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Aflion Blue Sky vs. PH Studio Milk Tea

An in-depth look at the Aflion Blue Sky and the PH Studio Milk Tea switches—which one is the best fit for you?

Overview

When choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Aflion Blue Sky and PH Studio Milk Tea linear switches both offer unique features to consider. The Blue Sky switch presents a linear typing experience with a crystal clear sound profile and smooth push feel. On the other hand, the Milk Tea switch by PH Studio provides a blend of high-pitched sound and muted essence, ideal for prolonged typing sessions. While the Blue Sky switch is categorized as high-pitched, neutral, mild, and polished, the Milk Tea switch is described as clacky, high-pitched, marbly, polished, silky, and resonant. 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

50g

Actuation force

37.5g

Bottom-out force

60g

Bottom-out force

43.5g

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

Standard

Stem construction

Standard

Stem material

POM

Stem material

Ly

Top housing material

Polycarbonate

Top housing material

POM

Bottom housing material

Nylon

Bottom housing material

POM

Mount type

PCB (5-pin)

Mount type

PCB (5-pin)

Spring

15mm spring

Spring

Single stage lengthened 22mm spring

Housing materials

In comparing the housing materials of the Aflion Blue Sky and the PH Studio Milk Tea, it is evident that they both prioritize creating unique sound profiles for their switches. While the Blue Sky features a polycarbonate top housing, known for its sharp and crisp sound profile, the Milk Tea opts for a POM top housing, which produces a deeper and more muted sound. Despite these differences, both switches aim to provide users with an aesthetically pleasing and sonically satisfying typing experience. The use of different materials for the top housing allows for a variety of sound profiles to cater to different preferences.

On the other hand, when it comes to the bottom housing, the Blue Sky utilizes a nylon material, which offers a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature. Similarly, the Milk Tea also uses a POM bottom housing, contributing to its unique and pleasing sound profile that leans towards the deeper end. Both switches demonstrate a focus on creating a tactile and satisfying typing experience by carefully selecting materials that impact the sound and feel of the switch. Despite the differences in material choice, the goal of providing a rich and enjoyable typing experience remains consistent between the two switches.

While the Blue Sky and Milk Tea differ in their choice of housing materials, they both showcase a commitment to delivering a high-quality typing experience through their unique sound profiles. The Blue Sky's combination of polycarbonate and nylon housing materials results in a switch that offers sharp and resonant sound when pressing and releasing keys, while the Milk Tea's use of POM for both housing components creates a deeper and more muted sound profile. Both switches ensure that users can enjoy a satisfying typing experience that caters to their preferences in terms of sound and feel. Ultimately, whether opting for the Blue Sky or the Milk Tea, users can expect a premium typing experience with distinct sound characteristics.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch, it is evident that they differ in terms of weight. The Blue Sky switch has a medium actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams, providing a balance between light and heavy typing experiences. In contrast, the Milk Tea switch offers a lighter typing experience with an actuation force of 37.5 grams and a bottom out force of 43.5 grams. This makes the Milk Tea switch ideal for those who prefer a lighter touch for prolonged typing or gaming sessions. However, for users who enjoy a more substantial typing feel, the Blue Sky switch would be the preferred choice due to its heavier forces. Overall, both switches offer unique experiences based on their actuation and bottom out forces, catering to different preferences and typing styles.

Travel distance

The Aflion Blue Sky linear switch has a travel distance of 4mm, while the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.6mm. The Blue Sky offers a more traditional travel distance, providing a balance between responsiveness and depth. On the other hand, the Milk Tea switch offers a slightly shallower travel distance, which may be preferred by gamers looking for faster response times. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance - with the Blue Sky offering a slightly longer distance and the Milk Tea offering a shorter distance for a different typing experience. Both switches provide a smooth linear typing feel, so in terms of typing experience, you can expect similar results from both despite the slight difference in travel distance.

Price comparison

Which switch is more bang for your buck?

The Aflion Blue Sky has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Blue Sky for $4.07.

The PH Studio Milk Tea has an MSRP of $4.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Milk Tea for $4.00.

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 Aflion Blue Sky linear switch offers a high-pitched and neutral sound profile, producing a sharp and crisp sound when pressed, suitable for those who prefer a more moderate sound. On the other hand, the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch provides a unique auditory blend with a mix of clacky, high-pitched, marbly, and resonant characteristics, creating a sharp, bright, and percussive sound that resonates with each keystroke. Both switches offer distinct sound profiles that cater to different preferences, so your choice of board and keycaps will also play a role in the overall sound produced.

When it comes to feel, the Blue Sky switch is described as mild and polished, providing a gentle and refined typing experience. This indicates a smooth and sleek finish, resulting in reduced friction and a polished key travel experience. Similarly, the Milk Tea switch also offers a polished and silky typing feel, enhancing overall smoothness and minimizing resistance when pressing and releasing keys. Both switches focus on providing a comfortable and approachable typing experience, ensuring that prolonged typing sessions remain enjoyable and effortless for the user.

Overall, the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch each bring their own unique qualities to the table in terms of sound and feel. While the Blue Sky switch offers a high-pitched and neutral sound profile with a mild and polished typing experience, the Milk Tea switch delivers a blend of clacky, high-pitched, marbly, and resonant sounds with a polished and silky feel. Depending on your preference for sound and typing feel, both switches are designed to cater to various user preferences, providing a range of options for those seeking a customized mechanical keyboard experience. Ultimately, whether you choose the Blue Sky or Milk Tea switch, you can expect a quality linear switch that delivers reliable performance and a satisfying typing experience.

Conclusion

To sum up, when deciding between the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch, it is important to consider your preferences for typing experience. If you prefer a medium bottom-out force and a crystal clear linear typing experience with a sparkling sound profile, then the Blue Sky switch would be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom-out force and a unique auditory blend that provides a balance between presence and subtlety, then the Milk Tea switch would be more suitable. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will depend on whether you prioritize a gentle typing experience with a high-pitched sound (Milk Tea) or a smooth push feel with a medium pitch sound (Blue Sky). Consider your typing needs and preferences carefully before making your selection.

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