Outemu Milk Tea vs. Huano Sakura

Overview

When it comes to selecting the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, the Outemu Milk Tea and the Huano Sakura offer distinct features that cater to different user preferences. The Outemu Milk Tea, a tactile switch, is celebrated for providing a satisfying tactile bump that enhances typing feedback, making it a favorite among those who appreciate the tactile response while gaming or typing. On the other hand, the Huano Sakura, known for its linear characteristics, delivers a feather-light touch complemented by medium acoustics, making it an excellent choice for extended typing sessions where smooth keystrokes and minimal resistance are beneficial. While the Milk Tea excels in tactile feedback for a more engaging experience, the Sakura offers a quieter and effortless 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

Outemu Milk Tea Tactile

Huano Sakura Linear

$3.10 per 10

$3.50 per 10

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Housing materials

The Outemu Milk Tea and Huano Sakura switches utilize different materials for their top housings, leading to distinctive auditory and tactile experiences. The Milk Tea switch features an LY top housing, known for its bright sound signature that manifests in resonant clacks during typing. This material’s low coefficient of friction enhances the smoothness of actuation, resulting in a lively feedback. In contrast, the Sakura employs a POK top housing, renowned for its durability and smoothness, with a slightly higher coefficient of friction than LY. While both materials contribute to a satisfying typing experience, the LY housing leans more towards sharper sounds, while the POK lends a smoother and more refined tonal quality, making their audible outputs distinctively different.

When examining the bottom housings of the Milk Tea and Sakura switches, a similarity in material choice emerges. Both switches utilize nylon for their bottom housings, which is recognized as a classic choice in switch design due to its sound-dampening properties. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more noise, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile when keys are bottomed out. This shared use of nylon creates a consistency in the overall audio character of both switches, as they will produce that characteristic round sound on impact despite the contrasts in their top housing materials. Thus, while the top housings differ in auditory traits, the bottom support each switch in achieving deeper sounds.

The implications of these material choices extend into the overall typing experience of both switches. The distinct top housing materials contribute varied characteristics to the sound produced when a key is released, with LY enhancing sharpness and brightness while POK encourages smoothness. This differentiation in upper housing performance emphasizes the role of the bottom housing, where both switches display uniformity with nylon’s sound absorption capabilities. Consequently, users can expect both the Outemu Milk Tea and Huano Sakura to provide a full-bodied sound profile when key presses bottom out. However, the switch’s top housing becomes crucial for defining the brightness versus smoothness of the switch's acoustic footprint, ultimately leading to a unique, yet somewhat related, experience between the two options.

Weight

When comparing the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch and the Huano Sakura linear switch, there is a noticeable difference in actuation force. The Milk Tea switch has a higher actuation force of 45 grams, while the Sakura switch features a lighter actuation force of 35 grams. This means that the Milk Tea switch requires more effort to activate, which might appeal to users who prefer a more substantial typing experience. In terms of bottom out force, the Huano Sakura has a defined bottom out force of 45 grams, whereas the bottom out force for the Milk Tea switch is currently unknown. Consequently, if both switches had equivalent bottom out forces, users might find similar resistance when pressing down fully; however, without this information for the Milk Tea switch, a direct comparison is challenging. Overall, the lighter Sakura switch may be preferable for those looking for a comfortable typing experience during extended use, while the heavier Milk Tea switch might cater to those who favor a firmer tactile response.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch and the Huano Sakura linear switch, the Milk Tea offers a longer travel distance of 4 mm, while the Sakura measures at 3.6 mm. This difference means that the Milk Tea provides a deeper key press, which some users may find more satisfying and substantial, enhancing the tactile feedback during typing or gaming. On the other hand, the shorter 3.6 mm travel distance of the Sakura caters to those who prefer quicker response times, making it an appealing choice for gamers seeking a more responsive experience. Ultimately, if you prioritize depth and a more pronounced feedback feel, the Outemu Milk Tea would be the better option, whereas the Huano Sakura would suit those who value a faster, more streamlined keystroke.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch's sonic qualities are not well-documented, leaving it somewhat of an unknown in that regard. On the other hand, the Huano Sakura linear switch is characterized by medium acoustics, providing a balanced auditory experience that suits extended typing sessions. This makes the Sakura more versatile for environments where sound levels are a consideration, but the Milk Tea's sound profile may vary based on the keyboard it’s paired with, adding an element of unpredictability.

In terms of feel, the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch does not have known feel characteristics, which leaves a gap in understanding how it compares to other switches. The Huano Sakura linear switch, however, is recognized for its feather-light touch, allowing effortless keystrokes. This quality can make the Sakura particularly suitable for long typing tasks, as it reduces finger fatigue. The tactile nature of the Milk Tea, albeit unspecified, suggests that it may cater to those who enjoy defining feedback, but without clear information, its appeal is uncertain.

In conclusion, while the Huano Sakura linear switch boasts a consistent reputation for its sound and feel, the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch remains ambiguous in both areas. The Sakura provides a reliable and pleasant typing experience, particularly for prolonged use, but without specific data on the Milk Tea, it’s difficult to draw direct comparisons. If sound and feel are priorities for your keyboard choice, exploring the known qualities of the Sakura could lead to a more satisfying overall typing experience.

Conclusion

To conclude, choosing between the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch and the Huano Sakura linear switch ultimately depends on your personal preferences and typing needs. If you prefer a lighter tactile feel that provides feedback during both gaming and typing without excessive strain, the Milk Tea switch may be your best option, especially if you enjoy a softer touch and don't mind its unique characteristics. Conversely, if you’re looking for a switch that offers a heavier, yet still gentle, linear experience ideal for extended typing sessions, the Sakura with its pronounced 45g bottom-out force could be more suitable. In addition, if you value a switch with medium acoustics that enhances the typing experience while maintaining comfort, then the Huano Sakura will serve you well. In closing, your choice should reflect your typing style, sound preference, and tactile feedback requirements, making either switch a fitting addition to your mechanical keyboard setup based on what you prioritize most.

Mentioned in this article

Outemu Milk Tea Tactile

$3.10 per 10

Learn more

Huano Sakura Linear

$3.50 per 10

Learn more