PH Studio Milk Tea vs. Kailh Sage
An in-depth look at the PH Studio Milk Tea and the Kailh Sage switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch and the Kailh Sage clicky switch offer unique features to cater to different preferences. The Milk Tea switch stands out for its high-pitched yet muted sound profile, making it a gentle balance between presence and subtlety. With an accessible actuation force and a stem material designed for effortless typing, it is a great choice for those who engage in prolonged typing sessions. On the other hand, the Kailh Sage switch provides a distinct clicky typing experience with a heavier weight and sharp clickiness. While the Milk Tea switch is characterized by qualities such as 'Marbly,' 'Silky,' and 'Resonant,' the Sage switch is known for being 'Invigorating,' 'Sharp,' and 'Crunchy.' Each switch offers a unique typing experience tailored to different preferences. 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
43.5g
Bottom-out force
70g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.70 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Single stage lengthened 22mm spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The PH Studio Milk Tea and the Kailh Sage both offer unique sound profiles due to their housing materials. The Milk Tea's POM top and bottom housings create a deeper and relatively more muted sound profile, while the Sage's polycarbonate top housing produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. In contrast, the Sage's nylon bottom housing elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to the POM bottom housing of the Milk Tea. The choice of housing material in both switches significantly impacts the overall sound experience for the user.
While the Milk Tea and Sage offer contrasting sound profiles, they both excel in providing distinct acoustic experiences for users. The use of POM in the Milk Tea's top and bottom housings creates a unique and pleasing sound that is deep and muted. On the other hand, the Sage's polycarbonate top housing delivers a sharper and crisper sound, while the nylon bottom housing contributes to a fuller and deeper sound profile. Despite their differences, both switches demonstrate the importance of housing materials in determining the overall sound quality of mechanical keyboards.
In terms of aesthetics, the choice of housing material plays a crucial role in enhancing the visual appeal of the switches. The Sage's polycarbonate top housing, with its translucency, is particularly useful for switches that incorporate RGB lighting. In comparison, the Milk Tea's POM top and bottom housings offer a more solid and opaque look. Whether you prefer a switch with a crisper, higher-pitched sound like the Sage or a deeper, more muted sound like the Milk Tea, both options provide users with a unique typing experience based on their housing materials.
Weight
The PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch features a lighter actuation force of 37.5 grams and a bottom out force of 43.5 grams, providing a smooth and easy typing experience. In contrast, the Kailh Sage clicky switch has a medium-heavy bottom out force of 70 grams, offering a more substantial typing feel. The actuation force of the Sage is unknown, but with a higher bottom out force, it likely requires a firmer press to trigger a keystroke compared to the Milk Tea. For those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing sessions, the Milk Tea would be the better choice, while those who enjoy a more solid typing experience may prefer the heavier bottom out force of the Sage. Overall, the differences in actuation and bottom out forces between the two switches cater to different preferences for typing and gaming purposes.
Travel distance
Both the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch and the Kailh Sage clicky switch have a travel distance of 3.6 mm, making them equal in this aspect. This means that when pressing down on a key with either of these switches, you will experience the same amount of distance traveled from the top to the bottom. This similarity allows for a consistent typing experience across both switches. While other aspects of these switches may differ, such as actuation force or sound, their travel distance remains the same. Overall, whether you choose the Milk Tea or the Sage, you can expect to get 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 Kailh Sage comes in at $6.25 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
When it comes to sound, the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch offers a high-pitched and clacky experience, creating a balanced and gentle sound profile that is not overly intrusive. On the other hand, the Kailh Sage clicky switch is known for its crunchy sound, reminiscent of stepping on autumn leaves. Both switches offer distinct auditory experiences that cater to different preferences, with the Milk Tea providing a more refined and polished sound, while the Sage offers a more tactile and crunchy typing experience.
In terms of feel, the Milk Tea switch is characterized by its polished and silky typing experience, providing a smooth and effortless keypress that minimizes resistance. On the other hand, the Sage switch is described as invigorating and sharp, offering a tactile feedback and firm actuation force that creates a reactive and immersive typing sensation. Both switches excel in providing a unique and enjoyable typing feel, catering to different preferences for smoothness and tactility.
In conclusion, the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch and the Kailh Sage clicky switch offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Milk Tea provides a balanced and refined auditory experience with a smooth typing feel, the Sage delivers a crunchy sound with a tactile and reactive typing sensation. Depending on personal preferences for sound profile, keypress feel, and typing experience, both switches offer excellent options for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts seeking a customized and enjoyable typing experience. Ultimately, choosing between these switches will depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and overall typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are seeking a unique auditory blend with a light bottom-out force for prolonged typing sessions, the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch is the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a distinct clicky typing experience with a heavier bottom-out force and a sharp clickiness, the Kailh Sage switch would be more suitable for your preferences. Consider the sound and feel characteristics of each switch to determine which aligns more closely with your typing preferences and needs. Ultimately, the decision between the Milk Tea and Sage switches boils down to your personal preferences for sound and feel during typing sessions.
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