Outemu Milk Tea vs. Outemu Silent Yellow
An in-depth look at the Outemu Milk Tea and the Outemu Silent Yellow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options that stand out are the Outemu Milk Tea, a tactile switch, and the Outemu Silent Yellow, a linear switch. The Milk Tea switch is best known for its tactile feedback, providing users with a satisfying bump when the key is actuated. On the other hand, the Silent Yellow switch is best known for its smooth and quiet typing experience, making it an ideal choice for those who prefer a more discreet option. While the Milk Tea switch offers a tactile response for a more pronounced typing experience, the Silent Yellow switch provides a quiet and linear keystroke for a more subtle typing feel. 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
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Partial box
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 Yellow both feature unique housing materials that contribute to their distinct sound profiles. The Milk Tea's Ly top housing provides a bright sound signature with resonant clacks, while the Silent Yellow's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper and crisper sound profile. This difference in top housing material results in the Milk Tea having a softer and more muted sound compared to the sharper sound of the Silent Yellow. However, both switches share a nylon bottom housing, which elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its ability to absorb more sound.
While both switches share a nylon bottom housing, the Milk Tea and Silent Yellow differ in their top housing material. The Milk Tea's Ly top housing offers a bright and resonant sound, while the Silent Yellow's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper and higher-pitched sound profile. This difference in top housing material leads to contrasting sound experiences when typing on the two switches. However, despite this difference, both switches share the quality of having a deeper and fuller sound profile due to their nylon bottom housing. This similarity ensures that regardless of the top housing material, users can still enjoy a satisfying sound when typing on either switch.
In terms of aesthetics and sound production, the Outemu Milk Tea and Outemu Silent Yellow showcase the impact of housing materials on the overall typing experience. The Milk Tea's Ly top housing provides a bright and resonant sound, while the Silent Yellow's polycarbonate top housing offers a sharper and crisper sound profile. Both switches share a nylon bottom housing, which contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile. Despite the differences in top housing material, the shared bottom housing ensures a consistent sound experience for users. Whether one prefers the bright sound of the Milk Tea or the sharper sound of the Silent Yellow, both switches offer a unique and satisfying typing experience.
Weight
The Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch, which has a heavier actuation force of 65 grams. Both switches have an unknown bottom out force, but the Silent Yellow has a heavier actuation force, suggesting that it may require more force to fully press the key down compared to the Milk Tea. Those who prefer a lighter touch may opt for the Milk Tea for longer typing sessions or gaming, while those who enjoy a more substantial typing experience may prefer the Silent Yellow for its heavier actuation force. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preference for typing feel and force required for key presses.
Travel distance
Both the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch have a travel distance of 4mm, making them equal in this aspect. This means that when pressing down on a key with either of these switches, users can expect a consistent distance traveled from the top to the bottom. This similarity ensures that users will experience a similar typing experience regardless of which switch they choose. The travel distance of both switches allows for a satisfying keypress without being too shallow or too deep. Overall, whether using the Milk Tea tactile switch or the Silent Yellow linear switch, users can expect a comparable travel distance that enhances their typing experience.
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 Yellow.
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
In terms of sound, the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch is known for its quiet operation, making it a great option for those who prefer a silent typing experience. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch is also designed to reduce noise, providing a similar level of quietness when typing. When comparing the two, both switches offer a subdued sound profile that is ideal for environments where noise levels need to be kept to a minimum.
When it comes to feel, the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch is characterized by its tactile bump that provides feedback to the user when a key press is registered. This tactile feedback can enhance typing accuracy and overall typing experience. In comparison, the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch lacks the tactile bump but offers a smooth and consistent linear key press. This makes the Silent Yellow switch more suitable for fast and uninterrupted typing sessions.
Overall, both the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch provide a quiet typing experience, but with slight differences in sound and feel. The Milk Tea switch offers a tactile bump for feedback, while the Silent Yellow switch provides a linear key press for uninterrupted typing. Depending on personal preference and typing style, either switch can be a great choice for those looking for a smooth and quiet mechanical keyboard experience.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch, consider the following guidelines. If you value a lighter bottom out force and a unique tactile feel, the Outemu Milk Tea may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a heavier bottom out force and a smooth, silent typing experience, the Outemu Silent Yellow may be more suitable for your preferences. Ultimately, your decision should be based on the feel and sound that you prioritize in your typing experience.
Mentioned in this article
