PH Studio Milk Tea vs. Dareu Snow
An in-depth look at the PH Studio Milk Tea and the Dareu Snow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the PH Studio Milk Tea and the Dareu Snow linear mechanical keyboard switches, it's clear that both offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Milk Tea switch boasts a high-pitched yet muted sound profile, making it a great choice for those who enjoy a balance between presence and subtlety. With its accessible bottom-out force and use of Ly stem material, it's designed for prolonged typing sessions with ease. On the other hand, the Snow switch stands out with its innovative use of POK material, resulting in a deeper sound signature. This makes it a suitable option for those who prefer a smoother typing experience. 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
50g
Bottom-out force
43.5g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.30 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
POM
Top housing material
POK
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 the Dareu Snow provide unique characteristics to their respective switches. The Milk Tea's POM top housing offers a pleasing and deep sound profile, while the Snow's POK top housing is known for its smoothness and durability. The POM material may provide a more muted sound compared to the clackier sound of the POK material. However, both materials contribute to creating switches with distinct sound profiles that cater to different preferences.
Similarly, the differences between the bottom housings of the Milk Tea and the Snow add another layer of uniqueness to their switches. The Milk Tea's POM bottom housing also contributes to the pleasing and deep sound profile, while the Snow's nylon bottom housing enhances the sound profile with a deeper and fuller sound. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound compared to the POM material. These differences in bottom housing materials can greatly impact the overall typing experience and feel of the switches.
Ultimately, the top and bottom housing materials play a crucial role in shaping the sound and feel of a switch. While the POM top and bottom housings of the Milk Tea may provide a consistent sound profile, the different top and bottom housing materials in the Snow offer a varied typing experience. The impact of the housing materials on the sound when pressing down or letting go of a key highlights how each component contributes to the overall sound profile and feel of the switches, making them distinct and appealing to different users based on their preferences.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch and the Dareu Snow 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 Snow has an actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams. The Milk Tea provides a lighter typing experience, perfect for those who prefer a gentler touch and longer typing sessions. On the other hand, the Snow offers a more medium resistance, suitable for users who enjoy a slightly heavier feel and more substantial typing feedback. Both switches will provide a unique typing experience based on their actuation and bottom out forces, catering to different preferences in keyboard use. Users looking for a light typing experience should choose the Milk Tea, while those desiring a medium resistance should opt for the Snow.
Travel distance
The PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Dareu Snow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances preferred by gamers for faster response times. However, the Milk Tea switch has a slightly longer travel distance than the Snow switch. If you prefer a switch with a bit more depth when pressing down on the key, the Milk Tea may be the better option for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a more immediate and responsive feel, the Snow switch with its slightly shorter travel distance may be more to your liking. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference and what feels most comfortable to the individual user.
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 Dareu Snow has an MSRP of $7.78 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Snow for $5.76.
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 blend of high-pitched and muted tones that create a gentle balance between presence and subtlety, making it a suitable choice for those who prefer a quieter typing experience during prolonged use. On the other hand, the Dareu Snow linear switch stands out with a deeper sound signature, providing a richer and more satisfying auditory experience when typing. Depending on personal preference, one may choose the Milk Tea for its clacky and high-pitched sound or the Snow for its thocky and low-pitched sound.
Moving on to the feel, the Milk Tea switch is designed with a polished and silky finish, offering a smooth and refined typing experience that minimizes friction and enhances key travel for effortless keystrokes. In comparison, the Dareu Snow switch provides a bouncy sensation with spring-like feedback, giving keys a lively feel and a subtle rebound when pressed. Whether one prefers the polished and silky feel of the Milk Tea or the bouncy sensation of the Snow, both switches are crafted to provide a pleasant tactile experience tailored to individual preferences.
Considering the sound and feel characteristics of the PH Studio Milk Tea and Dareu Snow linear switches, it is evident that they offer distinct qualities that cater to different preferences in terms of typing sound and tactile feedback. While the Milk Tea excels in providing a balanced and muted sound with a polished and silky feel, the Snow stands out with a deeper and richer sound signature along with a bouncy tactile sensation. Ultimately, both switches offer high-quality performance and can deliver a satisfying typing experience based on the user's sound and feel preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering whether to choose the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch or the Dareu Snow linear switch, your decision should be based on your preference for sound and feel. If you value a higher-pitched and clacky sound with a polished and silky feel, then the Milk Tea switch may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a deeper thocky sound with a bouncy feel, then the Snow switch could be more to your liking. Ultimately, choose the switch that aligns with your typing preferences and needs to enhance your overall typing experience.
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