Huano Caramel Latte vs. Everglide Lightning Silver V3
An in-depth look at the Huano Caramel Latte and the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Huano Caramel Latte and the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 offer distinct options for users seeking a linear typing experience. The Caramel Latte, with its medium weight of 50g at bottom out, provides a smooth and satisfying feel paired with a bright, clacky sound profile that enhances feedback with every keystroke. On the other hand, the Lightning Silver V3 stands out with its clacky and high-pitched sound signature, delivering a silky and seamless typing experience that is complemented by a unique light diffuser to enhance RGB illumination, adding a vibrant touch to any setup. While both switches cater to enthusiasts looking for a linear experience, the Caramel Latte emphasizes a more traditional tactile response, whereas the Lightning Silver V3 is tailored for those who prefer striking aesthetics alongside performance. 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
48g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.50 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.40 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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
Lengthened gold-plated spring
Housing materials
When evaluating the housing materials of the Huano Caramel Latte and the Everglide Lightning Silver V3, two distinct compositional choices emerge that significantly affect their overall performance and auditory characteristics. The Caramel Latte features a top housing made of POK material, which boasts a low coefficient of friction (0.04) for a smooth typing experience. Its durability is unrivaled, being 14 times stronger in wear resistance compared to POM, and it also shows impressive shock resistance, outperforming both Nylon and POM. In contrast, the Lightning Silver V3 utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which, while offering a slightly higher stiffness, emphasizes a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile. This difference means that while both switches can deliver a satisfying tactile input, the Huano sizzles with a distinct smooth and clacky nature indicative of POK, whereas the Everglide resonates with a crisper and clearer audio feedback.
Looking to the bottom housings, the Caramel Latte employs nylon, a classic material that provides a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon's softer characteristics contribute to effective sound absorption, creating a muted and rounded auditory experience upon bottoming out. On the other hand, the Lightning Silver V3 again incorporates polycarbonate for its bottom housing, resulting in the preservation of its sharp sound profile. This choice allows the Everglide to inherit the higher-pitched tonal qualities throughout both halves of its structure. Therefore, while users of the Caramel Latte may enjoy a warm, robust typing sound, the Lightning Silver V3 will resonate with a more articulate and pronounced auditory clarity in both the downstroke and release.
In synthesizing the attributes of both switches, it becomes evident that the duality of housing materials contributes uniquely to the final typing experience. For those who favor a clacky, durable switch with a smooth actuation, the Caramel Latte provides that with its distinctive POK and nylon composition. Conversely, those who prioritize a sharper sound profile and aesthetic versatility, especially with RGB lighting, may find the polycarbonate constructions of the Lightning Silver V3 more appealing. Ultimately, while the materials differ in each switch, the distinct sound and feel are products of their individual compositions; akin results in typing experience can be expected based on preference for sound and feedback rather than mere material alignment.
Weight
When comparing the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch and the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch, we can see distinctions in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Caramel Latte has an actuation force of 45 grams, making it a lighter switch, while the Lightning Silver V3 requires a slightly heavier actuation force of 48 grams. Additionally, the bottom out force for the Caramel Latte is 55 grams, which is also lighter compared to the 60 grams required by the Lightning Silver V3. This difference in weight can significantly impact the user experience: the Caramel Latte's lighter force may be preferable for those seeking ease during extended typing sessions or gaming, offering a more effortless feel. In contrast, the heavier Lightning Silver V3, with both a higher actuation force and bottom out force, may cater to users who prefer a more substantial typing experience. Overall, while both switches offer unique benefits based on their actuation and bottom out forces, the Huano Caramel Latte is the lighter option, while the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 is the heavier alternative.
Travel distance
The Huano Caramel Latte linear switch features a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm. This means that the Caramel Latte offers a deeper keypress experience compared to the Lightning Silver V3, which may feel more abrupt due to its shorter travel. For gamers or those who prefer quick response times, the Lightning Silver V3 might be the better choice; its reduced travel distance enhances rapid key actuation. Conversely, individuals who appreciate a more substantial feel when typing could gravitate towards the Caramel Latte, as it provides that extra depth. Ultimately, while both switches cater to different preferences, the Caramel Latte stands out with its longer travel distance, making it more suitable for those who enjoy a more traditional typing 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 Everglide Lightning Silver V3 has an MSRP of $5.55 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Lightning Silver V3 for $4.10.
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
In terms of sound, the Huano Caramel Latte switch is characterized by a bright, clacky sound profile that adds an engaging auditory element to typing, providing a lively and pleasant noise with each keystroke. This sharpness contributes to a more tactile and responsive experience as you type. Similarly, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 also showcases a clacky, high-pitched sound signature that emphasizes a crisp and percussive auditory feedback. Both switches produce an exciting auditory experience, though the Lightning Silver V3 may lean slightly more towards the higher end of the frequency spectrum, catering to those who prefer a sharper sound.
When it comes to feel, the Caramel Latte offers a super smooth typing experience that enhances the overall satisfaction during use, thanks to its medium weight of 50g bottom-out force. This creates a good balance between resistance and ease of actuation, making it a great option for long typing sessions. On the other hand, the Lightning Silver V3 is noted for its silky feel, providing an exceptionally smooth typing experience that minimizes resistance on both pressing and releasing the keys. While the Caramel Latte delivers a well-rounded typing experience, the Lightning Silver V3 emphasizes a fluid motion, potentially appealing to users who prioritize effortless keystrokes.
In conclusion, both the Huano Caramel Latte and Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switches provide engaging and enjoyable typing experiences, albeit with subtle differences in sound and tactile feedback. The Caramel Latte gives a bright and clacky sound alongside a smooth feel, while the Lightning Silver V3 emphasizes a high-pitched auditory response with its silky switch design. Therefore, while users may gravitate toward one switch over the other based on personal preference, both options promise a satisfying keyboard experience that can elevate typing to new levels.
Conclusion
To conclude, when choosing between the Huano Caramel Latte and the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switches, your personal preferences and typing style should guide your decision. If you enjoy a medium-light keystroke that delivers a smooth and pleasurable typing experience, coupled with a bright, clacky sound profile, the Caramel Latte is an excellent choice. Its lower actuation force of 55 grams is particularly well-suited for casual typing and gaming, enabling quick key presses without much finger fatigue. On the other hand, if you are seeking a slightly firmer feel with a bottom out force of 60 grams and favor a clacky, high-pitched sound, the Lightning Silver V3 stands out due to its silky smooth action and unique sound profile. This switch is ideal for users who appreciate vibrant keyboard lighting and want a more responsive experience during intense typing or gaming sessions. Ultimately, by considering your sound preferences, actuation forces, and the overall typing feel you desire, you can confidently select the switch that enhances your mechanical keyboard experience.
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