Gazzew Bobagum vs. Huano Strawberry Latte

Overview

When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Gazzew Bobagum and the Huano Strawberry Latte offer distinct experiences that cater to different user preferences, despite both being linear switches. The Bobagum is celebrated for its exceptional smoothness and unique 'matte' feel that creates a typing sensation that lies in between a glassy glide and the texture of unlubed switches. Users often gravitate towards the Bobagum for its almost silent operation, making it a great choice for quiet environments or late-night typing sessions. In contrast, the Huano Strawberry Latte, with its super smooth actuation and balanced sound profile, strikes a different chord by providing a pleasing auditory feedback that isn’t too loud or overwhelming. This makes the Strawberry Latte a wonderful option for those who enjoy a bit of sound without the distraction of a noisy keyboard. Both switches have their own merits—whether you prioritize muted operations with the Bobagum or the balanced auditory experience of the Strawberry Latte. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your typing style and preferences.

By the numbers

Gazzew Bobagum Linear

Huano Strawberry Latte Linear

$6.50 per 10

$3.50

$3.29 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The housing materials of the Gazzew Bobagum and the Huano Strawberry Latte exhibit both distinctions and similarities, contributing to their unique acoustic signatures and tactile experiences. The Bobagum utilizes a proprietary Gazzew blend for both its top and bottom housings, often termed "boba plastic." This material is celebrated for its softness, which promotes a rich and deep sound profile. In contrast, the Strawberry Latte features a POK material for its top housing, known for its impressive durability and smoothness, complemented by a classic nylon material for its bottom housing. The nylon provides a fuller sound profile, enhancing the overall acoustic characteristics of the switch when compared to the cushy output of the Bobagum’s consistent material choice.

One notable difference between the two is the resilience of the housing materials. The POK material in the Strawberry Latte boasts a striking coefficient of friction, contributing to a notably smooth typing experience while also offering exceptional wear and shock resistance. In contrast, the Gazzew blend, while soft and yielding a deep sound, does not match the durability metrics of the POK. Instead, it emphasizes softness that may contribute to different tactile feedback and sound when bottoming out. In terms of sound profile, the Gazzew blend's focus on softness enables a different auditory experience when compared to the Strawberry Latte's bright clackiness driven by the POK top and nylon bottom harmonizing together.

Moreover, the impact of each housing material behaves differently when the switch is engaged. The overall sound is influenced by the top and bottom housing's materials during both the press-down and release phases. The Bobagum’s homogeneous use of its proprietary blend creates a unified sound experience characterized by warmth and richness, emphasizing the bottom-out sound. Conversely, the combination of POK on the top and nylon on the bottom in the Strawberry Latte allows for a more dynamic interaction, where the POK heightens the leavings' sound quality while the nylon enriches the bottom-out sound. Consequently, even though both switches deliver an appealing typing experience, the specific material choices distinctly shape their acoustic and tactile performances, whether achieved through a singular proprietary blend or a dual-material approach.

Weight

When comparing the Gazzew Bobagum linear switch and the Huano Strawberry Latte linear switch, notable differences emerge in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Bobagum has an unspecified actuation force, but it features a bottom out force of 55 grams, categorizing it as medium-light. In contrast, the Strawberry Latte has a defined actuation force of 35 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, making it a lighter option overall. This means that while both switches offer a more responsive typing experience, the Bobagum requires more force to engage fully compared to the Strawberry Latte's lighter actuation. Additionally, the bottom out force of the Bobagum is heavier than that of the Strawberry Latte, suggesting a more substantial feedback feel when typing. Consequently, users who prefer a lighter switch for extended use may find the Huano Strawberry Latte more suitable, while those who desire a firmer typing experience may gravitate toward the Bobagum.

Travel distance

Both the Gazzew Bobagum linear switch and the Huano Strawberry Latte linear switch have the same travel distance of 3.6 mm. This similarity means that users will experience an identical key press depth when using either switch, resulting in comparable tactile feedback and actuation dynamics. Consequently, if you're looking for a consistent feel in your keyboard experience, switching between these two options will yield similar results in terms of how far down you press the keys.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Gazzew Bobagum linear switch stands out with its notably muted characteristics, producing a softer and quieter sound compared to typical mechanical switches. This makes it an excellent choice for environments where noise level is a concern, as it minimizes the clatter commonly associated with typing. In contrast, while the Huano Strawberry Latte linear switch offers a balanced sound profile, it falls somewhere in between being too quiet and overly resonant. This means that while the Strawberry Latte doesn’t create a disruptive noise, it nonetheless carries a more distinct auditory presence than the Bobagum, making it suitable for those who prefer a little more feedback without the clamor.

When considering the feel of each switch, the Bobagum truly excels with its unique 'matte' texture, which strikes a balance between a polished glide and the roughness of unlubed switches. This translates to an experience that feels incredibly smooth yet inviting. The gentle resistance offered by the Bobagum makes it suitable for both extended typing sessions and quick bursts of productivity, enabling a satisfying tactile response without causing fatigue in shared spaces. On the other hand, the subjective qualities of the Strawberry Latte's feel are currently unspecified, which leaves its overall tactile experience something of an unknown variable.

In conclusion, both the Gazzew Bobagum and Huano Strawberry Latte switches cater to distinct preferences, particularly in terms of sound and feel. The Bobagum’s muted sound and subtle, smooth texture make it ideal for quieter surroundings and comfortable typing experiences. The Strawberry Latte, while it produces a more noticeable sound, might still appeal to users who enjoy a little more acoustic feedback and are willing to trade off some quietness for that balance. Ultimately, while both switches can deliver satisfying results, the choice will come down to what auditory and tactile qualities the user values most in their mechanical keyboard experience.

Conclusion

To conclude, the choice between the Gazzew Bobagum linear switch and the Huano Strawberry Latte linear switch ultimately hinges on your personal preferences and typing environment. If you prefer a switch with a slightly heavier bottom-out force and a smooth, almost matte feel, the Bobagum is an excellent choice. Its muted sound profile and subtle resistance make it particularly suitable for shared workspaces where noise levels are a concern, allowing you to type with minimal distraction. On the other hand, if you enjoy a lighter touch with the 45-gram force of the Strawberry Latte, this switch offers a balance of sound that is neither too quiet nor overly resonant. The hyper-smooth action will provide a delightful typing experience, perfect for those who favor a gentle yet responsive feel. Ultimately, consider your typing style, noise sensitivity, and the environments where you will be using your keyboard. Both switches excel in their unique ways, catering to different types of users, so choose the one that resonates best with your typing needs and preferences.

Mentioned in this article

Gazzew Bobagum Linear

$6.50 per 10

Learn more

Huano Strawberry Latte Linear

$3.50

$3.29 per 10

Learn more