Outemu Milk Tea vs. HMX Xinhai
An in-depth look at the Outemu Milk Tea and the HMX Xinhai switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Outemu Milk Tea and the HMX Xinhai. The Milk Tea is best known for its tactile feedback, providing a satisfying bump when pressed. On the other hand, the Xinhai offers a smooth linear feel with a unique PA12 top housing for softer acoustics and a POM stem for a distinctively crisp, higher-pitched resonance. While the Milk Tea offers a tactile experience, the Xinhai provides a bouncy, clacky, and creamy feel. Both switches have their unique qualities that cater to different preferences. 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
37g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
22mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
The Outemu Milk Tea and the HMX Xinhai both feature unique housing materials that contribute to their sound profiles. The Milk Tea's Ly top housing offers a bright sound signature with resonant clacks, while the Xinhai's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper and crisper sound profile. Both materials create distinct sounds when typing, with the Ly top housing providing a more vibrant feel and the polycarbonate top housing offering a clearer and more resonant sound. Despite their differences, both materials allow for an enhanced typing experience with their unique sound characteristics.
In terms of their bottom housings, both the Milk Tea and the Xinhai utilize nylon, a classic switch housing material known for creating deeper and fuller sound profiles. The nylon bottom housing in both switches absorbs sound effectively due to its softer nature, resulting in a duller and rounder sound when typing. This similarity in bottom housing material means that both switches offer a consistent typing experience in terms of sound profile and feel. The nylon bottom housings in both switches contribute to a more immersive typing experience with their ability to absorb sound and create a satisfying tactile feel.
Overall, while the top and bottom housings differ between the Outemu Milk Tea and the HMX Xinhai, both switches offer unique sound profiles and tactile experiences. The different housing materials in each switch impact the sound when pressing down on a key and when releasing it, emphasizing the importance of both top and bottom housings in creating a satisfying typing experience. Whether it's the bright and resonant sound of the Milk Tea's Ly top housing or the sharp and clear sound of the Xinhai's polycarbonate top housing, both switches provide users with a variety of sound options to enhance their typing experience.
Weight
The actuation force and bottom out force of the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch and the HMX Xinhai linear switch showcase some differences in weight. The Milk Tea has a higher actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Xinhai's 37 grams, making the Xinhai lighter in this aspect. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Xinhai is heavier at 45 grams, while the Milk Tea's bottom out force is unknown. The variation in these forces can affect the typing experience significantly. Those who prefer a lighter touch may lean towards the Xinhai for longer typing sessions or gaming, while individuals seeking a more substantial typing feel might opt for the Milk Tea. Ultimately, understanding the actuation and bottom out forces of a switch can help users choose the one that best suits their typing preferences.
Travel distance
The Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the HMX Xinhai linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. The Milk Tea has a longer travel distance, making it slightly more suitable for those who prefer a more hearty depth when pressing down on a key. On the other hand, the Xinhai has a shorter travel distance, which is favored by gamers for its faster response times. Both switches offer different experiences in terms of key feel and responsiveness, so choosing between them depends on personal preference for travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Xinhai has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Xinhai for $3.19.
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 switch does not have a specific sound descriptor provided, making it difficult to compare directly with the HMX Xinhai switch, which is described as 'clacky'. A clacky switch like the Xinhai typically produces a sharp, snappy sound that can be crisp, bright, and percussive. However, sound is also influenced by factors such as the keyboard chassis and keycaps used, so individual results may vary.
In terms of feel, the Outemu Milk Tea switch also lacks a specific descriptor, making it challenging to directly compare with the HMX Xinhai switch, which is described as both 'bouncy' and 'creamy'. A bouncy switch provides a spring-like, elastic feedback sensation, offering a lively feel with rebound when pressed. On the other hand, a creamy switch offers a smooth, buttery typing experience, possibly due to lubrication or specific materials used. Typing on a creamy switch can feel silky, effortless, and luxurious.
Overall, the Outemu Milk Tea and HMX Xinhai switches offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Milk Tea lacks specific descriptors for sound and feel, the Xinhai is known for being clacky, bouncy, and creamy. Depending on personal preference for typing experience, users may prefer the sharp and percussive sound of the Xinhai switch or the smooth, bouncy feel it provides. Ultimately, individual preferences for sound and feel will determine which switch is the ideal choice for each user.
Conclusion
In closing, when considering whether to choose the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch or the HMX Xinhai linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and typing style. If you prefer a switch with a light bottom out force and a unique blend of subtle sophistication and precise performance, then the Xinhai switch may be the perfect choice for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for a switch with a special acoustics profile and prefer a different typing experience, the Milk Tea switch could be the better option. Both switches have their own distinct sound and feel, so it is important to carefully consider what characteristics matter most to you when making your decision. Ultimately, your choice will depend on what kind of typing experience you are seeking and what features are most important to you in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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