Huano Caramel Latte vs. Outemu Red
An in-depth look at the Huano Caramel Latte and the Outemu Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch, the Huano Caramel Latte and the Outemu Red linear switches both present compelling options, yet they cater to different preferences in the typing experience. The Huano Caramel Latte is renowned for its medium actuation weight of 50g and a bright, clacky sound profile, providing a delightful tactile feedback that enhances every keystroke. Ideal for those who enjoy a bit of auditory stimulation with their typing, this switch offers a super smooth experience perfect for both gaming and typing. On the other hand, the Outemu Red lacks distinctive auditory characteristics but is still celebrated for its linear feel, which allows for silent and uninterrupted keypresses, making it a solid choice for a more subdued workspace or gaming setup. Both switches serve their respective fanbases well; 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
46g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.10 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
Polycarbonate
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 Red, a notable distinction arises from their top housings. The Caramel Latte employs POK, or polyketone, which is recognized for its remarkable strength and smoothness. With a coefficient of friction of 0.04, POK offers a slightly smoother experience than the Outemu Red’s polycarbonate top housing, which is stiffer and typically yields a crisper sound profile. This difference signifies that while the Caramel Latte will produce a smooth, clacky sound due to its more slippery surface and durability, the Outemu Red will generate a sharper auditory experience, making it ideal for users seeking enhanced sound clarity—particularly beneficial in setups that utilize RGB lighting due to its translucent nature.
Despite their contrasting top housing materials, both the Caramel Latte and Outemu Red share nylon as their bottom housing material. Nylon is celebrated as a classic choice, contributing to a deeper, fuller sound profile due to its softer composition, which effectively absorbs sound. This characteristic means that, regardless of the differing top housings, both switches will produce a similar, warm auditory feel when bottoming out due to the uniform nature of the nylon material. Therefore, the choice of nylon for the bottom housing ensures an equivalently rounded acoustic profile, preserving consistency in the overall typing experience between the two switches.
Moreover, the interaction of the different top and bottom housing materials in each switch will manifest distinctively when typing. The POK from the Caramel Latte enhances the release sound and tactile feedback upon key release, creating a unique typing sensation that emphasizes a smoother experience, whereas the polycarbonate of the Outemu Red accentuates sharper audible feedback. In essence, while both switches utilize nylon at the bottom to deliver a unified sound, they achieve unique auditory encounters and tactile feedback through their distinct top housing materials, appealing to diverse user preferences in mechanical keyboard setups.
Weight
The Huano Caramel Latte linear switch and the Outemu Red linear switch present a subtle contrast in their actuation and bottom out forces, influencing the typing experience for users with different preferences. The Caramel Latte features an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams, categorizing it as medium-light, making it more suitable for extended typing sessions due to its lighter feel. In contrast, the Outemu Red switch has a slightly higher actuation force of 46 grams and a bottom out force of 62 grams, placing it in the medium range. This indicates a heavier push, appealing to those who appreciate a more substantial typing experience. While both switches exhibit similar characteristics in terms of functionality, the Caramel Latte offers a lighter option, which may lead to less finger fatigue during long-term use, while the Outemu Red's heavier resistance could provide a more tactile feedback for users who prefer a robust keystroke.
Travel distance
The Huano Caramel Latte linear switch features a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Outemu Red linear switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm. This difference means that the Caramel Latte offers a more responsive keystroke, appealing to gamers who prefer quicker actuation for fast-paced gameplay. On the other hand, the Outemu Red, with its traditional 4 mm travel distance, provides a deeper feel that some users may find more satisfying and substantial during typing. Therefore, if you lean towards a quick and snappy response, the Huano Caramel Latte is the better choice, while those who appreciate a more pronounced depth in their keystrokes would likely prefer the Outemu Red.
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 Red 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 Huano Caramel Latte linear switch is renowned for its bright, clacky sound profile, which provides an engaging auditory feedback that many users find enjoyable, especially in a typist's environment. This sound can evoke a sense of satisfaction with each keystroke, making the typing experience feel lively and dynamic. On the other hand, while specific auditory characteristics of the Outemu Red linear switch are not provided, the sound profile of linear switches in general tends to be quieter and more subdued compared to their clicky or tactile counterparts. However, sound quality can also vary significantly based on the specific keyboard build, including the type of plate, housing, and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Caramel Latte switch offers a medium weight of 50g at bottom out, which balances well to provide a satisfying resistance during typing. This weight coupled with its smooth actuation offers a pleasant tactile experience, as it allows for fluid finger movement without requiring excessive force. Conversely, the feel of the Outemu Red linear switch is not detailed, leaving a gap in comparison. However, it can be surmised that both switches aim to deliver smooth actuation, which is a hallmark of linear switches, thus ensuring a consistent and uninterrupted typing experience.
In conclusion, when comparing the Huano Caramel Latte to the Outemu Red linear switches, the Caramel Latte clearly stands out with its enjoyable sound and smooth typing feel, supported by its defined bottom-out weight. While the specifics of the Outemu Red are less clear, it is likely that you will still attain a smooth typing experience from both switches, maintaining the key characteristics that linear switches are known for. Whether you prioritize auditory feedback or focus solely on a silky smooth feel, either option can be appealing, depending on personal preference and the overall setup of the keyboard.
Conclusion
To conclude, when deciding between the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch and the Outemu Red linear switch, your personal preferences and typing habits will be key factors. If you enjoy a lighter actuation force with a smooth and pleasurable typing experience, the Caramel Latte may be the better choice for you, as it features a bottom-out force of 55 grams, making it feel relatively effortless to type on. Additionally, the bright and clacky sound profile adds an enjoyable auditory feedback that many users find satisfying. On the other hand, if you're looking for a more traditional feel with a bit more resistance, the Outemu Red, with its medium bottom-out force of 62 grams, offers a solid typing experience that may appeal to those who prefer a bit more feedback in their keystrokes. The Red switches do provide a straightforward linear feel, but without the same audio excitement as the Caramel Latte. Ultimately, your choice should reflect whether you value smoothness and sound or a more weighted and stable typing experience.
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