Huano Caramel Latte vs. HMX Sillyworks Hyacinth V2U

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboards, the choice of switches can dramatically affect your typing experience. The Huano Caramel Latte is a standout linear switch, renowned for its medium weight of 50g at bottom-out and its bright, clacky sound profile, which delivers a super smooth and enjoyable keystroke with every press. In contrast, the HMX Sillyworks Hyacinth V2U offers a more traditional typing experience with a fuller travel distance of 3.9mm, complemented by a bouncier 22mm spring, creating a unique balance between nostalgia and modernity. The V2Us, made from nylon, provide a softer, bassier sound, characterized as 'Neutral', 'Polished', 'Silky', and 'Subdued.' While the Caramel Latte excels in providing a lively and exciting typing experience, the Hyacinth V2U caters to those who appreciate a more classic feel with a contemporary twist. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your personal preference.

By the numbers

Huano Caramel Latte Linear

HMX Sillyworks Hyacinth V2U Linear

$3.00

$2.75 per 10

$3.50

$2.91 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The Huano Caramel Latte and the HMX Sillyworks Hyacinth V2U showcase different materials in their top housings, which significantly influence their sound profiles and tactile experiences. The Caramel Latte features a POK top housing, known for its smoothness and durability, which is enhanced by a very low coefficient of friction of 0.04. This material’s robust properties result in a clacky sound profile when actuated, providing users with a reliable and pleasant auditory feedback. In contrast, the Hyacinth V2U employs polycarbonate for its top housing, which offers a sharper, higher-pitched sound due to its stiffer structure. This stiffer plastic not only contributes to more resonant sound characteristics but also enhances the visual appeal of the switch, especially when paired with RGB lighting due to its translucency. While both switches aim for smooth operation, the Caramel Latte leans towards a deeper, hollow sound profile, whereas the Hyacinth V2U accentuates clarity and sharpness.

When it comes to the bottom housing, both switches employ nylon, a classic material that resonates similarly in both designs. The nylon in the Caramel Latte and the Hyacinth V2U serves to absorb sound more effectively than harder plastics, resulting in a deeper and fuller auditory experience. This shared bottom housing material contributes to a duller and rounder sound profile, effectively complementing the respective top housings' characteristics in both switches. While the top housings are distinct in their contribution to the sound profile, the nylon bottom housing ensures that the signature deeper sound is consistent across both models when the keys are bottomed out.

The differences in top housing materials are essential for understanding how each switch performs overall. The Caramel Latte's POK material is designed for smoothness and durability, while the Hyacinth V2U's polycarbonate focuses on crispness and clarity. However, since both switches utilize nylon for their bottom housing, they exhibit comparable deeper sound profiles when pressed down. The interaction between the materials means that while the experience of tactile feedback and sound might vary during the actuation phase due to their respective top housings, the overall resonance felt when bottoming out remains harmonized through the properties of nylon. This thoughtful combination ensures that users can expect similar results in terms of sound depth, despite the contrasting tactile experiences presented by the top housings.

Weight

The Huano Caramel Latte linear switch and the HMX Sillyworks Hyacinth V2U linear switch exhibit similar actuation forces, both requiring 45 grams to trigger a keystroke. This similarity means users can expect a comparable typing experience when it comes to the effort needed to press each key. However, the bottom out forces differ slightly, with the Caramel Latte reaching a force of 55 grams, while the Hyacinth V2U bottoms out at 52 grams. This makes the Caramel Latte switch feel slightly heavier overall, particularly during the bottoming out phase, which can contribute to a more substantial typing experience. Therefore, while both switches are categorized as medium-light and share the same actuation force for triggering, the Caramel Latte is the heavier option due to its higher bottom out force, appealing to those who prefer a firmer feel when pressing keys.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch and the HMX Sillyworks Hyacinth V2U linear switch, we find that the Caramel Latte features a shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Hyacinth V2U has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.9 mm. This difference indicates that if you're looking for a switch that offers quicker response times, the Caramel Latte may be more appealing due to its shorter travel distance. In contrast, the Hyacinth V2U, with its greater travel distance, may provide a more satisfying depth for those who prefer a more substantial keypress. Ultimately, your choice between the two switches will depend on your personal preference for responsiveness versus depth.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Huano Caramel Latte switch is characterized by its bright, clacky sound profile, which delivers a lively auditory feedback with each keystroke. This energetic sound can enhance the overall typing experience, making each press feel satisfying and engaging. In contrast, the HMX Sillyworks Hyacinth V2U features a softer, bassier sound signature coupled with a more subdued profile. The neutral and subdued qualities of the V2U make it a versatile choice, creating a balance suitable for various environments, whether at home or in an office setting. While the Caramel Latte may draw attention with its brightness, the Hyacinth V2U provides a more muted experience, allowing for typing that is less disruptive.

When evaluating the feel of these switches, the Caramel Latte offers a super smooth typing experience, allowing for a pleasant flow that shouldn’t hinder typing performance. The specifics on the texture and finish of the Caramel Latte are not detailed, but its medium weight of 50g bottom out contributes positively to its overall tactile experience. On the other hand, the Sillyworks Hyacinth V2U is described as polished and silky, suggesting a finely-tuned refinement in both the materials and possibly factory lubrication. This enhances the typing experience with minimal friction throughout the key travel, promising an exceptionally smooth and enjoyable interaction. While the Caramel Latte is smooth in its own right, the Hyacinth V2U seems to elevate this quality to a new level of efficacy in terms of tactile response.

In conclusion, both the Huano Caramel Latte and the HMX Sillyworks Hyacinth V2U linear switches bring unique qualities to the table, appealing to different preferences among typists. The Caramel Latte excels with its bright sound and smooth experience, perfect for those who enjoy a vibrant auditory feedback. Meanwhile, the Hyacinth V2U offers a subdued yet refined experience with its polished and silky feel, making it more adaptable for quieter environments. Ultimately, your choice will depend on whether you prioritize an engaging sound and a smooth experience or prefer a more subdued sound with a highly refined feel in your typing journey.

Conclusion

To conclude, when choosing between the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch and the HMX Sillyworks Hyacinth V2U linear switch, consider your specific typing preferences and environment. If you appreciate a bright, clacky sound profile that enhances the tactile feedback of your typing experience, the Caramel Latte would be an excellent choice. Its medium-light 55-gram bottom-out force, combined with a smooth and refined feel, makes it ideal for those who enjoy a more pronounced auditory experience while typing. On the other hand, if you prefer a more subdued sound signature and a softer, bassier tone, the Hyacinth V2U is the way to go. With its slightly lower bottom-out force of 52 grams and a fuller travel distance, this switch offers a blend of traditional and modern characteristics, making it suitable for both home and work environments where discretion is valued. Ultimately, your choice should reflect not just how you type, but also where and when you’ll be using your keyboard most frequently.

Mentioned in this article

Huano Caramel Latte Linear

$3.00

$2.75 per 10

Learn more

HMX Sillyworks Hyacinth V2U Linear

$3.50

$2.91 per 10

Learn more