Huano Caramel Latte vs. Aflion Iceberg
An in-depth look at the Huano Caramel Latte and the Aflion Iceberg switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the choice between the Huano Caramel Latte and the Aflion Iceberg can greatly impact your typing experience. The Caramel Latte, with its medium weight of 50g bottom out and vibrant, clacky sound profile, is celebrated for delivering a super smooth and satisfying keystroke with every press. This switch is perfect for those who enjoy a lively auditory feedback while typing. In contrast, the Aflion Iceberg, a newcomer in the switch market, offers a unique two-stage spring mechanism that enhances its smoothness and provides a fulfilling tactile feel. While the Iceberg is described as snappy and subtle, making it a great option for users who prefer a quieter typing experience without sacrificing performance. Each switch has its own strengths: the Caramel Latte shines in its engaging sound and smoothness, while the Iceberg impresses with its innovative design and subtlety. 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
37g
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
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
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
20mm two-stage spring
Housing materials
The Huano Caramel Latte and the Aflion Iceberg showcase distinct characteristics in their top housing materials, which significantly influence their overall sound profiles and aesthetics. The Caramel Latte employs a polyketone (POK) top housing, known for its smoothness and durability, evidenced by its low coefficient of friction and impressive wear resistance. This choice leads to a switch that produces a smooth and clacky feel when typing, providing a unique tactile experience suitable for users who prioritize performance. In contrast, the Iceberg utilizes polycarbonate for its top housing, which imparts a crisper and higher-pitched sound profile due to its stiffer composition. While both materials excel in providing distinct user experiences, the Caramel Latte focuses on smoothness and durability, whereas the Iceberg emphasizes clarity and resonance.
Both switches, despite their different top housing materials, incorporate nylon for their bottom housing, creating a noteworthy similarity in sound characteristics. Nylon is recognized for its ability to absorb sound, resulting in a deeper and fuller auditory profile when typing. This feature is consistent across both models, contributing to a rounder sound that enhances the overall typing experience. Consequently, users can expect a harmonious blend of the sharper acoustic resonance from the polycarbonate top of the Iceberg and the smooth, clacky sound of the POK material in the Caramel Latte, all while enjoying the rich sound produced by the nylon bottom housing in both switches.
Ultimately, the design of the Huano Caramel Latte and the Aflion Iceberg illustrates how the interplay between different housing materials can shape user experiences. While the top housing distinguishes their sound profiles—with the Caramel Latte delivering a smoother feel and the Iceberg offering a crisper tone—the shared nylon bottom housing ensures they both produce a deep, rounded sound when typing. Thus, users can achieve somewhat similar auditory results when typing on both switches, as the nylon's acoustic properties serve as a common foundation. This comparative analysis highlights how varying combinations of materials can lead to diverse yet complementary performances in mechanical switches.
Weight
When comparing the actuation and bottom out forces of the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch and the Aflion Iceberg linear switch, notable differences 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 Iceberg is lighter, with an actuation force of only 37 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, making it a preferable choice for those who favor a lighter touch—ideal for prolonged typing sessions or gaming marathons. This means that users of the Iceberg will experience less resistance when pressing down on the keys, resulting in a more effortless typing experience. On the other hand, the Caramel Latte, being heavier in both actuation and bottom out forces, may appeal to those who prefer a more substantial feel when typing. Overall, if you’re looking for a lighter switch with a softer touch, the Aflion Iceberg is the better option, while the Huano Caramel Latte caters to those who enjoy a bit more resistance.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch and the Aflion Iceberg linear switch, there's a clear distinction. The Caramel Latte has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Iceberg features a longer travel distance of 4.0 mm. This makes the Caramel Latte the shorter option, which may appeal to gamers or users who favor quicker response times due to its reduced distance. On the other hand, the Iceberg, with its greater travel distance, could be preferable for those who appreciate a more substantial tactile experience when pressing keys. Thus, while both switches cater to different preferences—quick responsiveness versus a deeper feel—users will find their experience varied based on these travel differences.
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 Aflion Iceberg has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Iceberg for $3.07.
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 switch is characterized by a bright and clacky sound profile, which is often described as crisp and percussive. This distinctive auditory feedback enhances the overall typing experience, making each keystroke feel lively and engaging. In contrast, the Aflion Iceberg switch also falls into the clacky category, producing a sharp and high-pitched sound that aligns with those who prefer a more pronounced acoustic feedback. While both switches deliver a bright auditory tone, the Caramel Latte may be slightly more pronounced in its clackiness, whereas the Iceberg offers a high-pitched sound that might appeal to users who favor a sharper audio profile.
In terms of feel, the Huano Caramel Latte switch offers a smoothly responsive typing experience, allowing for a fluid keystroke that is not overly taxing on the fingers. On the other hand, the Aflion Iceberg switch is designed with a two-stage spring that contributes to its snappy and feathery feel; this can result in a typing experience that feels both lively and effortless. The Iceberg’s subtle resistance delivers a gentle yet satisfying feedback, which may make it a comfortable choice for long typing sessions or gaming, reducing overall finger fatigue. Thus, while the Caramel Latte focuses on a smooth action, the Iceberg emphasizes responsiveness and lightness.
In conclusion, both the Huano Caramel Latte and Aflion Iceberg linear switches offer engaging sound and feel characteristics that cater to different preferences. The Caramel Latte is ideal for those who appreciate a bright, clacky sound combined with a smooth feel, while the Iceberg delivers a snappy and featherlight experience with a similarly bright acoustic profile. Although there are some differences in the nuances of their sound and tactile feedback, both switches present compelling qualities that can enhance your mechanical keyboard experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, your choice between the Huano Caramel Latte and Aflion Iceberg linear switches ultimately depends on your typing preferences and the context in which you plan to use them. If you’re looking for a typing experience that balances smoothness and a satisfying sound profile, the Caramel Latte, with its medium-light actuation force of 55 grams and bright, clacky sound, may be ideal for you. This switch is particularly suitable if you enjoy a more pronounced auditory feedback and don't mind a slightly heavier keystroke, making it great for both gaming and typing tasks that benefit from tactile feedback. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter feel and a gentler sound, the Aflion Iceberg might be your best bet. With a bottom out force of just 45 grams, you’ll find it exceptionally lightweight and responsive, perfect for long typing sessions without much finger fatigue. The snappy, feathery feel of the Iceberg makes it a great choice for rapidly tapping out messages or gaming, especially in environments where you want to keep noise to a minimum. So, consider your needs carefully: opt for the Caramel Latte if you appreciate a more emphatic typing experience, or choose the Iceberg for lighter, quieter usage.
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