PH Studio Milk Tea vs. Wuque Studio WS Onion
An in-depth look at the PH Studio Milk Tea and the Wuque Studio WS Onion switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The PH Studio Milk Tea and Wuque Studio WS Onion are both linear mechanical keyboard switches with their own unique characteristics and qualities. The Milk Tea switch is known for its high-pitched yet muted auditory blend, making it a gentle balance between presence and subtlety. With a bottom-out force of 43.5g and a stem material made of Ly, this switch is perfect for prolonged typing sessions and ensures effortless keystrokes. On the other hand, the WS Onion switch stands out with its polycarbonate top housing and nylon bottom housing, offering a buttery smooth keystroke feel that is deeply satisfying. Additionally, it provides a crisp and responsive feel with a neutral sound profile. Each switch is tailored to different preferences and typing needs, but let's delve deeper beyond these generalities to help you 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
63.5g
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
Partial box
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
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Single stage lengthened 22mm spring
Spring
WS CL635 Gold Plated Stainless Spring
Housing materials
The PH Studio Milk Tea and the Wuque Studio WS Onion both offer unique sound profiles based on their housing materials. The Milk Tea utilizes POM for both its top and bottom housing, resulting in a deeper and more muted sound profile. In contrast, the WS Onion features a polycarbonate top housing and a nylon bottom housing. The use of polycarbonate in the WS Onion creates a sharper, higher-pitched sound, while the nylon bottom housing elicits a deeper and fuller sound. This difference in housing materials leads to distinct typing experiences for users of each switch.
Despite their differences, both the Milk Tea and the WS Onion showcase the importance of housing materials in determining sound profiles. The POM top housing of the Milk Tea creates a unique sound, while the polycarbonate top housing of the WS Onion produces a crisper and more resonant sound. Additionally, the nylon bottom housing of the WS Onion absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound profile compared to the POM bottom housing of the Milk Tea. These contrasting qualities offer users a variety of options depending on their preferences for typing sound and feel.
It is evident that the choice of housing materials in mechanical switches plays a significant role in the overall typing experience. While the Milk Tea and the WS Onion differ in their housing materials, both switches offer unique sound profiles that cater to different preferences. The split between top and bottom housing materials in the switches allows users to feel and hear the impact of each material during typing. Whether it's the deeper and muted sound of the POM housing in the Milk Tea or the sharper and crisper sound of the polycarbonate housing in the WS Onion, each switch provides a distinct typing experience based on the qualities of their housing materials.
Weight
The PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch has a lighter actuation force of 37.5 grams compared to the Wuque Studio WS Onion linear switch, which has an unknown actuation force. However, the bottom out force of the Milk Tea switch is also lighter at 43.5 grams, while the WS Onion switch has a heavier bottom out force of 63.5 grams. The lighter actuation and bottom out forces of the Milk Tea switch make it ideal for those who prefer a lighter typing experience, allowing for longer typing sessions without causing fatigue. On the other hand, the WS Onion switch with its heavier bottom out force is better suited for individuals who prefer a more substantial and robust typing feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference regarding actuation and bottom out forces for a comfortable typing experience.
Travel distance
The PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Wuque Studio WS Onion linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. The shorter travel distance of the Milk Tea switch may appeal more to gamers looking for faster response times, while the longer travel distance of the WS Onion switch may provide a more satisfying tactile feel for some users. Both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with the Milk Tea being slightly shorter than the WS Onion. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for key feel and response time.
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 Wuque Studio WS Onion has an MSRP of $7.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the WS Onion for $5.53.
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 known for its high-pitched and somewhat muted auditory profile, offering a unique blend that balances between presence and subtlety. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Onion linear switch is described as having a neutral sound profile, providing a moderate and well-rounded auditory experience. While the Milk Tea switch leans towards a sharper and crisper sound, the WS Onion switch offers a more balanced and versatile sound output suitable for various preferences. Ultimately, the sound of a switch is also influenced by factors such as the keyboard and keycap choice, so it's essential to consider these elements for a complete audio experience.
When it comes to feel, the Milk Tea linear switch is praised for its polished and silky typing sensation, offering a smooth and refined keystroke experience. The use of Ly for the stem material enhances the overall smoothness of each keystroke, ensuring effortless typing sessions for prolonged periods. In contrast, the WS Onion linear switch is known for its buttery feel, providing a fluid and seamless typing sensation that is deeply satisfying. With a combination of polycarbonate and nylon materials for the housing, the WS Onion switch delivers a comfortable and consistent tactile feedback that enhances the typing experience.
Overall, the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Onion linear switch offer unique subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Milk Tea switch excels in its high-pitched and polished characteristics, the WS Onion switch shines with its neutral sound profile and buttery feel. Both switches cater to different preferences and typing styles, providing users with a variety of options to enhance their mechanical keyboard experience. Whether one prefers a sharper sound with a silky feel or a neutral sound with a buttery touch, both switches offer exceptional performance and satisfaction for keyboard enthusiasts.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when deciding between the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Onion linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and typing needs. If you are looking for a lighter switch with a unique auditory blend and a smooth typing experience, the Milk Tea may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy switch with a buttery smooth keystroke feel and a neutral sound profile, the WS Onion could be the better option. Consider factors such as bottom out force, sound profile, and typing feel to determine which switch aligns best with your keyboard preferences. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will depend on what you value most in a mechanical keyboard switch.