Huano Caramel Latte vs. Outemu Cream Yellow
An in-depth look at the Huano Caramel Latte and the Outemu Cream Yellow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Huano Caramel Latte and the Outemu Cream Yellow present contrasting experiences tailored to different typing preferences. The Caramel Latte is a linear switch, boasting a medium actuation force of 50g for a smooth and uninterrupted keystroke, complemented by its bright and clacky sound profile. This makes the Caramel Latte an excellent choice for those who prioritize a fluid typing experience without tactile feedback, enhancing the pleasure of each keystroke. In contrast, the Outemu Cream Yellow is a tactile switch, designed to provide noticeable feedback during key presses, helping typists to easily register inputs without losing speed. While the Cream Yellow may not have as specific a reputation, its tactile nature is ideal for users who favor a more engaging typing dynamic. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that fits your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
45g
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
3.30 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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Huano Caramel Latte and the Outemu Cream Yellow switches utilize different materials for their top housing, leading to distinct characteristics in their overall performance. The Caramel Latte employs a POK top housing, which is notable for its low coefficient of friction and exceptional durability. This material promotes a smooth experience in typing, with coefficients of friction that enhance tactile feedback. In contrast, the Cream Yellow's top housing is made from nylon, a classic choice known for its sound-absorbing qualities that contribute to a more muted and rounded audio profile during keystrokes. This fundamental difference in materials indicates that the Caramel Latte is designed for heightened smoothness and durability, while the Cream Yellow focuses on producing a richer sound experience, showcasing how housing materials can significantly affect user experience.
When examining the bottom housings, both the Caramel Latte and the Cream Yellow utilize nylon, which creates a consistent auditory experience between the two switches. Nylon's softer nature allows it to absorb sound, resulting in a deeper and more resounding sound profile for both models. This means that despite the differences found in their top housings, both switches will produce a similar clacky and full sound when pressed down due to the uniform material used in their bottom housing. This shared characteristic allows users of either switch to enjoy the benefits of nylon's acoustic properties, leading to a satisfying typing experience that prioritizes sound quality across both designs.
Overall, the comparison highlights how the different materials of the top housings can influence the tactile and auditory experiences of the Huano Caramel Latte and the Outemu Cream Yellow switches. While the Caramel Latte's POK top housing focuses on smoothness and durability, the Cream Yellow's nylon offers a softer sound profile. However, the use of nylon in the bottom housing allows both switches to maintain a certain degree of similarity in sound production. Thus, while their top housings create differing effects in functionality and feedback, the common bottom housing material ensures that both switches deliver a cohesive and satisfying auditory experience upon actuation.
Weight
The Huano Caramel Latte linear switch and the Outemu Cream Yellow tactile switch present an interesting comparison in terms of actuation and bottom out forces. Both switches have the same actuation force of 45 grams, making them equally light in this regard, which is beneficial for users who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions. However, the bottom out forces differ; the Caramel Latte has a bottom out force of 55 grams, while the Cream Yellow reaches 60 grams. This indicates that the Outemu Cream Yellow has a slightly heavier feel when fully pressed down, providing a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a firmer feedback. Therefore, if you're looking for a lighter switch overall, the Caramel Latte is the better choice, whereas the Cream Yellow may appeal to those who enjoy a heavier switch feel when bottoming out.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch and the Outemu Cream Yellow tactile switch, we find that the Caramel Latte has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Cream Yellow measures slightly shorter at 3.3 mm. This means that if you're looking for faster response times, the Cream Yellow, with its more shallow travel distance, may be the better option, as it enables quicker key actuation. Conversely, if you prefer a more pronounced key press and a deeper feel, the Caramel Latte's longer travel distance could be more appealing. In this case, the Caramel Latte allows for a more traditional typing experience, while the Cream Yellow caters to those who favor a responsive touch. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches aligns with individual preferences regarding depth and responsiveness.
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 Cream Yellow 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
The sound profile of the Huano Caramel Latte switch is characterized by a bright and clacky tone, which tends to stand out and provide an engaging auditory feedback during typing. This can enhance the overall typing experience, making it feel lively and responsive. On the other hand, the Outemu Cream Yellow switch does not have a specified sound profile, making it difficult to compare directly. However, it is important to note that the sound produced by both switches can be influenced by the keyboard's construction, such as the materials of the case and the type of keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Caramel Latte switch offers a super smooth typing experience, with a medium weight of 50g at bottom out, ensuring that each keystroke is comfortable and satisfying. This smooth action can make long typing sessions less fatiguing. Conversely, the Cream Yellow switch lacks a detailed description of its tactile feel, leaving an unknown aspect when comparing it to the Caramel Latte. Generally, the tactile feedback provided by switches can vary widely, but without specific information, it's challenging to evaluate how the Cream Yellow might match up against the smooth performance of the Caramel Latte.
In summary, the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch is notable for its bright, clacky sound and smooth feel with a comfortable weight, creating a pleasurable typing environment. Meanwhile, the Outemu Cream Yellow switch lacks specific details on both sound and feel, leaving uncertain qualities in comparison. For those looking for a more predictable auditory and tactile experience, the Caramel Latte may be the better choice, while the Cream Yellow could be a wildcard option that invites personal exploration.
Conclusion
To conclude, the choice between Huano Caramel Latte linear switches and Outemu Cream Yellow tactile switches ultimately depends on your typing preferences and intended usage. If you prefer a smooth, linear typing experience with a medium-light actuation force of 55 grams and a bright, clacky sound, the Caramel Latte switch is an excellent option. This makes it particularly suitable for fast-paced typing or gaming, where every keystroke feels seamless and provides a pleasurable feel. On the other hand, if you desire a tactile feedback that enhances your typing experience with a slightly heavier bottom out force of 60 grams, the Outemu Cream Yellow gives you that added sense of satisfaction when typing, although it might not be as widely recognized for any specific sound profile. Ultimately, your decision will depend on whether you prioritize a smooth typing experience or the tactile feedback that can enhance your overall typing enjoyment, so consider your personal preferences when making your choice.