Outemu Milk Peach vs. HMX Vintage Citrus
An in-depth look at the Outemu Milk Peach and the HMX Vintage Citrus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, enthusiasts often find themselves weighing the merits of various options, such as the Outemu Milk Peach and the HMX Vintage Citrus, both linear switches that cater to different user preferences. The Milk Peach switch, while less widely known, offers a unique typing experience characterized by its smooth keystrokes, making it a great choice for those who prioritize a fluid feel over tactile feedback. On the other hand, the HMX Vintage Citrus switch is specifically designed for gamers, featuring an exceptionally low actuation force of just 1mm, which allows for rapid-fire inputs that can provide a competitive edge in gameplay. Additionally, the Vintage Citrus delivers a bright, clacky sound profile that many users find satisfying, alongside its remarkably smooth push feel. Each switch has its unique strengths—whether you lean towards the understated smoothness of the Milk Peach or the responsive quickness of the Vintage Citrus, your choice can greatly influence your overall typing or gaming experience. However, let’s dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
48g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Total travel
3.00 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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Housing materials
When comparing the Outemu Milk Peach and HMX Vintage Citrus switches, a significant distinction lies in their top housing materials. The Milk Peach switch utilizes polycarbonate for its top housing, a material known for its rigidity and translucency. This composition creates a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile that offers clarity and resonance, particularly appealing for users who appreciate an articulate keystroke. The polycarbonate's ability to allow RGB lighting to shine through adds an aesthetic value that enhances the visual aspect of keyboard setups, making it a popular choice for gamers and typists alike. In contrast, the Vintage Citrus switch employs a nylon top housing, which is characteristically softer and provides a deeper, fuller sound profile. This softer material absorbs sound more effectively, resulting in a more muted and rounded audio experience that can be more soothing during long typing sessions.
However, both switches share a similar bottom housing material—nylon—which plays a critical role in the overall sound experience. Since the bottom housing impacts the bottom-out feel and sound more significantly, users of both switches will experience that deeper and fuller auditory feedback when they press the keys. The Milk Peach and Vintage Citrus switches thus provide consistency in this regard, where the commonality of nylon in the bottom may result in a similar tactile experience during typing. This shared characteristic helps bridge the gap created by their different top housing materials.
In summary, while the Outemu Milk Peach and HMX Vintage Citrus switches diverge in their top housing materials—polycarbonate versus nylon—their shared nylon bottom housing leads to a unified sound profile at the bottom of the switch. Users can expect vibrant auditory responses from the Milk Peach's polycarbonate top, complemented by the fuller sounds from the nylon bottom, whereas the Vintage Citrus offers a rounded auditory profile throughout. Ultimately, these variations allow for different preferences among typists and gamers seeking either sharper clarity or deeper richness in their keyboard experiences.
Weight
The Outemu Milk Peach linear switch features an actuation force of 45 grams, while the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch has a slightly heavier actuation force of 48 grams. This makes the Milk Peach switch the lighter option, which could be preferable for users who engage in long typing sessions or gaming marathons, as the lower force requirement can reduce fatigue. On the other hand, the Vintage Citrus offers a more substantial feel with its heavier actuation force, catering to those who enjoy a firmer push when typing. Additionally, the bottom out force of the Vintage Citrus is specified at 53 grams, providing a clear resistance when fully pressed down, while the bottom out force for the Milk Peach is unavailable. Overall, users seeking a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Milk Peach, while those who favor a more robust mechanical feel would likely prefer the Vintage Citrus.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Outemu Milk Peach linear switch and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch, the differences are notable. The Milk Peach has a travel distance of 3.3 mm, while the Vintage Citrus features a shorter travel distance of 3 mm. This means that the Milk Peach offers a longer travel distance, which could provide a more satisfying and substantial feel for those who prefer a deeper keypress. In contrast, the Vintage Citrus, with its shorter travel distance, may cater to gamers seeking quicker response times for fast-paced actions. Overall, choosing between these two switches will depend on individual preferences for keypress depth versus responsiveness: the Milk Peach is better suited for those who enjoy a fuller experience, while the Vintage Citrus is ideal for those who prioritize speed.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Vintage Citrus has an MSRP of $3.49 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Vintage Citrus for $2.79.
The Outemu Milk Peach 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 sound profile of the Outemu Milk Peach switch is not specified, leaving it open to interpretation based on other factors like the keyboard setup and keycap choices. In contrast, the HMX Vintage Citrus switch is celebrated for its bright, clacky sound, which can add an engaging auditory experience especially favored by gamers. This distinct sound profile not only enhances the tactile feedback during gameplay but also gives a certain lively character to typing sessions.
When it comes to feel, the details regarding the Milk Peach switch are again absent, which means its tactile characteristics remain undefined. The HMX Vintage Citrus switch, however, stands out for its exceptionally smooth push feel, which is integral for rapid-fire inputs that gamers desire. The low actuation force of just 1mm allows for minimal resistance when pressing the keys, making it easier to achieve quick responses without fatigue during extended sessions.
In summary, while the sound qualities of the Outemu Milk Peach switch are not provided, the HMX Vintage Citrus switch offers a bright and clacky experience ideal for gamers. In terms of feel, the Vintage Citrus is engineered for smoothness and ease of use, especially with its low actuation force. Since specific details about the feel and sound of the Milk Peach switch are lacking, potential users may find that both switches could deliver a satisfying experience, albeit likely in different acoustic and tactile manners. Ultimately, the right choice will depend on individual preferences and use cases, especially in gaming versus typing scenarios.
Conclusion
To conclude, when deciding between the Outemu Milk Peach linear switch and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch, consider the specific needs of your typing or gaming experience. If you prioritize a lightweight, fast-paced action, especially in gaming scenarios where rapid keystrokes are essential, the Vintage Citrus is your go-to option. Its medium-light bottom-out force of 53 grams, combined with a swift 1mm actuation, makes it especially suitable for those who thrive on speed and responsiveness. Additionally, its clacky sound profile and smooth feel contribute to a satisfying auditory and tactile experience that many gamers find appealing. On the other hand, if you favor a more unique and potentially customizable typing experience with a softer touch, the Milk Peach might be the right choice when its characteristics become available. As such, think about your priorities—speed and sound for gaming with Vintage Citrus versus a more nuanced, smooth feel that you might discover with the Milk Peach. Ultimately, your choice should align with your personal preferences and the activities you'll be engaging in most frequently.
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