PH Studio Milk Tea vs. Durock White Lotus
An in-depth look at the PH Studio Milk Tea and the Durock White Lotus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch and the Durock White Lotus tactile switch stand out as top contenders in their respective categories. The Milk Tea offers a unique auditory blend with a high-pitched yet muted sound, making it an excellent choice for those who value a gentle balance between presence and subtlety during prolonged typing sessions. On the other hand, the White Lotus switches provide a light tactile option that offers a delicate tactility perfect for work and extended typing without overwhelming the user. Additionally, the White Lotus switches feature a removable light column that allows for vibrant RGB lighting effects, adding a captivating glow to your keyboard setup. While these general pointers may help in choosing between the two switches, diving deeper into their individual characteristics will ultimately help you decide on the best switch for your specific needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
37.5g
Actuation force
46g
Bottom-out force
43.5g
Bottom-out force
56g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
POM
Top housing material
Modified PC & UPE Blend
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
Gold-plated long spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the PH Studio Milk Tea and the Durock White Lotus, we can see that both switches utilize unique materials to create a distinct sound profile. The Milk Tea's POM top and bottom housings offer a deeper and more muted sound, while the White Lotus's modified PC & UPE Blend top housing provides a premium feel. Despite the difference in materials, both switches aim to deliver a pleasing sound experience to the user.
However, where the Milk Tea relies on POM for both its top and bottom housings, the White Lotus utilizes a combination of materials with nylon for the bottom housing. This results in a deeper and fuller sound profile for the White Lotus, as nylon is known for absorbing more sound and creating a duller, rounder sound. This contrast highlights how the choice of materials can greatly impact the overall typing experience and sound quality of a switch.
Ultimately, when comparing the housing materials of the PH Studio Milk Tea and the Durock White Lotus, it is clear that both switches are crafted with attention to sound profile and feel. The unique qualities of POM and modified PC & UPE Blend in the Milk Tea and White Lotus respectively showcase the importance of housing materials in determining sound characteristics. Whether it be the deeper, muted sound of POM or the premium feel of the modified PC & UPE Blend, both switches offer a distinct typing experience that caters to different preferences.
Weight
The actuation force and bottom out force of the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch and the Durock White Lotus tactile switch differ in terms of weight. The Milk Tea is lighter, with an actuation force of 37.5 grams and a bottom out force of 43.5 grams, while the White Lotus is slightly heavier with an actuation force of 46 grams and a bottom out force of 56 grams. The lighter actuation and bottom out forces of the Milk Tea make it ideal for extended typing or gaming sessions, providing a smoother and more effortless keystroke experience. On the other hand, the White Lotus offers a more substantial typing experience with its heavier forces, making it suitable for those who prefer a stronger push feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference based on the desired typing experience.
Travel distance
The PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, making it slightly shorter than the Durock White Lotus tactile switch, which boasts a travel distance of 4 mm. The Milk Tea falls into the category of shorter travel distances, which is preferred by gamers for faster response times. On the other hand, the White Lotus offers a bit more depth with its longer travel distance. Both switches offer a different typing experience, with the Milk Tea providing a quicker and more responsive feel, while the White Lotus offers a more deliberate and satisfying key press. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference for travel distance and typing experience desired.
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 Durock White Lotus has an MSRP of $5.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the White Lotus for $4.57.
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 is characterized by a high-pitched and clacky sound profile, providing a sharp and snappy auditory experience. This sound, combined with its muted essence, strikes a balance between presence and subtlety. On the other hand, the Durock White Lotus tactile switch offers a low-pitched and neutral sound, with a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to the Milk Tea. Both switches provide unique auditory experiences, catering to different preferences in terms of sound.
Moving on to the feel, the Milk Tea switch is known for its polished and silky typing experience, offering smooth and refined key travel with reduced friction. This results in a sleek typing feel, enhancing the overall typing experience. In contrast, the White Lotus switch is described as easy-to-press and mild, providing gentle resistance during key presses and requiring minimal force to activate. This light actuation force makes typing effortless and comfortable, reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. Both switches offer distinct tactile experiences, catering to different preferences in terms of key feel.
Overall, the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch and the Durock White Lotus tactile switch present unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Milk Tea switch offers a high-pitched and clacky sound with a polished and silky typing feel, the White Lotus switch provides a low-pitched and neutral sound with an easy-to-press and mild typing experience. Both switches cater to different preferences and typing needs, ensuring a personalized and enjoyable mechanical keyboard experience for users. Ultimately, choosing between the two would depend on individual preferences for sound and feel in a mechanical keyboard switch.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a light linear switch with a high-pitched sound and polished feel, the PH Studio Milk Tea switch would be a great choice. It is designed for prolonged typing sessions and offers an effortless typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a light tactile switch with a low-pitched sound and easy-to-press feel, the Durock White Lotus switch is the way to go. It provides a delicate tactility that is ideal for work and extended typing sessions. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your preferences for sound, feel, and the type of typing experience you are looking for.
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