Outemu Milk Tea vs. SP-Star Yanyu
An in-depth look at the Outemu Milk Tea and the SP-Star Yanyu switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Outemu Milk Tea, a tactile switch, and the SP-Star Yanyu, a linear switch. The Milk Tea is best known for its distinctive tactile feedback, providing a satisfying click with each key press. On the other hand, the Yanyu switches are perfect for those seeking a more delicate typing experience, offering a smooth and consistent keystroke with a crisp sound profile. While the Milk Tea falls into the tactile switch category, the Yanyu is categorized as having a blend of characteristics including being neutral, mild, thocky, feathery, subtle, and polished. Each switch has its own unique qualities that may appeal to different types of typists. 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
43g
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
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold plated
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Outemu Milk Tea and the SP-Star Yanyu, we can see that both switches offer unique blends of materials for their top housing. The Milk Tea utilizes a Ly top housing, providing a bright sound signature with resonant clacks when typing. On the other hand, the Yanyu features a Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend top housing, offering a pleasant sound profile that leans towards the brighter side. While both housings aim to enhance the typing experience with their unique sound profiles, they differ in their specific material compositions.
In terms of bottom housing materials, the Milk Tea uses classic nylon for its bottom housing, creating a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the softer nature of the material. The Yanyu, on the other hand, features a Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend bottom housing, which also contributes to a pleasant sound profile that is bright but not sharp. Both switches' bottom housings impact the overall sound and feel of the switch when pressed, with the material composition influencing the sound quality and typing experience.
Overall, the differences in housing materials between the Outemu Milk Tea and the SP-Star Yanyu result in unique sound profiles and typing experiences for each switch. While both switches aim to provide an enjoyable typing experience with their respective housing materials, the specific compositions of the materials lead to differences in sound signature and feel. Whether you prefer the brighter sound of the Yanyu's blend or the resonant clacks of the Milk Tea's Ly housing, both switches offer high-quality housing materials that enhance the typing experience.
Weight
The Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the SP-Star Yanyu linear switch, which has an unknown actuation force. However, the Yanyu has a lighter bottom out force of 43 grams, while the bottom out force of the Milk Tea is unknown. This means that the Milk Tea requires a lighter initial force to register a keystroke, but it is uncertain how much force is needed to fully press the key down. On the other hand, the Yanyu requires a slightly heavier initial force, but it has a known lighter bottom out force, providing a smoother typing experience. Both switches have their advantages for different preferences, with the Milk Tea being better for those who prefer lighter actuation forces, and the Yanyu being better for those who prefer a lighter bottom out force. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on whether the user values a lighter actuation force or a lighter bottom out force for their typing experience.
Travel distance
Both the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch and the SP-Star Yanyu linear switch have a travel distance of 4 mm, making them equal in this aspect. When comparing and contrasting the travel distance of these two switches, it is evident that they both offer a similar tactile and linear typing experience, respectively. This means that whether you choose the Milk Tea tactile switch or the Yanyu linear switch, you can expect to have a consistent keypress feel with the same travel distance. Overall, the travel distance of both switches provides a comfortable typing experience for users seeking a specific keypress feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The SP-Star Yanyu has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Yanyu for $5.40.
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
In terms of sound, the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch is known for its unique sound profile, while the SP-Star Yanyu linear switch offers a crisp and satisfying thocky sound when pressed. The Milk Tea switch's sound properties are not specifically mentioned, so it may offer a different auditory experience. However, it is important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard's construction and the keycaps used.
Moving on to feel, the Milk Tea switch's tactile feedback characteristics are not highlighted, so its typing experience remains unknown. On the other hand, the SP-Star Yanyu linear switch is described to provide a mild, feathery, subtle, and polished typing feel. This indicates that the Yanyu switch offers a light and comfortable typing experience with a smooth key travel, reducing finger fatigue and making it suitable for extended typing sessions.
In conclusion, the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch and the SP-Star Yanyu linear switch offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Milk Tea switch may provide a unique sound profile and typing experience, while the Yanyu switch is known for its crisp thocky sound and light, comfortable feel. Ultimately, the best switch for an individual will depend on personal preference and the intended use case, whether it be for gaming, work, or simply typing for long periods of time. Both switches offer their own set of benefits and can provide a satisfying typing experience depending on the user's preferences.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch and the SP-Star Yanyu linear switch, consider your preferences and typing habits. If you prefer a switch with a light bottom out force and a more delicate typing experience, the Yanyu linear switch may be the better choice for you. The Yanyu's crisp sound profile and feathery feel make it suitable for long typing sessions and gaming. On the other hand, if you prioritize a neutral sound profile and a switch with a smooth and refined finish, the Milk Tea tactile switch could be more to your liking. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences, so it's essential to consider your own typing needs when making a decision.
Mentioned in this article
