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Outemu Milk Tea vs. HMX Silent Sakura - 53g

An in-depth look at the Outemu Milk Tea and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g switches—which one is the best fit for you?

Overview

When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch, personal preference and typing style play pivotal roles, as exemplified by the Outemu Milk Tea and HMX Silent Sakura - 53g switches. The Outemu Milk Tea, characterized as a tactile switch, offers a satisfying feedback mechanism that appeals to users who appreciate a noticeable bump during key presses, enhancing their typing experience with tactile confirmation. In contrast, the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g, an exceptional linear switch, is designed for those seeking a smooth and quiet keystroke, making it ideal for quiet environments or extended typing sessions. With its balanced 53g bottom-out force, the Silent Sakura ensures a soft yet responsive feel, reminiscent of typing on gentle raindrops. Ultimately, your choice will hinge on whether you value tactile feedback or prefer a more streamlined, silent 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

Technical specifications

Actuation force

45g

Actuation force

45g

Bottom-out force

N/A

Bottom-out force

53g

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

Partial box

Stem material

POM

Stem material

POM

Top housing material

Ly

Top housing material

Nylon

Bottom housing material

Nylon

Bottom housing material

Polycarbonate

Mount type

PCB (5-pin)

Mount type

PCB (5-pin)

Spring

Stainless steel

Spring

22mm extended single-staged spring

Housing materials

When comparing the Outemu Milk Tea switches and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g, notable differences in their housing materials contribute to their distinctive sound profiles. The Milk Tea switch features a top housing made from a newer material that privileges a brighter sound signature, leading to resonant clacks when typing. In contrast, the Silent Sakura employs a nylon top housing, a classic that provides a deeper and fuller sound profile. While both switches utilize nylon in their bottom housings—offering a softer response and a more muted sound—the divergent top housing materials create contrasting overall auditory experiences. Users may find that the Milk Tea offers a more pronounced and lively sound when pressed, while the Silent Sakura leans toward a subtler, rounder tone.

Exploring the bottom housing configurations, the Milk Tea retains its nylon material, emphasizing that classic, softer sound profile that helps absorb noise and create a satisfying feel when bottoming out. The HMX Silent Sakura, however, integrates polycarbonate into its bottom housing. This stiffer material produces a significantly sharper and crisper sound profile, as the polycarbonate’s rigidity amplifies the clarity of each keystroke. The combination of these materials means that while both switches may share the nylon bottom characteristic, their differing top housings profoundly influence their unique acoustic outputs, further emphasizing the distinction in user experience.

Ultimately, the interplay between top and bottom housing materials in both the Milk Tea and Silent Sakura switches demonstrates how subtle variations can lead to perceptibly different typing experiences. For those seeking a lively and bright auditory response, the Outemu Milk Tea's innovative top housing delivers that quality effectively. Conversely, the HMX Silent Sakura prioritizes deeper sound absorption with its nylon top, complemented by a sharper sound from its polycarbonate bottom. Users seeking to achieve a specific sound profile should consider not only the impact of individual materials but also how the partnership between them shapes the auditory landscape of each keystroke. In essence, while some materials resonate similarly, their combination influences the overall experience, marking the distinction between the two switches.

Weight

The Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switch offer a similar actuation force of 45 grams, providing users with an identical feel when triggering a keystroke. This makes both switches suitable for those who prefer lighter switches, facilitating prolonged typing sessions and comfort during extensive gaming. However, the Silent Sakura switch distinguishes itself with a bottom out force of 53 grams, indicating that it provides a stronger resistance when pressed all the way down, which some users may prefer for a more substantial typing experience. In contrast, the Outemu Milk Tea does not have an available bottom out force, leaving a comparison difficult in that aspect. Ultimately, if users favor a lighter overall force, the Milk Tea switch edges out slightly, while those seeking a firmer bottom out experience may lean towards the HMX Silent Sakura switch.

Travel distance

The Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switch both feature an identical travel distance of 4 mm. This means that, when pressing down on the keys, users will experience the same amount of distance traveled from the top to the bottom for both switches. Consequently, you can expect similar results in terms of key feel and responsiveness when using either switch. Since their travel distances are equal, neither switch can be deemed shorter or longer than the other.

Price comparison

Which switch is more bang for your buck?

The HMX Silent Sakura - 53g has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Sakura - 53g for $2.99.

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 sound profile of the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch remains unspecified, which leaves an air of mystery regarding its acoustic character. In contrast, the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switch is crafted for quiet operation, generating a soft sound that closely resembles the gentle patter of rain. This makes it an ideal choice for environments where noise levels need to be kept to a minimum, but it’s important to note that the overall sound output of any switch can also be influenced by the keyboard’s construction and the type of keycaps used.

When it comes to feel, the Outemu Milk Tea switch’s tactile characteristics aren't detailed, leaving potential users uncertain about the typing experience it offers. On the other hand, the Silent Sakura - 53g provides a balanced 53g bottom out force that many typists find both light and satisfying. This combination not only enhances typing speed but also helps minimize finger fatigue during prolonged use, making it appealing for those who type extensively.

In summary, while the Outemu Milk Tea's subjective qualities remain unknown and thus present an opportunity for discovery, the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g switches are specifically designed for users seeking a quiet and pleasing typing experience. Those familiar with either switch will need to explore the Milk Tea for its unique attributes, while the Silent Sakura promises a dependable blend of softness and subtlety. Ultimately, whether one opts for the tactile enjoyment of the Milk Tea or the serene quiet of the Silent Sakura, the two switches each offer distinct experiences catering to different preferences in the mechanical keyboard realm.

Conclusion

To sum up, choosing between the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 53g linear switch ultimately depends on your personal typing preferences and usage scenarios. If you value a smooth, tactile feel and enjoy feedback with each keystroke, the Milk Tea switch could be the perfect choice for you. It may be particularly appealing if you're looking to enhance your typing experience for tasks that benefit from a noticeable bump, such as coding or writing, creating a satisfying tactile response that can promote typing accuracy. However, if you prefer a quieter and smoother experience without tactile feedback, perhaps for working in shared spaces or for prolonged gaming sessions, the Silent Sakura - 53g should be your go-to option. With its medium-light force and whisper-quiet operation, it allows for rapid key presses without disturbing those around you. Ultimately, your choice should reflect whether you prioritize tactile feedback and sound, or smoothness and silence in your mechanical keyboard experience.

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