Huano Caramel Latte vs. Gateron Ink Yellow
An in-depth look at the Huano Caramel Latte and the Gateron Ink Yellow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the ideal mechanical keyboard switch, the Huano Caramel Latte and the Gateron Ink Yellow both offer unique attributes that cater to different typing preferences. The Caramel Latte, with its medium weight of 50g bottom-out force, provides a delightful clacky sound profile that enhances the typing experience, making each keystroke feel satisfying and lively. This switch is particularly appealing for users who enjoy a more tactile feedback while still benefitting from the smoothness of a linear switch. On the other hand, the Gateron Ink Yellow is designed for those who prefer a shorter travel distance, striking a balance between the feel of a laptop and a traditional mechanical keyboard. This switch excels in providing a smooth, polished typing experience with a hint of clackiness, making it ideal for users who value speed and response over an audible click. While both switches are linear, offering a fluid keystroke without tactile bumps, their differing characteristics can significantly impact your typing style. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
60g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.50 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
POK
Top housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Huano Caramel Latte and Gateron Ink Yellow switches reflect a distinct contrast in their properties and acoustics, which significantly influences the typing experience. The Caramel Latte utilizes POK for its top housing, a material renowned for its exceptional smoothness and durability. With a coefficient of friction of 0.04, it provides a slightly smoother experience compared to Gateron’s INK blend at 0.03. POK is not only strong and resilient against wear, but it also boasts remarkable shock resistance, reinforcing the switch's overall responsiveness and longevity. In contrast, the Ink Yellow's top housing, made from the proprietary INK blend, is designed to produce a pointed, high-pitched sound that contributes to a clacky noise profile rather than a smooth tactile feedback akin to the Caramel Latte's.
Exploring the bottom housing of each switch underscores a further divergence in sound characteristics. The Caramel Latte's nylon bottom housing is a classic choice that embraces a deeper, fuller sound profile due to its softer texture, which absorbs sound better than harder plastics would. This resonates with users who prefer a more subdued auditory experience while typing. On the other hand, the Gateron Ink Yellow features the same proprietary INK blend for its bottom housing, thus maintaining the thin and high-pitched sound signature throughout. Both switches, despite having different top and bottom housing materials, provide distinct auditory profiles that cater to varying preferences – while the Caramel Latte leans towards a muted yet robust sound, the Ink Yellow prioritizes a sharper and more resonant clack.
When considering how the combined characteristics of top and bottom housings affect the overall typing experience, it becomes clear that the differences in materials play a crucial role. The Caramel Latte produces a typing experience where the sturdiness of its POK top housing and nylon bottom contribute to an overall balanced tactile and acoustic response. Alternatively, the Ink Yellow, with its uniform INK blend material in both the top and bottom, results in a consistent clacky sound whether pressing down or releasing the key. Thus, while both switches can yield satisfying results for users, they cater to distinct preferences in sound and feel, ultimately enriching the mechanical keyboard landscape with their unique offerings.
Weight
When comparing the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch and the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch, notable differences arise in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Caramel Latte has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams, making it a medium-light option. In contrast, the Ink Yellow features a heavier actuation force of 60 grams and a bottom out force of 67 grams, categorizing it as medium-heavy. This means that typists and gamers who prefer a lighter switch for long typing sessions will find the Caramel Latte to be more suitable, while those who favor a more substantial typing experience will likely appreciate the heftier feel of the Ink Yellow. Overall, the differences in actuation and bottom out forces reflect the distinct preferences users may have, with the Caramel Latte being the lighter option and the Ink Yellow the heavier one.
Travel distance
The travel distances of the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch and the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch differ slightly, with the Caramel Latte measuring 3.6 mm and the Ink Yellow at 3.5 mm. This makes the Ink Yellow the shorter option by a mere 0.1 mm, appealing to gamers who favor quicker response times due to the shorter depth. Conversely, the Caramel Latte, with its longer travel distance, may provide a more substantial feel to those who prefer a deeper keystroke, which could enhance the typing experience for users who find shorter distances too abrupt. While both switches are relatively close in travel distance, the choice between them ultimately depends on personal preference for responsiveness versus 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 Gateron Ink Yellow has an MSRP of $7.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Ink Yellow for $7.35.
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 produces a bright, clacky sound profile, contributing to an engaging auditory experience that many users find satisfying during typing sessions. This sharp and percussive quality is ideal for those who appreciate a lively keyboard environment. On the other hand, the Gateron Ink Yellow switch has a sound that leans towards neutral while still retaining some of that clackiness. This combination offers a moderate sound profile that suits a variety of settings, whether at home or in an office, making it a versatile choice for users who enjoy a tactile response without overwhelming noise.
In terms of feel, the Caramel Latte switch is noted for its smooth typing experience, allowing for effortless keystrokes that many find pleasurable. This smoothness enhances the overall typing experience, making it ideal for users who type frequently or for extended periods. Conversely, the Ink Yellow switch is described as mild yet polished, which means its gentle characteristics make it approachable for newcomers while still offering a refined feel. The smooth travel and reduced friction provided by its polished design contribute to a comfortable typing experience, allowing for the same ease of use found in the Caramel Latte.
In conclusion, while both the Huano Caramel Latte and Gateron Ink Yellow switches offer unique qualities, they cater to different preferences in sound and feel. The Caramel Latte excels in delivering a bright and clacky auditory experience paired with a smooth typing feel, whereas the Ink Yellow provides a neutral sound with a gentle and polished tactile sensation. However, both switches ultimately offer a satisfying typing experience, making either a suitable choice for newcomers to mechanical keyboards. As personal preferences dictate, users may find similar results in terms of typing enjoyment and efficiency, depending on which aspects they prioritize.
Conclusion
To conclude, when deciding between the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch and the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch, it’s essential to consider your typing preferences and intended use. If you enjoy a medium-light actuation force with a bright, clacky sound profile, the Caramel Latte is ideal for creating a lively typing experience that makes each keystroke a delight. This switch is particularly suitable for those who appreciate a responsive and smooth feel, ensuring that your typing is both pleasurable and efficient, making it perfect for casual use or extended typing sessions. Conversely, the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch, with its medium-heavy 67 grams of bottom-out force and shorter travel distance, caters to individuals who prefer a firmer tactile response and a more subdued acoustical presence. This switch is excellent for a balanced typing experience, bridging the gap between the soft feel of a laptop keyboard and the more pronounced feedback of typical mechanical keyboards. With its polished finish, the Ink Yellow provides a smooth, refined typing experience that is appropriate for both work and play, especially if you value stability and consistency during long hours of usage. Ultimately, your choice will depend on whether you favor a lighter, more audibly engaging switch like the Caramel Latte or a heavier, smoother option like the Ink Yellow.
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