United States: Free shipping on orders over $49

PH Studio Milk Tea vs. KTT Strawberry

An in-depth look at the PH Studio Milk Tea and the KTT Strawberry switches—which one is the best fit for you?

Overview

The PH Studio Milk Tea, a linear switch, and the KTT Strawberry, another linear switch, offer distinct characteristics that cater to different preferences and typing styles. The Milk Tea is designed for prolonged typing sessions with its gentle balance between presence and subtlety, thanks to its high-pitched yet muted sound and accessible 43.5g bottom-out force. On the other hand, the Strawberry switch is praised for its smooth actuation, comfortable feel, and reliable performance, housed in an attractive pink and clear casing. While the Milk Tea is known for being clacky and resonant, the Strawberry is described as low-pitched and buttery. Each switch has its unique qualities that may appeal to different users depending on their preferences. 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

43g

Bottom-out force

43.5g

Bottom-out force

62g

Pre-travel

2.00 mm

Pre-travel

1.90 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

Polycarbonate

Bottom housing material

POM

Bottom housing material

Polycarbonate

Mount type

PCB (5-pin)

Mount type

PCB (5-pin)

Spring

Single stage lengthened 22mm spring

Spring

Gold-plated

Housing materials

In comparing the housing materials of the PH Studio Milk Tea and the KTT Strawberry, we see that both switches utilize different materials for their top and bottom housings. The Milk Tea features a POM top housing, which creates a deeper and more muted sound profile, while the Strawberry opts for a polycarbonate top housing, offering a sharper and crisper sound. Similarly, the bottom housings of both switches follow the same pattern, with POM in the Milk Tea providing a deeper sound profile and polycarbonate in the Strawberry delivering a more resonant and clear sound. Overall, the differences in housing materials between the two switches result in distinct acoustical characteristics when typing.

One key point of contrast between the two switches lies in the sound profiles generated by their respective housing materials. The POM housing of the Milk Tea creates a pleasing and unique sound that leans towards the deeper end of the spectrum, while the polycarbonate housing of the Strawberry produces a sharper and higher-pitched sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate in the Strawberry's housing allows for RGB lighting effects, making it a visually appealing choice for those looking to customize their keyboard aesthetic. In contrast, the Milk Tea's POM housing offers a more subdued and understated sound profile that may appeal to users seeking a quieter typing experience.

Despite their differences, the housing materials of the PH Studio Milk Tea and the KTT Strawberry ultimately serve the same purpose of affecting the sound and feel of the switches. Whether it's the POM or polycarbonate top and bottom housings, each material plays a crucial role in shaping the overall typing experience. The split between the qualities of the top and bottom housings means that users will feel the impact of each material both when pressing down on a key and when releasing it, highlighting the importance of housing materials in determining the characteristics of a mechanical switch.

Weight

The PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch is lighter in terms of actuation force and bottom out force compared to the KTT Strawberry linear switch. The Milk Tea requires a lighter actuation force of 37.5 grams and has a lighter bottom out force of 43.5 grams, making it ideal for users who prefer a lighter typing experience. In contrast, the KTT Strawberry switch has a higher actuation force of 43 grams and a heavier bottom out force of 62 grams, providing a more substantial typing feel for those who prefer a bit more resistance. Overall, the Milk Tea switch offers a lighter typing experience, while the Strawberry switch offers a slightly heavier typing feel. These differences in force may influence the typing experience for users, with lighter switches being preferable for longer typing sessions and heavier switches providing a more tactile and responsive feel.

Travel distance

The PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the KTT Strawberry linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. In terms of travel distance, the Milk Tea offers a shorter distance compared to the Strawberry. The Milk Tea's 3.6 mm travel distance may appeal to gamers looking for faster response times, as shorter distances are preferred in gaming scenarios. On the other hand, the Strawberry's 4 mm travel distance provides a slightly deeper keystroke, which may be preferred by users who enjoy a more substantial feel when typing. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference for travel distance and the 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 KTT Strawberry comes in at $4.91 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

In terms of sound, the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch is characterized by a high-pitched and somewhat clacky sound, providing a crisp and percussive auditory experience. On the other hand, the KTT Strawberry linear switch is known for its low-pitched tone, offering a more bass-heavy and mellow sound profile. Both switches offer unique sound qualities that cater to different preferences, with the Milk Tea providing a sharper and more resonant sound, while the Strawberry delivers a smoother and softer auditory experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on whether you prefer a higher-pitched or lower-pitched sound in your mechanical keyboard setup.

When it comes to feel, the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch is described as providing a polished and silky typing experience, with smooth key travel and reduced friction. Conversely, the KTT Strawberry linear switch offers a frictionless and buttery feel, ensuring an effortless and uniform keystroke sensation. Both switches excel in providing a comfortable typing experience, with the Milk Tea emphasizing smoothness and refinement, while the Strawberry focuses on minimizing resistance and enhancing fluidity. Depending on whether you prioritize a polished and refined feel or a buttery and frictionless touch, the decision between the two switches will hinge on your personal preferences in typing comfort.

Taking all the available information into consideration, the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch and the KTT Strawberry linear switch offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Milk Tea stands out for its high-pitched and clacky sound profile, coupled with a polished and silky typing feel. In contrast, the Strawberry impresses with its low-pitched sound and buttery, frictionless typing experience. Both switches cater to different preferences and typing styles, providing users with a variety of options to choose from based on their auditory and tactile preferences. Ultimately, whether you opt for the Milk Tea or the Strawberry, you can expect a high-quality mechanical keyboard switch that enhances your overall typing experience.

Conclusion

To sum up, when considering whether to choose the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch or the KTT Strawberry linear switch, you should consider your preference for bottom out force, sound, and feel. If you prefer a lighter bottom out force and a unique auditory experience with a balance of high-pitched sound and muted essence, along with a polished and silky typing feel, then the Milk Tea switch would be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium bottom out force and a smoother, more buttery typing experience with an attractive pink housing, then the KTT Strawberry switch would be more suitable for your preferences. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will depend on your individual typing preferences and priorities.

Mentioned in this article