Aflion Blue Sky vs. Huano Caramel Latte
An in-depth look at the Aflion Blue Sky and the Huano Caramel Latte switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing mechanical keyboard switches, the Aflion Blue Sky and the Huano Caramel Latte both offer distinct experiences tailored to different preferences despite being linear switches. The Blue Sky is celebrated for its long pole stem, delivering an exceptionally smooth and crystal clear typing experience, coupled with a polished sound profile that skews towards a sparkling high-pitched tone. This makes it an appealing choice for those who appreciate a refined auditory experience while typing. On the other hand, the Huano Caramel Latte brings a medium weight of 50g to the table, enhancing its bright and clacky sound profile. This switch promises a delightful combination of smoothness and an audible feedback that many typists crave, making each keystroke an enjoyable moment. While the Blue Sky excels in providing a quiet yet polished experience, the Caramel Latte stands out with its lively auditory character. 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
50g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
15mm spring
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Housing materials
The Aflion Blue Sky and Huano Caramel Latte switches exhibit contrasting materials in their top housings, which significantly influences their sound profiles and aesthetic qualities. The Blue Sky utilizes polycarbonate for its top housing, known for producing a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. This is attributed to the material’s stiffness, allowing for a more resonant acoustic performance, particularly beneficial for RGB lighting applications given its translucency. On the other hand, the Caramel Latte's top housing is made of POK, or polyketone, which is celebrated for its low coefficient of friction and durability. While it facilitates smooth actuation, sound-wise, POK contributes to a clackier sound profile that contrasts with the clarity of polycarbonate. Here, the material choices lead to different auditory experiences, with polycarbonate leaning towards clarity and brightness, while POK yields smoothness and warmth.
In terms of bottom housings, both switches utilize nylon, which contributes to a consistent deeper and fuller sound profile across both models. Nylon's inherent properties allow it to absorb more sound than harder materials, resulting in a softer, rounder keyfeel when typing. This means that despite their different top housings, both the Blue Sky and Caramel Latte share a common ground in sound dampening and tactile experience from their nylon bottoms. Consequently, users can expect a warm and full-bodied sound response stemming from the nylon, irrespective of the top materials used. This indicates that even with contrasting top housing materials, the bottom housing remains a stabilizing factor in the sound profile.
Considering the interaction between the two housings, while their top materials diverge in sound characteristics, the nylon bottoms ensure a depth and richness that is a shared experience for users. When actuating either switch, the distinct qualities of the top housing will influence the release sound and feel, while the nylon base ensures a consistent and satisfactory typing experience. Ultimately, this synergy allows both models to present an engaging sound profile while appealing to different preferences through their unique top housing materials, showing how diverse material choices can coexist to yield well-rounded performance.
Weight
When comparing the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch to the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch, there are notable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Blue Sky requires an actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams, making it a medium-weight switch ideal for those who prefer a more substantial typing experience. Conversely, the Caramel Latte has a lower actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams, categorizing it as medium-light and appealing to users who favor a lighter touch, which can reduce fatigue during extended typing or gaming sessions. Thus, the Aflion Blue Sky is the heavier switch, while the Huano Caramel Latte is the lighter option. These differences in force contribute to the typing experience, as the Blue Sky might provide a firmer feedback while the Caramel Latte allows for an easier keystroke.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch, a distinct difference becomes apparent. The Aflion Blue Sky features a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Huano Caramel Latte has a shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm. This means that the Blue Sky provides a deeper keystroke, which some users might prefer for a fuller typing experience, while the shorter 3.6 mm distance of the Caramel Latte may appeal to gamers seeking quicker response times and a more immediate feel. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches comes down to personal preference: those who enjoy a more pronounced depth may favor the Blue Sky, while those who value swift actuation might lean towards the Caramel Latte.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Aflion Blue Sky has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Blue Sky for $4.07.
The Huano Caramel Latte has an MSRP of $3.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Caramel Latte for $2.75.
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, both the Aflion Blue Sky and Huano Caramel Latte switches share a high-pitched characteristic, delivering sharp and crisp sounds upon actuation. The Blue Sky, while high-pitched, leans towards a more neutral sound profile, making it suitable for various environments, whether at home or in an office setting. In contrast, the Caramel Latte's sound is described as not only high-pitched but also prominently clacky, resulting in a bright and percussive auditory feedback that many typists find engaging. It's worth noting that the overall sound experience can vary based on the keyboard's build and the keycaps used, but both switches are aimed at providing a distinctly pleasing auditory output.
In terms of feel, the Blue Sky switches offer a mild and polished typing experience, characterized by gentle key presses that are easy to manage. The smooth and refined nature of these switches ensures minimal friction during keystrokes, enhancing the typing experience. Conversely, the Caramel Latte switches boast a silky feel, providing an exceptionally smooth experience, almost as if the keys glide smoothly without effort. Both switches excel in delivering a pleasant typing sensation, but the Caramel Latte's silky design suggests a slight edge in terms of minimizing resistance.
In summary, while the Aflion Blue Sky and Huano Caramel Latte switches both present high-pitched sounds, their auditory signatures diverge with the Blue Sky being more neutral and the Caramel Latte more clacky. When it comes to tactile sensations, the Blue Sky offers a mild and polished experience, whereas the Caramel Latte provides a silky smoothness that many typists seek. Overall, both switches cater to individuals who appreciate a linear typing experience, with slight variations that might appeal to different preferences depending on whether sound clarity or enhanced smoothness is prioritized.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch ultimately depends on your personal preferences in terms of typing feel and sound. If you appreciate a slightly heavier key press with a bottom-out force of 60 grams, along with a polished, crystal-clear typing experience, the Blue Sky switch will likely suit you well. Its high-pitched sound profile is perfect for environments where a less bassy sound is preferred, making it a great option for both home and office use. On the other hand, if you lean towards a lighter touch with a bottom-out force of 55 grams and enjoy a lively, clacky sound similar to what you might find in traditional typewriters, then the Huano Caramel Latte could be your go-to. These switches provide a silky smooth experience that enhances each keystroke, ensuring that typing feels effortless and enjoyable. In essence, consider the Blue Sky for a more refined and polished feel, whereas the Caramel Latte offers a fun and energetic typing atmosphere. Choose based on what best aligns with your typing style and the environment in which you'll be using your keyboard.
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