Durock Medium Tactile vs. PH Studio Milk Tea
An in-depth look at the Durock Medium Tactile and the PH Studio Milk Tea switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Durock Medium Tactile and the PH Studio Milk Tea, two distinct mechanical keyboard switches stand out. The Medium Tactile switch from Durock is praised for its pronounced yet balanced tactility, offering a satisfying typing experience with a jelly-like sound signature. On the other hand, the Milk Tea linear switch by PH Studio presents a unique auditory blend, featuring a high-pitched sound with a muted essence that caters to prolonged typing sessions. While the Medium Tactile switch is categorized as 'Accented', 'Stepped', 'Mild', and 'Polished', the Milk Tea switch falls into categories such as 'Clacky', 'High-pitched', 'Marbly', 'Polished', 'Silky', and 'Resonant'. Both switches have their own strengths and appeal, making them suitable for different preferences and typing styles. 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
65g
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
Gold-plated spring
Spring
Single stage lengthened 22mm spring
Housing materials
Both the Durock Medium Tactile and the PH Studio Milk Tea feature unique housing materials that contribute to their distinct sound profiles. The Medium Tactile's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharp, high-pitched sound, while the Milk Tea's POM top housing produces a deeper and more muted sound. In terms of aesthetics, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting, whereas POM has a more opaque appearance. Despite these differences, both switches offer a pleasing typing experience, albeit with varying sound characteristics.
In terms of bottom housing materials, the Medium Tactile utilizes nylon, which provides a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature. Similarly, the Milk Tea's POM bottom housing also contributes to a deeper sound profile that is relatively more muted. The use of different bottom housing materials in each switch adds to the overall typing experience, creating a unique feel and sound profile for each switch. While both switches share similarities in their bottom housing materials, the overall typing experience may vary due to their unique characteristics.
When combining the top and bottom housing materials of the Durock Medium Tactile and the PH Studio Milk Tea, users can expect a well-rounded typing experience that balances sharpness and depth in sound. The Medium Tactile's polycarbonate top housing complements the nylon bottom housing to create a clear and resonant sound profile, while the Milk Tea's POM top and bottom housing combination offers a deeper and more muted sound. By understanding how each housing material contributes to the overall sound profile, users can select the switch that best suits their typing preferences and aesthetic preferences.
Weight
The Durock Medium Tactile tactile switch and the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch have distinct differences in their actuation force and bottom out force. The Medium Tactile has a bottom out force of 65 grams, which is considered medium-heavy, whereas the Milk Tea has a lower bottom out force of 43.5 grams, making it lighter in comparison. While the actuation force of the Medium Tactile is not specified, the Milk Tea has an actuation force of 37.5 grams, indicating a lighter touch required to trigger a keystroke. For those who prefer a more substantial typing experience, the Medium Tactile may be the better option due to its heavier bottom out force. On the other hand, for those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions, the Milk Tea would be a suitable choice. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Durock Medium Tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the PH Studio Milk Tea switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm. Both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with the Medium Tactile being slightly longer than the Milk Tea. Gamers may prefer the Milk Tea switch for its faster response time due to the shorter travel distance, while those who prefer a more substantial key press may opt for the Durock Medium Tactile switch. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and key press feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Medium Tactile has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Medium Tactile for $4.25.
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 Durock Medium Tactile switch is known for its jelly-like sound signature, offering a balanced and pronounced tactility. On the other hand, the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch has a unique auditory blend with a high-pitched sound that still retains a muted essence, creating a gentle balance between presence and subtlety. The Milk Tea switch also provides a clacky, high-pitched, marbly, and resonant sound profile, offering a sharp and crisp typing experience. Keep in mind that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard and keycaps being used.
When it comes to feel, the Durock Medium Tactile switch is known for its accented, stepped, mild, and polished characteristics, offering a medium tactile experience that is not overwhelming yet not subtle. In contrast, the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch is described as polished and silky, providing an exceptionally smooth typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. Both switches aim to provide a comfortable typing experience tailored to those who engage in prolonged typing sessions.
In conclusion, the Durock Medium Tactile and PH Studio Milk Tea switches offer distinct sound and feel profiles to cater to different preferences in the mechanical keyboard community. Each switch has its own unique qualities that make it stand out, from the balanced tactility and jelly-like sound of the Medium Tactile to the high-pitched yet muted essence of the Milk Tea linear switch. Whether you prefer a more pronounced tactile experience or a smooth linear feel, both switches provide excellent options for users looking to enhance their typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a tactile switch with a medium-heavy bottom-out force and a balanced tactility, the Durock Medium Tactile would be a great choice for you. It offers a pronounced yet balanced tactility and a jelly-like sound signature. On the other hand, if you prefer a light linear switch with a bottom-out force of 43.5 grams and a unique auditory blend, the PH Studio Milk Tea switch would be more suitable for you. With a high-pitched yet muted sound and a smooth typing experience thanks to its Ly stem material, the Milk Tea switch is ideal for prolonged typing sessions. Ultimately, your choice between these two switches should depend on your preference for tactility, sound profile, and typing feel.
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