Outemu Milk Tea vs. Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie

Overview

When choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Outemu Milk Tea and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie offer distinct experiences tailored to different user preferences. The Outemu Milk Tea is a tactile switch, known for providing a noticeable bump at the actuation point, which can enhance typing accuracy and provide satisfying feedback for those who enjoy a more traditional typing feel. In contrast, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie is a linear switch, celebrated for its smooth keystrokes and quiet operation, making it ideal for users who prioritize a seamless typing experience without tactile interruptions. Both switches cater to different typing styles: the Milk Tea is suited for those who appreciate tactile feedback during each keystroke, while the Sea Salt Smoothie is perfect for users seeking a fluid typing experience with a pleasant sound profile. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that meets your specific needs.

By the numbers

Outemu Milk Tea Tactile

Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie Linear

$3.10 per 10

$3.00

$2.70 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the Outemu Milk Tea and Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie, we see distinct differences that significantly influence their respective sound profiles. The Milk Tea utilizes a Ly plastic for its top housing, known for producing a bright sound signature characterized by resonant clacks while typing. This contrasts sharply with the POM top housing used in the Sea Salt Smoothie, which is noted for creating a deeper, more muted sound. That said, the softer qualities of the Milk Tea's top housing allow for a more vibrant auditory experience, whereas the POM material of the Sea Salt Smoothie promotes a uniquely muted tone. This functional divergence illustrates how the choice of material can dramatically shape the auditory feedback one receives while typing.

Examining the bottom housings reveals another layer of contrast and similarity. The Milk Tea employs nylon, a classic material celebrated for its ability to produce a deeper and rounder sound profile due to its sound-absorbing properties. In contrast, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie also opts for POM in the bottom housing, which can generate a pleasing sound but with a more muted character overall. Both materials contribute to deeper sound profiles, yet the nylon bottom housing of the Milk Tea tends to elicit a fuller sound due to its inherently softer plastic, leading to a richer auditory experience as opposed to the more subtle POM characteristics of the Sea Salt Smoothie.

Despite these differences, the interdependence of the top and bottom housings reveals how each switch can still achieve desirable auditory outcomes. For switches that have differing top and bottom materials, the qualities of each housing influence the overall typing experience, with the top housing affecting the sound upon release and the bottom housing significantly impacting the bottom-out sound and feel. Consequently, while the Milk Tea and Sea Salt Smoothie utilize distinct materials, they can still yield similar results in terms of a pleasing typing experience by balancing the resonant traits of one housing against the muted characteristics of the other. This interplay demonstrates the nuanced nature of switch design and how varying materials can harmonize to create a satisfying sound and tactile feedback.

Weight

When comparing the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch, we find that the actuation forces differ slightly, with the Milk Tea requiring 45 grams to trigger a keystroke and the Sea Salt Smoothie slightly heavier at 48 grams. This means that for those who prefer a lighter touch, particularly beneficial for extended typing or gaming sessions, the Milk Tea switch may be the more suitable option. In terms of tactile feedback, the Milk Tea is designed to provide a more responsive experience at a lower force. However, specifics about the bottom out force are unavailable for both switches, making it difficult to directly compare this aspect; thus, we cannot determine if one switch offers a more solid feeling when fully pressed down than the other. Overall, if you favor a lighter actuation, the Outemu Milk Tea switch is the preferable choice, whereas the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie appeals to those who appreciate a slightly firmer feel.

Travel distance

The Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch features a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.7 mm. This means that the Milk Tea switch provides a more substantial depth during keypress, which some users may prefer for a more tactile and hearty experience. In contrast, the Sea Salt Smoothie’s shorter travel distance caters to those who favor quicker response times, making it a suitable option for gamers looking for enhanced speed in their keystrokes. Ultimately, if you are seeking a more responsive feel, the Sea Salt Smoothie would be ideal, while the Milk Tea offers a more pronounced keypress characteristic. As such, the Milk Tea is the longer travel option, whereas the Sea Salt Smoothie is the shorter one.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch does not have a clearly defined auditory profile available. In contrast, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie produces a notably “thocky” sound, which is characterized by a deeper, more resonant auditory signature. This acoustic quality of the Smoothie enhances the typing experience, giving it a satisfying auditory feedback that many users find enjoyable. While the sound can be influenced by the keyboard construction and keycap material, the inherent sound quality of the switches remains a distinct aspect to consider.

Regarding the feel, the Milk Tea switch does not have specific information available on its tactile feedback. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Smoothie is designed to deliver a smooth keystroke experience thanks to its medium-weight configuration and POM material. This results in a pleasant and responsive feel during typing, making it suitable for both gaming and typing scenarios. Ultimately, while the tactile quality of the Milk Tea switch remains unspecified, the Smoothie offers a well-rounded sensation that users appreciate.

In conclusion, while the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch lacks definitive information on both its sound and feel, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie presents clear advantages with its thocky sound and smooth tactile experience. For newcomers, while the subjective qualities of the Milk Tea may be a mystery, the Sea Salt Smoothie's established traits provide a compelling option for those seeking both auditory satisfaction and smooth typing performance. If you ultimately desire a more defined switch experience, exploring the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie would be a prudent choice, given its favorable attributes.

Conclusion

To conclude, your choice between the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch should hinge on your personal preferences and typing style. If you prefer a tactile feedback that provides a noticeable bump when you actuate a key, the Milk Tea will likely enhance your typing experience, particularly if you enjoy a bit of sensory engagement with each keystroke. On the other hand, if you're looking for a smoother, more fluid typing experience without the tactile interruption, the Sea Salt Smoothie is designed to deliver exceptional smoothness and a "thocky" sound profile, making it ideal for gaming or uninterrupted typing tasks. You'll want to consider whether you thrive on tactile feedback or if you favor a linear motion that allows for rapid key presses. Ultimately, assess how you intend to use your keyboard; for general typing where feedback adds comfort, go with the Milk Tea, while for gaming or fast-paced typing sessions, the Sea Salt Smoothie is the way to go. Each switch offers a unique experience, and your individual typing habits will guide you toward the best choice for your needs.

Mentioned in this article

Outemu Milk Tea Tactile

$3.10 per 10

Learn more

Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie Linear

$3.00

$2.70 per 10

Learn more