Huano Acacia vs. HMX Poro
An in-depth look at the Huano Acacia and the HMX Poro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, selecting the right one can significantly impact your typing experience and overall enjoyment. The Huano Acacia stands out with its medium-light weight, generous factory lubrication, and minimal stem wobble, ensuring a pleasing typing feel straight out of the box. Its design makes it an excellent option for those who value a balance between tactile feedback and smooth actuation. On the other hand, the HMX Poro offers an incredibly silky keypress sensation, thanks to meticulous lubrication that enables an effortless glide. Its ultra-light actuation force paired with a satisfying poppy and clacky sound profile appeals to gamers and typists who enjoy an engaging auditory experience alongside their typing. While both switches are linear and cater to different preferences in terms of feel and sound, their unique characteristics make them appealing choices. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.70 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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
22mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
The Huano Acacia and the HMX Poro switches utilize different materials for their top housing, which significantly affects their sound profiles. The Acacia features a polycarbonate top housing, known for its stiffness and translucency, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. This is particularly beneficial for RGB lighting setups, as polycarbonate allows for better illumination through the housing. The contrast is evident with the Poro, which employs a nylon top housing. Nylon, being a softer plastic, produces a deeper and fuller sound profile by absorbing more sound waves. This difference in material choice distinctly shapes the auditory experience of each switch, with the Acacia providing a more vibrant sound and the Poro offering a warmer tone.
Despite the different materials used in the top housings, both the Huano Acacia and HMX Poro share nylon as their bottom housing material. This unity allows them to achieve similar deeper and rounder sound profiles when typing, as the nylon’s properties dampen vibrations to create a fuller auditory experience. The effect of the bottom housing is pronounced during key presses, contributing a consistent sound quality that complements whatever distinctive characteristics the top housings offer. Thus, even with a contrasting top, the use of nylon in both switches ensures that users experience a solid, reliable foundation in terms of acoustics.
In summary, the primary distinction between the Huano Acacia and HMX Poro lies in their top housing materials: polycarbonate versus nylon. While the Acacia’s polycarbonate upper generates a crisper sound suited for dynamic lighting, the Poro's nylon top yields a warmer sound. However, the similarity in bottom housing materials unifies the overall typing experience, as both switches invoke a similar depth and fullness that enhances their respective sound profiles. This interplay between materials—the sharper response of polycarbonate above and the dampened warmth of nylon below—highlights the nuanced ways in which housing materials impact keyboard performance and user experience.
Weight
The Huano Acacia and HMX Poro linear switches both feature an actuation force of 45 grams, indicating that they will provide similar responsiveness when it comes to triggering a keystroke. However, they differ in their bottom out forces, with the Acacia requiring 55 grams to fully depress, making it feel heavier compared to the Poro's 50 grams. This distinction highlights the Acacia's slightly more substantial feel when bottoming out, which might appeal to users who prefer a more pronounced typing experience. Ultimately, while both switches offer a comparable actuation force conducive to longer typing sessions, the Poro's lighter bottom out force might be more suitable for those favoring extended use without fatigue.
Travel distance
The Huano Acacia linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the HMX Poro linear switch features a slightly longer travel distance of 3.7 mm. This difference suggests that the Acacia provides a more responsive experience, making it potentially more suitable for gamers seeking quicker keypress reactions. On the other hand, the Poro, with its longer travel distance, may appeal to users who prefer a more substantial keypress feel, providing a sense of depth that some may find more satisfying. In summary, if you value responsiveness, the Acacia is the better choice due to its shorter travel distance, whereas the Poro may cater to those who appreciate a fuller and deeper keypress experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Poro has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Poro for $2.99.
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
When it comes to sound, the Huano Acacia linear switch is known for its relatively quiet operation, making it a great choice for those who prefer a more subdued typing experience. This is ideal for environments where noise might be a concern, such as an office setting. On the other hand, the HMX Poro linear switch offers a distinctly poppy and clacky sound profile, which can add a tactile auditory feedback to your typing experience. However, it’s worth noting that the overall sound can vary depending on the choice of keyboard and keycap materials, which makes both switches adaptable to different setups.
In terms of feel, the Acacia switch offers a medium-light weight that strikes a balance between ease of actuation and control. The generous factory lubrication ensures a smooth keypress with minimal stem wobble, contributing to an overall pleasant typing sensation right from the start. Conversely, the Poro switch provides an exceptionally silky smooth experience, emphasized by its ultra-light actuation force. This results in an effortless glide that is particularly appealing for those who enjoy rapid typing or gaming. Both switches, while different in their specific characteristics, offer a satisfying feel that can cater to diverse preferences.
In conclusion, both the Huano Acacia and HMX Poro linear switches present distinct qualities that cater to different typing preferences. The Acacia is tailored for a quieter experience with minimal wobble and a smooth action, making it suitable for users who need a more stealthy option. In contrast, the Poro switch shines with its lively sound profile and silky smooth feel, apt for users looking for sensory feedback during their typing sessions. Ultimately, when choosing between the two, consider your sound and feel preferences, as both switches deliver high-quality experiences suited to different situations.
Conclusion
To conclude, when deciding between the Huano Acacia linear switch and the HMX Poro linear switch, you should consider your personal typing preferences and needs. If you favor a medium-light bottom out force that offers a more controlled typing experience along with generous factory lubrication and minimal stem wobble, the Acacia might be the better choice for you. This switch provides an excellent feel right out of the box, making it ideal for those who prioritize a balanced typing experience and moderate tactile feedback. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter actuation force and a truly smooth keystroke, the HMX Poro will suit you well. Its 50-gram bottom out force allows for effortless typing with a delightful poppy and clacky sound profile, making it especially appealing for gamers or individuals who value a quick response in their keystrokes. Ultimately, your choice should align with your typing style—choosing Acacia for a more controlled experience, or Poro for an ultra-light, smooth feel.
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