Outemu Milk Tea vs. Outemu Silent Grey
An in-depth look at the Outemu Milk Tea and the Outemu Silent Grey switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Milk Tea and the Outemu Silent Grey offer two distinct typing experiences. The Milk Tea switch is best known for its smooth keypress, while the Silent Grey switch is praised for its quiet and highly tactile typing experience. The Milk Tea switch falls into the category of linear switches, whereas the Silent Grey switch is categorized as tactile. If you are looking for a switch that provides a satisfying typing experience with a pronounced bump, the Milk Tea may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if a quiet and tactile typing experience is more appealing, the Silent Grey switch could be the better option. However, let's dive a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can make the best decision for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.60 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
Ly
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Outemu Milk Tea and Outemu Silent Grey switches both utilize different materials for their top and bottom housings, with the Milk Tea featuring a Ly top housing and a nylon bottom housing, while the Silent Grey boasts a polycarbonate top housing and a nylon bottom housing. The Ly top housing of the Milk Tea offers a bright sound signature with resonant clacks during typing, while the polycarbonate top housing of the Silent Grey creates a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile. In terms of aesthetics, the translucency of the polycarbonate top housing of the Silent Grey makes it ideal for use with RGB lighting, adding a visually appealing element to the switch.
In contrast, both the Milk Tea and Silent Grey switches share a nylon bottom housing that elicits a deep and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic composition that absorbs more sound. This similarity in bottom housing material may lead to a similar typing experience in terms of sound and feel for both switches. However, the differences in the top housings, with Ly for Milk Tea and polycarbonate for Silent Grey, will result in distinct sound profiles when pressing down and releasing keys. The impact of the bottom housing will be more pronounced during bottom-out sounds and feels, while the top housing will have a greater influence on the sound when keys are released.
Overall, the choice of housing materials greatly influences the sound and feel of a mechanical switch. The use of Ly for the top housing of the Outemu Milk Tea and polycarbonate for the top housing of the Outemu Silent Grey results in contrasting sound profiles, with the Milk Tea offering a brighter sound and the Silent Grey producing a sharper, crisper sound. Despite both switches sharing a nylon bottom housing for a deeper and fuller sound, the differences in the top housing materials contribute to distinct typing experiences for each switch. Ultimately, the combination of different housing materials in a switch allows for a unique sound profile that can enhance the overall typing experience for users.
Weight
The Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch which has an actuation force of 50 grams. However, the bottom out force of the Milk Tea is unknown, while the Silent Grey has a bottom out force of 65 grams, making it a heavier option. This means that the Milk Tea may provide a lighter typing experience, perfect for long typing sessions, while the Silent Grey offers a more substantial push feel, ideal for those looking for a heavier typing experience. Both switches provide tactile feedback, with the Milk Tea likely resulting in a lighter overall typing experience and the Silent Grey providing a more pronounced feel with a heavier bottom out force.
Travel distance
Both the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch have a travel distance of 4mm, making them equal in this aspect. When pressing down on a key with either of these switches, you will experience the same amount of travel distance. This means that in terms of the physical sensation of pressing down on a key, both switches will provide a similar tactile feedback to the user. The similarity in travel distance between the Milk Tea and Silent Grey switches ensures that whether you choose one over the other, you can expect consistent results in terms of how they feel when typing.
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 Milk Tea and Silent Grey.
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 Tea tactile switch is known for being relatively quiet compared to other tactile switches, making it a great option for those looking for a more subtle typing experience. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch lives up to its name by offering a quiet typing experience with a distinct tactile bump. Both switches are likely to produce minimal sound when used with a dampened keyboard and keycaps.
Moving on to feel, the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch is known for its smooth keystrokes and tactile bump that provides feedback to the user during typing. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch also offers a pronounced tactile bump, making it ideal for those who enjoy a more tactile typing experience. Both switches provide a satisfying feel while typing, allowing users to enjoy the tactile feedback without excessive noise.
In conclusion, both the Outemu Milk Tea and Outemu Silent Grey tactile switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences of mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. While the Milk Tea switch provides a quieter typing experience with smooth keystrokes, the Silent Grey switch offers a similarly quiet experience with a more pronounced tactile bump. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will come down to personal preference in terms of sound level and the intensity of tactile feedback desired during typing.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering whether to choose the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch or the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch, it ultimately comes down to your preference for typing experience. If you enjoy a light and smooth typing experience with no bottom out force and are not concerned about noise, then the Milk Tea may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a heavier and more tactile keystroke with a silent operation, the Silent Grey switch would be the ideal option. Ultimately, your decision should be based on whether you prioritize a light and smooth feel or a heavier and more tactile typing experience with reduced noise. Both switches offer unique characteristics, so choose the one that best aligns with your typing preferences.
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