue's nylon bottom housing offers a deeper and fuller sound profile, the Polaris Purple's polycarbonate bottom housing provides a sharper and crisper sound. The consistency in polycarbonate top housing material between the two switches ensures a similar sound profile and aesthetic appeal, especially when paired with RGB lighting. Ultimately, the choice between these switches may come down to personal preference in terms of sound, feel, and visual appeal.
Weight
When comparing the Outemu Milk Blue clicky switch and the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch, it is clear that there is a significant difference in the actuation force and bottom out force. The Milk Blue has a lighter actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Polaris Purple, which has an unknown actuation force. However, the Polaris Purple has a heavier bottom out force of 67 grams, while the bottom out force of the Milk Blue is not specified. This means that the Polaris Purple provides a more substantial typing experience with a heavier push feel, which some users may prefer. In contrast, the Milk Blue offers a lighter typing experience, which can be beneficial for longer typing sessions or gaming sessions. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
Both the Outemu Milk Blue clicky switch and the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when pressing down on a key with either of these switches, users can expect to feel the same amount of travel from the top to the bottom. This similarity ensures that users will experience consistent feedback and responsiveness with both switches. Additionally, the matching travel distances indicate that both switches offer a similar typing experience in terms of keypress depth, making them suitable choices for those who prefer a standard key travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The SP-Star Polaris Purple has an MSRP of $5.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Polaris Purple for $5.00.
The Outemu Milk Blue comes in at $3.10 per 10 switches.
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 Milk Blue clicky switch is known for its None sound profile, while the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch is esteemed for its snappy sound profile characterized as neutral. The Milk Blue, with its undefined sound profile, may result in a more unpredictable auditory experience which could be considered loud or satisfying depending on personal preference. On the other hand, the Polaris Purple's well-defined neutral sound profile offers a consistent typing experience suitable for various settings.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Milk Blue's tactile feedback remains unspecified, making it difficult to gauge the typing experience it offers. In contrast, the Polaris Purple is distinguished by its mild and polished feel, providing a smooth and refined typing experience with a gentle tactile bump. This ensures a comfortable and approachable typing experience for users, falling within the safe middle-ground zone of switch characteristics.
Overall, while the Outemu Milk Blue clicky switch and the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch offer unique characteristics in terms of sound and feel, both switches cater to different preferences and typing styles. The Milk Blue may surprise users with its undefined sound and feel, while the Polaris Purple provides a consistent and satisfying tactile typing experience with a snappy and neutral sound profile. Ultimately, the decision between these switches should be based on individual preferences regarding sound, feel, and typing experience desired.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a keyboard switch with a light and clicky typing experience, the Outemu Milk Blue clicky switch would be a great choice for you. The lack of a bottom out force and the clicky sound profile make it suitable for those who enjoy a more tactile and audible typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy tactile switch with a big tactile bump and a snappy sound profile, then the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch would be a better option for you. The 67-gram bottom out force provides a satisfying typing experience while the neutral sound profile makes it versatile for various uses. Ultimately, your choice between these two switches will depend on your personal preferences for typing experience and sound profile.
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