Outemu Milk Tea vs. Huano Strawberry Latte

Overview

When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch, the Outemu Milk Tea and the Huano Strawberry Latte offer distinct experiences that cater to different preferences. The Outemu Milk Tea, a tactile switch, provides a noticeable bump with each keystroke, making it a popular choice for typists who enjoy feedback without excessive noise. In contrast, the Huano Strawberry Latte, a linear switch, is celebrated for its exceptionally smooth keystrokes, using the latest molds from Huano to ensure a consistent and fluid typing experience. Users who prefer a quieter and less tactile feel often gravitate towards linear switches like the Strawberry Latte, which boasts a balanced sound profile—not too loud and not overly resonant. While both switches offer unique benefits that can enhance your typing experience, such as the Milk Tea's tactile feedback and the Strawberry Latte's smooth operation, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits you best.

By the numbers

Outemu Milk Tea Tactile

Huano Strawberry Latte Linear

$3.10 per 10

$3.50

$3.29 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The Outemu Milk Tea and Huano Strawberry Latte switches utilize distinctly different materials for their top housings, which leads to varying acoustic properties. The Milk Tea features a LY top housing made from a newer material known for its bright sound signature. This particular housing enhances the resonance during keystrokes, producing sharp and resonant clacks that deliver an energetic typing experience. In contrast, the Strawberry Latte employs POK, or polyketone, which has a slightly higher coefficient of friction than LY. This results in a smoother feel when typing, albeit with less pronounced clacks but still maintaining clarity in sound. Both materials support an engaging typing experience, but each offers its unique auditory characteristics that cater to different preferences.

On the bottom housing side, both switches use nylon, a classic and reliable choice in the mechanical keyboard community. The nylon bottom housing contributes a richer, deeper sound profile, as it absorbs more impact due to its relatively softer nature. This shared material attribute means that regardless of the differing top housings, the overall sound produced when bottoming out the key remains similar in depth and fullness for both switches. The nylon's sound absorption properties aid in creating a rounder and more muffled sound that complements the brighter or smoother top housings, resulting in a well-rounded auditory experience overall.

The distinct combination of materials in each switch highlights how the varying top housing influences the typing sound and feel while the nylon bottoms provide consistency. While the Milk Tea’s LY top leads to a more pronounced percussive sound, the Strawberry Latte’s POK top emphasizes a smoother typing experience, despite their similar bottom housings. This understanding is crucial for keyboard enthusiasts looking to customize their setups; depending on the desired acoustic and tactile feedback, users can select either switch and achieve an enjoyable typing experience thanks to the shared properties of the nylon bottom housing that moderates the deeper sound profile. As such, both switches present an appealing balance of contrasts and similarities, aligning well with individual preferences in sound and feel.

Weight

When comparing the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch with the Huano Strawberry Latte linear switch, there are notable differences in their actuation forces. The Milk Tea switch requires a heavier actuation force of 45 grams, while the Strawberry Latte has a lighter actuation force of 35 grams. This means that users who prefer a lighter touch for prolonged typing sessions or gaming might favor the Strawberry Latte, as it requires less force to actuate. However, the bottom out force for the Milk Tea switch remains unspecified, making it difficult to compare this aspect directly. Conversely, the Juano Strawberry Latte has a bottom out force of 45 grams, which aligns with its actuation force and gives a consistent feel when bottoming out. Ultimately, those who enjoy a more substantial typing experience may be drawn to the heavier actuation of the Milk Tea switch, while lighter-switch enthusiasts may find the Strawberry Latte to be more comfortable for extended use.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch and the Huano Strawberry Latte linear switch, a notable difference emerges. The Milk Tea switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, which aligns with the more traditional preference for deeper keystrokes that many users enjoy for a more substantial feel. In contrast, the Strawberry Latte switch features a shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm, catering to users who prioritize responsiveness and quicker actuation, which is often favored by gamers. While both switches provide distinct experiences based on their travel distances, the Milk Tea switch offers a longer travel distance, while the Strawberry Latte is shorter, making it more suitable for those seeking rapid key presses. Ultimately, the choice between the two depends on whether one values a hearty depth or a more immediate response.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch lacks prominent characteristics that set it apart, leaving its auditory profile quite ambiguous. In contrast, the Huano Strawberry Latte linear switch boasts a balanced sound that is neither too quiet nor overly resonant, creating a pleasing auditory experience during typing. This sound quality can be further influenced by your keyboard’s construction and the choice of keycaps, ensuring that each user can customize the acoustic feedback to their liking.

Regarding feel, the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch has undefined tactile feedback characteristics, making it less straightforward to predict its typing experience. The Huano Strawberry Latte, with its super smooth operation, offers a seamless typing experience thanks to the advanced mold technology used in its production. This results in a linear experience that many find enjoyable and suitable for both typing and gaming.

In summary, while the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch lacks defined sound and feel attributes, the Huano Strawberry Latte linear switch offers a balanced sound profile and a notably smooth feel. For newcomers considering these switches, the Strawberry Latte is likely to provide a more satisfying experience, while the Milk Tea may require further exploration to uncover its unique qualities. If both switches appeal to you, trying them out on your specific keyboard setup will ultimately lead to similar results in terms of typing satisfaction.

Conclusion

To conclude, choosing between the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch and the Huano Strawberry Latte linear switch revolves around your personal preferences and typing style. If you enjoy a tactile experience with a softer sound profile, the Milk Tea switch could be the ideal choice for you, particularly if you appreciate a light touch and a subtle feedback during typing. However, if you prefer a smooth and straightforward keystroke with more direct force behind your presses, the Strawberry Latte's 45 grams of bottom-out force may be more suited to your needs. Given its balanced sound profile and the remarkable smoothness that comes from Huano's advanced mold technology, the Strawberry Latte is a fantastic pick for those who want an enjoyable linear experience. Ultimately, your decision hinges on whether you favor a tactile feel or the smoothness and sound characteristics of a linear switch.

Mentioned in this article

Outemu Milk Tea Tactile

$3.10 per 10

Learn more

Huano Strawberry Latte Linear

$3.50

$3.29 per 10

Learn more