Outemu Milk Tea vs. Everglide Rice Pudding
An in-depth look at the Outemu Milk Tea and the Everglide Rice Pudding switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch present two distinct options for typists and gamers alike. The Milk Tea switch offers a tactile bump that many users appreciate for its feedback during typing, making it a great choice for those who enjoy a traditional mechanical keyboard feel. On the other hand, the Everglide Rice Pudding switch is celebrated for its smooth operation and satisfying acoustic profile, delivering a balanced typing experience that combines precision with a pleasing sound. Additionally, the Rice Pudding switches are uniquely compatible with Wooting's innovative keyboards, appealing to enthusiasts looking for added performance and versatility. While each switch has its advantages — with the Milk Tea focusing on tactile feedback and the Rice Pudding emphasizing smoothness and sound — the choice ultimately comes down to personal preference and typing style. 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
38g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 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
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Custom stainless steel
Housing materials
The Outemu Milk Tea and Everglide Rice Pudding switches both utilize nylon for their bottom housings, while they differ at the top housing level. The Milk Tea features a newly developed material that is noted for producing a bright sound signature, characterized by resonant clacks when typing. In contrast, the Rice Pudding utilizes polycarbonate for its top housing, which is recognized for generating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. While they both employ nylon at the bottom to create a fuller sound, the different top materials lead to distinctive auditory experiences. The brighter, resonant sound of the Milk Tea contrasts with the sharper clarity of the Rice Pudding, illustrating how the top housing material can significantly impact typing acoustics.
Aesthetic differences between the two switches also stem from their top housing materials. The polycarbonate top housing of the Everglide Rice Pudding is translucent, making it particularly favorable for RGB lighting applications, as one can enjoy the illumination shining through the clear plastic. This aspect is significant for enthusiasts looking to enhance their keyboard's visual appeal. The Outemu Milk Tea, with its newer material, lacks the same level of translucence, which may limit its integration with RGB lighting effects, despite its vibrant sound profile. As aesthetics and performance are often critical in keyboard switches, this divergence signifies that each switch caters to different preferences regarding both visual appeal and acoustic quality.
Ultimately, while both switches share nylon for their bottom housings, allowing them to produce a similar deep and full sound, their top housings create distinctly different typing experiences. The combination of the Milk Tea’s novel material and the Rice Pudding’s polycarbonate delivers uniquely tailored sound profiles, with the latter providing a clearer resonance that benefits light transmission, while the former emphasizes impactful auditory feedback. When considering switch selection for a keyboard, this information becomes pivotal—it dictates not only the auditory experience but also ultimately influences aesthetic preferences, ensuring that users can find a switch that meets their personal and functional requirements.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch, we see a distinct difference in their characteristics. The Milk Tea switch has an actuation force of 45 grams, which is noticeably heavier than the Rice Pudding's actuation force of 38 grams; thus, the Milk Tea switch requires more force to register a keystroke. However, the bottom out force for the Milk Tea is unknown, while the Rice Pudding has a bottom out force of 48 grams, making it a lighter option overall when considering both actuation and bottoming out. Users who prefer a lighter switch for longer typing or gaming sessions might lean towards the Rice Pudding, as its lighter actuation and bottom out forces contribute to less finger fatigue. Conversely, those who enjoy a more substantial typing experience may prefer the Milk Tea for its heftier actuation force, as it can provide a tactile feedback that some users appreciate.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch measures 4 mm, while the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch has a shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. This means that the Milk Tea switch offers a more pronounced depth, which some users may find provides a satisfying tactile feedback, making it ideal for those who prefer a more substantial keypress experience. In contrast, the Rice Pudding switch’s shorter travel distance may appeal to gamers or users seeking quicker response times, as the decreased distance allows for faster actuation. Ultimately, if you're looking for a switch that feels more robust and traditional, the Outemu Milk Tea would be the better choice, whereas if responsiveness is your priority, you might prefer the Everglide Rice Pudding.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Rice Pudding has an MSRP of $8.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Rice Pudding for $6.79.
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
The Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch does not have a specific sound characteristic mentioned, while the Everglide Rice Pudding switch is known for its deep sound, delivering a satisfying auditory experience. This deep sound contributes to a balanced typing experience that many enthusiasts find appealing. It's worth noting that the sound of any switch also relies heavily on the keyboard chassis and keycap material, so individual setups may yield different acoustic results.
When it comes to feel, the Milk Tea switch lacks a defined tactile quality in the information provided; however, the Rice Pudding switch is touted for its smooth operation, which contributes to a pleasing tactile feedback during typing. This smooth feel allows users to enjoy extended typing sessions without discomfort, and the precision offered can enhance typing speed and accuracy. The absence of description for the Milk Tea means it may not provide the same level of tactile engagement or smoothness, leaving an impression of a basic or less refined experience.
In summary, while the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch lacks specific notable qualities, the Everglide Rice Pudding switch is recognized for its satisfying deep sound and smooth operation. For newcomers, the Rice Pudding is the safer bet for a balanced and enjoyable typing experience, especially for those who are performance-oriented or looking for an efficient feel. Choosing the right switch will ultimately depend on the user's personal preference, and any switch's performance can vary based on additional factors like the keyboard and keycap selection.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch ultimately hinges on your personal preferences and typing needs. If you value a lightweight keypress and are looking for a switch with a softer, smooth engagement that feels less resistant during typing, the Milk Tea could be your go-to option; however, do consider that the specifics of its sound and tactile feedback are less defined. On the other hand, if you seek a switch that offers a satisfying, precise feel with a notable tactile bump, paired with a deeper sound profile that enhances the overall typing experience, the Rice Pudding can be a great choice. Additionally, if compatibility with specialized keyboards like those from Wooting is a priority, the Rice Pudding truly shines. Ultimately, consider what you prioritize more in your keyboard experience—lightness and a smooth touch, or a more tactile feedback combined with sound quality. Your personal typing style and the environments in which you will be using your keyboard should guide your decision.