Outemu Milk Tea vs. Gateron Silent Ink Black
An in-depth look at the Outemu Milk Tea and the Gateron Silent Ink Black switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Milk Tea and the Gateron Silent Ink Black offer unique experiences for users. The Milk Tea is a tactile switch that is best known for its None feature, while the Silent Ink Black is a linear switch loved for its silenced version, perfect for environments requiring quieter typing. The Milk Tea provides a tactile feedback, ideal for those who enjoy a satisfying click with each keypress, while the Silent Ink Black offers a silky, muted, and polished typing experience with minimal noise. 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
60g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
70g
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
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Ly
Top housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Color coated
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Outemu Milk Tea and the Gateron Silent Ink Black, one noticeable difference is in their top housing materials. The Milk Tea uses a Ly top housing, which provides a bright and resonant clack when typing, while the Silent Ink Black utilizes a proprietary INK blend top housing, offering a satisfying thin and higher-pitched sound that is often described as clacky. Despite these differences, both housing materials contribute to enhancing the overall sound profile of the switches.
Moving on to the bottom housing materials, the Milk Tea features a nylon bottom housing that produces a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic nature. On the other hand, the Silent Ink Black boasts a proprietary INK blend bottom housing that also offers a pointed and high-pitched sound profile. While both bottom housings contribute to the sound profile of the switches, the nylon housing absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound compared to the relatively thinner and higher-pitched sound of the INK blend housing.
Overall, the combination of top and bottom housing materials in switches like the Outemu Milk Tea and the Gateron Silent Ink Black play a crucial role in determining the overall typing experience. The different materials used in the top and bottom housings provide unique sound profiles when pressing down on a key and when releasing it. While the Milk Tea and Silent Ink Black may have their distinct characteristics in terms of sound production, both switches are designed to offer a satisfying typing experience with their respective housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch, it is evident that the Milk Tea requires a lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Silent Ink Black's 60 grams. However, the bottom out force for the Milk Tea is unknown, while the Silent Ink Black has a heavier bottom out force of 70 grams. This means that while the Milk Tea may offer a lighter typing experience for those who prefer less resistance, the Silent Ink Black provides a more substantial and firm typing feel. Those who enjoy typing for extended periods may prefer the lighter actuation force of the Milk Tea, while users who prefer a stronger push feel may opt for the heavier Silent Ink Black. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out force requirements.
Travel distance
The Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch both have a 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 distance of travel from the top to the bottom. Both switches offer a consistent and satisfying typing experience for users who prefer a shorter travel distance compared to switches with longer distances. The similarities in travel distance between the Milk Tea and Silent Ink Black switches make them ideal choices for individuals who are looking for a consistent typing experience without sacrificing keypress responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Silent Ink Black has an MSRP of $8.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Ink Black for $8.35.
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 switch does not have any specific descriptors available, indicating that it may have a standard mechanical keyboard sound. On the other hand, the Gateron Silent Ink Black switch is known for being muted, offering a quieter typing experience compared to traditional mechanical switches. This makes the Silent Ink Black a great choice for environments where noise reduction is important, such as shared workspaces or late-night typing sessions. Keep in mind that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard's construction and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Outemu Milk Tea does not have any specific descriptors provided. In contrast, the Gateron Silent Ink Black switch is praised for its silky and polished feel. The silky smoothness of the switch enhances the typing experience by reducing resistance when pressing and releasing keys. Additionally, the polished finish results in a sleek and refined typing feel, thanks to materials used or factory lubrication. This contributes to reduced friction and smooth key travel, making the Silent Ink Black switch a popular choice among enthusiasts seeking a luxurious typing experience.
In conclusion, the Outemu Milk Tea switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black switch offer distinct qualities that cater to different preferences. While the Milk Tea may provide a standard typing experience with traditional sound levels, the Silent Ink Black stands out for its muted sound profile and silky, polished feel. Ultimately, choosing between these switches depends on individual preferences for typing feel and noise levels. If you prefer a quieter and smoother typing experience, the Gateron Silent Ink Black switch would be the ideal choice, whereas the Outemu Milk Tea switch would be suitable for those looking for a more traditional mechanical keyboard experience.
Conclusion
In closing, when choosing between the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your preferences and typing environment. If you prefer a switch with no bottom out force and are looking for a unique typing experience, the Milk Tea may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you value a medium-heavy bottom out force and require a quieter typing experience, the Silent Ink Black is a great option. Consider the sound and feel characteristics of each switch to determine which one aligns best with your typing style and preferences. Ultimately, the decision is yours to make based on what matters most to you in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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