Outemu Milk Tea vs. Durock Piano
An in-depth look at the Outemu Milk Tea and the Durock Piano switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Outemu Milk Tea, a tactile switch, and the Durock Piano, a linear switch. The Milk Tea is best known for its tactile feedback, providing a satisfying bump when pressed. On the other hand, the Durock Piano stands out for its smooth and frictionless typing experience, thanks to its proprietary material blend that offers a deep, creamy sound signature. While the Milk Tea offers a tactile response for those who prefer a bit of resistance while typing, the Piano provides a silky-smooth typing experience ideal for those who prioritize a frictionless 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Mystery material
Top housing material
Ly
Top housing material
Proprietary POM blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Proprietary POM blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The Outemu Milk Tea and the Durock Piano both have unique top housings that contribute to their distinct sound profiles. The Milk Tea's Ly top housing is praised for its bright sound signature, resulting in resonant clacks while typing. On the other hand, the Piano's proprietary POM blend top housing offers a satisfying and deep sound profile. While both materials aim to enhance the typing experience, the Milk Tea provides a brighter sound, whereas the Piano offers a deeper and more robust sound.
In terms of bottom housings, the Milk Tea features a nylon bottom housing known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon is softer compared to harder plastics and absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound. Similarly, the Durock Piano utilizes a proprietary POM blend bottom housing that also contributes to a uniquely satisfying and deep sound profile. Both housings aim to enhance the overall sound experience of the switch, with nylon providing a softer and fuller sound compared to the potentially more robust sound from the POM blend.
While the top and bottom housings of the Outemu Milk Tea and the Durock Piano are different, both materials offer distinct benefits to the overall typing experience. The split qualities between the top and bottom housings impact the sound and feel of the switch in different ways. The bottom housing has more of an impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when pressed down, while the top housing influences the sound when releasing a key. Despite the differences in materials, both switches aim to provide a unique and satisfying typing experience through their innovative housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch and the Durock Piano linear switch, it is evident that there are differences in the forces required for each. The Milk Tea has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams, while the Piano's actuation force is unknown. However, the bottom out force of the Piano is heavier at 63.5 grams compared to the Milk Tea's unknown bottom out force. The lighter actuation force of the Milk Tea may be preferred by those who enjoy a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions, while the heavier bottom out force of the Piano may appeal to individuals seeking a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch and the Durock Piano linear switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either of these switches, you will experience the same amount of travel from top to bottom. Both switches offer a consistent tactile experience for users, with neither switch having a shorter or longer travel distance compared to the other. This similarity in travel distance ensures that users can expect similar results in keypress feedback and actuation regardless of which switch they choose.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Piano has an MSRP of $6.70 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Piano for $5.57.
The Outemu Milk Tea 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
When it comes to sound, the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch lacks a specific descriptor, while the Durock Piano linear switch is known for its deep and creamy sound profile. The Milk Tea's sound is unknown, but it is important to note that the sound of a switch can be influenced by various factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used. On the other hand, the Piano switch is characterized as "bassy," offering a rich and deep sound similar to bass tones.
In terms of feel, the Milk Tea switch does not have a described tactile feel, while the Durock Piano linear switch is noted for its frictionless and silky feel. A frictionless switch like the Piano provides a smooth and effortless typing experience, reducing any resistance or friction when pressing the keys. Additionally, the silky feel of the Piano enhances typing smoothness and minimizes resistance during key presses and releases.
Overall, when considering the subjective qualities of the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch and the Durock Piano linear switch, it is clear that they offer quite different experiences. The Milk Tea lacks specific details on both sound and feel, while the Piano is known for its bassy sound signature and silky, frictionless feel. Depending on personal preference, typing style, and the overall keyboard setup, individuals may find that they prefer the deep sound and smooth feel of the Durock Piano switch over the unknown qualities of the Outemu Milk Tea switch. Ultimately, experimenting with different switches is key to finding the perfect match for your typing needs.
Conclusion
Therefore, when choosing between the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch and the Durock Piano linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preference and typing style. If you enjoy a smooth, frictionless typing experience with a deep, creamy sound profile, the Durock Piano linear switch may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a tactile feel without a specific bottom out force requirement, the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch could be the perfect fit. Consider your typing habits, sound preferences, and desired tactile feedback when making your decision between these two switches. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different typing preferences.
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