Outemu Milk Tea vs. HC Studio Roselle
An in-depth look at the Outemu Milk Tea and the HC Studio Roselle switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Milk Tea and HC Studio Roselle offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences. The Milk Tea is a tactile switch, known for its tactile feedback while typing. On the other hand, the Roselle is a linear switch that stands out for its incredibly smooth and low-pitched typing experience. While the Milk Tea provides a distinct tactile sensation, the Roselle offers a smooth and frictionless typing experience with a subtle sound signature. It ultimately comes down to personal preference and typing style when choosing between these switches. 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
45g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
52g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
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
Y3
Top housing material
Ly
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
20.5mm lengthened single-staged spring
Housing materials
The Outemu Milk Tea and the HC Studio Roselle both offer unique housing materials that affect the sound profile of the switches. The Milk Tea features a Ly top housing, which produces bright and resonant clacks when typing. In contrast, the Roselle utilizes a POM top housing, creating a deeper and more muted sound. While both offer pleasing sound profiles, the Milk Tea is known for its bright sound signature, while the Roselle leans towards a deeper and more muffled sound.
When it comes to the bottom housing materials, the Milk Tea uses nylon, known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic composition. This results in a duller and rounder sound when typing on switches with such housings. On the other hand, the Roselle's POM bottom housing also contributes to a deeper and more muted sound profile, aligning with the characteristics of its POM top housing. Both switches provide a unique sound experience, with the Milk Tea offering a softer and fuller sound compared to the Roselle's more muted sound.
Despite their differences, the Outemu Milk Tea and the HC Studio Roselle share similar qualities in their respective housing materials. Both switches aim to create a pleasing and unique sound profile for users, with the Milk Tea offering a brighter sound experience compared to the deeper and more muted sound of the Roselle. The split between the top and bottom housing materials allows for a balanced sound profile when typing, with each part of the switch contributing to the overall typing experience in its own way.
Weight
The Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch and the HC Studio Roselle linear switch both have an actuation force of 45 grams, making them equal in this aspect. However, the Milk Tea has an unknown bottom out force, while the Roselle has a bottom out force of 52 grams, which is considered medium-light. When it comes to weight, some prefer lighter switches for extended typing or gaming sessions, while others prefer heavier switches for a more substantial typing experience. In this case, the Roselle may be favored by those who prefer a slightly heavier typing feel, while the Milk Tea may appeal to those who prefer a lighter touch. Both switches offer a unique typing experience, but the slight difference in bottom out force may cater to different preferences.
Travel distance
The Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the HC Studio Roselle linear 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 offering a more standard depth compared to the slightly shallower Roselle switch. Gamers may prefer the shorter travel distance of the Roselle switch for quicker response times, while those who prefer a more substantial key press may lean towards the Milk Tea switch. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and overall typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HC Studio Roselle has an MSRP of $5.90 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Roselle for $4.70.
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 is known for providing a neutral and moderate sound profile, making it suitable for various purposes. On the other hand, the HC Studio Roselle linear switch stands out for its bassy and low-pitched sound signature, offering a deeper and richer tone during key presses. The inherent material blend of the Roselle switch delivers a smooth and ethereally wispy typing experience that contributes to its unique sound characteristics. Ultimately, the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel of these switches, the Outemu Milk Tea switch does not have a specific descriptor for its tactile feel. In contrast, the HC Studio Roselle switch is known for being frictionless, offering an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience with minimal resistance or friction. Additionally, the Roselle switch is described as providing a mild typing sensation that is gentle and approachable to most users, falling within a safe middle-ground zone in terms of feel. This frictionless and mild feel contributes to the overall comfort and usability of the Roselle switch.
In conclusion, the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch and the HC Studio Roselle linear switch offer contrasting qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Milk Tea provides a neutral sound profile and lacks a specific descriptor for feel, the Roselle stands out for its bassy and low-pitched sound signature, as well as its frictionless and mild typing experience. Both switches have their unique characteristics that cater to different preferences, so choosing between them would depend on individual preferences for sound and feel. Ultimately, both switches offer a high-quality typing experience that can enhance the overall mechanical keyboard setup.
Conclusion
In closing, if you are looking for a tactile switch with a unique bottom out force and an undisclosed sound and feel profile, the Outemu Milk Tea switch may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a linear switch with a medium-light bottom out force, a smooth and low-pitched typing experience, and a frictionless and mild feel, then the HC Studio Roselle switch is worth considering. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences in terms of sound, feel, and typing experience. Both switches offer their own set of characteristics that may cater to different needs and preferences, so choose wisely based on what you prioritize in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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