Huano Caramel Latte vs. KTT Grapefruit
An in-depth look at the Huano Caramel Latte and the KTT Grapefruit switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to selecting the right mechanical keyboard switches, the choice often boils down to personal preference and typing style. The Huano Caramel Latte switch is celebrated for its medium actuation weight of 50g, providing a satisfying tactile response that pairs beautifully with its bright, clacky sound profile. This switch is designed for those who appreciate a smooth typing experience that enhances the pleasure of every keystroke. In contrast, the KTT Grapefruit switch offers a lighter touch, characterized by its soft and airy typing feel, accompanied by a deep, baritone sound that many users find appealing. The Grapefruit’s sound profile is described as low-pitched and neutral, making it an excellent choice for anyone seeking a polished and unobtrusive auditory experience. Ultimately, your decision may hinge on whether you prefer the Caramel Latte's more pronounced sound and moderate resistance or the Grapefruit's gentle touch and subtle acoustics. 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
53g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Huano Caramel Latte and KTT Grapefruit switches, we observe key differences in their top housing while maintaining the same bottom housing material, nylon. The Caramel Latte utilizes a POK top housing, notable for its incredibly low coefficient of friction of 0.04 and exceptional durability, being 14 times tougher than POM. This contributes to a smooth and clacky feel with heightened shock resistance, making it an optimal choice for those seeking a responsive typing experience. Conversely, the Grapefruit features a polycarbonate top housing, renowned for producing a sharper, more higher-pitched sound due to its stiffness. The translucency of the polycarbonate also lends itself well to RGB lighting, providing an aesthetic advantage that the more opaque POK material does not offer.
Despite the differences in their top housing, both switches share nylon as their bottom housing material. This commonality results in a deeper, fuller sound profile characteristic of nylon, which is absorbed more than harder plastics. The use of nylon in both switches ensures a consistency in the foundational tactile experience, regardless of the distinct sound and feel of the upper sections. This contrast means that while the overall sound signature between the two switches may vary, the shared nylon bottom ensures that users will experience a weighted and rounded sound when bottoming out on either switch.
Overall, the varying top housing materials create unique auditory and tactile differences between the Huano Caramel Latte and KTT Grapefruit. The Caramel Latte's POK top housing emphasizes smoothness and resilience, whereas the Grapefruit’s polycarbonate highlights a bright sound with vibrant aesthetics conducive to RGB applications. Despite these top housing discrepancies, the identical nylon bottom on both switches fosters a familiar and enjoyable base experience, ensuring that while the switches cater to different preferences, they still retain a shared quality that can appeal to users looking for durability and a satisfying sound profile.
Weight
When comparing the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch to the KTT Grapefruit linear switch, both exhibit an actuation force of 45 grams, categorizing them as medium-light options. This similarity means users can expect a comparable ease of keypresses when typing or gaming, making them suitable for extended use without fatigue. However, their bottom out forces differ slightly: the Caramel Latte has a bottom out force of 55 grams, while the Grapefruit's bottom out force is 53 grams. This means that the Caramel Latte provides a more resistant feel when fully pressed down, offering a slightly heavier typing experience compared to the Grapefruit. While both switches are generally lightweight, the Caramel Latte may be preferred by users seeking a firmer feel upon bottoming out, whereas the Grapefruit offers a slightly lighter overall touch.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch and the KTT Grapefruit linear switch, we find that the Caramel Latte has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Grapefruit measures 4.0 mm. This means that the Grapefruit offers a longer travel distance, providing a more pronounced feedback when pressing down on the key. For those who favor quicker response times typical in gaming setups, the Caramel Latte's shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm may be more appealing, as it allows for faster actuation. In contrast, the Grapefruit, with its greater depth, might be preferred by users who enjoy a more substantial key press experience. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on personal preferences for responsiveness versus key travel depth.
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 KTT Grapefruit comes in at $3.41 per 10 switches.
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 switches is characterized by a bright, clacky quality that gives a lively auditory feedback with each keystroke. This sound makes it particularly enjoyable for users who appreciate pronounced key presses. In contrast, the KTT Grapefruit switches produce a low-pitched, mellow tone that leans towards a baritone sound, which results in a more subdued yet satisfying auditory experience. While the Grapefruit switches are not overly quiet, their sound profile balances well against the typical higher-pitched clackiness of linear switches, making both suitable for various environments depending on personal preference.
In terms of feel, the Caramel Latte switches are noted for their consistently smooth performance, offering a medium weight of 50g at the bottom out. This weight strikes a good balance, making typing not overly strenuous or too light, thus suitable for extended use. On the other hand, the Grapefruit switches are known for their polished feel, which translates into a refined and smooth typing experience. The reduced friction and effortless key travel of these switches deliver a soft touch that many users find appealing. Both switches provide distinct typing experiences, with the Caramel Latte focusing on a satisfying resistance while the Grapefruit prioritizes a luxuriously smooth feel.
In conclusion, when comparing the Huano Caramel Latte and the KTT Grapefruit linear switches, each brings its unique qualities to the table in sound and feel. The Caramel Latte stands out with its bright sound and medium-weight feedback, providing an upbeat typing experience. Meanwhile, the Grapefruit offers a lower-pitched, polished typing experience characterized by its smoothness and soft touch. Depending on your typing preferences and the environment, either switch could provide a pleasurable experience, though they will present very different auditory and tactile sensations.
Conclusion
To conclude, when choosing between Huano Caramel Latte linear switches and KTT Grapefruit linear switches, you should consider your personal preferences and typing needs. If you enjoy a bright, clacky sound profile with a medium-light feel that provides a smooth typing experience, the Caramel Latte would be an excellent choice. Its slightly heavier bottom-out force of 55 grams, paired with a refined keystroke, makes it suitable for both casual gaming and typing sessions that demand a little more tactile feedback. On the other hand, if you prefer a softer, low-pitched sound along with a polished typing feel, the KTT Grapefruit might be more to your liking. With a slightly lighter bottom-out force of 53 grams, these switches offer a smooth and relaxed experience, ideal for long hours of typing without fatigue. The Grapefruit's mellow sound can also provide a more subdued atmosphere, making it a great option for work or quieter settings. Ultimately, your choice will boil down to the sound profile and feel that resonate most with your typing style.
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