Outemu Milk Tea vs. Gazzew U4
An in-depth look at the Outemu Milk Tea and the Gazzew U4 switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Outemu Milk Tea, a tactile switch, with the Gazzew U4, another tactile switch, it becomes evident that each offers unique characteristics for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts to consider. The Milk Tea is best known for its sleek design and versatile categorization. On the other hand, the U4 stands out for its sharp and exhilarating tactile bump, along with a plush, felt-like bottom-out sensation, making it fall into the muted, low-pitched, and sharp category. Choosing between these switches may depend on whether you prioritize subtlety and style or a more pronounced tactile feedback and sound profile. However, let's dive a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 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 Gazzew blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel 14mm Korean spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Outemu Milk Tea and the Gazzew U4 both offer unique sound profiles and typing experiences. The Milk Tea's Ly top housing provides a bright sound signature with resonant clacks, while the U4's proprietary Gazzew blend top housing delivers a rich and deep sound profile. In terms of bottom housing, the Milk Tea's nylon material creates a deeper and fuller sound profile, while the U4's Gazzew blend bottom housing also contributes to a rich and deep sound profile due to its softness. While both switches utilize different materials for their top and bottom housings, they ultimately provide a similar experience in terms of sound and feel.
The comparison between the top housings of the Outemu Milk Tea and the Gazzew U4 showcases the different qualities each material brings to the switch. The Milk Tea's Ly top housing offers a bright sound signature, generating resonant clacks when typing, while the U4's Gazzew blend top housing delivers a rich and deep sound profile. On the other hand, the nylon bottom housing of the Milk Tea creates a deeper and fuller sound profile, whereas the U4's Gazzew blend bottom housing also contributes to a rich and deep sound profile due to its softness. Both switches excel in providing a distinct typing experience with their unique housing materials that cater to different sound preferences.
Overall, the housing materials of the Outemu Milk Tea and the Gazzew U4 play a significant role in shaping the sound profile and typing experience of each switch. While the Milk Tea utilizes Ly top and nylon bottom housings, and the U4 features proprietary Gazzew blend top and bottom housings, both switches offer a similar result in terms of providing a rich and deep sound profile. The top and bottom housings of a switch each contribute to different aspects of the sound and feel, with the bottom housing impacting the bottom-out sound and feel, and the top housing influencing the sound when letting go of a key. Whether you prefer a brighter sound signature or a deeper sound profile, both switches offer a unique and enjoyable typing experience due to their carefully chosen housing materials.
Weight
Comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch and the Gazzew U4 tactile switch, both switches have the same actuation force of 45 grams. However, the bottom out force differs between the two switches. The Milk Tea has an unknown bottom out force, while the U4 has a slightly heavier bottom out force of 62 grams. This means that while the actuation force required to trigger a keystroke is the same for both switches, the U4 provides a slightly more substantial typing experience with its heavier bottom out force. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Milk Tea would be the better option, while those who prefer a stronger push feel may lean towards the Gazzew U4. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on individual preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Gazzew U4 tactile switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm. Both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with the Milk Tea being on the longer side and the U4 being slightly shorter. Gamers may prefer the U4 for its faster response times due to the shorter travel distance, while those who enjoy a more substantial keypress may opt for the Milk Tea. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for travel distance and keypress feel. Regardless of the choice made, both switches provide a tactile typing experience that many users enjoy.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Outemu Milk Tea comes in at $3.10, whereas the Gazzew U4 comes in at $6.50.
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 and the Gazzew U4 tactile switch offer contrasting experiences. The Milk Tea switch is known for a lack of defining sound characteristics, while the U4 switch is praised for its muted and low-pitched profile, resulting in a whisper-quiet typing experience. This difference in sound can greatly impact the overall auditory satisfaction when using these switches, with the U4 providing a more subtle and calming typing sound compared to the Milk Tea.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Milk Tea tactile switch does not have any specific feel descriptors provided. On the other hand, the Gazzew U4 switch is noted for its sharp tactile feedback, offering a strong and crisp bump with each keypress. This intense feedback from the U4 switch provides a distinct tactile sensation that can enhance the typing experience, especially for those who prefer a pronounced tactile response from their keyboard switches.
In conclusion, when comparing the subjective qualities of the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch and the Gazzew U4 tactile switch, it is evident that they offer different experiences in terms of sound and feel. While the Milk Tea switch lacks specific descriptors for sound and feel, the U4 switch stands out for its muted sound profile and sharp tactile feedback. Depending on personal preferences for typing sound and tactile response, users can choose between the two switches to achieve their desired keyboard experience. Ultimately, both switches can provide satisfactory results, but with distinct characteristics that cater to different user preferences.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch and the Gazzew U4 tactile switch, consider your preferences for bottom out force, sound, and feel. If you prefer a switch with a medium bottom out force of 62 grams and a sharp tactile bump along with a plush bottom-out sensation, the U4 may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prioritize a different feel, sound, or bottom out force, the Milk Tea switch may be more suited to your needs. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches comes down to your personal preferences and typing style. Choose the one that best aligns with your preferences to enhance your typing experience.
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