Outemu Milk Tea vs. Outemu Silver
An in-depth look at the Outemu Milk Tea and the Outemu Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch and the Outemu Silver linear switch, there are several factors to consider. The Milk Tea switch is best known for its tactile feedback, providing a satisfying bump when pressed, making it ideal for those who prefer a more tactile typing experience. On the other hand, the Silver switch is best known for its smooth linear action, with no bump or click, offering a consistent keystroke feel that may appeal to those who prefer a smoother typing experience. 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
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 Silver both feature different materials for their top and bottom housings, with the Milk Tea using Ly top and nylon bottom housings, and the Silver using polycarbonate top and nylon bottom housings. The Milk Tea's Ly top housing offers a bright and resonant sound signature, while the Silver's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper and higher-pitched sound profile. On the other hand, both switches share the use of nylon bottom housings, which elicit a deeper and fuller sound profile due to nylon's softer nature that absorbs more sound. Overall, the Outemu Milk Tea and Outemu Silver have contrasting sound profiles based on their top housing materials, with the Milk Tea offering a more resonant sound and the Silver providing a sharper sound profile.
While the top housing materials of the Outemu Milk Tea and Outemu Silver contribute significantly to their sound profiles, the bottom housing materials play a crucial role in shaping the overall typing experience as well. The nylon bottom housing in both switches helps in creating a deeper and fuller sound profile, as nylon's softness absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics. This results in a duller and rounder sound when typing on switches with nylon bottom housings. Therefore, despite the differences in their top housing materials, the similar nylon bottom housings of the Milk Tea and Silver lead to comparable sound profiles that prioritize a deeper and fuller typing experience.
In terms of aesthetics, the Outemu Milk Tea and Outemu Silver differ in their top housing materials, with the Milk Tea featuring a Ly top housing and the Silver boasting a polycarbonate top housing. The translucent nature of polycarbonate allows for RGB lighting to shine through, making the Silver a more visually appealing choice for those who prioritize RGB customization. On the other hand, the Milk Tea's Ly top housing offers a bright and resonant sound signature, which can appeal to users looking for a switch with a unique and lively typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches may come down to personal preferences regarding sound profile, aesthetics, and typing feel.
Weight
When comparing the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch and the Outemu Silver linear switch, it is evident that they both have the same actuation force of 45 grams. However, the key difference lies in their bottom out force. The Milk Tea has an unknown bottom out force, while the Silver has a bottom out force of 65 grams, making it a medium-heavy switch. Those looking for a lighter typing experience may prefer the Milk Tea, as it lacks a specified bottom out force which may indicate a lighter overall feel. On the other hand, the Silver switch would be more suitable for individuals who prefer a stronger push feel and a more substantial typing experience due to its slightly heavier bottom out force. In essence, users can expect a similar actuation force between the two switches, but the choice between the Milk Tea and Silver switches will ultimately come down to personal preference in terms of weight and typing experience.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch and the Outemu Silver linear switch is the same, with both switches having a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when pressing down on a key with either switch, you will experience a similar distance traveled from the top to the bottom. In terms of tactile feedback, the Milk Tea switch offers a tactile bump during actuation, providing a more pronounced typing experience, while the Silver switch is a linear switch, offering a smooth and consistent keystroke without any tactile bump. Despite the difference in feel, both switches have the same travel distance, ensuring that users will get similar results in terms of keypress distance when using either switch.
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 Silver.
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 Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch is known for its unique characteristics that set it apart from other switches. While the sound produced by the Milk Tea switch is yet to be widely discussed and reviewed, its tactile feedback is praised by users for providing a satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, the Outemu Silver linear switch is recognized for its smooth keystrokes and quiet operation. The linear nature of the Silver switch allows for quick and efficient typing without the tactile bump found in the Milk Tea. Ultimately, both switches offer distinct qualities that cater to different preferences in typing experience. Whether you prefer the tactile feedback of the Milk Tea or the smooth keystrokes of the Silver, both switches guarantee a solid performance for your mechanical keyboard setup.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch and the Outemu Silver linear switch, consider the following factors. If you prefer a light actuation force and a more tactile typing experience, the Outemu Milk Tea switch would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy actuation force and a smoother keystroke without the tactile bump, the Outemu Silver switch would be more suitable for your needs. Ultimately, the decision should be based on your personal preferences in terms of typing experience and sound output. Choose the switch that aligns best with your individual typing style and preferences.