Outemu Milk Tea vs. Durock White Lotus
An in-depth look at the Outemu Milk Tea and the Durock White Lotus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between two tactile mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Milk Tea and the Durock White Lotus are both popular options to consider. The Milk Tea switch is best known for its unique characteristics, while the White Lotus switch stands out for its exquisite design and delicate tactility. The Milk Tea switch is categorized as smooth, offering a distinctive typing experience with its own set of features. On the other hand, the White Lotus switch is categorized as easy-to-press, low-pitched, mild, neutral, and subtle, making it ideal for work and extended typing sessions without overwhelming the user. While both switches have their own strengths and qualities, it ultimately depends on personal preference and typing style when choosing between them. 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
46g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
56g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
Modified PC & UPE Blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated long spring
Housing materials
The Outemu Milk Tea and Durock White Lotus both feature a nylon bottom housing, which is a classic switch housing material known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. This is due to nylon's softer nature, which absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. While both switches share this housing material, the top housing of the Milk Tea is made of Ly, offering a brighter sound signature with resonant clacks during typing. In contrast, the White Lotus utilizes a modified PC & UPE blend top housing, providing a unique and premium feel to the switch.
Despite both switches using a nylon bottom housing for a similar sound profile, the different top housings of the Outemu Milk Tea and Durock White Lotus contribute to distinct typing experiences. The Ly top housing of the Milk Tea enhances the switch's sound by offering bright and resonant clacks, creating a vibrant typing experience. On the other hand, the modified PC & UPE blend top housing of the White Lotus delivers a premium feel that adds a unique touch to the switch. While the bottom housing influences the bottom-out sound and feel, the top housing plays a significant role in the sound when releasing a key.
In conclusion, the Outemu Milk Tea and Durock White Lotus may share a nylon bottom housing, but the differences in their top housings result in distinctive typing experiences. The Milk Tea's Ly top housing provides a bright and resonant sound signature, while the White Lotus's modified PC & UPE blend top housing offers a premium feel. Both switches leverage the qualities of their respective housing materials to create unique typing sensations, showcasing the importance of both top and bottom housing materials in switch design.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch and the Durock White Lotus tactile switch, it is evident that the Milk Tea is lighter in terms of actuation force at 45 grams compared to the White Lotus at 46 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the White Lotus is heavier at 56 grams whereas the Milk Tea's bottom out force is unknown. This means that users can expect a slightly lighter touch with the Milk Tea switch for triggering keystrokes, while the White Lotus switch will provide a more substantial typing experience due to the heavier bottom out force. Overall, those who prefer a lighter touch may lean towards the Milk Tea switch, while those who enjoy a stronger push feel may opt for the White Lotus switch for a more tactile typing experience.
Travel distance
Both the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch and the Durock White Lotus tactile switch have a travel distance of 4 mm, making them equal in this aspect. This means that when you press down on a key with either of these switches, you will experience the same amount of travel distance. This similarity ensures that the typing experience with both switches will be consistent in terms of the distance the key travels from the top to the bottom. Whether you choose the Milk Tea or the White Lotus, you can expect a tactile typing experience with a 4 mm travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock White Lotus has an MSRP of $5.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the White Lotus for $4.57.
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 Durock White Lotus tactile switch is known for its low-pitched and neutral profile. This means that the switches will have a bass-heavy and mellow tone, while also offering a moderate actuation force requirement that is suitable for most users. On the other hand, the sound profile of the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch is not specified, so it's difficult to directly compare the two in this aspect. However, both switches may produce a satisfying sound depending on the keyboard and keycaps used.
Moving on to feel, the White Lotus switches are described as easy-to-press, mild, and subtle. This means that they offer gentle resistance, a comfortable typing experience with minimal force required, and a light, non-resonant feel suitable for shared spaces. In contrast, the Outemu Milk Tea switches do not have a specific feel descriptor provided. Therefore, it's hard to directly compare the tactile feel of both switches. However, given the information provided for the White Lotus switches, users can expect a smooth and responsive typing experience compared to more pronounced tactile switches.
In conclusion, the Durock White Lotus tactile switch offers a delicate tactility, gentle resistance, and a captivating glow of RGB lighting. It is designed for users who appreciate a subtle and comfortable typing experience for extended sessions. On the other hand, while the specific qualities of the Outemu Milk Tea switch are not outlined, users can anticipate a potentially pleasing sound and tactile feel. Ultimately, both switches might offer similar results in terms of overall typing experience, depending on individual preferences and setup variables.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when deciding between the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch and the Durock White Lotus tactile switch, consider your preferences for bottom out force, sound, and feel. If you prefer a switch with no specified bottom out force and are looking for a unique typing experience, the Milk Tea may be the way to go. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-light bottom out force and value a delicate tactility, smooth keypress, and vibrant RGB lighting effects, the White Lotus would be a great choice. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal typing style and what features are most important to you in a mechanical keyboard switch. Happy typing!
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