Kailh Box White V2 vs. Huano Caramel Latte
An in-depth look at the Kailh Box White V2 and the Huano Caramel Latte switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboards, the choice of switches can significantly influence your typing experience. The Kailh Box White V2 switches stand out as a favorite among enthusiasts who appreciate a tactile, clicky feedback and an audible click sound that enhances the typing experience, making it particularly satisfying for typists and gamers alike. On the other hand, Huano's Caramel Latte switches offer a smooth, linear experience that provides a quiet yet gratifying keystroke, making them an excellent choice for those who prefer a consistent feel without the distraction of noise. With a medium actuation force of 50g and a bright, clacky sound profile, the Caramel Latte switches bring joy to each key press, making them a hit for both casual typists and gamers seeking speed and precision. While choosing between the lively feedback of the Box White V2 and the smooth operation of the Caramel Latte will depend on your personal preferences and typing style, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Box
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
Stainless steel
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Housing materials
When comparing the Kailh Box White V2 and the Huano Caramel Latte, the contrast in their top housing materials sets the stage for distinct auditory experiences. The Box White V2 utilizes polycarbonate for its top housing, a material celebrated for its stiff properties that contribute to a sharper and crisper sound profile. This results from polycarbonate's ability to resonate sound more clearly, making it an ideal choice for those who appreciate a high-pitched auditory feedback while typing. On the other hand, the Caramel Latte employs a POK (polyketone) top housing, which, while also promoting a smooth experience, has different characteristics. The POK material offers notable strength and wear resistance but lacks the same translucency and acoustic clarity that polycarbonate brings, potentially resulting in a different tonal quality despite the smoothness claimed.
In the bottom housing, both switches revert to a classic material, nylon, offering a unique point of commonality between the two. Nylon's inherent softness allows it to absorb sound effectively, which elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile that is consistently rounded in both switches. This similarity ensures that while the top housings project different sound profiles, the bottom housings work in tandem to create a cohesive auditory experience when typing. The nylon bottom housing's ability to dampen noise balances out the sharper tones produced by the polycarbonate in the Box White V2 and complements the softer acoustic feedback of the POK tops in the Caramel Latte.
As a result, while the Kailh Box White V2 and Huano Caramel Latte utilize different top housing materials that influence their sound characteristics, the shared nylon bottom housing provides a common acoustic foundation that enhances the overall typing experience. When you depress either switch, the bottom's qualities will come to the forefront, delivering a rich, deeper sound that softens the sharper notes from the polycarbonate or the clacking essence from the POK top housing. Therefore, despite their differences, users can expect a satisfying and smooth typing experience that balances the distinct profiles of both switches.
Weight
When comparing the Kailh Box White V2 clicky switch and the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch, the actuation forces are identical at 45 grams, providing users with a comparable feel when triggering keystrokes. However, the bottom out forces differ, with the Box White V2 bottoming out at 50 grams, while the Caramel Latte requires a slightly heavier push of 55 grams. This makes the Box White V2 lighter overall, appealing to those who prefer a more effortless typing experience, which can be beneficial for extended work sessions or gaming marathons. Conversely, the heavier bottom out force of the Caramel Latte offers a more substantial feel, catering to users who enjoy a stronger push and tactile feedback in their typing experience. In summary, while both switches share the same actuation force, the Kailh Box White V2 is lighter in overall feel, making it more suitable for lighter usage preferences.
Travel distance
The Kailh Box White V2 clicky switch and the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch both feature a travel distance of 3.6 mm, making their pressing experience quite similar. Since both switches have the same travel distance, users can expect comparable performance in terms of key feel and feedback during typing or gaming. This consistency in travel distance ensures that both switches will deliver similar results in terms of actuation depth and overall key responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Kailh Box White V2 has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Box White V2 for $3.00.
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
In terms of sound, the Kailh Box White V2 switch produces a pronounced and crisp audible click that stands out clearly with each keystroke. This clicky feedback is satisfying for users who enjoy a distinct auditory confirmation of their inputs. On the other hand, the Huano Caramel Latte switch has a bright and clacky sound profile. While it may not have the same sharp click as the Box White V2, the clacky sound can still provide a resonant auditory feedback, making typing feel lively and engaging. Both switches will still allow for variations in sound based on the keyboard layout and the type of keycaps used, but the Box White V2 is more pronounced in its clickiness.
When it comes to feel, the Kailh Box White V2 provides a strong tactile bump that clearly indicates the actuation point, making it ideal for typists who appreciate the feedback of tactile resistance. The switch has a certain crispness to its operation that enhances the typing experience. Contrastingly, the Huano Caramel Latte offers a smooth typing experience with its linear design, devoid of any tactile bump. This smoothness means that users will feel a seamless transition with each keypress, making it more suitable for those who prefer fluid and uninterrupted keystrokes without the tactile feedback of the Box White V2.
In summary, the Kailh Box White V2 and Huano Caramel Latte switches cater to different preferences in both sound and feel. The Box White V2 excels with its pronounced click and tactile feedback, appealing to those who enjoy an engaging and responsive typing experience. The Caramel Latte, with its smooth, linear movement and bright sound, offers a different but equally enjoyable typing sensation. Ultimately, both switches provide distinct experiences; your choice should align with whether you prioritize auditory feedback and tactile responsiveness or a smooth and fluid typing motion.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Kailh Box White V2 clicky switch and the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch ultimately hinges on your personal typing preferences and intended use cases. If you enjoy a pronounced tactile feedback and appreciate an audible click with each keystroke, the Kailh Box White V2 is a fantastic option; its lighter actuation force of 50 grams makes it ideal for fast typing and gaming, where quick responses matter. This switch is especially well-suited for typists who enjoy the satisfying sound and feel of a clicky switch, enhancing the overall typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth, consistent keystroke without the distraction of a click, the Huano Caramel Latte is the way to go. With a slightly heavier bottom out force of 55 grams, it provides a medium-light resistance that can lead to a more controlled typing experience, particularly beneficial in prolonged typing sessions or gaming where silence is preferred. The Caramel Latte’s smoothness and clacky sound can also be very appealing if you enjoy a distinct auditory feedback without the sharpness of a click. In essence, choose the Kailh Box White V2 for a lively, engaging typing experience, and opt for the Huano Caramel Latte if you seek a quiet yet satisfying linear switch.
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