Outemu Milk Peach vs. Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie

Overview

When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch, the Outemu Milk Peach and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie both stand out as appealing linear options, each offering unique characteristics that cater to different typing preferences. The Milk Peach is known for its engaging typing experience, providing users a satisfying and responsive feel. Its smooth operation appeals to those who prefer a gentle and consistent keystroke without tactile feedback. In contrast, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie offers a medium-weight feel with a distinctive thocky sound profile, delivering solid performance while remaining affordable. Its all-POM construction enhances durability and smoothness, making it a strong candidate for gamers and typists seeking both quality and value. While both switches can elevate your typing experience, they cater to slightly different needs and preferences. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Outemu Milk Peach Linear

Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie Linear

$3.10 per 10

$3.00

$2.70 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the Outemu Milk Peach and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie, it's evident that they are crafted from distinct materials which each impart unique acoustic qualities. The Milk Peach features a polycarbonate top housing that signifies a sharper and crisper sound profile due to the stiffer nature of the material. This is in stark contrast to the Sea Salt Smoothie's POM top housing, which, while also sophisticated, tends to produce a deeper and more muted sound. The fundamental difference in sound characteristics is attributed to the polycarbonate’s more resonant and clear quality, making it particularly effective for showcasing RGB lighting effects, whereas the POM's natural sound dampening qualities might appeal more to those who prefer a subtler auditory experience.

Examining the bottom housings reveals a similar dichotomy. The Milk Peach utilizes a nylon bottom housing, which is celebrated for its ability to deliver a deeper and fuller sound profile during typing due to its relatively softer composition that absorbs sound more effectively. In contrast, the Sea Salt Smoothie's bottom housing is also made of POM, echoing its top counterpart's tendencies by promoting a deeper and more muted sound. While both switches might produce a pleasant auditory experience, the Milk Peach's nylon bottom offers a unique depth attributable to its specific properties, contrasting with the smoother and more consistent sound signature provided by the POM material in the Sea Salt Smoothie.

Despite the differences in the top and bottom housings utilized in these switches, the interplay of materials remains crucial for the overall sound and feel. The Milk Peach's combination of polycarbonate on top and nylon below creates a brighter top-out sound that appeals to users who enjoy pronounced acoustics when registering keypresses. Conversely, the Sea Salt Smoothie's POM construction on both housing parts promotes a more harmonious, deeply muted profile. Consequently, while each switch has its distinct characteristics, players seeking a softer sound can achieve satisfactory results with either, relying on how primary sound qualities from top and bottom housings create a composite experience upon keystroke engagement and release.

Weight

When comparing the Outemu Milk Peach linear switch and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch, we find a slight difference in their actuation forces, with the Milk Peach requiring 45 grams to actuate versus the 48 grams needed for the Sea Salt Smoothie. This means that the Milk Peach is the lighter switch, which may be preferable for users looking to type for extended periods without fatigue, making it a suitable choice for work or long gaming sessions. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Smoothie, being heavier, provides a more substantial feel that some typists may prefer for a more robust typing experience. Both switches have unknown bottom out forces, but regardless of that detail, typists can expect to achieve similar typing experiences when they consider the actuation forces alone. Overall, the differences highlight personal preference in typing weight, with the Milk Peach offering a lighter touch and the Sea Salt Smoothie providing a firmer push.

Travel distance

The Outemu Milk Peach linear switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm, while the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch features a slightly longer travel distance of 3.7 mm. This means that the Milk Peach is the shorter option, which may appeal to gamers or users seeking a quicker response time due to its more compact design. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Smoothie, with its extended travel distance, offers a fuller feel for those who prefer a more pronounced keypress and deeper feedback. Thus, if you prefer an immediate response, the Milk Peach would be the ideal choice, while the Sea Salt Smoothie caters to those who appreciate greater depth in their keystrokes.

Price comparison

Typing experience

The Outemu Milk Peach linear switch does not have a definitive sound quality attributed to it, which suggests it may not stand out in terms of auditory feedback, potentially making it more pleasant for users who prefer a muted typing experience. In contrast, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie is celebrated for its thocky sound profile, which provides a satisfying auditory feedback that many typists enjoy. This thocky sound adds an engaging layer to the typing experience, making it a viable option for those who appreciate auditory cues without compromising the smooth feel typical of linear switches. However, it's important to consider that the sound of any switch can be influenced by the choice of keyboard and keycaps, so users may need to experiment to find their ideal setup.

When it comes to the tactile feel of the switches, the Milk Peach lacks any specific accolades, indicating that its feel may be unremarkable or standard among linear switches. On the other hand, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie boasts exceptional smoothness. This smooth operation results in a refined typing experience, allowing for effortless key presses. Users who value a seamless, gliding feel while typing will likely gravitate toward the Sea Salt Smoothie, which can enhance productivity and comfort during long typing sessions.

In conclusion, the Outemu Milk Peach linear switch may offer a more understated sound and feel, while the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie stands out with its thocky sound and exceptionally smooth action. For newcomers to mechanical keyboards, choosing between these two switches will largely depend on personal preference and the desired auditory and tactile experience. If you prefer a subtler feedback, the Milk Peach might suit you better, but if you're looking for enhanced auditory satisfaction and smoothness, the Sea Salt Smoothie is likely the better choice.

Conclusion

To conclude, choosing between the Outemu Milk Peach linear switch and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch ultimately depends on your personal preferences and what you prioritize in a mechanical keyboard experience. If you value an exceptional smoothness and a distinctive thocky sound profile, the Sea Salt Smoothie could be the better option for you, especially if you're looking to balance quality with budget considerations. On the other hand, if you don't have specific preferences listed for the Milk Peach but still seek a unique typing experience, it might be worth exploring those characteristics firsthand, particularly if they align with features or experiences you're interested in exploring further. In the end, both switches are capable choices, but your decision should hinge on the tactile sensations and auditory feedback you desire in your typing experience.

Mentioned in this article

Outemu Milk Peach Linear

$3.10 per 10

Learn more

Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie Linear

$3.00

$2.70 per 10

Learn more