Aflion Foggy Shadow vs. PH Studio Milk Tea
An in-depth look at the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the PH Studio Milk Tea switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Aflion Foggy Shadow and PH Studio Milk Tea stand out as popular choices, each offering unique characteristics to enhance your typing experience. The Foggy Shadow by Aflion boasts a light tactile bump and a medium weight of 63.5g, providing a balanced performance for users who appreciate a tactile feel while typing. On the other hand, the Milk Tea linear switch from PH Studio, with a bottom-out force of 43.5g, offers a unique auditory blend with a high-pitched yet muted sound profile, ideal for extended typing sessions. While the Foggy Shadow is best for those who prefer a tactile typing experience, the Milk Tea is perfect for users who seek a smooth and quiet typing feel. 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
N/A
Actuation force
37.5g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
43.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 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
20mm double-stage spring
Spring
Single stage lengthened 22mm spring
Housing materials
The Aflion Foggy Shadow and the PH Studio Milk Tea both feature unique housing materials that contribute to their distinct sound profiles. The Foggy Shadow uses a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched sound compared to the Milk Tea's POM top housing, known for its deeper and more muted sound. While the Foggy Shadow's top housing allows for RGB lighting due to its translucency, the Milk Tea's top housing offers a pleasing aesthetic with a unique sound experience.
On the other hand, when it comes to the bottom housings, both the Foggy Shadow's nylon housing and the Milk Tea's POM housing contribute to a deeper and fuller sound profile. The nylon housing of the Foggy Shadow absorbs more sound and creates a duller and rounder sound, while the POM housing of the Milk Tea offers a relatively more muted sound. Both housing materials provide a different tactile experience when typing, with the nylon housing offering a softer feel and the POM housing providing a more solid and robust sensation.
In terms of construction, the choice of housing materials is crucial as they impact the overall sound and feel of the switches. While the Foggy Shadow features a combination of polycarbonate top housing and nylon bottom housing, the Milk Tea utilizes POM for both top and bottom housings. The split between the top and bottom housing materials affects the typing experience, with the bottom housing influencing the bottom-out sound and feel, and the top housing impacting the sound when releasing a key. Overall, both switches offer unique sound profiles and tactile experiences based on their choice of housing materials.
Weight
The Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch has a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, which is considered medium-heavy, while the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch has a lighter bottom out force of 43.5 grams. The actuation force of the Foggy Shadow is unknown, while the Milk Tea requires 37.5 grams to trigger a keystroke. The lighter actuation force of the Milk Tea may be preferred by those who enjoy typing for extended periods or engaging in long gaming sessions, as it requires less effort to type. On the other hand, the heavier bottom out force of the Foggy Shadow may appeal to individuals looking for a more substantial typing experience. In terms of weight, both switches offer contrasting options for users seeking different typing preferences.
Travel distance
The Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm. Both switches fall on the shorter end of the spectrum when it comes to travel distances, making them ideal for fast and responsive typing or gaming experiences. With only a 0.1 mm difference between them, the Milk Tea linear switch technically has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Foggy Shadow tactile switch. However, in practical terms, this difference is minimal and users are likely to get similar results when using either switch. Ultimately, the decision between the two would come down to personal preference in terms of typing feel and responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Aflion Foggy Shadow has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Foggy Shadow for $3.91.
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
When it comes to sound, the Aflion Foggy Shadow switch offers a low-pitched and neutral tone, providing a mellow and balanced auditory experience suitable for various environments. On the other hand, the PH Studio Milk Tea switch delivers a unique blend of clacky, high-pitched, marbly, and resonant sounds, presenting a sharp and crisp tone that stands out with its distinctive profile. The choice between these two switches will ultimately depend on personal preference, as the Foggy Shadow leans towards a more subtle sound while the Milk Tea offers a more dynamic and engaging auditory feedback.
Moving on to the feel, the Aflion Foggy Shadow offers a light tactile bump with a 63.5g bottom-out force, providing a balanced and responsive typing experience. On the other hand, the PH Studio Milk Tea switch is described as polished and silky, offering a smooth and refined typing feel that minimizes friction and resistance for effortless keystrokes. Whether you prefer a tactile and balanced feel or a smooth and refined typing experience, both switches cater to different preferences and typing styles.
In conclusion, the Aflion Foggy Shadow and PH Studio Milk Tea switches each offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Foggy Shadow presents a more neutral and balanced sound profile along with a light tactile bump, the Milk Tea stands out with its dynamic and engaging auditory feedback and polished, silky typing feel. Ultimately, choosing between these two switches will depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and typing experience, both promising a high-quality performance in their respective categories. Whether you opt for the Foggy Shadow or the Milk Tea, you can expect a satisfying typing experience tailored to your preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, when selecting a keyboard switch, consider your typing preferences and needs. If you prioritize a medium-heavy tactile bump with a neutral sound profile, the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch with a 63.5g bottom-out force may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a light linear switch with a smooth and refined typing experience, the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch with a bottom-out force of 43.5g and polished feel might be more suitable. Ultimately, your decision should be based on the tactile feedback, sound profile, and typing experience that best aligns with your personal preferences and typing habits. Remember to test out different switches to find the one that feels just right for you.
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