Huano Caramel Latte vs. HMX Deep Navy
An in-depth look at the Huano Caramel Latte and the HMX Deep Navy 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 the HMX Deep Navy offer distinct experiences tailored to different user preferences. The Caramel Latte switches are celebrated for their medium actuation weight of 50g, delivering a delightful, bright, and clacky sound profile that enhances the overall typing experience. These characteristics are particularly appealing for those who appreciate a tactile auditory feedback with each keystroke, ensuring that every message typed feels engaging and enjoyable. On the other hand, the HMX Deep Navy switches are crafted from a full nylon construction, providing a rich, sharp sound profile alongside their silky smooth actuation, thanks to their Ly stem. These switches might be ideal for users seeking an ultra-smooth and refined typing experience, potentially making them a perfect match for long hours of typing or gaming. Both switches present compelling reasons to be chosen based on personal preference for sound and feel; however, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the right switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
45g
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
Ly
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
20mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
The comparison between the housing materials of the Huano Caramel Latte and the HMX Deep Navy reveals distinct differences in their top housings. The Caramel Latte features a POK (polyketone) top housing that is notable for its smoothness and durability. With a coefficient of friction slightly higher than that of nylon, POK enhances the overall typing experience by contributing to a smoother action and a satisfying clacky sound profile. Moreover, its exceptional wear resistance, being 14 times stronger than POM, and superior shock resistance compared to both Nylon and POM, make it a robust choice for switch housings. In contrast, the Deep Navy employs a classic nylon material for its top housing, which is known for producing a deeper, fuller sound due to its softer properties. This choice, while effective in sound absorption and resulting in a rounder auditory experience, lacks the enhanced durability and smoothness offered by the POK material.
When it comes to their bottom housings, both the Huano Caramel Latte and the HMX Deep Navy utilize nylon, creating a unified characteristic in the sound profile of these switches. Nylon's inherent softness leads to a plush tactile feel and significant sound dampening, allowing for a rich bottom-out sound. Since the bottom housing has a primary influence on the overall typing experience—with more impact during the bottoming-out action—this similarity ensures that both switches maintain a deep, resonant sound despite the different top housing materials. Therefore, while the top housings contribute differently to the overall sound and feel, the shared nylon material in the bottoms serves to create a cohesive auditory experience.
In summary, the Huano Caramel Latte's POK top housing differentiates itself through its superior durability and smoothness, while the HMX Deep Navy's nylon top focuses on producing a softer, deeper sound profile. However, the consistent use of nylon in both bottom housings brings a shared acoustic characteristic to the table, emphasizing a full-bodied typing sensation. Consequently, while users may notice varying attributes based on the top housing material, both switches can deliver a similarly rich auditory experience, combining the unique benefits of their respective materials.
Weight
When comparing the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch and the HMX Deep Navy linear switch, clear differences in their actuation and bottom out forces emerge. The Caramel Latte features an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams, categorizing it as medium-light. In contrast, the Deep Navy is lighter with an actuation force of 40 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams. This makes the Deep Navy a better choice for those who favor a lighter feel during typing or gaming, as it requires less force to trigger a keystroke compared to the Caramel Latte. Additionally, with such different bottom out forces, the Deep Navy provides a softer bottoming out experience, which could be beneficial for prolonged use, while the Caramel Latte offers a more substantial push feel, catering to users who prefer a heavier switch feel. Overall, the Caramel Latte is the heavier switch, making it more suitable for users seeking a stronger typing experience, whereas the Deep Navy is the lighter option for effortless keystrokes.
Travel distance
The Huano Caramel Latte linear switch and the HMX Deep Navy linear switch both have a travel distance of 3.6 mm, resulting in similar tactile experiences when pressing down on their keys. Since both switches share the same travel distance, users can expect a consistent feel and feedback while typing or gaming across both options. Therefore, neither switch is shorter or longer than the other, making them equally efficient in terms of travel distance. This similarity means that enthusiasts looking for uniformity in their keyboard feel will find both switches satisfactory.
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 Deep Navy has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Deep Navy for $2.79.
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 comparing the sound profiles of the Huano Caramel Latte and HMX Deep Navy switches, both exhibit unique yet distinct auditory characteristics. The Caramel Latte produces a bright and clacky sound, which can be quite satisfying during typing sessions, giving it a lively and energetic feel that some users enjoy for both work and gaming. In contrast, the Deep Navy offers a rich and sharp sound profile, thanks to its full nylon construction. This distinct sound can provide a more pronounced acoustic signature, further enhancing the typing experience, particularly when one prefers deeper notes. It's important to note that these sound experiences can vary significantly based on the choice of keyboard, plate materials, and even the keycaps used.
When it comes to the feel of these switches, the Huano Caramel Latte is recognized for its medium weight of 50g at bottom-out, which contributes to a smooth and pleasurable typing experience—ideal for those who appreciate a switch that balances resistance without fatigue during long typing sessions. The Deep Navy, on the other hand, also offers a silky smooth feel. The Ly stem facilitates effortless keystrokes, making the typing experience fluid and enjoyable, akin to the Caramel Latte. However, the weight and tactile response may not be explicitly categorized in the provided data for the Deep Navy, leaving its exact nuances somewhat ambiguous.
In conclusion, both the Huano Caramel Latte and HMX Deep Navy linear switches present appealing characteristics that cater to different preferences. The Caramel Latte excels in providing a bright and playful sound with a smooth typing experience, while the Deep Navy captivates with its rich sound and silky keystrokes. If you favor auditory feedback and a lively typing atmosphere, you might lean towards the Caramel Latte; however, for a more pronounced acoustic profile with smooth operation, the Deep Navy is an excellent choice. Ultimately, both switches will deliver a satisfying typing experience, providing similar smoothness, making them worthy contenders in the mechanical keyboard landscape.
Conclusion
To conclude, choosing between the Huano Caramel Latte and HMX Deep Navy linear switches largely depends on your personal preferences and typing style. If you favor a slightly more tactile experience with a medium-light keystroke feel, the Caramel Latte may be the better option for you. Its bright and clacky sound profile adds an enjoyable acoustic element to your typing sessions, making each keystroke feel satisfying as you navigate through your work or gaming. On the other hand, if you prefer an ultra-smooth typing experience with an even lighter touch, the Deep Navy switches are an excellent choice. Their light 45-gram bottom-out force, combined with a rich sound profile and silky smooth feel, makes them ideal for extended typing sessions or fast-paced gaming. In essence, if you appreciate a more pronounced sound and slightly firmer feedback, opt for the Caramel Latte, while those who seek a smoother, quieter operation should lean towards the Deep Navy switches. Ultimately, your decision should align with your specific needs, whether it’s for daily use, gaming, or simply enjoying the tactile pleasures of typing.
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