Gateron Ink Yellow vs. PH Studio Milk Tea
An in-depth look at the Gateron Ink Yellow and the PH Studio Milk Tea switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between the Gateron Ink Yellow and the PH Studio Milk Tea mechanical keyboard switches, there are some key differences to consider. The Ink Yellow is known for its shorter travel and offers a typing experience that falls between that of a laptop and a standard mechanical keyboard. This switch is smooth and clacky, providing a pleasant feel while typing. On the other hand, the Milk Tea linear switch by PH Studio presents a unique auditory blend with a high-pitched yet muted sound, striking a delicate balance between presence and subtlety. With a comfortably low bottom-out force and stem material designed for effortless keystrokes, the Milk Tea is tailored for prolonged typing sessions. Both switches bring something different to the table, offering qualities like clackiness, smoothness, and ease of typing. 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
60g
Actuation force
37.5g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
43.5g
Pre-travel
1.50 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
Proprietary INK blend
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Single stage lengthened 22mm spring
Housing materials
The Gateron Ink Yellow and PH Studio Milk Tea switches both use different housing materials for their top and bottom housings, resulting in distinct sound profiles. The Ink Yellow features a proprietary INK blend top housing that produces a thin, higher-pitched, and clacky sound when the key is released. In contrast, the Milk Tea utilizes a POM top housing that creates a deeper and more muted sound upon key release. While both switches offer unique sound profiles, the difference in the top housing material leads to varied auditory experiences for users.
In terms of the bottom housing, both switches showcase similarities in their material characteristics. The Ink Yellow and Milk Tea switches feature bottom housings made of the same material as their respective top housing. This allows for consistency in sound profile when pressing down on the switch, as the bottom housing plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel. Despite differences in the top housing material, users can expect similar tactile experiences when actuating the switches due to the shared bottom housing material.
Overall, the choice of housing material in mechanical switches like the Gateron Ink Yellow and PH Studio Milk Tea plays a crucial role in determining the sound profile and tactile feedback of the keys. While the Ink Yellow offers a more pointed and high-pitched sound profile with its INK blend housing materials, the Milk Tea provides a deeper and more muted sound experience with its POM housings. The decision to use different materials for the top and bottom housings allows for a nuanced sound profile that caters to the preferences of different users, highlighting the importance of housing material choice in mechanical switches.
Weight
The Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch has a higher actuation force and bottom out force compared to the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch. The Ink Yellow requires 60 grams of force to actuate and 67 grams to bottom out, making it a medium-heavy switch. On the other hand, the Milk Tea only needs 37.5 grams to actuate and 43.5 grams to bottom out, making it a lighter option. This means that the Ink Yellow will provide a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel, while the Milk Tea will offer a lighter touch for those who prefer typing for longer periods without strain. Both switches offer different weight options, catering to individual preferences for typing or gaming experiences.
Travel distance
The Gateron Ink Yellow linear 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. This makes the Milk Tea switch slightly longer in terms of travel distance. Both switches fall within the shorter range of travel distances, which are favored by gamers for quicker response times. However, the slight difference in travel distance between the two switches may create a subtle variation in the feel of typing or gaming experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference - whether you prefer the slightly shorter travel distance of the Ink Yellow for faster responses or the slightly longer travel distance of the Milk Tea for a deeper keystroke feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Ink Yellow has an MSRP of $7.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Ink Yellow for $7.35.
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
The Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch and the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch have distinct sound profiles. The Ink Yellow switch is known for its neutral sound with a moderate actuation force requirement, resulting in a versatile option suitable for various typing preferences. In contrast, the Milk Tea switch offers a unique auditory blend characterized by a high-pitched yet muted sound, providing a gentle balance between presence and subtlety. Additionally, the Milk Tea switch presents a resonant and marbly sound profile, creating an immersive typing experience for users seeking a specific auditory sensation. Both switches offer clacky typing feedback, but the Milk Tea switch adds a high-pitched aspect to its sound, catering to those who prefer a crisper and brighter auditory feedback.
When it comes to the typing feel, both the Gateron Ink Yellow and PH Studio Milk Tea switches share similarities in their smooth and refined typing experience. The Ink Yellow switch is described as providing a mild and polished feel, offering a gentle typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. Similarly, the Milk Tea switch also features a polished and silky feel, ensuring an exceptionally smooth typing experience with minimal resistance when pressing and releasing keys. Both switches prioritize comfort and ease-of-use during prolonged typing sessions, making them suitable choices for users who prioritize typing ergonomics and tactile satisfaction.
In conclusion, the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch and the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch offer distinctive qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Ink Yellow switch provides a neutral and clacky sound profile with a mild and polished typing feel, the Milk Tea switch introduces a unique high-pitched and resonant sound profile alongside a polished and silky typing experience. Depending on individual preferences for auditory feedback and typing comfort, users can select between these two switches to enhance their typing experience. Ultimately, both switches are designed to cater to different typing needs, ensuring users can achieve an optimal and personalized mechanical keyboard typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch and the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch, consider the bottom out force and sound profile that best suits your typing preferences. If you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force and a neutral or clacky sound, the Gateron Ink Yellow switch may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force and a clacky, high-pitched, marbly, or resonant sound, along with a polished and silky typing feel, the PH Studio Milk Tea switch would be more suitable for your needs. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches should be based on your personal preferences in terms of typing experience and sound profile.
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