PH Studio Milk Tea vs. Cherry MX Red
An in-depth look at the PH Studio Milk Tea and the Cherry MX Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch, known for its unique auditory blend and lightweight actuation force of 43.5g, provides a gentle balance between presence and subtlety, making it a perfect choice for prolonged typing sessions. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Red switch offers a slightly heftier feel and deeper sound profile, providing a robust typing experience with a satisfying auditory depth. While the Milk Tea switch is categorized as 'Clacky', 'High-pitched', 'Marbly', 'Polished', 'Silky', 'Resonant', the MX Red falls into the categories of 'Thocky', 'Low-pitched', 'Textured'. Each switch offers its own set of advantages, catering to different preferences and 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
37.5g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
43.5g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
pom
Top housing material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Single stage lengthened 22mm spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the PH Studio Milk Tea and Cherry MX Red switches both offer a pleasing and unique sound profile. The Milk Tea's POM top and bottom housing creates a deeper and relatively muted sound, while the MX Red's nylon top and bottom housing produces a deeper and fuller sound. This difference in sound can be attributed to the softer nature of nylon, which absorbs more sound compared to POM. Despite these variations, both switches deliver a satisfying typing experience that is enhanced by the qualities of their respective housing materials.
In terms of material composition, the POM housing of the Milk Tea switch is known for its distinct sound profile that leans towards the deeper end of the spectrum. On the other hand, the nylon housing of the MX Red switch offers a fuller sound with a rounder tone. The softer nature of nylon allows for a more muted sound compared to the POM housing, which contributes to a more pronounced bottom-out feel when typing. While both switches utilize different housing materials, they ultimately provide a tactile typing experience that caters to different preferences in sound and feel.
When considering the impact of the top and bottom housing on the overall sound and feel of each switch, it becomes apparent that the bottom housing has a greater influence on the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing affects the sound when releasing a key. This highlights the importance of the housing materials in shaping the overall typing experience of a switch. Despite the differences in housing materials between the Milk Tea and MX Red switches, they both contribute to a satisfying and unique typing experience that caters to individual preferences in sound and feel.
Weight
Comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch and the Cherry MX Red linear switch, it is evident that the Milk Tea is lighter in both aspects. The Milk Tea has an actuation force of 37.5 grams and a bottom out force of 43.5 grams, while the MX Red has an actuation force of 45 grams with an unknown bottom out force. This makes the Milk Tea ideal for those who prefer a lighter typing experience, as it requires less force to trigger a keystroke and reach the bottom out point. In contrast, the MX Red may be more suitable for users who prefer a slightly heavier push feel for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference regarding typing force and feel.
Travel distance
The PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Cherry MX Red linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. In this case, the Cherry MX Red has a longer travel distance compared to the Milk Tea switch. The 4.0mm travel distance of the MX Red is more traditional and may appeal to those who prefer a deeper key press feel. On the other hand, the Milk Tea's shorter 3.6mm travel distance is favored by gamers for its faster response times. Both switches provide a different tactile experience, with the Milk Tea offering a quicker and more responsive feel, while the MX Red offers a more deliberate and pronounced key press. Ultimately, the choice between the two would depend on personal preference for travel distance and the type of typing or gaming experience desired.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
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.
The Cherry MX Red has an MSRP of $5.90 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the MX Red 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 PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch offers a unique high-pitched yet muted auditory experience, creating a gentle balance of presence and subtlety. It is described as clacky, high-pitched, marbly, and resonant, providing a crisp and sharp sound when pressed. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Red linear switch is known for its deeper sound profile, described as thocky and low-pitched, offering a rich and satisfying auditory depth. While both switches deliver a tactile typing experience, the Milk Tea excels in providing a more high-pitched and resonant sound compared to the MX Red's deeper tones.
In terms of feel, the PH Studio Milk Tea switch is praised for its polished and silky typing experience, emphasizing smoothness and reduced friction during key travel. This switch is designed for effortless typing sessions, thanks to its accessible bottom-out of just 43.5g and the use of Ly for the stem material. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Red switch is described as textured, providing noticeable friction when pressed. Some users may prefer this tactile feedback, while others may lean towards the smoother typing experience offered by the Milk Tea switch. Overall, the Milk Tea switch focuses on delivering a refined and sleek typing experience, while the MX Red switch offers a slightly more textured feel for those who appreciate tactile feedback.
In conclusion, the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch and the Cherry MX Red linear switch both offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Milk Tea switch provides a higher-pitched and clacky sound profile with a polished and silky feel for smooth key travel, the MX Red switch delivers a deeper thocky sound and a slightly textured typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these switches comes down to personal preference in sound and feel, as both switches excel in providing a satisfying typing experience for different user preferences.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when deciding between the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch and the Cherry MX Red linear switch, consider your typing preferences and needs. If you are looking for a lighter switch with a high-pitched and clacky sound profile, as well as a polished and silky feel for extended typing sessions, the Milk Tea switch may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly heavier switch with a deep and thocky sound, along with a low-pitched and textured feel, the MX Red switch might be more suitable. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will depend on your personal typing style and the sensory experience you are looking for in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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