Outemu Milk Blue vs. Dareu Sky POM
An in-depth look at the Outemu Milk Blue and the Dareu Sky POM switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When deciding between mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Milk Blue and the Dareu Sky POM offer distinctive features to consider. The Milk Blue is a clicky switch, known for its tactile feedback and audible click sound when pressed. On the other hand, the Sky POM is a linear switch crafted entirely from POM material, offering a buttery, low-pitched, creamy, and silky typing experience. While the Milk Blue provides a satisfying click, the Sky POM focuses on smoothness and a gentle actuation force. Both switches have their merits depending on personal preference and typing style; 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
40g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 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
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Outemu Milk Blue and the Dareu Sky POM, we see that both switches feature a polycarbonate top housing. The use of polycarbonate in the top housing of a switch creates a sharper and higher-pitched sound profile. However, the Milk Blue's polycarbonate top housing is especially useful for RGB lighting due to its translucency, while the Sky POM's POM top housing creates a deeper and more muted sound profile. This contrast in sound profiles highlights how different housing materials can significantly impact the overall typing experience of a switch.
Moving on to the bottom housing materials, both the Milk Blue and the Sky POM feature a nylon bottom housing. Nylon is a classic switch housing material known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile. The relatively softer nature of nylon allows it to absorb more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Despite having the same bottom housing material, the switches may still have noticeable differences in sound and feel due to other factors like stem design and spring weight. It is interesting to see how the combination of different housing materials can influence the overall typing experience of a switch.
Overall, while both the Outemu Milk Blue and the Dareu Sky POM feature a polycarbonate top housing and nylon bottom housing, they offer different sound profiles and tactile experiences. The Milk Blue's stiffer polycarbonate top housing creates a clear and resonant sound, while the Sky POM's POM top housing produces a deeper and more muted sound. Similarly, the nylon bottom housing in both switches creates a fuller sound, but the softer nature of nylon in the Milk Blue may result in a slightly different typing experience compared to the Sky POM. Regardless, both switches showcase how housing materials play a crucial role in shaping the sound and feel of mechanical keyboards.
Weight
The Outemu Milk Blue clicky switch has a higher actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Dareu Sky POM linear switch, which has an actuation force of 40 grams. However, the bottom out force for both switches is unknown. The actuation force of a switch is crucial as it determines the amount of force needed to register a keystroke. Some users may prefer the lighter actuation force of the Sky POM switch for longer typing sessions or gaming marathons, while others may prefer the heavier actuation force of the Milk Blue switch for a more satisfying typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and typing style.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Outemu Milk Blue clicky switch is 4 mm, while the Dareu Sky POM linear switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm. This means that the Milk Blue has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Sky POM. The Milk Blue's 4 mm travel distance is more traditional, offering a deeper key press feel, while the 3.8 mm travel distance of the Sky POM provides a slightly shallower key press sensation. Gamers may prefer the shorter travel distance of the Sky POM for faster response times, while those looking for a more substantial key press may opt for the Milk Blue. Overall, the travel distance of a switch can greatly impact the typing experience, so it's important to consider personal preferences when choosing between the two.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Dareu Sky POM has an MSRP of $7.78 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sky POM for $4.98.
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
When it comes to sound, the Outemu Milk Blue clicky switch is known for producing a crisp and satisfying click with each key press. On the other hand, the Dareu Sky POM linear switch boasts a low-pitched sound profile, offering a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. Ultimately, the sound of a switch is also influenced by factors such as the keyboard housing and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Outemu Milk Blue switch provides a tactile and responsive typing experience, which is characteristic of clicky switches. Meanwhile, the Dareu Sky POM linear switch is described as buttery, creamy, and silky, indicating a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. This suggests that typing on the Sky POM switch will feel seamless, effortless, and uniform, like gliding your fingers across the keys with ease.
Considering the information provided, it is evident that the Outemu Milk Blue clicky switch and the Dareu Sky POM linear switch offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Milk Blue switch is known for its clicky sound and tactile feedback, the Sky POM switch stands out for its smooth and buttery typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on personal preference for either a satisfying clicky sound or a smooth linear feel.
Conclusion
In summary, when deciding between the Outemu Milk Blue clicky switch and the Dareu Sky POM linear switch, you should consider your preference for sound and feel. If you enjoy a clicky sound with a tactile response, the Milk Blue may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth and buttery typing experience with a low-pitched sound, the Sky POM switch could be the better option. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for sound and feel when typing. Both switches offer unique qualities and it's important to choose the one that best suits your individual typing style.
Mentioned in this article
