Huano Caramel Latte vs. PH Studio Milk Tea
An in-depth look at the Huano Caramel Latte and the PH Studio Milk Tea switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When exploring the world of mechanical keyboard switches, two intriguing options stand out for their distinct characteristics: the Huano Caramel Latte and the PH Studio Milk Tea. The Caramel Latte, with its medium weight of 50g at bottom out, is celebrated for its bright, clacky sound profile that delivers a super smooth typing experience, making each keystroke a delight. In contrast, the Milk Tea switch, crafted by BSUN, offers a unique auditory experience characterized by a high-pitched yet muted sound, thanks to its Ly stem material that enhances effortless typing. While the Caramel Latte provides a bold and lively auditory feedback, the Milk Tea strikes a balance with its gentle resonance and polished feel. Both switches cater to different typing preferences and can significantly impact your overall keyboard experience. 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
37.5g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
43.5g
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
Ly
Top housing material
POK
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
Single stage lengthened 22mm spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Huano Caramel Latte and the PH Studio Milk Tea switches exhibit notable contrasts that influence their performance and sound profile. The Caramel Latte features a POK material for its top housing, characterized by its remarkable durability and lower friction coefficient. With a coefficient of 0.04, POK delivers an exceptionally smooth typing experience, providing a clacky sound that resonates well with users seeking a tactile and responsive switch. In contrast, the Milk Tea employs POM for its top housing, which, while still smooth, favors a deeper and more muted sound profile. This distinction not only affects the auditory feedback of each switch but also contributes to how they feel during typing, making the Caramel Latte’s top housing more suited for those who appreciate sharp, crisp sounds, whereas Milk Tea may appeal to users preferring a softer acoustic experience.
On the bottom housing front, the Huano Caramel Latte utilizes nylon, a classic choice known for its sound absorption capabilities. This use of nylon leads to a deeper and fuller sound profile, contributing to a more muted and rounded output when bottoming out. The Milk Tea, however, features POM as its bottom housing material, which is also known for producing a more muted sound, similar to nylon’s characteristics. This shared quality indicates that while the Caramel Latte's nylon bottom may yield a fuller sound, the POM in Milk Tea provides an equally pleasant auditory experience, albeit with a different tonal nuance. Ultimately, the differing bottom housing materials showcase how sound profiles can evolve based on the composition, promoting varied experiences even within the same broader sound category.
Considering the combined effects of their respective housing materials, users can anticipate distinct overall performances from each switch type. The Caramel Latte's combination of a durable POK top and sound-absorbing nylon bottom creates a bright, clacky typing experience contrasted with the deeper, more muted character of the Milk Tea’s POM components. While the top housing of each switch primarily impacts the sound upon release, the blend of their bottom housing materials significantly influences key press feedback. Consequently, despite their differences, both switches provide enjoyable experiences by engaging different facets of the auditory and tactile spectrum, allowing users to select based on their preferred typing characteristics.
Weight
The Huano Caramel Latte and PH Studio Milk Tea linear switches exhibit notable differences in actuation and bottom out forces, making them suited for different user preferences. 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 Milk Tea switch offers a lighter experience with an actuation force of 37.5 grams and a bottom out force of 43.5 grams. This means that the Milk Tea switch is easier to actuate and requires less force to bottom out, catering to those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions. Ultimately, if you favor a more substantial typing experience, the Caramel Latte with its heavier actuation and bottom out forces might be the better choice, while the Milk Tea, being lighter, is ideal for those seeking ease of use.
Travel distance
The Huano Caramel Latte linear switch and the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch both feature a travel distance of 3.6 mm, making them equal in this regard. This similarity means that users can expect a comparable feel when pressing down on the keys, resulting in a consistent typing experience across both switches. Since their travel distances are the same, the tactile response and overall feedback during use will also be similar, catering to those who prioritize uniformity in their keyboard switches.
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 PH Studio Milk Tea has an MSRP of $4.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Milk Tea for $4.00.
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 linear switch is characterized by its bright and clacky sound profile, producing a sharp, percussive sound upon actuation that adds a lively element to typing. This auditory experience is appealing to those who enjoy pronounced keystrokes, inviting a crispness that can energize their writing or gaming sessions. Conversely, the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch features a fairly high-pitched sound that merges a muted essence with sharper auditory elements. Its sound design strikes a balance between presence and subtlety, providing an intriguing auditory landscape that leans towards a more refined overall experience. While the Caramel Latte leans towards a vibrant clack, the Milk Tea offers a cleaner, less pronounced sound, catering to those who prefer a touch more discretion.
When it comes to feel, the Caramel Latte offers a smooth typing experience, although specific descriptors are not detailed. On the other hand, the Milk Tea linear switch is well-regarded for its polished and silky characteristics. This translates to a remarkably smooth key travel and minimal resistance, enhancing the overall typing experience. The combination of high-quality materials and potential factory lubrication ensures that the Milk Tea switch feels effortless in operation. Those who prioritize smoothness in their typing experience may find the Milk Tea to be the superior choice, while the Caramel Latte provides a commendable yet unspecified feel that supports a pleasant typing experience.
In conclusion, the Huano Caramel Latte and the PH Studio Milk Tea switches each deliver distinct auditory and tactile experiences. The Caramel Latte captivates with its bright, clacky sound, making it suitable for users who crave auditory feedback with every keystroke. In contrast, the Milk Tea's higher-pitched yet muted sound offers a unique auditory blend, complemented by its polished and silky feel, which promises a smooth and refined typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on personal preferences regarding sound and feel; however, both provide an engaging typing experience that new users can appreciate in their mechanical keyboards.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch and the PH Studio Milk Tea linear switch largely depends on your personal preferences and typing needs. If you prefer a balance of weight and sound, the Caramel Latte's medium-light actuation force of 55 grams provides a satisfying, clacky auditory feedback that enhances the typing experience for both casual use and gaming. Its bright sound profile is well-suited for those who enjoy a more pronounced sound while typing. On the other hand, if you lean towards a gentler typing feel with a lighter touch, the Milk Tea switch, with its bottom out force of just 43.5 grams, may be your best option. This switch is designed for a smooth, effortless typing experience, complemented by a high-pitched yet muted sound that is less likely to disturb your surroundings. This makes it ideal for quieter environments, such as office spaces or shared rooms. Ultimately, consider your typing style and the auditory environment you will be in when making your choice, as both switches will support distinct experiences tailored to different preferences.
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