Huano Caramel Latte vs. Outemu Ocean
An in-depth look at the Huano Caramel Latte and the Outemu Ocean switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the choice often comes down to personal preference and intended use, making the Huano Caramel Latte and Outemu Ocean two compelling options. The Caramel Latte, a linear switch, is celebrated for its smooth keystrokes and bright, clacky sound profile, delivering a delightful typing experience with its medium weight of 50g bottom out. This makes it an excellent choice for gamers and typists who favor a quieter yet satisfying feel without tactile feedback. On the other hand, the Outemu Ocean, categorized as a tactile switch, offers a distinct bump at the actuation point, which can enhance typing accuracy and provide satisfying feedback, particularly favored by those who enjoy a more pronounced key feel in their typing. Each switch caters to different preferences—whether you desire a smooth, muted experience with the Caramel Latte or a tactile, responsive feel with the Ocean. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
55g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
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 Ocean switches showcase distinct top housing materials that significantly influence their sound profiles and performance characteristics. The Caramel Latte features a POK (polyketone) top housing, known for its exceptional smoothness and durability. With a coefficient of friction of 0.04, POK offers a slightly glossier feel compared to the Outemu Ocean’s polycarbonate top housing, which tends to produce a sharper and crisper sound due to its stiffer structure. This rigidity in the polycarbonate allows for a clearer resonance when keys are pressed, making it particularly appealing for users who prioritize an exhilarating auditory experience. Overall, while both top housing materials contribute to smooth key presses, the unique attributes of POK and polycarbonate lead to differing tonal qualities and tactile feedback when typing.
In contrast, both switches employ nylon as their bottom housing material, which provides a consistent characteristic that enhances the auditory experience. Nylon’s properties contribute to a depth and fullness in sound, absorbing vibrations effectively to create a rounder, mellower sound profile. As both the Caramel Latte and Outemu Ocean utilize nylon for their bottom housings, typists can expect a similar tactile sensation when bottoming out the keys, ensuring a comfortable and recognizable feel across both switch types. While the top housings set them apart in terms of sound and feel in the initial key press, the nylon bottom housing helps anchor both switches in producing a satisfying soundscape.
Ultimately, the combined effect of the different top housing materials—POK for the Caramel Latte and polycarbonate for the Outemu Ocean—along with the uniformity of nylon in the bottom housing leads to a unique typing experience for each switch. Users looking for a smoother and slightly muted sound may prefer the Caramel Latte, while those who enjoy a sharper, more resonant sound profile will likely lean towards the Outemu Ocean. Therefore, while both switches draw on nylon's well-rounded characteristics in their bottoms to create a shared foundation, the differences in their top materials define their overall performance, delivering distinct outcomes for the typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch and the Outemu Ocean tactile switch, there are notable differences in their actuation forces. The Caramel Latte features an actuation force of 45 grams, which categorizes it as medium-light, making it suitable for users who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions. In contrast, the Outemu Ocean requires a heavier actuation force of 55 grams, appealing to those who enjoy a more substantial typing experience. While the bottom out force for the Caramel Latte is 55 grams, providing a clear threshold for when a keystroke is fully engaged, the bottom out force for the Ocean switch is unknown. This uncertainty means that while the Caramel Latte offers a defined tactile experience, the Ocean may have a different feel when fully pressed down. Overall, the Caramel Latte is the lighter option, while the Outemu Ocean is heavier, catering to distinct preferences in keystroke feel and typing experience.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch and the Outemu Ocean tactile switch, we find distinct differences that may influence user preference. The Caramel Latte features a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Ocean has a longer travel distance of 4.0 mm. This means that, for those seeking a quicker response time commonly favored by gamers, the Caramel Latte's shorter travel distance may be the more suitable choice. Conversely, users who appreciate a more substantial feel under their fingers might prefer the Outemu Ocean's longer travel distance, which provides a deeper keystroke and a potentially more satisfying typing experience. In summary, the Caramel Latte is the shorter option at 3.6 mm, while the Outemu Ocean is the longer option at 4.0 mm, catering to different tactile preferences among typists and gamers alike.
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 Ocean 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 linear switch is celebrated for its bright, clacky sound profile, which can add a lively auditory element to typing. This engaging sound can enhance the overall typing experience, making each keystroke feel more pronounced and enjoyable. On the other hand, the Outemu Ocean tactile switch lacks specific sound characteristics; thus, its auditory feedback remains largely undetermined. However, it’s important to note that the sound produced by both switches can also be influenced by the choice of keyboard and keycaps used, so the Caramel Latte’s clackiness might not be as pronounced depending on the setup.
When it comes to feel, the Caramel Latte switch offers a smooth typing experience with a medium weight of 50g at bottom out, allowing for a pleasant and consistent keystroke action that can be enjoyable for long typing sessions. In contrast, details regarding the feel of the Outemu Ocean switch are unknown, leaving its tactile feedback and overall typing experience open to question. This difference suggests that while the Caramel Latte provides a solid and reliable sense of action under the fingers, the feel of the Ocean switch may not provide the same assuredness without specific descriptors.
In conclusion, the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch stands out for its bright sound and smooth, medium-weight feel, making it a solid choice for those who appreciate auditory feedback and a pleasurable typing experience. Conversely, the Outemu Ocean tactile switch does not provide specific qualities regarding sound or feel, which leaves potential users without clear expectations. While the Caramel Latte offers a defined experience, the Ocean remains an enigma, and one's choice may ultimately depend on the preferred typing style and desired characteristics in a mechanical switch.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch and the Outemu Ocean tactile switch hinges on your personal preferences and typing style. If you prefer a smooth and seamless typing experience with a medium-light actuation force and a bright, clacky sound profile, the Caramel Latte is an excellent choice. It's particularly suited for those who enjoy rapid, uninterrupted keystrokes, which can enhance your overall productivity and gaming performance. On the other hand, if you value tactile feedback and a pronounced feeling with each keystroke, you would benefit more from the Outemu Ocean switch, which offers a unique tactile experience that can help you feel each key press distinctly. Furthermore, if you are a gamer who thrives on the satisfyingly deliberate key presses that provide a clearer sense of engagement, the Ocean may be the ideal switch for you. Ultimately, both switches have their own strengths, so choose the one that aligns best with your typing habits and sound preferences.
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