PH Studio Milk Tea vs. Bsun Tomcat (Heavy)
An in-depth look at the PH Studio Milk Tea and the Bsun Tomcat (Heavy) switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, personal preference plays a pivotal role in enhancing your typing experience. The PH Studio Milk Tea switch, a linear option, is celebrated for its unique auditory signature—boasting a fairly high-pitched yet muted sound that creates a delightful balance between presence and subtlety. With its Ly stem material, the Milk Tea switch promises a silky, effortless keystroke, making it an excellent choice for typists who favor a blend of tactile feedback and a gentle auditory cue. In contrast, the Bsun Tomcat (Heavy), also a linear switch featuring Ly stems, prioritizes a smooth typing experience while delivering a resonant sound profile that appeals to those seeking a more pronounced acoustic element. While both switches offer exceptional smoothness due to their shared stem material, the Milk Tea's clacky, polished characteristics may attract those looking for a more nuanced auditory presence, whereas the Tomcat (Heavy) caters to enthusiasts desiring a more resonant and robust sound. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the right switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
37.5g
Actuation force
55g
Bottom-out force
43.5g
Bottom-out force
64g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.95 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
Extended spring
Housing materials
The PH Studio Milk Tea and the Bsun Tomcat (Heavy) showcase distinct differences in their housing materials, which significantly influence their auditory characteristics and overall user experience. The Milk Tea employs a POM (Polyoxymethylene) top housing, known for producing a deeper and more muted sound profile. This is a stark contrast to the Tomcat (Heavy), which features a polycarbonate top housing that generates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. The rigidity of polycarbonate contributes to its resonant qualities, making switches with this material ideal for unique sound profiles, particularly when RGB lighting is involved due to its translucency. Users seeking a subtle, warm auditory experience may gravitate towards the Milk Tea, while those preferring a bright and lively sound might be more inclined to the Tomcat (Heavy).
In terms of bottom housing materials, the Milk Tea also utilizes POM, maintaining the deeper sound characteristic established by its top housing. This juxtaposes with the Tomcat (Heavy), which employs a nylon bottom housing that is known for providing a fuller and more rounded sound profile. Because nylon is a softer plastic, it absorbs more sound compared to the harder substances used in the Tomcat's top housing, leading to a deeper auditory experience. This characteristic makes the bottom housing of each switch critical as it plays a significant role in shaping the bottom-out sound and feel during keypresses. Hence, the experience of typing on the Milk Tea is expected to be smoother and more muted, while the Tomcat’s nylon bottom allows for a rich, resonant typing experience.
In summary, while both switches incorporate different materials for their top and bottom housings, the distinct sound profiles are resultant of these differences. If a user desired a combination of both sound profiles, mixing switches might yield interesting results, as the POM from the Milk Tea could soften the sharper sounds from the Tomcat, while the nylon could deepen the overall feel. This modularity allows enthusiasts to customize their typing experience, blending the unique qualities of each material to create a setup that amplifies personal preference in sound and feel.
Weight
When comparing the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch and the Bsun Tomcat (Heavy) linear switch, there is a notable difference in both actuation and bottom out forces. The Milk Tea switch has a lighter actuation force of 37.5 grams and a bottom out force of 43.5 grams, making it more suitable for users who prefer a gentler touch for extended typing or gaming sessions. In contrast, the Tomcat (Heavy) switch requires a firmer actuation force of 55 grams and a higher bottom out force of 64 grams, appealing to those who enjoy a more substantial typing experience. As a result, the Milk Tea switch is better suited for long stints at the keyboard due to its lighter feel, while the Tomcat offers a more pronounced resistance for users who favor a stronger tactile response. Ultimately, users can expect different typing experiences based on these weight differences, with the Milk Tea providing a softer touch and the Tomcat offering a heavier push feel.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch and the Bsun Tomcat (Heavy) linear switch is identical, with both measuring 3.6 mm. This equal travel distance means that users can expect a similar tactile experience when pressing down on either switch, as both will require the same amount of force and travel to register a keypress. Consequently, users may find that their typing or gaming performance feels consistent regardless of which switch they choose, reinforcing the notion that slight variations in individual switch characteristics may not significantly impact overall functionality 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 Bsun Tomcat (Heavy) comes in at $2.99 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
The auditory experience of the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch is characterized by its fairly high-pitched sound, which is enhanced by a clacky and marbly quality. This results in crisp, bright tones that provide a sharp, percussive response when typing, allowing users to enjoy a unique blend of presence and subtlety in their keystrokes. The resonant sound profile ensures a clean and immersive experience, making each press feel engaging. In contrast, while the Bsun Tomcat (Heavy) linear switch details are limited, it is noted to create a resonant sound profile, likely offering a combination of clean yet impactful auditory feedback that may share similarities with the Milk Tea switch.
When it comes to feel, the Milk Tea excels in providing a polished and silky experience. The careful selection of stem materials, particularly the use of Ly, allows for a remarkably smooth typing experience. This minimizes friction and resistance, resulting in effortless key travel that promotes comfort during extended typing sessions. The Tomcat (Heavy) linear switch also employs Ly for its stem, which suggests a similarly smooth experience, though specific descriptors for its tactile feedback remain unknown.
In conclusion, while both the PH Studio Milk Tea and the Bsun Tomcat (Heavy) linear switches offer smooth typing experiences due to the use of Ly stems, the auditory profiles differ, with Milk Tea presenting a more defined high-pitched sound complemented by clacky and marbly qualities. The Tomcat (Heavy), though less detailed in sound characteristics, is likely to create a similarly engaging auditory experience. All in all, for those who value a smooth feel in their key switches and prefer bright, resonant sounds, both options are solid choices, though the Milk Tea offers a more vibrant acoustic experience.
Conclusion
To conclude, when deciding between the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch and the Bsun Tomcat (Heavy) linear switch, consider your typing preferences and overall experience you're aiming for. If you favor a light, effortless keystroke, combined with a high-pitched and resonant auditory profile, the Milk Tea switch is perfect for you. Its sound is clacky and clean, making it ideal for those who appreciate a sharper typing sound, and its silky smoothness will enhance your typing experience. This switch is particularly well-suited for casual typing, fast-paced gaming, or environments where you want an engaging sound without being overwhelmingly loud. On the other hand, if you prefer a more substantial feel with a heavier bottom-out force, the Tomcat (Heavy) switch would be more appropriate. Although it doesn't have the same extensive sound descriptors as the Milk Tea, it still offers a smooth experience characterized by the Ly stem material. This switch is likely to provide a more satisfying tactile feedback for users who enjoy feeling the weight of their keystrokes, making it a great choice for both typists and gamers who appreciate a more grounded typing experience. Ultimately, your choice will hinge on whether you prioritize a lighter, auditory experience or a more tactile, weighted feel in your keyboard setup.
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