Huano Caramel Latte vs. Outemu Cold Plum
An in-depth look at the Huano Caramel Latte and the Outemu Cold Plum switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Huano Caramel Latte and Outemu Cold Plum present two excellent linear options that cater to different preferences in sound and feel. The Caramel Latte, with its medium actuation force of 50g at bottom out, is renowned for its bright and clacky sound profile, offering a super smooth typing experience that elevates your keystrokes into joyful interactions. In contrast, the Outemu Cold Plum boasts a distinctively thocky sound profile and fully nylon construction, delivering a unique tactile sensation that appeals to enthusiasts looking for a satisfying and immersive typing experience. While the Caramel Latte excels in creating a lively atmosphere with its bright acoustics, the Cold Plum entices with its solid and muted resonance, ensuring that every keystroke feels both delightful and distinct. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that fits your typing style and preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
60g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
70g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Nylon
Top housing material
POK
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Huano Caramel Latte and the Outemu Cold Plum switches, notable distinctions arise, particularly in the composition of their top housings. The Huano Caramel Latte features a POK (polyketone) top housing, known for its exceptional durability and smooth performance. With a low coefficient of friction (0.04), POK allows for easy key actuation and a satisfying "clacky" sound profile. In contrast, the Outemu Cold Plum utilizes a traditional nylon top housing, recognized for its auditory qualities rather than its resilience. Nylon, with a coefficient of friction of 0.03, delivers a deeper, fuller sound due to its soft plastic composition, which absorbs more sound and generates a more muted acoustic experience. This fundamental difference in the top housing materials significantly influences the switches' overall tactile feedback and sound profile.
Delving into the bottom housings, both the Huano Caramel Latte and the Outemu Cold Plum utilize nylon, suggesting a shared approach to achieving a fuller sound when typing. Nylon’s inherent softer characteristics contribute to a rounded and less harsh sound profile, which is particularly important for creating a pleasant typing experience. Since both switches employ nylon for the bottom housing, users can expect similar results in terms of sound absorption and dampening effects. However, the differing top housings still create a nuanced piano effect; while both switches will have a deep and muted sound from the bottom, the manner in which they "ring" and feel when a key is released will vary.
Ultimately, the interaction between the two different materials in the top housings leads to an interesting blend of auditory experiences. The Caramel Latte's POK top housing brings a slick and zippy response, enhancing the tactile experience during key presses, while the Cold Plum's nylon top offers a softer release feel yet a rounded output sound when keys are released. The combination of a strong POK top with a nylon bottom in the Caramel Latte provides a unique contrast to the full nylon construction of the Cold Plum. In essence, while both switches may share similarities in their bottom sounds due to nylon, their varying top housing materials create distinct tactile and auditory outcomes, emphasizing the importance of material choice in switch design.
Weight
The Huano Caramel Latte linear switch and the Outemu Cold Plum linear switch present distinct differences in both actuation force and bottom out force. The Caramel Latte features a lighter actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams, making it suitable for users who prefer a softer touch for extended typing sessions or long gaming marathons. In contrast, the Cold Plum requires a heavier actuation force of 60 grams and has a bottom out force of 70 grams, providing a firmer feel for those who appreciate a more substantial and tactile typing experience. Therefore, while the Caramel Latte is better for users looking for ease during prolonged use, the Cold Plum caters to those who favor a heavier switch. Ultimately, these differences in force can significantly influence the overall typing experience, allowing users to choose a switch that aligns with their preferences.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch and the Outemu Cold Plum linear switch, it becomes clear that the Caramel Latte features a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Cold Plum has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.3 mm. This difference means that the Caramel Latte provides a deeper, more substantial feel when pressed, which may appeal to users who prefer a hearty depth in their keystrokes. On the other hand, the shorter travel distance of the Cold Plum aligns with the trend favoring rapid response times, making it a better option for gamers and those who prioritize speed. Ultimately, those seeking a more immediate feedback will benefit from the Cold Plum's design, whereas those who enjoy a fuller typing experience may prefer the Caramel Latte.
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 Outemu Cold Plum comes in at $3.10 per 10 switches.
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 switches are characterized by a bright, clacky sound profile, which can provide an engaging auditory feedback that many users find appealing. This can be especially enjoyable for those who appreciate a more pronounced sound with their keystrokes. In contrast, the Outemu Cold Plum switches produce a thocky sound profile, which tends to be deeper and more muted compared to the Caramel Latte. The richness of the thocky sound can offer a satisfying, well-rounded auditory experience, particularly suited for those who favor a more subtle click over a brighter tone. It's important to note that the overall sound experience can vary significantly based on factors like the keyboard's construction and the choice of keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the Caramel Latte switches provide a super smooth typing experience with a medium actuation force of 50g, making them comfortable for extended typing sessions and lending a more responsive feel to each keystroke. This smoothness allows for effortless typing, giving a delightful sense of fluidity. On the other hand, the Outemu Cold Plum switches also offer a smooth keystroke but may also introduce a unique tactile satisfaction due to their fully nylon construction, which can enhance the overall typing experience. Both switches cater to those who prioritize smoothness; however, the Cold Plum may feel slightly different thanks to its material choices, which could affect the typing dynamics.
In conclusion, while both the Huano Caramel Latte and Outemu Cold Plum linear switches offer enjoyable sound and feel characteristics, they cater to slightly different preferences. The Caramel Latte is ideal for those who appreciate a bright and clacky sound with a super smooth typing experience. Meanwhile, the Cold Plum caters to those looking for a deeper, thocky auditory experience and a similarly smooth feel enhanced by its material design. Ultimately, personal preference will play a significant role in determining the best choice between the two, but both switches promise a satisfying and engaging keyboard experience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when choosing between the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch and the Outemu Cold Plum linear switch, your preferences and typing style play a crucial role. If you prefer a lighter touch with a smooth, clacky sound profile and a satisfying typing experience, the Caramel Latte is an excellent choice. Its 55g bottom-out force makes it ideal for those who either type quickly or enjoy a softer feel under their fingers. It's especially suitable for casual typing, where responsiveness and ease of keystrokes are essential. On the other hand, if you lean towards a heftier feel and a rich, thocky sound, the Cold Plum switch would be more aligned with your desires. With a bottom-out force of 70g, this switch offers an engaging typing experience, particularly for those who value a deeper tactile feedback and robust sound, making it a favorite among enthusiasts who relish a solid connection to their keystrokes. Ultimately, your choice between these two will hinge on whether you favor a lighter, smoother touch of the Caramel Latte or the satisfying heft and distinct sound of the Cold Plum.
Mentioned in this article
