HMX Blue Topaz vs. PH Studio Milk Tea

Overview

When it comes to selecting the right mechanical keyboard switch, the choice often comes down to personal preference regarding feel, sound, and aesthetic appeal. The HMX Blue Topaz and the PH Studio Milk Tea are two compelling linear switches that cater to different tastes while offering their unique charms. The Blue Topaz stands out with its super smooth actuation and lightweight design, making every keystroke effortless. Its glimmering housing not only catches the eye but also produces a distinctly clacky sound signature that provides a delightful auditory experience. In contrast, the Milk Tea switch, manufactured by BSUN, offers a unique auditory blend characterized by a fairly high-pitched yet muted sound, striking a balance between presence and subtlety. Its Ly stem material contributes to a polished, silky, and resonant feel, ensuring that each keystroke is seamless. Both switches excel in their own rights, whether you’re drawn to the Blue Topaz’s visual appeal and clack or the Milk Tea’s refined and nuanced auditory experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your typing style and preferences.

By the numbers

HMX Blue Topaz Linear

PH Studio Milk Tea Linear

$4.00

$3.49 per 10

$4.50

$4.00 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

When comparing the HMX Blue Topaz and the PH Studio Milk Tea switches, the differences in housing materials are pronounced and contribute significantly to their respective sound profiles. The Blue Topaz's top housing is made of polycarbonate, a material known for its stiffness and translucency. This composition leads to a sharper, higher-pitched sound that is often preferred for clarity, especially when paired with RGB lighting due to its ability to allow for light transmission. In contrast, the Milk Tea's top housing is constructed from POM, which tends to produce a more muted and deeper sound. The softer characteristics of POM contribute to a sound profile that contrasts with the crystalline resonances of polycarbonate, highlighting the aesthetic and auditory distinctions between these two switches.

Delving deeper, the bottom housing materials of the two switches further diversify their auditory experiences. The Blue Topaz features a nylon bottom housing, a classic material known to absorb sound and create a fuller, more rounded sound profile. This characteristic contributes to a deeper bottom-out sound, balancing the sharper notes of the polycarbonate top. On the other hand, the Milk Tea employs a POM bottom housing that shares some qualitative attributes with the Blue Topaz's nylon bottom, fostering a similarly muted sound. Although both switches feature a deeper sound profile at the bottom-out point, the difference in the top housing means that the Milk Tea will inherently sound more subdued than the Blue Topaz, which retains a brighter, more pronounced auditory signature.

Ultimately, both the HMX Blue Topaz and the PH Studio Milk Tea switches provide unique tactile experiences and auditory outcomes, stemming from their different housing materials. While the Blue Topaz’s combination of polycarbonate and nylon creates a contrasting sound where clarity meets fullness, the Milk Tea’s use of POM in both top and bottom housing leads to a uniformly deeper and more muted sound. If one seeks to achieve a specific sound profile, the choice between these two switches will substantially influence the results. While both may produce pleasant auditory experiences, the polarization between polycarbonate’s sharpness and POM’s softness defines their individual characters, making each switch well-suited to different preferences in typing and listening.

Weight

The actuation force of the HMX Blue Topaz linear switch is 40 grams, while the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch features a slightly lighter actuation force of 37.5 grams. This difference means that typists seeking a less strenuous experience over extended periods may prefer the Milk Tea switch, as it requires less force to register a keystroke. In terms of bottom out force, the Blue Topaz has a measurement of 48 grams compared to the Milk Tea's 43.5 grams, indicating that the Blue Topaz is also heavier at this point as well. Overall, both switches are considered light, but the Blue Topaz offers a firmer feedback with its higher actuation and bottom out forces, appealing to users who favor a more substantial typing experience. If users are looking for switches that provide similar results in terms of feel, the weight difference may influence their choice depending on personal preference for lightness versus a more pronounced actuation experience.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the HMX Blue Topaz linear switch and the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch, we find that the Blue Topaz has a travel distance of 3.9 mm, while the Milk Tea measures at a shorter distance of 3.6 mm. This means that the Blue Topaz provides a more substantial depth when pressed down, which could be preferred by users who appreciate a more pronounced key press. In contrast, the Milk Tea, with its shorter 3.6 mm travel distance, caters to those who favor responsiveness and quicker keystrokes—especially beneficial for gamers seeking rapid response times. For those who prioritize speed and efficiency, the Milk Tea switch would be the better option; however, if one values a more traditional and hearty key press, the HMX Blue Topaz would be the preferable choice.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, both the HMX Blue Topaz and the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switches exhibit a clacky sound profile characterized by sharp and snappy sound production when pressed. The Blue Topaz is noted for its crisp and bright auditory signature, which is both percussive and satisfying. On the other hand, while the Milk Tea switch retains a similar clacky resonance, it introduces additional characteristics such as a high-pitched tone and a marbly, resonant quality. This gives the Milk Tea a unique auditory experience that blends clarity with a subtle richness. Both switches offer a pleasant auditory feedback that enhances the typing experience, but the Milk Tea’s layered sound may appeal more to those looking for a nuanced auditory sensation.

In terms of feel, the Blue Topaz switch excels at providing an easy-to-press experience, requiring minimal force for actuation, which makes it effortlessly comfortable for extended typing. Users can enjoy a responsive, low-impact feel that minimizes finger fatigue. Contrasting this, the Milk Tea switch offers a polished and silky feel, suggesting a refined typing experience due to the materials used and possibly factory lubing. This smoothness reduces friction during key travel, providing a luxurious tactile sensation that enhances typing satisfaction. While the Blue Topaz is designed for ease of actuation, the Milk Tea switches elevate the tactile experience with their refined feel, presenting options for those who prioritize smoothness alongside light actuation.

In conclusion, both the HMX Blue Topaz and the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switches offer distinct and enjoyable typing experiences, with their similarities in sound profiles highlighting a clacky nature that many users seek. However, they diverge in terms of tactile feedback; the Blue Topaz promises effortless press while the Milk Tea elevates the overall smoothness of the typing experience. Ultimately, personal preference will guide your choice between the two, yet either option is likely to provide satisfying auditory and tactile results.

Conclusion

To conclude, when choosing between the HMX Blue Topaz and the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switches, your decision should be guided by your specific preferences in feel, sound, and intended use. Opt for the HMX Blue Topaz if you appreciate a clacky sound signature coupled with a vibrant visual appeal and truly effortless actuation. Its lightweight feel and super smooth performance make it ideal for fast-paced typists or gamers looking for a swift keystroke experience. Alternatively, if you're drawn to a more subtle and polished typing experience, the Milk Tea switch might better suit your needs. With its unique auditory blend of high-pitched yet muted sounds, along with silky smooth key travel, it caters well to those who enjoy a refined typing feel and don't mind a touch of resonance in their auditory feedback. By considering these characteristics, you can select the switch that not only enhances your typing or gaming experience but also aligns perfectly with your personal style.

Mentioned in this article

HMX Blue Topaz Linear

$4.00

$3.49 per 10

Learn more

PH Studio Milk Tea Linear

$4.50

$4.00 per 10

Learn more