Huano Acacia vs. Haimu Neo White
An in-depth look at the Huano Acacia and the Haimu Neo White switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch, the Huano Acacia and the Haimu Neo White both offer enticing features that cater to different preferences. The Huano Acacia, known for its medium-light weight, generous factory lubrication, and minimal stem wobble, ensures a pleasant typing experience right out of the box, appealing to those who seek a reliable and consistent feel while typing. On the other hand, the Haimu Neo White provides a unique touch with its medium weight and reduced total travel, enhancing the typing experience through the rare use of a Ly stem that contributes to remarkably smooth actuation, making each keystroke both satisfying and efficient. While the Acacia excels in providing stability and comfort, the Neo White stands out for its distinctive actuation and responsiveness. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
58g
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
Ly
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
Double-staged spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Huano Acacia and the Haimu Neo White switches, it becomes evident that both switches utilize very similar components, providing comparable auditory and tactile experiences. Both models feature a polycarbonate top housing, which is known for producing a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate allows for a more pronounced resonance, enhancing the overall sound clarity. Additionally, its translucent quality makes it ideal for RGB lighting applications, ensuring that light diffusion is both adequate and visually appealing, irrespective of whether RGB effects are desired in a keyboard layout.
On the other hand, the bottom housing of both switches employs nylon, a classic choice celebrated for its sound-absorbing properties. This material's relatively softer composition leads to a deeper and fuller sound profile, creating a comfortable typing experience. When typing with either the Acacia or the Neo White, the nylon bottom housing contributes significantly to the overall auditory feedback, allowing typists to enjoy a rounder sound. In terms of performance, both switches exhibit the characteristic warmth and depth associated with nylon, resulting in a similar bottom-out sound and missed typing reverberations regardless of the switch you choose.
The combination of polycarbonate tops and nylon bottoms in both the Huano Acacia and Haimu Neo White reinforces the principle that the distinct characteristics of each material contribute to the switch's overall performance. Although the specific materials for top and bottom housings differ, their individual contributions to sound and tactile feedback harmoniously blend to create a cohesive typing experience. Therefore, users can expect a similar performance, with a crisp release and a satisfying impact upon bottoming out, ultimately making both switches attractive options for typists seeking a balanced blend of clarity and depth in their sound profiles.
Weight
When comparing the Huano Acacia linear switch and the Haimu Neo White linear switch, there are notable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Acacia switch features an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams, categorizing it as medium-light, which can make it more comfortable for prolonged typing sessions or gaming marathons. In contrast, the Neo White switch has an unknown actuation force but a bottom out force of 58 grams, which places it in the medium range and indicates a heavier feel when fully pressed down. While the exact actuation force for the Neo White is not provided, its higher bottom out force suggests a firmer typing experience. Consequently, the Huano Acacia is the lighter option, catering to those who seek ease during extended use, whereas the Haimu Neo White, with its heavier bottom out force, might appeal more to users who prefer a substantial and more tactile response in their switches.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Huano Acacia linear switch and the Haimu Neo White linear switch, the Acacia features a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Neo White has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.6 mm. This makes the Acacia the shorter option by 0.1 mm, which may appeal to gamers seeking faster response times due to the quicker actuation. On the other hand, the slightly longer travel distance of the Neo White can provide a more pronounced and hearty feel, which some users may find more comfortable for prolonged typing sessions. Both switches, however, remain within a close range, ensuring that the difference in user experience may be subtle for many.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Huano Acacia comes in at $3.39, whereas the Haimu Neo White comes in at $2.70.
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
When it comes to sound, the Huano Acacia linear switch exhibits a more distinct acoustic profile that caters to users preferring a subtle yet meaningful auditory feedback while typing. Although specific descriptors for the Acacia’s sound weren't provided, it's known that linear switches tend to deliver a quieter experience compared to tactile or clicky counterparts. On the other hand, the Haimu Neo White linear switch offers a neutral sound profile, characterized by a moderate actuation noise that strikes a balance between audible feedback and quiet operation. This makes the Neo White suitable for various environments, whether in a quiet workspace or a bustling home setting. While both switches lean toward a quieter experience, the subjective sound quality of the Acacia may provide a somewhat different auditory sensation.
In terms of feel, the Huano Acacia switch stands out with its medium-light weight, coupled with generous factory lubrication that drastically enhances the typing experience. Its minimal stem wobble adds to the overall smoothness, making it a pleasure to type on right out of the box. In contrast, the Haimu Neo White is known for its medium weight and slightly reduced total travel, providing a distinctive typing sensation. The use of a Ly stem contributes to its smooth actuation, ensuring that each keystroke feels effortless and satisfying. The Acacia offers a more buoyant typing experience, while the Neo White provides a smooth, mild mechanical touch that is approachable for most users.
In summary, both the Huano Acacia and Haimu Neo White linear switches deliver excellent typing experiences but cater to slightly different preferences. The Acacia excels with its light weight and lubrication for a fluid feel, while the Neo White impresses with a smooth actuation and a more moderate sensory profile. Though their acoustic and tactile qualities differ, both switches offer an engaging typing experience suitable for a broad range of users. Whether you lean towards the buoyancy of the Acacia or the gentleness of the Neo White, you will still enjoy a satisfying mechanical typing experience.
Conclusion
To conclude, both the Huano Acacia and Haimu Neo White linear switches have unique characteristics that cater to different preferences and typing styles. If you're looking for a typing experience that requires less effort and is immediately enjoyable, the Acacia switch is the way to go. Its medium-light weight, along with the generous factory lubrication and minimal stem wobble, means you can type swiftly with less fatigue, making it an ideal choice for long sessions or for beginners who might feel overwhelmed by heavier switches. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly firmer feel and a more defined actuation, the Haimu Neo White could be your best bet. With a bottom-out force that's a touch heavier and a distinctive smoothness due to its Ly stem, these switches are perfect for users who appreciate a balanced typing experience that leans toward the moderate side. Additionally, the neutral sound profile of the Neo White makes it versatile for various environments, whether you're at home or in a quiet office setting. Ultimately, your choice will depend on your personal typing ergonomics and sound preferences, so consider what aspects are most important to you as you make your decision.
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