Outemu Milk Tea vs. Dareu Violet Gold Pro
An in-depth look at the Outemu Milk Tea and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Milk Tea and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro both stand out as popular tactile options. The Milk Tea switch is characterized by a soft touch, while the Violet Gold Pro offers a medium tactility with a light touch and neutral sound signature, making it a well-rounded choice for those looking for a balanced typing experience. The Milk Tea falls under the category of tactile switches, while the Violet Gold Pro is categorized as stepped and neutral. Each switch has its own unique features that make them appealing in different ways. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the right switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The Outemu Milk Tea and Dareu Violet Gold Pro both utilize different materials for their top and bottom housings, resulting in unique sound profiles. The Milk Tea's Ly top housing offers a bright and resonant sound signature, while the Violet Gold Pro's polycarbonate top housing produces a sharper and crisper sound. While the Milk Tea's nylon bottom housing creates a deeper and fuller sound profile, the Violet Gold Pro also utilizes nylon for its bottom housing, resulting in a similar typing experience. Both switches benefit from the different properties of nylon, as it absorbs more sound than harder plastics, contributing to a duller and rounder sound.
The use of different materials for the top and bottom housings of the Outemu Milk Tea and Dareu Violet Gold Pro allows for a split in the qualities each housing material brings to the switch. This split results in a unique typing experience, with the bottom housing influencing the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing impacts the sound when releasing a key. The Milk Tea's Ly top housing creates a bright and resonant sound, while the polycarbonate top housing of the Violet Gold Pro offers a sharper and higher-pitched sound profile. Both switches benefit from the classic nylon bottom housing, which enhances the overall sound profile with its sound absorption properties.
In terms of aesthetics, the Milk Tea's Ly top housing and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro's polycarbonate top housing both offer a visually appealing clear housing option. The polycarbonate top housing of the Violet Gold Pro is especially useful for users planning to incorporate RGB lighting, as its translucency allows for vibrant lighting effects. The Milk Tea's nylon bottom housing and the Violet Gold Pro's nylon bottom housing provide a classic switch housing material that adds to the overall sound profile of each switch. Overall, while the housing materials vary between the two switches, they both offer unique sound profiles and visual appeal.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch, it is evident that both switches have an identical actuation force of 45 grams. This means that users can expect a similar amount of force needed to register a keystroke on both switches, providing a consistent typing experience. However, the bottom out force of both switches is unknown, making it difficult to determine which switch may feel lighter or heavier when fully pressed. In terms of weight, some users may prefer a lighter switch like the Milk Tea for extended typing sessions, while others may favor a heavier switch like the Violet Gold Pro for a more tactile and substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for actuation force and bottom out force.
Travel distance
The Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm. This means that the Milk Tea has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Violet Gold Pro. In general, a longer travel distance can provide a more satisfying key press with a deeper feel, while a shorter travel distance is favored by gamers looking for quicker response times. Both switches fall within the traditional range of travel distances, with the Milk Tea offering a bit more depth than the Violet Gold Pro. Overall, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for key feel and responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Dareu Violet Gold Pro has an MSRP of $7.73 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Violet Gold Pro for $4.76.
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 does not have a specific reputation for any particular sound profile. On the other hand, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch is known for its neutral sound signature. This means that the Violet Gold Pro offers a moderate sound profile that is suitable for a variety of settings, whether you are a beginner or advanced user, and whether you plan to use the switches at home or in a work environment. Keep in mind that the overall sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard it is used in and the keycaps that are installed.
In terms of feel, the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch does not have a specific description related to its tactile feel. In contrast, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch is known for providing a stepped tactile experience. This means that the switch offers a sensation of having two distinct stages during the keystroke, making it feel more mild compared to switches with a single, intense tactile bump. Users of the Violet Gold Pro can expect to feel some pre-travel and/or post-travel during each key press, enhancing the typing experience.
Overall, if you are deciding between the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch, you can expect similar sound qualities with the Milk Tea and a neutral sound profile with the Violet Gold Pro. When it comes to the feel of the switches, the Milk Tea does not have a specified tactile feel, while the Violet Gold Pro offers a stepped tactile experience with two distinct stages during each key press. Both switches can provide a balanced and satisfying typing experience, so the choice between them may come down to personal preference and the specific typing feel you are looking for in your mechanical keyboard.
Conclusion
In closing, when choosing between the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and typing style. If you prefer a switch with a lighter touch and a balanced typing experience, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for a switch with unique characteristics and a different feel, the Outemu Milk Tea could be the way to go. Consider factors such as tactility, sound profile, and overall typing experience to make an informed decision on which switch suits your needs best. Ultimately, both switches offer their own advantages and it is up to you to decide which one aligns better with your preferences.
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