Huano Caramel Latte vs. Gateron Luciola
An in-depth look at the Huano Caramel Latte and the Gateron Luciola switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboards, the type of switch can greatly influence your typing experience, and two noteworthy options are the Huano Caramel Latte and the Gateron Luciola, both linear switches with distinct characteristics. The Caramel Latte boasts a medium weight of 50g at bottom out, providing a smooth and silky feel that enhances the overall typing enjoyment, alongside a bright, clacky sound that adds a touch of personality to your keystrokes. In contrast, the Gateron Luciola captures attention not only for its medium heft and bouncy typing feel but also for its unique glow-in-the-dark feature, making it a visually captivating choice. The Luciola's sound profile is described as a hollow "can of spray paint being shaken," resulting in a snappy, marbly, and polished auditory experience. Both switches offer their own unique strengths: the Caramel Latte is ideal for those who appreciate a highly tactile and joyful typing experience, while the Luciola is perfect for users seeking a blend of aesthetics and a smooth, enjoyable feel. 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
55g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.60 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
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
22mm double-staged long spring; black-plated
Housing materials
The Huano Caramel Latte and the Gateron Luciola switches utilize different materials for their top and bottom housings, which significantly affects their acoustic profiles and tactile experiences. The Caramel Latte features a POK top housing, renowned for its smoothness and durability. With a coefficient of friction of 0.04, it's slightly rougher than Gateron's INK blend, which is designed to deliver a high-pitched, clacky sound. Although the Caramel Latte's POK material places a strong emphasis on performance and longevity, the Luciola's INK blend prioritizes acoustic quality, resulting in distinct sound profiles for both switches. Overall, while POK focuses more on durability and a smooth feel, the Gateron INK blend is engineered for that satisfying auditory response, illustrating a fundamental divergence in their design priorities.
Examining the bottom housings reveals a contrasting approach to sound architecture between the two switches. The Caramel Latte uses nylon for its bottom housing, which is known for its softer composition, allowing it to absorb sound and produce a deeper, fuller auditory experience. This creates a rounder sound profile that complements the overall switch experience by enhancing the warmth of the acoustic feedback. In contrast, the Luciola employs Gateron's proprietary INK blend for its bottom housing as well. This choice results in a sound that's pointed and high-pitched, enhancing the clackiness factor. Despite both switches having contrasting top and bottom materials, they share a similar intent: to create an engaging typing experience, albeit through notably different acoustic outputs.
When the top and bottom housings are assembled into a complete switch, their individual qualities interact to shape the final acoustic and tactile experience. The Caramel Latte's nylon bottom more significantly contributes to the bottom-out feel and sound, providing a thump that contrasts with the POK's more brittle sound at release. Meanwhile, the Luciola's INK blend allows for enhanced clack at both the bottom and top, ensuring a consistent auditory feedback throughout. By understanding how each housing affects the switching experience, one can anticipate how the different materials can yield either a robust and grounded feel or a sharp and bright auditory engagement, illustrating not just a contrast but also the diversity in switch design philosophy.
Weight
When comparing the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch and the Gateron Luciola linear switch, there are notable differences in both actuation and bottom out forces. The Caramel Latte has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams, categorizing it as medium-light, making it suitable for users who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions. In contrast, the Luciola has a heavier actuation force of 55 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams, which places it in the medium range. This suggests that those who enjoy a more substantial typing experience may favor the Gateron Luciola switch due to its increased resistance. Overall, the Huano Caramel Latte is the lighter option, while the Gateron Luciola is the heavier choice, catering to different preferences for tactile feedback and pressure resistance during use.
Travel distance
The travel distance for both the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch and the Gateron Luciola linear switch is identical, measuring at 3.6 mm. This means that when you press down on a key equipped with either of these switches, you will experience the same distance and tactile feedback. Therefore, you can expect similar results in terms of keypress feel and response, creating a consistent typing experience with either switch.
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 Luciola has an MSRP of $7.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Luciola for $6.50.
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, both the Huano Caramel Latte and the Gateron Luciola switches showcase a clacky auditory profile, characterized by sharp, bright, and percussive tones with each keystroke. The Caramel Latte leans into a bright and crisp sound, making it an ideal choice for those who prefer a more pronounced auditory feedback from their typing. Similarly, the Luciola offers a clacky sound as well, but also introduces a unique marbly undertone, reminiscent of the sound produced when tapping on a solid piece of marble. The high-pitched characteristics of both switches ensure that users will experience a lively soundscape, although the Luciola has the added appeal of a resonant quality that might enhance the overall typing experience depending on the user's keyboard and keycap configurations.
When it comes to feel, the Caramel Latte brings a silky smoothness to the table, ensuring an exceptionally smooth typing experience that minimizes resistance during key presses. This makes each keystroke feel effortless, appealing to those who prioritize fluid motions while typing. On the other hand, the Gateron Luciola offers a more textured feel with its snappy responsiveness, likely due to longer or dual-staged springs that make typing feel more dynamic and engaging. Additionally, the buttery and polished descriptors of the Luciola indicate a refined typing experience characterized by smooth transitions and reduced friction. The differences in feel suggest that while both switches provide enjoyable typing experiences, the Caramel Latte excels in smoothness, while the Luciola provides a more lively and polished interaction.
Taking all these qualities into account, the Huano Caramel Latte and Gateron Luciola switches present two distinct yet enjoyable typing experiences. While both switches have a strong emphasis on a clacky and high-pitched sound, the Luciola adds an intriguing marbly element. In terms of feel, the Caramel Latte prioritizes a silky smooth keystroke, whereas the Luciola combines a snappy touch with a polished experience. Deciding between the two will ultimately come down to personal preference, as both switches offer happy medium traits that would undoubtedly satisfy any newcomer to the world of mechanical keyboards.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Huano Caramel Latte and the Gateron Luciola linear switches ultimately hinges on both your typing preferences and the type of experience you wish to create with your keyboard. If you lean towards a lighter touch with a silky-smooth feel and a high-pitched clacky sound, the Caramel Latte is an excellent option. Its 55-gram bottom-out force offers a comfortable typing experience that makes it ideal for long typing sessions or if you prefer a gentler keystroke that still provides satisfying auditory feedback. On the other hand, if you desire a slightly firmer keystroke, enjoy a more polished and snappy feel, and appreciate unique aesthetics such as glow-in-the-dark features, then the Gateron Luciola is the way to go. Its medium 60-gram bottom-out force ensures a robust typing experience, paired with a bouncy sensation and a more marbly sound profile that might resonate with your tactile preferences. In essence, consider your typing style and what auditory and tactile sensations you value most, as these factors will guide you to the switch that best suits your needs.
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