Outemu Milk Tea vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue

Overview

When comparing the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch to the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, it's important to consider the key differences in their characteristics. The Milk Tea is best known for its tactile feedback, providing a subtle bump during actuation that enhances typing accuracy and feedback. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue is renowned for its deep and thocky sound profile, offering a satisfying typing experience with a bouncy feel due to its lengthened single-stage spring. While the Milk Tea is categorized as a tactile switch, the Tourmaline Blue falls into the linear switch category, known for its smooth key press without any tactile feedback. If you prefer a buttery feel with easy-to-press keys, the Tourmaline Blue may be the ideal choice for you. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Outemu Milk Tea Tactile

Everglide Tourmaline Blue Linear

$3.10 per 10

$6.86

$3.89 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The Outemu Milk Tea and Everglide Tourmaline Blue both feature unique housing materials that play a significant role in the sound profile and feel of the switches. The Milk Tea's Ly top housing, made of a newer material, offers a bright and resonant sound signature with clacks that stand out during typing. In contrast, the Tourmaline Blue's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper and crisper sound profile due to its stiffness, making it ideal for those looking for a more defined sound experience. While the Milk Tea's nylon bottom housing provides a deeper and fuller sound profile with its softer plastic composition, the Tourmaline Blue's polycarbonate bottom housing maintains the sharp and crisp characteristics found in the top housing.

Despite the differences in their housing materials, both the Milk Tea and Tourmaline Blue switches offer unique sound profiles that cater to different preferences. The use of nylon in the Milk Tea's bottom housing absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound that may appeal to those looking for a softer typing experience. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue's polycarbonate bottom housing delivers a sharper and higher-pitched sound profile, complementing the top housing's characteristics to provide a clear and resonant typing experience. Whether you prefer a deeper sound with the Milk Tea or a crisper sound with the Tourmaline Blue, both switches offer distinct qualities that enhance the overall typing feel.

When considering the impact of housing materials on the overall sound and feel of a switch, it is essential to note how the qualities of each material are distributed between the top and bottom housings. The bottom housing typically influences the bottom-out sound and feel of a switch, while the top housing has a greater impact on the sound when a key is released. With the Milk Tea and Tourmaline Blue switches featuring different housing materials for their top and bottom components, users can expect a dynamic typing experience that incorporates the unique characteristics of both materials. Whether you prioritize the bottom-out sound or the key release sound, both switches offer a well-rounded typing experience that caters to various preferences.

Weight

When comparing the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, it is evident that the Tourmaline Blue is the heavier of the two with an actuation force of 59 grams compared to the Milk Tea's 45 grams. The bottom out force of the Tourmaline Blue is also higher at 67 grams, while the Milk Tea's bottom out force is unknown. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Milk Tea would be the better choice due to its lower actuation force. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue would be more suitable for users who prefer a stronger push feel when typing. Both switches provide different typing experiences, with the Tourmaline Blue offering a more substantial feel due to its heavier actuation and bottom out forces. In contrast, the Milk Tea provides a lighter touch, making it suitable for longer typing sessions without causing fatigue. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference regarding actuation and bottom out forces.

Travel distance

The Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch both have a travel distance of 4 mm, making them equal in this aspect. When comparing the two switches, it can be noted that despite having the same travel distance, they offer different typing experiences due to their tactile and linear characteristics. The Milk Tea switch provides a tactile bump during actuation, giving a tactile feedback to the user, while the Tourmaline Blue switch offers a smooth linear press without any tactile bump. Despite these differences, both switches offer a satisfying typing experience with the same travel distance, allowing users to achieve similar results in terms of keypress feedback and performance.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Milk Tea switch is known for its subtle and quiet profile, providing a non-intrusive typing experience. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue switch offers a deep and thocky sound that immerses users in a satisfying typing session. The Tourmaline Blue's neutral sound profile makes it suitable for various purposes and users, while the Milk Tea's sound is more understated. Keep in mind that the overall sound of a switch is influenced by factors such as the keyboard's construction and keycaps used.

Moving on to feel, the Milk Tea switch's tactile feedback and actuation force are not specified, whereas the Tourmaline Blue switch is described as buttery, easy-to-press, and mild. The Tourmaline Blue's buttery feel indicates a smooth and fluid typing experience, with a light actuation force for effortless and comfortable typing. In contrast, as the feel of the Milk Tea switch is undefined, it's challenging to directly compare the two switches in terms of their tactile feedback and typing experience.

Considering all available information, the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Milk Tea provides a quiet typing experience, while the Tourmaline Blue offers a deep and satisfying sound profile. The Tourmaline Blue's buttery and easy-to-press feel ensures a smooth and comfortable typing experience, but as the specific feel of the Milk Tea is not specified, it is difficult to draw direct comparisons. Ultimately, your choice between these switches will depend on your preference for sound and feel, and personal typing needs.

Conclusion

In closing, when deciding between the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and typing style. If you value a light bottom out force and are looking for a switch with unique characteristics, the Milk Tea may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force and are seeking a switch with a deep and thocky sound profile, the Tourmaline Blue might be more suitable. Consider the type of typing experience you are looking for, whether it be bouncy and light with the Milk Tea, or buttery and easy-to-press with the Tourmaline Blue. Both switches have their strengths and appeal to different individuals, so choose the one that best fits your typing preferences and needs.

Mentioned in this article

Outemu Milk Tea Tactile

$3.10 per 10

Learn more

Everglide Tourmaline Blue Linear

$6.86

$3.89 per 10

Learn more