Outemu Milk Tea vs. Outemu Yellow Silver
An in-depth look at the Outemu Milk Tea and the Outemu Yellow Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options to consider are the Outemu Milk Tea, a tactile switch, and the Outemu Yellow Silver, a linear switch. The Milk Tea switch is best known for its unique tactile feedback, making it a favorite among users who prefer a tactile bump during typing. On the other hand, the Yellow Silver switch stands out for its light actuation force and neutral sound profile, catering to gamers and typists who prioritize speediness and responsiveness. While the Milk Tea switch offers a satisfying tactile experience, the Yellow Silver switch provides a smooth and consistent keystroke. 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
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.30 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
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
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Outemu Milk Tea and the Outemu Yellow Silver switches exhibit significant differences in terms of sound profile and material characteristics. The Milk Tea's Ly top housing provides a bright and resonant sound signature, while the Yellow Silver's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper and crisper sound profile. The use of polycarbonate in the Yellow Silver switch results in a clearer and more resonant sound due to its stiffness, making it ideal for switches intended for use with RGB lighting. In contrast, the Milk Tea's nylon bottom housing produces a deeper and fuller sound profile by absorbing more sound with its softer plastic composition, creating a duller and rounder sound compared to the Yellow Silver's nylon bottom housing.
Despite the differences in housing materials between the Outemu Milk Tea and the Outemu Yellow Silver switches, both switches utilize nylon for their bottom housing. This classic switch housing material provides a similar effect in terms of sound profile, eliciting a deeper and fuller sound when typing. The softness of nylon absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound profile. Therefore, the bottom housing material in both switches contributes to the overall typing experience by enhancing the sound profile with a deeper and fuller tone.
In terms of functionality, the differences in top and bottom housing materials between the Outemu Milk Tea and the Outemu Yellow Silver switches impact the sound profile and feel of each switch. The bottom housing material has a more significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on a key, while the top housing material influences the sound when releasing a key. This distinction highlights how the choice of housing material in different parts of a switch can affect the overall typing experience by creating unique sound profiles and tactile feedback.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch, it is evident that both switches share the same actuation force of 45 grams. However, the key difference lies in the bottom out force. The Outemu Milk Tea switch has an unknown bottom out force, while the Outemu Yellow Silver switch has a bottom out force of 55 grams, which is considered medium-light. This means that the Outemu Yellow Silver switch requires a slightly heavier force to fully press down compared to the Milk Tea switch. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Milk Tea switch would be the better option, as it lacks bottom out force information. Conversely, those who enjoy a more substantial typing feel may lean towards the Yellow Silver switch due to its heavier bottom out force. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and the specific typing experience desired.
Travel distance
Both the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch have a travel distance of 4mm, making them equal in this aspect. This means that when pressing down on either key, the user will experience the same distance in travel from the top to the bottom. However, despite their equal travel distances, their functionalities differ significantly. The Milk Tea switch provides a tactile bump upon actuation, giving users feedback that the key has been pressed, while the Yellow Silver switch provides a smooth linear feel without any tactile feedback. So, while the travel distances are the same, the typing experience will vary depending on the user's preference for tactile feedback or a linear feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Outemu Milk Tea comes in at $3.10, whereas the Outemu Yellow Silver comes in at $3.40.
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
The Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch offer different sound profiles. The Milk Tea's sound profile is unknown, while the Yellow Silver switch is known for its neutral sound profile. A neutral sound profile means that the switch produces a moderate sound and actuation force, making it suitable for various uses, whether you are a beginner or advanced user, or if you are using the switch at home or work. It's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard's construction and keycaps.
In terms of feel, the subjective qualities of the Milk Tea and Yellow Silver switches are unknown. However, based on their respective tactile and linear classifications, the Milk Tea tactile switch would offer a bump or tactile feedback when pressed, while the Yellow Silver linear switch would provide a smooth and consistent keystroke without any tactile feedback.
Overall, both the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch have their unique qualities that cater to different preferences. If you prefer a switch with tactile feedback for a more tactile typing experience, the Milk Tea switch would be a suitable choice. On the other hand, if you prioritize speed and a consistent keystroke without tactile feedback, the Yellow Silver switch would be a better option. Ultimately, the choice between these switches would depend on your personal typing style and preferences.
Conclusion
Ultimately, when deciding between the Outemu Milk Tea tactile switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch, you will want to consider your personal preferences and typing style. If you enjoy a tactile bump and prefer a lighter actuation force, the Milk Tea switch may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prioritize speed and responsiveness with a light actuation force, the Yellow Silver switch may be more suitable. Both switches offer a neutral sound profile, making them versatile options for various typing tasks. Remember to test out each switch if possible to determine which one feels most comfortable for you. Happy typing!
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