Huano Caramel Latte vs. Outemu Silent Ocean

Overview

When it comes to selecting the ideal mechanical keyboard switch, the Huano Caramel Latte and the Outemu Silent Ocean are two notable options that cater to different preferences. The Caramel Latte, recognized for its medium weight of 50g at bottom out, provides a bright, clacky sound profile that enhances the tactile feedback with its super smooth typing experience, making each keystroke feel satisfying. In contrast, the Outemu Silent Ocean offers a more subdued experience, designed specifically for those who seek a quieter typing environment without sacrificing the linear feel. While the Caramel Latte is perfect for users who enjoy an auditory cue with their typing, the Silent Ocean is an excellent choice for office use or late-night gaming sessions where noise might be a concern. 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

Huano Caramel Latte Linear

Outemu Silent Ocean Linear

$3.00

$2.75 per 10

$3.10 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The Huano Caramel Latte and the Outemu Silent Ocean switches present an intriguing comparison in their choice of top housing materials. The Caramel Latte features a POK top housing, which is characterized by its excellent durability, wear resistance, and smoothness thanks to its low coefficient of friction. This results in a satisfying typing experience marked by a clacky sound profile, highly regarded among enthusiasts. On the other hand, the Silent Ocean utilizes polycarbonate for its top housing. This material is known for producing a sharper and more resonant sound due to its stiffness, which influences the acoustic qualities of the switch. While both materials aim to enhance the switch's performance, the POK offers a smoother experience, whereas the polycarbonate's clear resonance leads to a crisper auditory profile.

When examining the bottom housings, the Caramel Latte and Silent Ocean switches reveal a degree of uniformity in their choice of nylon. Both switches employ this classic material known for its sound-absorbing qualities, resulting in a deeper and rounder typing sound. The use of nylon in the bottom housing contributes to a fuller feel and sound upon actuation, creating a rich auditory experience. Despite the differences found in their top housing materials, the consistent use of nylon in both models ensures that users can expect a satisfying and rounded sound from the initial key press.

Ultimately, the combination of contrasting top housing materials and a shared bottom housing material results in distinctive yet complementary sound profiles for both switches. The POK material of the Caramel Latte establishes a smooth, clacky feeling on key release, while the polycarbonate in the Silent Ocean provides a sharper response. Coupled with the nylon bottom housing in both models, the sound produced during actuation blends a deeper base note with the light, crisp overtones from the respective top materials. This diverse yet harmonious combination makes both switches appealing to different types of users, allowing for a varied auditory experience that caters to personal preferences.

Weight

When comparing the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch and the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch, it's evident that both switches share the same actuation force of 45 grams, which allows for a similar ease of triggering keystrokes. However, they differ in their bottom-out forces, with the Caramel Latte at 55 grams and the Silent Ocean at 65 grams. This discrepancy indicates that while both switches offer a light touch for registering keystrokes, the Silent Ocean requires a heavier force when fully bottoming out, providing a more substantial feel upon full key engagement. As a result, the Caramel Latte can be considered the lighter option, ideal for those who prefer a more comfortable typing experience during extended use, while the Silent Ocean, being the heavier switch, caters to users looking for a firmer resistance and a more defined keystroke feel.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch and the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch, we find that they differ noticeably. The Caramel Latte has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Silent Ocean features a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that the Silent Ocean offers a more traditional and deeper experience, which some users might prefer for a more substantial feel when typing. In contrast, the Caramel Latte, with its shorter 3.6 mm travel distance, may cater more to those who favor a quicker response during gaming or fast-paced typing. Ultimately, if you're looking for responsiveness, the Huano Caramel Latte would be the better choice, while the Outemu Silent Ocean may be preferable for a more tactile experience.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Huano Caramel Latte switches are known for their bright, clacky sound profile, contributing to an engaging auditory experience that many typists find enjoyable. This distinctive sound can enhance the overall satisfaction of typing, making each keystroke feel more pronounced and lively. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Ocean switches do not have a defined sound profile available, which suggests they may be designed to minimize noise. This absence of a pronounced sound might appeal to users who prefer a quieter typing environment, making the Silent Ocean a suitable choice for those working in shared spaces or during late-night sessions.

Regarding the feel of the switches, the Caramel Latte offers a medium weight of 50g bottom out, delivering a satisfying resistance that strikes a balance between ease of actuation and tactile feedback. This ensures a smooth typing experience as each keystroke feels fluid and responsive. In contrast, details about the feel of the Silent Ocean switches are unknown, leaving potential users without definitive information on the typing experience they can expect from these switches. This uncertainty may lead to a less informed decision for those prioritizing tactile feel.

In summary, the Huano Caramel Latte linear switches provide a lively auditory feedback with their bright, clacky sound and a comfortable, smooth typing experience owing to their medium weight. In contrast, the Outemu Silent Ocean switches present an option that may cater to quieter environments, although specific details about their sound and feel remain undisclosed. For newcomers, choosing between these switches involves weighing the pleasure of sound and tactile sensation against the need for discretion in their typing preference.

Conclusion

To conclude, when deciding between the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch and the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences regarding typing feel, force, and sound. If you're looking for a smooth and enjoyable typing experience with a lighter touch, the Caramel Latte switch with its 55 grams of bottom-out force is an excellent choice. Its bright, clacky sound profile adds character to your typing sessions, making it ideal for typists who appreciate auditory feedback and want a more engaging experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a heavier switch that offers a firmer bottom-out feel, the Silent Ocean switch with its 65 grams of force will be more to your liking. Although it lacks distinct sound characteristics, its design caters to those who value quieter typing environments, such as in shared spaces or during late-night work sessions. Therefore, assess your individual typing style, the environment in which you’ll be using your keyboard, and the type of feedback you enjoy to make the best choice between these two switches.

Mentioned in this article

Huano Caramel Latte Linear

$3.00

$2.75 per 10

Learn more

Outemu Silent Ocean Linear

$3.10 per 10

Learn more