Outemu Milk Tea vs. Dareu Snow
An in-depth look at the Outemu Milk Tea and the Dareu Snow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Milk Tea and Dareu Snow offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Milk Tea is a tactile switch that is best known for its None. On the other hand, the Snow is a linear switch that stands out for its innovative use of POK material in both the top housing and stem, resulting in a deeper sound signature while typing. The Milk Tea falls under a general category, while the Snow is categorized as 'Thocky', 'Neutral', 'Low-pitched', and 'Bouncy'. Each switch has its own advantages and appeal, making them suitable for different typing experiences. 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
50g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.30 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 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
POK
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Outemu Milk Tea and the Dareu Snow both utilize different materials for their top and bottom switch housings. The Milk Tea's Ly top housing offers a bright and resonant sound signature, while the Snow's POK top housing provides a smooth, clacky, and durable typing experience. In terms of durability, the Snow's POK housing surpasses Nylon by 2.3 times and POM by 1.4 times, making it a top choice for switches that require strength and wear resistance. However, both switches use nylon for their bottom housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile due to nylon's ability to absorb sound and create a rounder typing experience.
While the Outemu Milk Tea and the Dareu Snow both use nylon for their bottom housing, their top housings differ significantly in material and sound characteristics. The Milk Tea's Ly top housing offers a bright sound signature with resonant clacks, while the Snow's POK top housing provides a smooth and clacky typing experience. The Snow's POK material is known for its exceptional strength and wear resistance, making it a durable choice for switches that require longevity. On the other hand, both switches benefit from using nylon for their bottom housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing.
In terms of overall sound and feel, the Outemu Milk Tea and the Dareu Snow offer unique qualities that stem from their top and bottom housing materials. The Milk Tea's Ly top housing contributes to a bright and resonant sound signature, while the Snow's POK top housing provides a smooth and durable typing experience. Both switches use nylon for their bottom housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile that enhances the overall typing experience. While the top housing has a more significant impact on the sound when pressing down on a key, the bottom housing plays a crucial role in the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch.
Weight
The Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch is lighter than the Dareu Snow linear switch in terms of actuation force, with 45 grams compared to 50 grams. However, the bottom out force for the Snow is heavier at 60 grams. The Milk Tea does not have a specified bottom out force. Those who prefer a light touch may gravitate towards the Milk Tea for longer typing sessions or gaming, while individuals looking for a more robust typing experience may lean towards the Snow. Both switches offer different experiences based on their actuation and bottom out forces, catering to varying preferences in typing feel.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch and the Dareu Snow linear switch, it is evident that the Milk Tea has a longer travel distance of 4 mm compared to the Snow's 3.3 mm. The Milk Tea's 4 mm distance is more traditional, providing a deeper key press feel, while the Snow's 3.3 mm distance is shallower, offering a quicker response time. Gamers tend to prefer shorter travel distances for faster reaction times, making the Snow a popular choice in the gaming community. However, those who prefer a more substantial key press may opt for the Milk Tea due to its longer travel distance. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on individual preference for key press depth and responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Dareu Snow has an MSRP of $7.78 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Snow for $5.76.
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 tactile switch is known for providing a unique auditory experience that is not easily defined based on the available information. On the other hand, the Dareu Snow linear switch is described as having a thocky sound profile, which means it offers a deep and satisfying sound when typing. This difference in sound characteristics suggests that the Milk Tea switch may have a lighter and possibly crisper sound, while the Snow switch offers a deeper and more resonant tone, giving users a distinct auditory feedback during use.
In terms of feel, the Milk Tea switch does not have a specific descriptor available to highlight its tactile experience. On the contrary, the Dareu Snow linear switch is known for providing a bouncy tactile feedback, giving users a spring-like sensation when pressing the keys. This indicates that the Milk Tea switch's tactile feel may be more subtle or nuanced, while the Snow switch offers a more pronounced and lively tactile response that enhances the typing experience.
Taking all the available information into account, it is clear that the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch and the Dareu Snow linear switch offer distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Milk Tea switch may provide a unique and potentially lighter sound profile with an unknown tactile feel, the Snow switch stands out with its deeper thocky sound and bouncy tactile feedback. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on the user's preference for auditory and tactile sensations while typing. Additionally, it's worth noting that individual preferences, typing style, and the overall keyboard setup will also play a significant role in determining the overall typing experience with either switch.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch and the Dareu Snow linear switch, consider your preference for typing experience. If you enjoy a switch with a unique material composition and a deeper sound profile, the Dareu Snow linear switch may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with an undefined bottom out force and a different typing feel, the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch could be more to your liking. Ultimately, the decision comes down to personal preference and what attributes you prioritize in your keyboard switches. Choose the switch that aligns best with your typing style and preferences to enhance your overall keyboarding experience.
Mentioned in this article
