Huano Caramel Latte vs. HMX Caramel Pudding
An in-depth look at the Huano Caramel Latte and the HMX Caramel Pudding switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switches, the Huano Caramel Latte and HMX Caramel Pudding are two compelling options that cater to different user preferences while sharing a similar linear profile. The Huano Caramel Latte, with its medium weight of 50g at bottom out, is celebrated for its bright, clacky sound profile, providing a super smooth typing experience that enhances the joy of every keystroke. Meanwhile, the HMX Caramel Pudding also features a resonant, clacky sound signature and promises an exquisitely smooth typing feel, making it an attractive alternative for those who appreciate auditory feedback and tactile satisfaction. Both switches aim to elevate the typing experience by offering distinct sound characteristics and smooth actuation, allowing users to enjoy personalization in their mechanical keyboards. 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
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
52g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 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
POK
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-staged spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Huano Caramel Latte and the HMX Caramel Pudding switches reflect a nuanced approach to sound and feel in mechanical keyboards. The Caramel Latte utilizes POK (polyketone) for its top housing, which offers a remarkably low coefficient of friction and exceptional durability, making it one of the smoothest materials available. Its strength and shock resistance enhance the overall performance, contributing to a smooth, clacky typing experience. Conversely, the Caramel Pudding features nylon as its top housing material, which is known for its softer characteristics that absorb sound, resulting in a deeper and fuller auditory profile. This stark contrast reveals how the choice of material fundamentally alters the user's typing experience, with the Caramel Latte focusing on smoothness and durability and the Caramel Pudding emphasizing sound absorption.
Both switch models incorporate nylon for their bottom housings, providing a consistent auditory signature that favors a duller and rounder sound. This shared material ensures that users can expect a similar acoustic feedback when bottoming out on either switch. The nylon's sound-absorbing qualities mean that regardless of the upper housing differences, both switches will produce a satisfying and stable sound profile when pressed down. Therefore, whether one prefers the smoothness of the Caramel Latte’s POK top or the sound-centric design of the Caramel Pudding’s nylon top, the experience will still share the comforting resonance derived from the nylon bottom.
Ultimately, the combination of materials between these two switches showcases how mechanical design can optimize different aspects of performance. The Caramel Latte's use of POK creates a focus on smoothness and durability from the top housing while maintaining an acoustic consistency through the nylon bottom. Meanwhile, the Caramel Pudding's nylon top softens the sound profile but maintains the deeper tone expected from the nylon base. As such, users can find a satisfying balance between tactile feedback and auditory satisfaction, depending on which attributes they prioritize in their typing experience.
Weight
The Huano Caramel Latte and HMX Caramel Pudding linear switches both have the same actuation force of 45 grams, indicating that users will experience a similar ease of typing when initiating keystrokes with either switch. However, the bottom out forces differ slightly, with the Caramel Latte featuring a bottom out force of 55 grams while the Caramel Pudding has a lower bottom out force of 52 grams. As a result, while both switches offer a medium-light typing experience, the Caramel Latte provides a heftier feel when fully pressed down, which may appeal to those who prefer a more substantial typing experience. Conversely, the Caramel Pudding's lighter bottom out force may offer a more relaxed typing experience, making it better suited for those who prioritize prolonged comfort, particularly during long work sessions or extended gaming. Overall, the Caramel Latte is the heavier option, while the Caramel Pudding is lighter, giving users a choice based on their personal preferences for typing feel.
Travel distance
Both the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch and the HMX Caramel Pudding linear switch have the same travel distance of 3.6 mm, meaning that users will experience a similar feel when pressing down on keys equipped with either switch. This identical travel distance indicates that both switches should provide comparable tactile feedback and overall performance during use. Given that both switches share this characteristic, users can expect a consistent typing experience regardless of their choice between the two.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
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.
The HMX Caramel Pudding has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Caramel Pudding for $2.99.
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, both the Huano Caramel Latte and HMX Caramel Pudding switches produce a bright, clacky sound profile that many users find engaging and satisfying. The Caramel Latte has a particularly lively auditory character, contributing to an overall enjoyable typing experience. Similarly, the Caramel Pudding also boasts a resonant clack, ensuring that each keystroke is noticeably heard. While the specific tonal qualities may differ slightly between the two, users can expect a vibrant auditory feedback from both switches, although the final sound will also depend on the choice of keyboard and keycaps.
When it comes to feel, the Caramel Latte is known for its super smooth typing experience, with a medium weight of 50g at the bottom out, which helps provide a balanced touch. The Caramel Pudding, on the other hand, is also noted for its exquisitely smooth typing sensation. This shared characteristic of smoothness suggests that typing on either switch will feel fluid and effortless, making both options suitable for those who prioritize a pleasant tactile experience.
In conclusion, both the Huano Caramel Latte and HMX Caramel Pudding linear switches deliver a compelling auditory and tactile experience. Their bright sound profiles and smooth feel make them great choices for typists and gamers alike. While there are slight differences in weight and resonance, users can expect similar overall characteristics, ensuring an enjoyable typing journey regardless of which switch they choose.
Conclusion
To wrap up, choosing between Huano Caramel Latte and HMX Caramel Pudding linear switches ultimately depends on your personal preferences and typing style. If you enjoy a slightly heavier key press and a bright, clacky sound profile that makes each keystroke feel particularly satisfying, then the Huano Caramel Latte, with its medium-light bottom-out force of 55 grams, might be your ideal pick. This switch is designed for those who relish a smooth typing experience that offers both tactile feedback and auditory pleasure. On the other hand, if you prefer an even lighter touch with a bottom-out force of 52 grams combined with an exceptionally smooth feel, the HMX Caramel Pudding may be the better choice for you. Its resonant sound signature, paired with a buttery smooth keystroke, makes it a great option for those who prioritize a whisper-soft yet responsive typing experience. Ultimately, your decision should reflect not only the sound and feel you prefer but also the type of tasks you plan to execute on your keyboard, whether that's gaming, typing long documents, or coding.
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