Huano Caramel Latte vs. Bsun Chiikawa - 45g
An in-depth look at the Huano Caramel Latte and the Bsun Chiikawa - 45g switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the choice often boils down to personal preference, and two popular options to consider are the Huano Caramel Latte and the Bsun Chiikawa - 45g, both of which are linear switches but offer distinctly different experiences. The Huano Caramel Latte features a medium weight of 50g at bottom out and is celebrated for its bright, clacky sound profile, delivering a super smooth typing experience that gives every keystroke a delightful feel. In contrast, the Bsun Chiikawa - 45g's lighter actuation force enhances its responsiveness, making it perfect for users seeking a quick and nimble typing experience. While the Chiikawa switches produce a crisp, high-pitched sound, the Caramel Latte is known for its silky feel and satisfying acoustic feedback. Both switches have their unique advantages, contributing to a personalized typing experience, yet deciding between them requires further examination of their characteristics. 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
51g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 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
Y3X
Top housing material
POK
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
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-stage spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Huano Caramel Latte and the Bsun Chiikawa - 45g switches exhibit notable differences, particularly in their top housings. The Caramel Latte features a POK (polyketone) top housing, which is celebrated for its smoothness, durability, and resilience. With a higher coefficient of friction compared to other materials like LY, POK provides a slick typing experience while maintaining a strong structural integrity, boasting wear resistance that outstrips common materials like POM and Nylon. In contrast, the Chiikawa - 45g utilizes a polycarbonate top housing. Polycarbonate is known for creating a sharper and crisper sound profile due to its stiffer nature, which can lead to a more resonant and vibrant auditory experience. While both housings aim to enhance the tactile feedback of the switch, they provide different auditory landscapes, with the Caramel Latte delivering smooth, clacky sounds, and the Chiikawa emphasizing a clearer and more defined tone.
When examining the bottom housing materials, both the Caramel Latte and Chiikawa - 45g adhere to the use of nylon, a time-tested option in switch design. Both switches will elicit similar acoustic characteristics because nylon is inherently a softer plastic, renowned for its sound-absorbing qualities. This shared nylon bottom housing fosters a deeper and fuller sound profile, ensuring a pleasantly muted experience that stands in contrast to the sharper sounds produced by their respective top housings. The consistency of using nylon at the bottom allows users to enjoy a unified auditory experience despite the differences inherent in their top materials.
In summary, while the Caramel Latte and Chiikawa - 45g switches showcase differing top housings—POK for the former and polycarbonate for the latter—they both rely on nylon for the bottom housing, bridging a connection between their sound and feel. The individual strengths of the top materials contribute to their unique auditory and tactile performances, yet their shared nylon bottom housing serves to enhance and harmonize the overall typing experience. This careful balance of materials results in distinct yet complementary outcomes, allowing users to select based on their preferences for sound dynamics and tactile feedback.
Weight
When comparing the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch and the Bsun Chiikawa - 45g linear switch, both share an actuation force of 45 grams, making them equal in this aspect, which allows typists to enjoy a similar ease of activation for their keystrokes. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Caramel Latte has a slightly higher bottom out force of 55 grams, compared to the Chiikawa's 51 grams. This means that while both switches offer a light typing experience, the Caramel Latte will feel heavier when pressed all the way down. Consequently, users who prefer a lighter overall feel may lean towards the Bsun Chiikawa switch, while those favoring a more substantial typing sensation might opt for the Huano Caramel Latte despite both being categorized as medium-light switches.
Travel distance
Both the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch and the Bsun Chiikawa - 45g linear switch share the same travel distance of 3.6 mm, meaning that users can expect a similar tactile experience when pressing down on the keys of devices featuring either switch. Since both switches travel the same distance from the top to the bottom, they should provide comparable performance and feedback during typing or gaming sessions. Thus, individuals looking for consistency in key feel and responsiveness would be satisfied with either option.
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 Bsun Chiikawa - 45g has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Chiikawa - 45g for $3.29.
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 Huano Caramel Latte and the Bsun Chiikawa - 45g switches exhibit bright sound profiles that cater to enthusiasts looking for a more vibrant auditory experience. The Caramel Latte is defined by its clacky and high-pitched sound, which delivers a sharp and crisp feedback with every keystroke, invoking a satisfying and percussive quality that many typists enjoy. The Chiikawa - 45g also offers a bright sound signature, noted for its light actuation force and producing a similar crispness. This shared brightness makes both switches appealing for those who prefer a less bass-heavy, more attention-grabbing auditory experience in their typing.
In terms of feel, the Caramel Latte switch stands out with its exceptionally silky typing experience, allowing fingers to glide smoothly over the keys with minimal resistance. This quality enhances the overall typing experience, making prolonged use more enjoyable and less fatiguing. While there is no specific description available for the feel of the Chiikawa - 45g, the very light actuation force of 45g suggests a gentle and responsive touch that can contribute to a pleasant typing experience, albeit with potentially less pronounced smoothness compared to the Caramel Latte.
In conclusion, both the Huano Caramel Latte and Bsun Chiikawa - 45g switches offer bright sound profiles, perfect for typists looking for a lively auditory feedback, with the Caramel Latte providing a clackier sound that adds character. When it comes to feel, the Caramel Latte ensures a silky smooth experience, while the Chiikawa's lighter actuation may appeal to those who prefer a more responsive switch. Ultimately, while these switches have their distinctions, their shared qualities in sound and functionality provide an excellent foundation for comparable typing experiences.
Conclusion
To conclude, when deciding between the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch and the Bsun Chiikawa - 45g linear switch, consider your personal preferences and typing style. If you value a smooth keystroke with a little more weight, the Caramel Latte is an excellent choice due to its medium-light actuation force of 55 grams and its silky feel, which enhances the typing experience with delightful feedback and a satisfying clacky sound. This makes it particularly suitable for typists who enjoy a more engaged feel while still maintaining a light touch. On the other hand, if you’re looking for an incredibly responsive switch that requires less force to actuate, the Chiikawa - 45g might be the better option with its lighter 51-gram bottom-out force. Its bright, high-pitched sound profile adds an extra layer of crispness and is ideal for those who enjoy a snappier feedback without much resistance. In essence, if you prefer a tactile, engaging experience with a bit more weight, go for the Caramel Latte; but if you're seeking something light and perfectly suitable for rapid typing with a sharp sound, the Chiikawa - 45g will likely meet your needs better.
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