Huano Caramel Latte vs. KTT Pine
An in-depth look at the Huano Caramel Latte and the KTT Pine switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switches, the Huano Caramel Latte and KTT Pine stand out as two compelling options, each offering unique characteristics tailored to different preferences. The Huano Caramel Latte, with its medium actuation force of 50g, delivers a bright, clacky sound that can enhance the tactile feedback during typing, making it a perfect choice for those who enjoy an auditory experience while they work or game. On the other hand, the KTT Pine switches present a medium-heavy feel combined with a buttery smooth actuation, resulting from their polished, factory-lubed design that minimizes friction for a seamless typing experience. While the Caramel Latte offers a lively, engaging soundscape, the Pine emphasizes a whisper-quiet performance paired with a low-pitched, creamy consistency. Both switches cater to distinct preferences, whether you prioritize sound and feedback or a smooth, effortless keystroke. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your personal typing style and requirements.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
58g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 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
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
15.5mm gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The Huano Caramel Latte and KTT Pine switches feature contrasting housing materials that contribute significantly to their unique sound profiles and tactile experiences. The Caramel Latte utilizes a POK top housing, known for its smoothness due to its low coefficient of friction and exceptional durability. In comparison, the KTT Pine’s top housing is crafted from polycarbonate, which offers a different auditory experience, producing a sharper, higher-pitched sound. While both materials excel in durability—POK being 14 times stronger than POM and polycarbonate displaying a robust nature as well—the emphasis on sound quality diverges; the Caramel Latte's POK ensures a smooth, clacky sound, whereas the Pine’s polycarbonate top enhances clarity and resonance, particularly if RGB lighting is involved.
For the bottom housing, the contrasts deepen. The Caramel Latte features a nylon bottom, which absorbs sound effectively and produces a deeper, fuller audio profile thanks to its softer composition. In stark contrast, the KTT Pine uses a polycarbonate bottom housing, reinforcing its higher-pitched and crisper sound signature highlighted by the stiffness of the material. This juxtaposition means that while the Caramel Latte can deliver a more rounded auditory experience grounded in soft sound absorption, the KTT Pine dominates with a bright clarity that resonates with each keystroke. This fundamental differentiation can directly impact a user's overall typing experience, with the Pine offering a sharper response owing to its material properties.
Ultimately, while there are significant differences in the material composition of the Caramel Latte and KTT Pine switches, the experience of each can yield similar results if designed thoughtfully. A switch consisting of a POK top and nylon bottom will provide smoothness and depth, engaging users who appreciate a balanced sound, while the combination of a polycarbonate top and bottom emphasizes distinct clarity and resonance. If a switch such as the Pine is crafted with a softer bottom housing, it could soften the sharpness produced by the polycarbonate, leading to an overall sound profile that may blend qualities from both switches. Hence, the interaction between these material properties would affect the tactile sensations and auditory results, enabling users to find preferences that suit their typing styles.
Weight
The Huano Caramel Latte linear switch and the KTT Pine linear switch showcase similarities and differences in their actuation and bottom out forces that cater to different user preferences. Both switches have the same actuation force of 45 grams, making them equally light when it comes to triggering a keystroke, which could contribute to a more comfortable typing experience for extended periods of time. However, the bottom out forces reveal a contrast; the Caramel Latte has a bottom out force of 55 grams, whereas the Pine features a slightly heavier bottom out force of 58 grams. This means that while both switches provide a similar light touch for actuation, the KTT Pine offers a stronger push feel when fully pressed down, appealing to users who prefer a more substantial typing experience. In summary, if you're looking for a lighter typing feel, both switches perform similarly during actuation, but for those who appreciate a heavier bottom out, the KTT Pine would be the better choice.
Travel distance
In comparing the travel distances of the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch and the KTT Pine linear switch, it is evident that the Caramel Latte features a shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm, whereas the Pine offers a longer travel distance of 4 mm. The disparity in travel distance suggests that the Caramel Latte may provide a more responsive feel, which can be advantageous for gamers looking for quicker actuations. On the other hand, the KTT Pine’s 4 mm distance may be preferred by those who favor a more substantial key press, lending itself to a satisfying depth during use. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on personal preferences for responsiveness versus depth.
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 KTT Pine has an MSRP of $4.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Pine for $4.15.
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
When it comes to sound, the Huano Caramel Latte switches produce a bright, clacky tone that offers an engaging auditory feedback during typing. This sound profile is characterized by its higher frequencies that evoke the crispness of each keystroke. In contrast, the KTT Pine switches deliver a bassy, low-pitched sound that resonates with a deeper richness. The mellowness of the Pine switches creates a softer overall auditory experience that contrasts sharply with the lively sound of the Caramel Latte. However, it’s important to note that the sound can vary based on the keyboard used, as well as the choice of keycaps, which can either amplify or dampen these inherent qualities.
In terms of feel, the Caramel Latte switches provide a super smooth typing experience, allowing fingers to glide effortlessly over the keys. The medium weight of 50g at bottom out strikes a balance between being light enough for fast typing while still offering enough resistance to prevent accidental presses. Conversely, the KTT Pine switches are also geared towards a smooth experience but emphasize a buttery and creamy feel. These switches excel due to their polished, factory-lubed finish, which reduces friction and allows for a fluid motion. Though both switches prioritize smoothness, the Pine’s creamy texture might offer an even more luxurious sensation when typing.
In conclusion, both the Huano Caramel Latte and KTT Pine linear switches cater to those seeking a premium typing experience. While the Caramel Latte stands out with its bright, clacky sound and smooth, medium-weight feel, the KTT Pine complements these qualities with its deeper, bassy sound and buttery, creamy keystroke sensation. Ultimately, both switches will provide a satisfying experience, but the choice between them will come down to personal preference for sound characteristics and the nuanced feel each offers.
Conclusion
In summary, when considering whether to choose the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch or the KTT Pine linear switch, you'll want to think about your personal preferences in typing experience and sound profile. If you favor a lighter touch and a bright, clacky sound that makes each keystroke feel satisfying, the Caramel Latte is likely your best bet; its medium-light actuation force and smooth feel make it especially enjoyable for typing and casual gaming alike. On the other hand, if you desire a more robust typing experience with a deeper, bassy sound, the KTT Pine switch may be more suitable for you. With its slightly heavier actuation force and buttery smoothness, the Pine switch excels in providing a seamless and rich feel that is perfect for long hours of typing or intense gaming sessions. Ultimately, your decision should hinge on whether you prioritize a polished, light touch or a more substantial, creamy feel coupled with a rich acoustic character.
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