PH Studio Aniya vs. HMX Poro

Overview

When it comes to selecting the ideal mechanical keyboard switch, the choice often boils down to personal preference in sound and feel. The PH Studio Aniya, a linear switch crafted by BSUN, is celebrated for its unique blend of a balanced sound profile that leans toward a pronounced clack, all while maintaining a pleasant auditory presence without overwhelming noise. Its Ly stem material not only enhances the auditory experience but also contributes to a silky smooth typing sensation and a medium-light actuation force, making it a favorite among users who crave a nuanced tactile feedback without being too heavy-handed. On the other hand, the HMX Poro is designed for those who prioritize an effortlessly smooth keystroke, with meticulous lubrication ensuring a glide that feels almost weightless. Its satisfyingly poppy and clacky sound adds an engaging element to typing, appealing to users who enjoy auditory feedback with minimal effort. Both switches cater to distinct preferences in typing experience, making them excellent choices depending on what you prioritize in your keyboard setup. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the right switch for you.

By the numbers

PH Studio Aniya Linear

HMX Poro Linear

$4.50

$4.20 per 10

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The housing materials of the PH Studio Aniya and HMX Poro differ in composition, contributing uniquely to their respective sound profiles while both ultimately favor a deeper, more muted acoustic experience. The Aniya utilizes POM (Polyoxymethylene) for both its top and bottom housings, which is known for producing a sound that is distinct yet softer, leading to a pleasant auditory response. This material’s characteristics lend themselves to a more muted tone, resulting in a more subdued keystroke sound that many users find appealing. Conversely, the Poro employs nylon for both its top and bottom housings, a classic choice that also supports a fuller and deeper sound profile. The softer nature of nylon allows it to absorb sound more efficiently than harder materials, which can lead to a rounder and more contained auditory feedback.

Despite these differences in material, both the Aniya’s POM and Poro’s nylon contribute to an overall experience that prioritizes a deeper sound profile. The key distinction lies in the tactile feedback and sound dynamics: the Aniya’s POM brings a unique character to the sound, possibly leading to a slightly sharper and more distinct bottom-out sound compared to the Poro’s nylon, which offers a smoother transition due to its softer nature. This fundamental difference can affect how the user perceives the sound and feel during typing, with the Aniya providing a more distinctive audiovisual response and the Poro leaning toward a more subdued experience.

In practical use, the varying qualities of the housing materials mean that while both the Aniya and Poro switches share a preference for deeper sounds, they deliver this result through different auditory textures and feedback characteristics. Users looking for a unique sound signature may gravitate towards the Aniya, where POM’s properties create a more pronounced acoustic effect. On the other hand, those who prefer a softer, more rounded sound may find the nylon of the Poro more to their liking. Ultimately, the experience will also largely depend on the user’s typing dynamics, as pressure applied to the switches will heighten the unique qualities of the respective housing materials during both actuation and bottoming out.

Weight

When comparing the PH Studio Aniya linear switch and the HMX Poro linear switch, both have relatively light characteristics, but they differ slightly in actuation force. The Aniya requires an actuation force of 42 grams, making it the lighter option in terms of how much pressure is needed to trigger a keystroke. In contrast, the Poro requires a slightly heavier actuation force of 45 grams. However, both switches share the same bottom out force of 50 grams, indicating that they feel similar when fully pressed down. This means that while the Aniya may offer a more effortless typing experience, especially for longer sessions, both switches will provide a comparable experience when it comes to the total press depth. Therefore, those who prefer a lighter touch may gravitate toward the Aniya, while those who appreciate a firmer actuation will find the Poro to their liking.

Travel distance

The PH Studio Aniya linear switch has a travel distance of 3.2 mm, making it the shorter option compared to the HMX Poro linear switch, which has a travel distance of 3.7 mm. This difference of 0.5 mm underscores the preference for a quicker response time that many gamers seek; the Aniya's shorter travel distance facilitates faster key presses. In contrast, the Poro's longer travel distance may provide a more pronounced tactile experience, appealing to those who favor a deeper key press for a more satisfying feel. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences for responsiveness versus depth; the Aniya is ideal for those who prioritize speed, while the Poro caters to users who appreciate a more substantial key travel.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the PH Studio Aniya linear switch is characterized by a well-balanced clacky profile, which is both pronounced and sharp without being overly loud. This quality allows it to retain an engaging auditory experience, producing a crisp and bright sound that is resonant and immersive. Despite its expressive sound, it steers clear of the extremes of high-pitched noises, making it a versatile option for both casual and professional environments. On the other hand, while the HMX Poro has not been extensively described in terms of its sound profile, it leans towards a similarly clacky characteristic due to its ultra-light actuation force. Therefore, users can expect a satisfaction of auditory experience akin to the Aniya if they prioritize the clack sound. It's worth noting that the overall sound can be influenced by factors such as keycaps and board choice for both switches.

Regarding feel, the Aniya boasts a transformative typing experience marked by creamy, polished, and silky sensations. The application of Ly material in the stem contributes to a remarkably smooth keystroke, facilitating an effortless glide that feels delightfully refined. This smoothness is reinforced through factory lubrication, allowing for fluid motion with minimal resistance, creating a typing experience that could be likened to a well-oiled machine. As for the HMX Poro, while the specifics of its feel are not provided, it is described as meticulously lubricated, suggesting a similarly smooth and easy typing experience. Therefore, users who choose the Poro could anticipate a comparable sensation to that of the Aniya, primarily due to its lubrication.

In conclusion, both the PH Studio Aniya and HMX Poro linear switches offer unique yet somewhat overlapping qualities when it comes to sound and feel. The Aniya presents a more pronounced clacky sound profile and an exceptionally smooth keystroke thanks to its materials and lubrication. The Poro, while less detailed in its sound description, promises a silky feel due to meticulous lubrication, which potentially combines with a clacky auditory experience as well. Newcomers can find both switches appealing for their emphasis on smoothness and satisfying sound, making either choice a solid option depending on personal preference.

Conclusion

To conclude, your choice between the PH Studio Aniya linear switch and the HMX Poro linear switch ultimately depends on your personal preferences regarding sound and feel. If you appreciate a more pronounced auditory experience with a clacky sound profile that remains pleasantly manageable, the Aniya will likely serve you well. Its creamy and silky feel, coupled with a medium-light actuation, makes it a perfect option for both typing and gaming, ensuring that each keystroke is smooth and satisfying. On the other hand, if you lean towards an ultra-light actuation with a focus on effortless keystrokes and a satisfying glide, the HMX Poro switch would be the better choice for you. While it also offers a clacky sound profile, it emphasizes a more silky smooth experience that may appeal to those looking for a swift and responsive typing feel. Therefore, consider what aspects are most important to you—be it the auditory experience or the tactile sensation—before making your decision. Each switch has its unique strengths, and aligning those with your typing needs will help you achieve your ideal setup.

Mentioned in this article

PH Studio Aniya Linear

$4.50

$4.20 per 10

Learn more

HMX Poro Linear

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

Learn more