Huano Caramel Latte vs. Bsun Cliff
An in-depth look at the Huano Caramel Latte and the Bsun Cliff switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to selecting mechanical keyboard switches, the choice often boils down to personal preference, and two popular options are the Huano Caramel Latte and the Bsun Cliff. The Caramel Latte is celebrated for its smooth, linear action, featuring a medium weight of 50g at bottom out and a bright, clacky sound profile that makes each keystroke not just functional but enjoyable. This switch is ideal for users who relish a seamless typing experience, making it perfect for both gaming and typing. In contrast, the Bsun Cliff offers a tactile experience with a medium level of tactility and a crisp sound signature, providing the satisfying feedback that many typists crave. This switch is particularly appealing to those who appreciate a more pronounced response, especially during long typing sessions. Ultimately, choosing between a linear switch like the Caramel Latte and a tactile switch like the Cliff depends largely on your individual typing style and sound preferences. 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
37g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.30 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Ly
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
Stainless steel
Housing materials
When comparing the top housing materials of the Huano Caramel Latte and the Bsun Cliff, notable differences arise from their respective compositions. The Caramel Latte features a POK (polyketone) top housing, recognized for its smoothness and durability. With a coefficient of friction of 0.04, it offers a slightly smoother keystroke compared to the polycarbonate used in the Cliff, which typically provides a sharper, crisper sound profile due to its stiffer nature. The POK material is also exceptionally resilient, being 14 times more resistant to wear than POM, and its shock resistance exceeds that of nylon and POM, contributing to a distinctively smooth, clacky feel. In contrast, the polycarbonate top housing of the Cliff emphasizes sound clarity, making it especially pleasing for users who prioritize auditory feedback over the tactile smoothness that POK offers.
Turning to the bottom housing, both the Huano Caramel Latte and the Bsun Cliff utilize nylon, a classic housing material known for its sound-absorbing qualities. The use of nylon in both models ensures a deep and fuller sound profile, as this softer plastic helps to dampen keystrokes, resulting in a more rounded auditory experience. Since both switches share the same bottom housing material, their fundamental acoustic characteristics in this regard will be similar. This similarity means that while the top housings contribute different sound profiles, the deeper sounds from the bottom housing remain consistent across both models.
Ultimately, the combination of the different materials in the top and bottom housings can lead to varied sound experiences. The Caramel Latte's POK top promotes a smooth and elegant typing experience, enhancing mechanical feel, while the Cliff’s polycarbonate top lends itself to a brighter sound signature, improving resonant feedback. However, with both using nylon for the bottom housing, users will perceive that deeper, fuller sound regardless of which switch they choose. Therefore, while they share nylon's sound characteristics in the bottom housing, the materials in the top housing significantly influence the overall typing experience and auditory feedback, creating unique results between the two.
Weight
When comparing the actuation and bottom out forces of the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch and the Bsun Cliff tactile switch, distinct differences emerge. The Caramel Latte requires an actuation force of 45 grams and reaches a bottom out force of 55 grams, categorizing it as medium-light. In contrast, the Cliff offers a lighter touch with an actuation force of just 37 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams. As such, the Cliff switch is the lighter option, making it potentially more suitable for users who prefer longer typing sessions without fatigue. Conversely, the Caramel Latte's heavier actuation and bottom out forces provide a more substantial typing experience, appealing to those who appreciate a stronger push feel. Overall, while both switches have their unique characteristics, the differences in force make the Bsun Cliff an excellent choice for a lighter typing experience, while the Huano Caramel Latte caters to those who enjoy medium-light feedback.
Travel distance
Both the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch and the Bsun Cliff tactile switch have the same travel distance of 3.6 mm, meaning that users can expect a similar feel when pressing down on either switch. This equal distance ensures that both switches provide comparable actuation experiences, making them suitable for those who prefer a consistent keystroke depth. Therefore, whether using the Caramel Latte or the Cliff, users will achieve the same amount of travel when pressing the keys.
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 Cliff has an MSRP of $2.75 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Cliff for $2.19.
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, the Huano Caramel Latte switches are characterized by a bright, clacky sound profile that adds an unmistakable auditory satisfaction to each keystroke. This lively sound can enhance the typing experience, making it feel more engaging. On the other hand, the Bsun Cliff switches provide a crisp sound signature that aligns with their moderate tactile feel. Both switches give you an enjoyable auditory feedback, though the Caramel Latte will likely appeal more to those who enjoy a more resonant sound, while the Cliff offers a cleaner, sharper auditory cue. Ultimately, the sound experience can also vary based on the specific keyboard build and keycaps used, which can contribute to a layer of customization in how each switch sounds.
In terms of feel, the Caramel Latte switch stands out with a super smooth typing experience, offering a weighty bottom-out force of 50g that invites prolonged typing sessions without fatigue. This fluidity can enhance productivity for those who type frequently. Conversely, the Cliff switches present a medium tactile bump that is both noticeable and satisfying, providing feedback that can help typists know when a keystroke has been registered. While the Caramel Latte emphasizes smoothness, the Cliff caters to those who enjoy tactile feedback, making both options appealing but for slightly different preferences in typing style.
In conclusion, both the Huano Caramel Latte and Bsun Cliff switches cater to different aspects of a satisfying typing experience. The Caramel Latte excels in offering a vibrant sound and smooth actuation, while the Cliff provides crisp sound and tactile feedback. Choosing between them will depend on your preference for sound dynamics and tactile sensations. If you desire a blend of smoothness with auditory excitement, Caramel Latte is the way to go. If you prefer an engaged, tactile typing experience with clean sound, the Cliff will definitely appeal to you. Each switch has its own strengths, and they both create enjoyable typing experiences, albeit through different qualities.
Conclusion
To conclude, choosing between the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch and the Bsun Cliff tactile switch ultimately depends on your typing preferences and the experience you seek. If you prefer a smooth and satisfying typing experience with a medium-light actuation force, the Caramel Latte switch may be your ideal choice, especially if you're drawn to the bright and clacky sound profile it provides. This makes it particularly suitable for those who enjoy rapid typing or gaming, where feedback and actuation speed are crucial. Conversely, if you lean towards a lighter touch with more tactile feedback, the Bsun Cliff switch would likely serve you better. With its 45-gram bottom-out force and medium tactility, it offers a distinct tactile bump that can enhance typing accuracy, making it a great option for typists who appreciate a more pronounced feel and sound, but in a quieter setting. Ultimately, your choice should align with whether you're looking for the smoothness and sound of the Caramel Latte or the crisp tactility and lighter actuation of the Cliff.
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