Huano Caramel Latte vs. Durock Dolphin
An in-depth look at the Huano Caramel Latte and the Durock Dolphin switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing mechanical keyboard switches, the Huano Caramel Latte and the Durock Dolphin stand out as popular linear options, each offering unique characteristics to enhance the typing experience. The Huano Caramel Latte, with its medium weight of 50g at bottom out, is celebrated for its bright, clacky sound profile and ultra-smooth actuation, making it a delightful choice for those who enjoy a more acoustic feedback during their keystrokes. In contrast, the Durock Dolphin provides a muted and polished typing experience, featuring a medium-heavy actuation force of 62g that offers a satisfying, substantial feel while remaining whisper-quiet, which is ideal for office environments where noise control is a priority. Both switches cater to different preferences—whether you prioritize auditory feedback or a more subdued, tactile response. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.80 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
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
Gold-plated spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Huano Caramel Latte and the Durock Dolphin, notable differences emerge in their top housings. The Caramel Latte features a POK (polyketone) material, which is recognized for its exceptional smoothness and durability. With a coefficient of friction of 0.04, it offers a tactile experience that's slightly superior to LY's 0.03. Additionally, POK's strength and wear resistance are impressive, at 14 times more resilient than POM, making it a practical choice for long-lasting switches. In contrast, the Dolphin's top housing is made of polycarbonate, known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile due to its stiffer structure. This material's translucency not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of RGB lighting but also provides a distinct resonance when typing. Thus, while both materials serve the purpose of housing, they influence the sound and tactile sensations experienced during use differently.
On the other hand, the bottom housings of both switches are made from nylon— a classic choice in switch construction. Both the Caramel Latte and Dolphin utilize nylon's acoustic properties to deliver a deeper and fuller sound profile. As a softer plastic, nylon effectively absorbs sound, producing a duller and rounder auditory experience compared to harder materials. This shared characteristic means that regardless of the differences in their top housings, users can expect a similar sound quality from both switches when engaging with the bottom housing. The shared use of nylon serves as a unifying factor, hinting at the consistency of sound profile creation even amid contrasting top housing materials.
Overall, the interplay between the different top housing materials and the common bottom housing in the Caramel Latte and Dolphin switches highlights how sound profiles and tactile sensations are influenced by material choice. While the POK and polycarbonate top housings yield distinctive auditory qualities—smooth and clacky for the Caramel Latte and sharp and crisp for the Dolphin—both switches provide a rich auditory experience at the bottom due to their shared use of nylon. Therefore, while each switch delivers a unique typing experience influenced by its top housing, the nylon bottom ensures a cohesive auditory depth that ties the two designs together.
Weight
When comparing the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch and the Durock Dolphin linear switch, there are notable differences in both actuation and bottom out forces. The Caramel Latte features a relatively light actuation force of 45 grams, making it ideal for those who prefer a less strenuous typing experience, particularly beneficial for long work sessions or gaming marathons. In contrast, the Durock Dolphin has an unknown actuation force, but its bottom out force is stronger at 62 grams, indicating a firmer feel when fully pressed down. Consequently, the Dolphin is considered heavier overall. While the Caramel Latte’s bottom out force is 55 grams, which is also medium-light, this makes it slightly easier to press than the Dolphin but still provides a satisfying pushback. Therefore, the heavier Dolphin would suit users seeking a more substantial typing experience, while the lighter Caramel Latte caters to those who favor a softer touch. If both actuation forces were known to be equal, users could expect similar results in typing feel, but as it stands, the distinction in forces suggests their respective audiences will appreciate different characteristics in typing feedback.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch and the Durock Dolphin linear switch, there is a noticeable difference: the Caramel Latte has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Dolphin has a longer travel distance of 3.8 mm. This makes the Huano Caramel Latte the shorter option, which may appeal to gamers or those seeking a more responsive feel with faster key presses. On the other hand, the Durock Dolphin, with its deeper travel distance, might be more suitable for users who enjoy a more substantial typing experience and prefer a hearty depth when pressing their keys. Ultimately, the choice between these two options will depend on individual preferences regarding the balance between responsiveness and typing comfort.
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 Durock Dolphin has an MSRP of $6.87 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Dolphin for $5.41.
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
The sound profile of the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch is characterized by a bright, clacky tone, which adds a lively auditory feedback to your typing experience. In contrast, the Durock Dolphin linear switch is designed to offer a muted sound environment, producing quieter keystrokes that are low-pitched and focus on a softer, bass-heavy resonance. This makes the Dolphin an excellent option for those concerned about noise in shared spaces, while the Caramel Latte may be more suitable for personal use where sound is less of an issue.
When it comes to feel, the Caramel Latte switch boasts a super smooth typing experience, allowing for effortless key presses that enhance the pleasure of typing. On the other hand, the Durock Dolphin provides a more substantial feel with its medium-heavy actuation force of 62g, which adds a satisfying resistance to each key press. The Dolphin is noted for its polished finish, resulting in reduced friction and a sleek typing experience, while the Caramel Latte switch's specific feel is not detailed but can be expected to be smooth as well.
In summary, the Huano Caramel Latte and Durock Dolphin linear switches cater to different preferences and environments. If you enjoy a lively sound and a smooth feel, the Caramel Latte would be favorable. Conversely, if you require a quieter switch with a more substantial actuation force and a polished finish, the Dolphin would be ideal. Ultimately, both switches provide enjoyable typing experiences, but your choice will depend on the importance of sound versus the tactile sensation for your specific needs.
Conclusion
To conclude, the choice between the Huano Caramel Latte and the Durock Dolphin linear switches ultimately depends on your specific typing preferences and environment. If you enjoy a lighter typing experience with a smooth and responsive feel, the Caramel Latte is an excellent choice, providing a fantastic tactile feedback complemented by its bright and clacky sound profile that energizes your keystrokes. This switch is particularly suitable for gaming or personal use in noisier settings where sound isn't a primary concern. On the other hand, if you are in a quieter workspace and require a more substantial press with a muted, low-pitched sound, the Durock Dolphin would be your go-to option. With a bit more actuation force and a polished finish, these switches deliver a refined typing experience without distracting noise, making them ideal for office environments or shared spaces. Ultimately, selecting the right switch comes down to balancing your preference for sound, feel, and the context in which you’ll be using your keyboard.
Mentioned in this article
