Huano Caramel Latte vs. Outemu Silent Yellow
An in-depth look at the Huano Caramel Latte and the Outemu Silent Yellow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing mechanical keyboard switches, the Huano Caramel Latte and Outemu Silent Yellow both present intriguing options within the linear switch category. The Huano Caramel Latte is celebrated for its smooth typing experience, featuring a medium actuation force of 50g at bottom out and a bright, clacky sound profile that many typists find enjoyable. This switch is ideal for those who appreciate tactile feedback while typing and enjoy the auditory satisfaction of each keystroke. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Yellow switches emphasize a more subdued experience, as their name suggests, prioritizing a quiet operational noise that can be beneficial in shared or office environments. While many users might favor the Caramel Latte for its engaging sound and feel, others may lean towards the Silent Yellow for a more discreet and silent typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities, so you can best decide on the right switch for you.
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
2.20 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
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 Silent Yellow, notable differences emerge in their top housings. The Caramel Latte utilizes POK material, known for its low coefficient of friction and exceptional durability, surpassing other common materials like POM and Nylon in both shock and wear resistance. This contributes to a smooth and clacky feel while typing, making it a favorite for those who prefer responsive and long-lasting switches. In contrast, the Silent Yellow's top housing is made of polycarbonate, which, while also strong, is designed to deliver a sharper and higher-pitched sound profile. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate allows for clear resonance, especially beneficial when RGB lighting is employed, enhancing the aesthetic quality of a keyboard.
On the other hand, both switches utilize nylon for their bottom housing, resulting in a shared auditory experience that sets them apart from their respective top materials. Nylon is recognized for its softer characteristics, absorbing sound more effectively which leads to a deeper and fuller sound profile. This means that while the Caramel Latte may offer a more lively and crisp sound with its POK top, the overall typing experience, particularly the bottom-out sound, will evoke a similar richness in both switches due to the nylon material. This consistency in the bottom housing ensures that regardless of the differing top materials, users will find a satisfying auditory experience in both models.
In essence, while the top housings of the Huano Caramel Latte and Outemu Silent Yellow deliver different acoustic signatures—clacky versus sharp—their use of nylon in the bottom housing unites them in providing a fuller sound experience. Thus, users can expect that the distinctive qualities of each switch will harmonize well, resulting in an overall enjoyable typing experience. Though the materials vary, their properties complement rather than diminish one another, making both the Caramel Latte and Silent Yellow capable of delivering satisfying results that appeal to different preferences.
Weight
When comparing the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch, both switches feature the same actuation force of 45 grams, which means they require an equal amount of pressure to trigger a keystroke. This indicates that users will experience a consistent typing feel when it comes to the actuation point, making both switches suitable for longer typing sessions. However, the bottom out forces differ, with the Caramel Latte having a bottom out force of 55 grams, while the Silent Yellow is slightly heavier at 60 grams. This means that while both switches are light in terms of actuation, the Silent Yellow provides a more substantial feel at the bottom of the keystroke. Consequently, those who prefer a lighter touch for comfort may lean towards the Caramel Latte, while those who enjoy a firmer response might favor the heavier Silent Yellow. Overall, the choice comes down to personal preference regarding the typing experience—whether one prioritizes lightness or a more pronounced push feel at bottoming out.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch, it is clear that they differ significantly. The Caramel Latte has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, making it the shorter option, while the Silent Yellow features a travel distance of 4 mm, positioning it as the longer switch. This difference can influence user experience; the shorter travel distance of the Caramel Latte may appeal to gamers seeking quicker response times, while the Silent Yellow's longer travel distance may be preferred by those who enjoy a more substantial feel with deeper keystrokes. Ultimately, choosing between these two switches depends on individual preferences regarding response time and key feel.
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 Silent 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
In terms of sound, the Huano Caramel Latte switch exhibits a bright and clacky sound profile that contributes to an engaging auditory experience during typing. This lively sound can enhance the pleasure of each keystroke, making it particularly enjoyable for those who appreciate a more communicative and expressive clicking tone. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Yellow switch is known for its quieter operation; however, specific details about its sound characteristics are not explicitly stated. Nevertheless, it can be expected to produce a more muted sound compared to the Caramel Latte, making it ideal for environments where noise levels need to be kept to a minimum.
When considering the feel of these switches, the Caramel Latte is renowned for its smooth typing experience, providing satisfying feedback with every keypress. It has a medium actuation force of 50g at bottom out, which strikes a balance between being too light and excessively heavy, catering to a broad range of typing preferences. Meanwhile, while the feel of the Silent Yellow switch has not been described in detail, it is reasonable to anticipate that its design focuses on offering a quieter, potentially smoother typing experience as well, especially given its name suggests a preference for silence during use.
Overall, the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch cater to different preferences in sound and potentially feel. If you enjoy a bright and clacky sound profile with a smooth typing experience, the Caramel Latte is a fantastic choice. However, if your priority is to achieve quieter operation, the Silent Yellow is likely to fulfill that need. While they may not produce identical results, each switch serves its purpose well within its intended context, allowing users to find satisfaction based on their specific requirements.
Conclusion
To conclude, when deciding between the Huano Caramel Latte and the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switches, you should consider your typing habits and environment. The Caramel Latte switches, with their medium-light activation force of 55 grams and delightful clacky sound profile, are perfect for those who enjoy a responsive and tactile feedback during typing, making each keystroke feel rewarding. If you're a typist who appreciates smooth operation and a bit of acoustic presence while working or gaming, these switches will enhance your experience significantly. On the other hand, if you find yourself in a quieter workspace or prefer a more subdued typing experience, the Outemu Silent Yellow, with its slightly heavier 60-gram activation force and muted sound, could be your ideal choice. While it doesn't boast a distinctive sound profile, its linear feel promotes a smooth and even keypress without the distraction of noise. Ultimately, the decision hinges on whether you favor lively, engaging feedback or a quiet and consistent experience, so choose the switch that aligns best with your preferences for an optimal mechanical keyboard experience.
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