PH Studio Milk Tea vs. HMX Swift
An in-depth look at the PH Studio Milk Tea and the HMX Swift switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The PH Studio Milk Tea and HMX Swift are both linear switches with unique characteristics that cater to different preferences. The Milk Tea, produced by BSUN, offers a high-pitched yet muted sound, providing a balance between presence and subtlety. With a bottom-out force of 43.5g and a stem material of Ly for effortless typing, it is ideal for prolonged typing sessions. On the other hand, the HMX Swift stands out with its deeper sound profile and silky smoothness, thanks to its full nylon housings and 42g actuation force. While the Milk Tea is described as 'Clacky', 'High-pitched', and 'Silky', the Swift is labeled as 'Clacky', 'Easy-to-press', and 'Creamy'. 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
42g
Bottom-out force
43.5g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.90 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
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
22mm extended spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the PH Studio Milk Tea and the HMX Swift both bring unique characteristics to the switches. The Milk Tea's POM top and bottom housings create a deep and muted sound profile, while the Swift's nylon top and bottom housings elicit a fuller and rounder sound. Both switches provide a satisfying typing experience, with the POM housing offering a more unique sound and the nylon housing providing a deeper sound profile.
While the Milk Tea and Swift switches both have different housing materials, they serve similar functions in terms of creating a pleasing sound profile. The POM and nylon housings absorb sound differently due to their softness, resulting in distinct sound profiles for each switch. However, both switches offer a satisfying typing experience, with the Milk Tea's POM housing providing a more muted sound and the Swift's nylon housing creating a fuller sound. Overall, both housing materials effectively contribute to the overall sound profile of the switches.
When comparing the top and bottom housings of the Milk Tea and Swift switches, it is evident that each housing material brings unique qualities to the switches. The POM top housing of the Milk Tea creates a pleasing and deep sound when letting go of a key, while the nylon top housing of the Swift offers a fuller sound profile. Similarly, the bottom housings of both switches impact the bottom-out sound and feel, with the POM bottom housing of the Milk Tea providing a muted sound and the nylon bottom housing of the Swift offering a rounder sound. Overall, both switches benefit from the distinct characteristics of their housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch and the HMX Swift linear switch, it is evident that both switches have relatively light actuation and bottom out forces. The Milk Tea has an actuation force of 37.5 grams and a bottom out force of 43.5 grams, while the Swift has an actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams. Both switches are considered light in terms of force required for keystrokes. This makes them suitable for individuals who prefer a lighter typing experience for extended periods of time. However, those who prefer a slightly stronger push feel may lean towards the Swift switch due to its slightly higher bottom out force. Ultimately, both switches offer a comfortable typing experience with minimal force required for each keystroke.
Travel distance
The PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the HMX Swift linear switch has a travel distance of 3.9 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, making them ideal for those looking for quick and responsive key presses. Gamers especially tend to prefer shorter travel distances for faster response times. However, the Milk Tea has a slightly shorter travel distance compared to the Swift, which may result in slightly quicker key presses. On the other hand, the Swift offers a slightly longer travel distance, providing a bit more depth to the key press. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and desired key press experience.
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 HMX Swift has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Swift for $2.99.
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 a high-pitched and muted sound, providing a gentle balance between presence and subtlety. It is described as clacky, high-pitched, marbly, and resonant, creating a sharp and immersive auditory experience. On the other hand, the HMX Swift linear switch stands out with its deeper sound profile, thanks to its full nylon housings, and is primarily described as clacky. Both switches offer distinct sound profiles, with the Milk Tea leaning towards a sharper tone while the Swift has a smoother and deeper sound.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Milk Tea is known for its polished and silky typing experience, ensuring smooth key travel and minimal friction. This switch aims to provide a refined and sleek typing feel, enhancing the overall typing experience. In contrast, the HMX Swift is described as easy-to-press, feathery, bouncy, and creamy, offering a light actuation force and a lively, spring-like feedback sensation. These qualities make typing on the Swift switch effortless and comfortable, reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. While the Milk Tea focuses on smoothness and refinement, the Swift prioritizes ease of pressing and rebound feedback.
In conclusion, the PH Studio Milk Tea and HMX Swift linear switches offer unique sound and feel qualities that cater to different preferences. The Milk Tea excels in providing a harmonious blend of high-pitched and muted sounds, along with a polished and silky typing experience. On the other hand, the Swift stands out with its deeper sound profile and easy-to-press, feathery feel. Ultimately, choosing between these switches would depend on whether you prefer a sharper sound with enhanced smoothness (Milk Tea) or a deeper sound with light actuation force and lively feedback (Swift), ensuring a satisfying typing experience regardless of your preference.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch and the HMX Swift linear switch, you should consider your preference for sound and feel. If you enjoy a high-pitched and resonant sound profile with a polished and silky typing experience, the Milk Tea switch may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a deeper sound profile with easy-to-press and feathery key presses, the Swift switch could be more suitable. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal typing preferences and the overall typing experience you are looking for.
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