PH Studio Milk Tea vs. Haimu Neo White
An in-depth look at the PH Studio Milk Tea and the Haimu Neo White switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When looking at mechanical keyboard switches, the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch and the Haimu Neo White linear switch both offer unique characteristics to enhance your typing experience. The Milk Tea switch, with its high-pitched sound and muted essence, creates a delicate balance between presence and subtlety. It is designed for prolonged typing sessions with its accessible bottom-out force of 43.5g and the use of Ly stem material for effortless keystrokes. On the other hand, the Neo White switch stands out for its medium weight and slightly reduced total travel, providing a distinctive typing feel. The rare use of a Ly stem in this switch also contributes to a smooth actuation, making each keystroke satisfying. While both switches have their own strengths, such as the Milk Tea being ideal for extensive typing needs and the Neo White offering a smooth and satisfying typing experience, it's important to delve deeper beyond these generalities to determine the best switch for your specific preferences and typing habits.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
37.5g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
43.5g
Bottom-out force
58g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
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
Double-staged spring
Housing materials
The PH Studio Milk Tea and the Haimu Neo White both offer unique housing materials for their switches. The Milk Tea features a POM top housing, which creates a deeper and more muted sound profile. In contrast, the Neo White boasts a polycarbonate top housing that produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. While the POM top housing of the Milk Tea offers a pleasant sound experience, the polycarbonate top housing of the Neo White is ideal for those looking for a clearer and more resonant sound.
In terms of the bottom housing, the Milk Tea utilizes POM material, which also results in a pleasing and unique sound profile. This material contributes to a deeper and more muted sound, enhancing the overall typing experience. On the other hand, the Neo White features a nylon bottom housing that elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of the nylon material absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound that some users may prefer over the POM material used in the Milk Tea.
Overall, the choice between the PH Studio Milk Tea and the Haimu Neo White ultimately comes down to personal preference in sound profile. While the Milk Tea offers a more muted and deeper sound with its POM housing materials, the Neo White provides a sharper and crisper sound with its polycarbonate and nylon housing materials. Both switches offer unique typing experiences based on their housing materials, and each user may have a different preference based on their sound and feel preferences. Regardless of the differences in housing materials, users can expect a satisfying typing experience from both switches.
Weight
The PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch has a lighter actuation force of 37.5 grams compared to the Haimu Neo White linear switch, which has an unknown actuation force. In terms of bottom out force, the Milk Tea switch has a lighter force of 43.5 grams while the Neo White switch has a heavier force of 58 grams. This means that the Milk Tea switch provides a lighter typing experience overall, making it ideal for those who prefer a more effortless feel when typing. On the other hand, the Neo White switch offers a more substantial typing experience due to its heavier bottom out force. Both switches have different characteristics in terms of actuation and bottom out force, so choosing between them will depend on individual preferences for typing feel and keypress feedback. Ultimately, those who prefer a lighter typing experience should opt for the Milk Tea switch, while those who prefer a heavier typing experience should go for the Neo White switch.
Travel distance
The PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch and the Haimu Neo White linear switch both have the same travel distance of 3.6 mm. This means that when pressing down on a key using either of these switches, you will experience the same amount of travel distance. Both switches offer a consistent typing experience in terms of how far the key travels when activated. So, whether you choose the Milk Tea or the Neo White switch, you can expect similar results in terms of travel distance.
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 Haimu Neo White comes in at $2.70 per 10 switches.
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 uniquely high-pitched and slightly muted auditory experience, described as clacky, high-pitched, marbly, and resonant. On the other hand, the Haimu Neo White linear switch provides a more neutral sound profile suitable for various preferences and environments. The sound produced by each switch will be influenced by factors such as the keyboard build and keycaps used, but overall, the Milk Tea offers a more distinctive and potentially polarizing sound compared to the more universally appealing Neo White.
When it comes to the typing feel, the Milk Tea switch is praised for its polished and silky attributes, providing a smooth and refined typing experience. The use of Ly material in the stem enhances the effortless feel of typing, making it an ideal choice for extended typing sessions. In contrast, the Haimu Neo White switch offers a mild typing experience that falls into a safe middle-ground zone, appealing to a wide range of users with its gentle characteristics. While the Milk Tea emphasizes smoothness and refined key travel, the Neo White focuses on a comfortable and approachable typing feel.
Considering the subjective qualities of sound and feel between the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch and the Haimu Neo White linear switch, it's evident that each switch offers a unique typing experience tailored to different preferences. The Milk Tea excels in providing a distinct high-pitched sound and a polished, silky feel, catering to users looking for a more specialized and refined typing experience. On the other hand, the Neo White switch delivers a more neutral sound profile and a mild typing feel, appealing to a broader audience seeking a comfortable and versatile typing experience. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and typing style.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you prioritize a light bottom-out force and a unique auditory blend that balances presence and subtlety, the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch would be an excellent choice for you. Designed for prolonged typing sessions with a smooth and effortless feel, this switch is ideal for those with extensive typing needs. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium bottom-out force and a slightly reduced total travel for a distinctive typing feel, the Haimu Neo White linear switch is the way to go. With a Ly stem for smooth actuation and a satisfying typing experience, this switch offers a neutral sound profile and a mild typing experience that is approachable to most users. Ultimately, choose the switch that best aligns with your preferences and typing style for the ultimate mechanical keyboard experience.