Dareu Dream vs. PH Studio Milk Tea
An in-depth look at the Dareu Dream and the PH Studio Milk Tea switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Dareu Dream and PH Studio Milk Tea are both linear mechanical keyboard switches that offer unique features to cater to different preferences. The Dareu Dream stands out for its light linear option and affordable price point, making it an attractive choice for enthusiasts looking for quality without breaking the bank. On the other hand, the PH Studio Milk Tea boasts a distinct auditory blend, combining a high-pitched sound with a muted essence, creating a delicate balance between presence and subtlety. With a low bottom-out force and a stem material designed for ease of use, the Milk Tea switch is tailored for prolonged typing sessions and extensive typing needs. 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
40g
Actuation force
37.5g
Bottom-out force
N/A
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
Partial box
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
Stainless steel
Spring
Single stage lengthened 22mm spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Dareu Dream and PH Studio Milk Tea, it is evident that they both prioritize sound profiles and aesthetics, albeit in different ways. The Dream's polycarbonate top housing offers a sharp, high-pitched, and clear sound profile, thanks to its stiffness. On the other hand, the Milk Tea's POM top housing produces a deeper and more muted sound. Both materials play a crucial role in determining the overall sound experience of the switches, with polycarbonate favoring clarity and resonance, while POM leans towards a warmer and more subdued sound.
Moving on to the bottom housings, the Dream's nylon housing provides a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature, absorbing more sound and resulting in a rounder tone. Similarly, the Milk Tea's POM bottom housing contributes to a pleasing and unique sound that is deeper and relatively muted. Despite the differences in material, both switches prioritize creating a satisfying typing experience through the sound produced by the switches. The bottom housing's impact on the bottom-out sound and feel is crucial for user experience, while the top housing's role in the sound when releasing a key contributes to the overall typing feel.
While the Dareu Dream and PH Studio Milk Tea use different materials for their top and bottom housings, the goal of achieving a unique and pleasant sound profile remains the same. The polycarbonate top housing of the Dream and POM top housing of the Milk Tea cater to different sound preferences - one sharper and clearer, the other deeper and more muted. Similarly, the nylon bottom housing of the Dream and POM bottom housing of the Milk Tea enhance the sound experience, albeit in different ways, thanks to their differing levels of softness. Overall, both switches focus on providing a distinct and enjoyable typing experience through their carefully selected housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Dareu Dream linear switch and the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch, it is evident that the Dream requires a slightly higher actuation force of 40 grams, compared to the Milk Tea's 37.5 grams. However, the bottom out force of the Milk Tea at 43.5 grams is higher than that of the Dream, which is unknown. This means that the Milk Tea provides a lighter typing experience overall, as it requires less force to trigger a keystroke but provides a more substantial feel when bottoming out. On the other hand, the Dream may offer a more consistent typing experience with a higher actuation force but without information on the bottom out force, it is difficult to determine the overall typing feel compared to the Milk Tea. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference, with lighter switches being more suitable for longer typing sessions and heavier switches for those who prefer a more pronounced keystroke feel.
Travel distance
The Dareu Dream linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm. The Dream offers a more traditional travel distance, providing a balance between depth and responsiveness, making it a versatile option for different preferences. On the other hand, the Milk Tea offers a slightly shorter travel distance, which may appeal to gamers or those looking for faster response times. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference - the Dream for a balance of depth and responsiveness, and the Milk Tea for a slightly quicker and more abrupt feel. Both switches offer different advantages, so it is important to consider your individual preferences when selecting between the two.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Dareu Dream has an MSRP of $6.59 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Dream for $3.76.
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 Dareu Dream linear switch is known for its clacky sound, providing a sharp and snappy auditory experience. On the other hand, the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch offers a unique blend of sounds, with a high-pitched yet muted essence that strikes a gentle balance between presence and subtlety. It also has resonant and marbly qualities, providing a clean and sharp sound profile. Both switches cater to different preferences in terms of sound, with the Milk Tea offering a more varied auditory experience compared to the Dream.
When it comes to feel, the Dareu Dream linear switch is described as easy-to-press and mild, providing a gentle typing experience with minimal force required for activation. This enhances the typing experience by reducing finger fatigue during extended use. On the other hand, the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch is polished and silky, offering a smooth and refined typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. Both switches aim to provide a comfortable typing feel, with the Milk Tea focusing on smoothness and refinement while the Dream offers an effortless and low-impact typing experience.
Overall, the Dareu Dream linear switch and the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch offer different but equally appealing qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Dream is a budget-friendly option with a clacky sound and easy-to-press feel, perfect for enthusiasts seeking quality and affordability. On the other hand, the Milk Tea presents a unique auditory blend with high-pitched, resonant, and marbly characteristics, combined with a polished and silky feel for a smooth typing experience ideal for prolonged typing sessions. Both switches cater to different preferences and typing needs, ensuring that users can find a suitable option based on their personal preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Dareu Dream linear switch and the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch, consider your preference for bottom-out force and typing experience. If you prefer a lighter keypress and a more affordable option, the Dareu Dream switch would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prioritize a unique auditory experience with a balance between high-pitched sound and subtlety, along with a polished and smooth typing feel, the PH Studio Milk Tea switch would be the better option. Ultimately, it all comes down to your personal preferences and typing needs when selecting the perfect linear switch for your mechanical keyboard.
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