Outemu Milk Tea vs. KTT Pine

Overview

When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, the Outemu Milk Tea and the KTT Pine present distinct options tailored to different typing preferences. The Milk Tea switch, categorized as a tactile switch, offers a satisfying bump at the actuation point, making it ideal for typists who enjoy feedback with each keystroke. On the other hand, the KTT Pine, a linear switch, is celebrated for its smoothness and consistency, providing a buttery typing experience that is both effortless and enjoyable. With its polished, factory-lubed finish, the Pine minimizes friction, resulting in a low-pitched and bassy sound profile that many gamers and typists appreciate. While the Milk Tea is favored for its tactile response, the KTT Pine excels in delivering a quiet and smooth operation. 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

Outemu Milk Tea Tactile

KTT Pine Linear

$3.10 per 10

$4.60

$4.15 per 10

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Housing materials

The housing materials of the Outemu Milk Tea and KTT Pine switches exhibit distinct acoustic properties owing to their composition. The Milk Tea's top housing utilizes a newer material that boasts a bright sound signature, creating resonant clacks that resonate during typing. In contrast, the KTT Pine features a polycarbonate top housing, which is known for generating a sharper and crisper sound profile. This stems from polycarbonate's stiffness, enhancing clarity and resonance. Despite these differences, both materials can yield exceptional auditory feedback when typing. Users who value a bright and resonant upstroke may find both options appealing, as they each present unique advantages for a lively typing experience.

The bottom housing materials further add to the contrast between the two switches. The Milk Tea employs a nylon bottom housing, which is celebrated for producing a deeper and more rounded sound profile. With nylon's softer disposition, it absorbs sound, resulting in a fuller auditory experience that contrasts with the sharper tones of the KTT Pine's polycarbonate bottom housing. The latter material retains its characteristic stiffness, likely leading to a clearer and more resonant bottom-out sound. When combined, the Milk Tea's nylon bottom and bright-sounding top housing can create a rich harmony, while the KTT Pine’s stiffer polycarbonate layers produce a more precise and higher-pitched auditory feedback.

Ultimately, the interaction between the different housing materials in each switch impacts the overall typing experience significantly. For the Outemu Milk Tea, the nylon bottom ensures a fuller sound and a smoother feel at the bottom out, complemented by the brighter sounds from the top housing. Conversely, the KTT Pine’s combination of polycarbonate for both housings delivers sharper, crisper acoustics throughout. Consequently, the switches cater to different preferences—whether one seeks a synchronous blend of deep and bright sounds or a consistent crisper auditory response. In both cases, enthusiasts can achieve satisfying results by carefully considering the audio characteristics brought forth by each housing material.

Weight

When comparing the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch and the KTT Pine linear switch, both have the same actuation force of 45 grams, which means users will experience a similar trigger feel when pressing the keys. However, the bottom out force for the Outemu Milk Tea switch is unknown, while the KTT Pine switch has a bottom out force of 58 grams. This indicates that the Pine switch provides a heavier response when fully pressed down, potentially offering a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a firmer feel. Consequently, the Milk Tea switch may be better suited for users who favor lighter key presses for prolonged typing or gaming sessions, whereas the KTT Pine switch would likely appeal to those who enjoy a heavier and more forceful feedback while typing.

Travel distance

Both the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch and the KTT Pine linear switch have a travel distance of 4 mm, making them equal in this aspect. This means that when pressed, users will experience the same amount of key travel with both switches. Consequently, if you're looking for switches that provide a similar feel in terms of travel distance, either option will deliver consistent results, ensuring a uniform typing experience.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When comparing the sound qualities of the Outemu Milk Tea and KTT Pine switches, the differences are quite pronounced. The KTT Pine switches are known for their bassy and low-pitched characteristics, delivering a richer and deeper sound profile that contributes to a satisfying auditory experience when typing. This low-frequency resonance can create a more immersive soundscape, especially on a well-built keyboard. In contrast, the sound profile of the Milk Tea switch is unknown, leaving a gap in our understanding of how it might compare in auditory enjoyment. However, users can expect the KTT Pine to provide a unique, deep-toned sound that enhances the overall keyboard experience.

When it comes to feel, the KTT Pine switches shine with their buttery and creamy sensations. These descriptors indicate a smooth and effortless typing experience, thanks to a polished, factory-lubed finish that minimizes friction between moving parts. This results in a fluid keystroke that feels almost luxurious, as if the fingers glide gracefully from key to key. Currently, the feel of the Milk Tea switch is also unknown, which makes direct comparisons impracticable. Nevertheless, the Pine’s tactile properties are evidently designed to promote comfort and ease during extended typing sessions.

In conclusion, the KTT Pine linear switches offer a rich auditory experience with their deep, bassy sounds while providing an exceptionally smooth and creamy feel, ideal for those seeking comfort during prolonged use. The qualities of the Outemu Milk Tea switches remain unexplored, leaving potential users to consider their experiences or research further. As such, while the KTT Pine provides clear advantages in sound and feel, the missing details on the Milk Tea switches underscore the importance of individual preference, and prospective users may benefit from hands-on testing to determine their ideal fit within the diverse world of mechanical keyboard switches.

Conclusion

To conclude, when deciding between the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch and the KTT Pine linear switch, you'll want to carefully consider your typing style and preferences. If you appreciate a tactile feedback that helps with typing accuracy but also desire a softer experience, the Milk Tea switch could be suitable for you. However, since the specific characteristics and sound profile of the Milk Tea are currently unspecified, you might want to explore it further if you're drawn to rumoured tactile designs. Conversely, if you're looking for a switch that delivers a smooth and buttery typing experience, the KTT Pine linear switch may be your best choice. Known for its medium heavy feel and polished finish, this switch minimizes friction for effortless key travel, which is perfect for both typing and gaming. Additionally, the KTT Pine’s bassy and low-pitched sound profile offers a richer auditory experience, making it an excellent option if you enjoy a deeper sound when you type. Ultimately, your choice should reflect how you interact with your keyboard; if you prioritize tactile feedback and are willing to experiment, go for the Milk Tea, but if you desire smooth, unencumbered strokes with an enjoyable sound, the KTT Pine is the way to go.

Mentioned in this article

Outemu Milk Tea Tactile

$3.10 per 10

Learn more

KTT Pine Linear

$4.60

$4.15 per 10

Learn more