Huano Caramel Latte vs. Durock Koala
An in-depth look at the Huano Caramel Latte and the Durock Koala 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 Durock Koala can significantly influence your typing experience. The Caramel Latte, a linear switch, is celebrated for its smooth keystrokes and a medium weight of 50g, providing a bright, clacky sound that enhances the pleasure of typing without any tactile feedback interruptions. This makes it an ideal choice for users who prioritize speed and fluidity, making it perfect for gaming or rapid typing tasks. In contrast, the Durock Koala features a tactile design with a unique stepped tactility; it offers a defined bump in the middle of the keystroke without the loud noise typically associated with tactile switches. With its gentle resonance, the Koala caters to users who appreciate feedback while still maintaining a relatively quieter typing experience. Both switches have unique strengths: the Caramel Latte excels in smoothness and sound, while the Koala provides satisfying tactile feedback without the clamor. 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
67g
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
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
The Huano Caramel Latte and Durock Koala utilize distinct materials for their top housings, which results in notable differences in their sound profiles and tactile experiences. The Caramel Latte features a POK (polyketone) top housing, recognized for its smoothness and durability. With a coefficient of friction of 0.04, it provides a silky feel that enhances typing comfort, complemented by its remarkable wear resistance, which is significantly stronger than POM. Conversely, the Koala employs polycarbonate for its top housing, lending a sharper and higher-pitched sound profile due to its stiffer structure. This material choice enhances the clarity and resonance of each keystroke, particularly when RGB lighting is involved, given its translucent nature. While both materials contribute to a superior typing experience, their tonal characteristics differ markedly due to their fundamental properties.
On the other hand, both the Caramel Latte and the Koala feature nylon for their bottom housings, which brings a cohesiveness to their auditory experiences. Nylon’s inherent softness allows for a deeper and fuller sound profile that is consistent across both switch types. This similarity in bottom housing materials means that both switches will exhibit a rounder sound when bottomed out, enriching the typing experience while still allowing for distinct top housing sounds. Thus, while the top materials differ in their sonic impact, the nylon bottoms unify the switches under a common acoustic umbrella, making them both resonate warmly when used.
In summary, while the Huano Caramel Latte and Durock Koala switches diverge in their top housing materials—POK versus polycarbonate—they share the same nylon bottom housing, leading to a harmonious blend of sound profiles. The smooth, resilient qualities of the POK material allow for a more clacky feel in the Caramel Latte, contrasting with the sharper sound produced by the Koala’s polycarbonate top. Nonetheless, the nylon bottom in both switches ensures a consistent, richer auditory experience. This interplay of differing top materials and the shared nylon base exemplifies how varied housing choices can create unique yet complementary outcomes in mechanical keyboards.
Weight
When comparing the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch and the Durock Koala tactile switch, significant differences can be observed in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Caramel Latte boasts an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams, classifying it as medium-light, making it a suitable choice for users who prefer a lighter touch for long typing sessions or gaming. In contrast, the Durock Koala, with an unknown actuation force, features a heavier bottom out force of 67 grams, categorizing it as medium-heavy. While both switches exhibit varying bottom out forces, the Caramel Latte is the lighter option overall, appealing to those who favor a less strenuous typing experience, while the heavier feel of the Koala might attract users seeking a more substantial tactile feedback. Therefore, users should consider their typing preferences—whether they desire a lighter switch for extended use or a heavier option for a more pronounced typing experience—when selecting between these two switches.
Travel distance
The Huano Caramel Latte linear switch features a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Durock Koala tactile switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm. This difference of 0.4 mm indicates that the Koala is better suited for users who appreciate a deeper keystroke, offering a more pronounced tactile feel during typing. In contrast, the Caramel Latte's shorter travel distance can be advantageous for users seeking quicker response times, making it especially appealing for gamers who favor fast-paced performance. Ultimately, if you prioritize a more immediate action when pressing keys, the Caramel Latte with its shorter travel is the better choice, while the Koala would cater to those who prefer a sturdier and more substantial keystroke experience.
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 Koala has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Koala for $4.21.
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 considering sound profiles, the Huano Caramel Latte switches produce a bright, clacky sound that adds a lively character to every keystroke, appealing to those who enjoy an acoustic feedback that cuts through ambient noise. This sound is typically associated with a medium-weight actuation that enhances the auditory experience without overwhelming the user. In contrast, the Durock Koala switches deliver a low-pitched and neutral sound, which has a bass-heavy quality that is more mellow and less intrusive. While the Koalas don't create a bright and sharp sound like the Caramel Lattes, they maintain a moderate volume level that can be well-suited for both home and office environments. Ultimately, if you prefer the prominent, attention-grabbing tones of the Caramel Latte, you will find a distinct character from the more subtle, grounded acoustics of the Koalas.
In terms of feel, the Caramel Latte switches are known for their super smooth typing experience, allowing for effortless travel and actuation with minimal friction. This provides a seamless sensation that many typists enjoy, especially for extended typing sessions where fatigue can be an issue. On the other hand, the Durock Koala switches feature a medium tactile feel described as accented and stepped. This offers a noticeable tactile bump that provides satisfying feedback without being too overwhelming. The polished finish of the Koalas reduces friction during key travel, enhancing the overall smoothness of your typing while requiring a bit more force due to their stiff nature. The result is a typing experience that effectively balances feedback with comfort, making each keystroke distinctly engaging compared to the pure linear feel of the Caramel Lattes.
In conclusion, the Huano Caramel Latte and Durock Koala switches cater to different preferences when it comes to sound and feel. The Caramel Latte appeals to those who seek a bright and lively auditory experience combined with an ultra-smooth typing action. In contrast, the Koala offers a more subdued sound profile with a pronounced tactile feedback that balances engagement and comfort, making it a versatile choice for various users. The best switch will ultimately depend on individual preferences regarding sound, typing experience, and tactile feedback, but each offers unique qualities that can enhance your mechanical keyboard experience.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch and the Durock Koala tactile switch largely depends on your typing preferences and intended usage. If you prefer a typing experience that is smooth, enjoyable, and characterized by a light touch, the Caramel Latte is an excellent choice. Its medium-light spring force of 55 grams makes it suitable for long typing sessions or gaming, where rapid keystrokes are essential. The clacky sound profile also adds an element of satisfaction, especially if you enjoy auditory feedback without being overly intrusive in shared spaces. On the other hand, if you favor more tactile feedback and a slightly heavier keystroke, the Koala switch is the way to go. With its medium-heavy 67 grams bottom-out force, it offers a pronounced stepped tactility, allowing you to feel a reassuring bump during typing without overwhelming your fingers. This makes it ideal for both typing and gaming for those who enjoy a more deliberate feel to their keystrokes. The low-pitched, neutral sound of the Koala switch also suits versatile environments, whether at home or the office. Ultimately, your choice should reflect whether you lean toward a smooth, lively experience or one that emphasizes tactile engagement and resistance.
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