Kailh Box White V2 vs. Huano Matcha Latte V2

Overview

When choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, enthusiasts often find themselves torn between tactile feedback and smoothness—two essential characteristics that define the typing experience. The Kailh Box White V2 switches shine in their clicky nature, providing a gratifying tactile bump and an audible click with each keystroke, making them an excellent choice for typists who thrive on feedback and enjoy the nostalgic sound of traditional typewriters. In contrast, the Huano Matcha Latte V2 switches deliver a more serene typing experience with their linear design, characterized by a seamless keypress that requires minimal force and features a solid bottom-out feel. These switches come pre-lubricated and exhibit impressive stability with minimal stem wobble, offering a premium performance that’s accessible for various setups. Ultimately, the choice between these switches often boils down to personal preference—whether one favors the pronounced feedback of the Box White V2 or the smooth glide of the Matcha Latte V2. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities, so you can best decide on the ideal switch for your typing style.

By the numbers

Kailh Box White V2 Clicky

Huano Matcha Latte V2 Linear

$3.50

$3.00 per 10

$3.99 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

When comparing the Kailh Box White V2 and Huano Matcha Latte V2, the most notable distinction lies in the top housing materials. The Box White V2 utilizes polycarbonate, a material known for its rigidity and ability to produce a sharp and crisp sound profile. This characteristic makes it particularly favorable for switches intended for RGB lighting, as its translucence allows for effective light diffusion. In contrast, the Matcha Latte V2 features a polyketone (POK) top housing, which offers a smooth typing experience due to its low coefficient of friction. While polycarbonate's properties lead to a clearer and more resonant sound, POK contributes to a smooth and slightly clacky feedback, indicating an overall difference in auditory experience between the two.

Interestingly, both switches share the same bottom housing material—nylon. This unifying factor results in a similar deep and full sound profile for both switches when typing. Nylon's capacity to absorb sound enhances the bottom-out experience, leading to a muted and rounded auditory characteristic in both cases. Thus, while the top housings differ in terms of sound and feel, the nylon bottoms ensure that both switches retain that classic switch feel, contributing to a fuller experience. This similarity in bottom housing underscores the ability of both switches to create a satisfying typing experience, despite their differing top housings.

Overall, the combination of housing materials greatly influences the overall switch performance, sound, and feel. The Box White V2's polycarbonate top establishes a sharp auditory experience complemented by the nylon bottom’s deep sound, while the Matcha Latte V2 leverages its smooth POK top and nylon bottom for a more cushioned and clacky result. Despite their differences in top housing materials, the shared nylon bottom housing ensures that they will produce a rich and satisfying typing response, allowing users to enjoy the best of both worlds. Ultimately, this makes both switches suitable for different preferences, whether users seek crisp clarity or a smooth acoustic experience.

Weight

When comparing the Kailh Box White V2 clicky switch and the Huano Matcha Latte V2 linear switch, we find that both switches feature the same actuation force of 45 grams, providing a consistent tactile feedback when registering key presses. However, the Box White V2 has a bottom out force of 50 grams, which adds a bit more resistance when fully depressed, contributing to a more substantial typing experience. In contrast, the bottom out force of the Matcha Latte V2 is unknown, preventing a direct comparison. Therefore, while both switches share the same actuation force, the Box White V2 is the heavier option due to its higher bottom out force. This distinction means that typists who enjoy a lighter keystroke may prefer the Matcha Latte V2, while those seeking a more pronounced feedback will likely gravitate towards the Kailh Box White V2.

Travel distance

The Kailh Box White V2 clicky switch and the Huano Matcha Latte V2 linear switch both have the same travel distance of 3.6 mm. This means that when you press down on either switch, you will experience the same distance traveled from the top to the bottom, ensuring a consistent and familiar feel in typing or gaming scenarios. As a result, users looking for a switch that provides similar actuation experiences will find both options equally suitable in terms of travel distance.

Price comparison

Typing experience

The Kailh Box White V2 switches produce a distinctly crisp and pronounced click sound that many typists enjoy for its auditory feedback. This click not only enhances the typing experience by providing clear confirmation of key presses, but it also adds a lively character to any typing session. In contrast, the Huano Matcha Latte V2 switches offer a more subdued auditory profile, characterized by a smooth and quiet operation. The absence of an audible click allows for a more private typing experience, making them ideal for environments where noise levels need to be kept in check. However, it's important to note that the overall sound produced by any switch can also be influenced by the specific keyboard design and chosen keycaps.

When considering the feel of these switches, the Kailh Box White V2 is celebrated for its tactile feedback that gives users a noticeable bump at actuation. This tactile response makes typing feel engaging and responsive, appealing to those who appreciate the connection between their fingers and the keyboard. On the other hand, the Huano Matcha Latte V2 switches are tailored for a linear experience, providing a smooth and uninterrupted key press from top to bottom. This results in a softer feel during typing, emphasizing ease and fluidity over tactile feedback, which many find comfortable for long typing sessions.

In conclusion, the Kailh Box White V2 and Huano Matcha Latte V2 switches cater to different preferences in both sound and feel. While the Box White V2 excels in delivering an assertive click and tactile feedback, the Matcha Latte V2 prioritizes a smooth, linear experience with minimal noise. Depending on your typing style and environment, choosing between these two will ultimately boil down to whether you enjoy the lively engagement of a clicky switch or the serene flow of a linear one. Each switch offers its own unique qualities, ensuring that there's something for everyone in the mechanical keyboard community.

Conclusion

To conclude, your choice between the Kailh Box White V2 clicky switch and the Huano Matcha Latte V2 linear switch will ultimately depend on your personal preferences and typing style. If you enjoy a tactile experience and find satisfaction in the audible feedback of each keystroke, the Box White V2 is likely your best option. Its distinctive clicky sound and crisp feedback make it ideal for typists who relish a more engaging interaction with their keyboard, especially during long typing sessions or while gaming. Conversely, if you prefer a smoother and quieter typing experience, the Matcha Latte V2 is worth considering. With its minimal resistance and silky linear action, this switch provides a gentle feel that's perfect for those who value swift, uninterrupted key presses, making it an excellent choice for gamers or anyone who types for long periods. Ultimately, whether you lean towards the clicky excitement of the Box White V2 or the refined smoothness of the Matcha Latte V2, both switches deliver unique benefits that can enhance your overall typing experience.

Mentioned in this article

Kailh Box White V2 Clicky

$3.50

$3.00 per 10

Learn more

Huano Matcha Latte V2 Linear

$3.99 per 10

Learn more