Huano Acacia vs. Huano Elf
An in-depth look at the Huano Acacia and the Huano Elf switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to selecting the perfect linear switch for your mechanical keyboard, the Huano Acacia and the Huano Elf offer distinct yet appealing options that cater to different preferences. The Acacia stands out with its medium-light weight, generous factory lubrication, and minimal stem wobble, ensuring an exceptional typing experience right out of the box. This makes it a fantastic choice for users seeking a smooth and consistent feel without the need for additional modifications. On the other hand, the Huano Elf features a POK top housing designed to enhance acoustics, delivering a deep sound signature paired with a similar medium-light feel for a satisfying typing experience. The Elf's acoustic profile might attract those who appreciate a more auditory feedback while typing, making it an engaging choice for both gamers and typists alike. 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
45g
Actuation force
42g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
POK
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
Stainless steel spring
Housing materials
The Huano Acacia and Huano Elf switches feature distinct materials for their top housings, which influence their sound profiles in unique ways. The Acacia employs polycarbonate for its top housing, a material known for creating a sharper, clearer, and crisper sound due to its stiffness. On the other hand, the Elf utilizes POK, or polyketone, which enhances smoothness and delivers a clackier sound. While both materials are designed to enhance the acoustics of the switches, the polycarbonate top of the Acacia is especially effective in showcasing RGB lighting due to its translucency, whereas the POK material of the Elf focuses more on durability and strength. Therefore, although both switches can achieve high-quality audio experiences, the specific characteristics of their top housing materials cater to different preferences in sound clarity and tactile feedback.
In contrast, both the Acacia and Elf switches use nylon for their bottom housings, a choice that aligns them closely in terms of their acoustic properties. Nylon's inherent softness leads to a deeper, fuller sound profile that absorbs more sound compared to the harder plastics utilized in their top housings. This material similarity means that users will experience a comparable bottom-out sound and tactile feel when typing on either switch. Since both switches rely on nylon at the bottom, their base sound characteristics will resonate similarly, maintaining a rounded auditory experience regardless of the differences presented in the upper hosing materials.
The divergence in materials for the top housings of the Acacia and Elf suggests that they will deliver different auditory experiences, yet the use of nylon in the bottom housing of both switches helps create a cohesive element in their overall sound profiles. The contrast between the sharper sound from the Acacia's polycarbonate top and the clacky resonation from the Elf's POK top will be noticeable, but the shared nylon bottom grounds both designs with that characteristic soft sound. As a result, for users looking to explore diverse auditory textures, both switches offer unique experiences without sacrificing the deeper quality of sound attributed to nylon, thus allowing for a balance between distinct upper and unified lower sound influences.
Weight
The Huano Acacia and Huano Elf linear switches present an interesting comparison in terms of actuation and bottom out forces. The Acacia boasts an actuation force of 45 grams, while the Elf is slightly lighter at 42 grams, making it the preferable choice for those who favor a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions. In terms of bottom out force, the Acacia provides a clearly defined measurement at 55 grams, indicating a medium-light resistance when fully depressed. Conversely, the bottom out force of the Elf is currently unknown, leaving a gap in our ability to fully assess its performance during deep keystrokes. As such, if the Elf were to match the Acacia's bottom out force, users would likely experience similar typing dynamics; however, without that specific measure, the comparison lacks completeness. In summary, while the Huano Elf is the lighter option for actuation, the Acacia defines a more structured resistance at bottoming out, appealing to those who appreciate a firmer touch.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Huano Acacia and the Huano Elf linear switches, we find that the Acacia has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Elf measures slightly longer at 3.6 mm. This difference of just 0.1 mm means that the Acacia offers a shorter travel distance compared to the Elf. For gamers who prioritize rapid response times, the Acacia might be the more appealing option due to its slightly shorter distance, likely resulting in a quicker key actuation. Conversely, the Elf, with its greater travel distance, may provide a more substantial and satisfying feel for those who appreciate a deeper press. As a result, your choice between the two switches may hinge on your preference for responsiveness versus depth in key presses.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Huano Elf has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Elf for $3.29.
The Huano Acacia comes in at $3.39 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 Huano Acacia linear switch produces a sound that is smooth and refined, thanks to its generous factory lubrication which minimizes any unintended noise and ensures a pleasant typing experience. On the other hand, the Huano Elf switch offers a deeper sound signature, attributed to its POK top housing which enhances acoustics. While both switches share a medium-light weight, the choice of the keycap material and the keyboard construction can also greatly influence the overall sound profile each produces, making them dependent on external factors as well.
Regarding feel, the Acacia switch stands out with its medium-light weight and minimal stem wobble, allowing for a consistent typing experience that can be enjoyed right out of the box. The Elf, while also exhibiting a medium-light touch, is crafted to provide a different tactile sensation that some users may find uniquely satisfying. The combination of these attributes contributes to a typing experience that is enjoyable and responsive, but individual preferences will determine which one resonates more personally.
In conclusion, both switches excel in their own right, with the Acacia emphasizing a smooth and refined auditory experience and the Elf embracing a richer sound profile. While the feel of each switch remains comparable in their medium-light responsiveness, the choice between them may ultimately come down to personal sound preference and the specific typing experience one seeks. Whether choosing the Acacia for its consistency or the Elf for its acoustic enhancement, either switch promises an enjoyable mechanical keyboard experience.
Conclusion
To conclude, when choosing between the Huano Acacia linear switch and the Huano Elf linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and typing style. If you prefer a switch that offers a medium-light feel, excellent out-of-the-box performance, and minimal stem wobble, the Acacia is a great choice. Its well-lubricated mechanism provides a smooth typing experience, making it ideal for prolonged usage and general typing tasks. On the other hand, if you are drawn to enhanced acoustics and a deep sound signature, the Elf switch may be the better option for you. With its unique POK top housing, the Elf can deliver a satisfying typing experience, particularly for those who enjoy auditory feedback as part of their typing rhythm. Overall, if your focus is on a smooth and reliable feel with solid factory lubrication, go for the Huano Acacia. Conversely, if sound quality and a distinctive acoustic experience resonate with you, the Huano Elf is worth considering.
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