Huano Caramel Latte vs. SP-Star Polaris Purple

Overview

When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, both the Huano Caramel Latte and the SP-Star Polaris Purple present enticing options, each catering to distinct preferences in typing experience. The Huano Caramel Latte, characterized as a linear switch, offers a smooth and uninterrupted keystroke with a medium weight of 50g at bottom out, delivering a bright, clacky sound profile that many users find pleasurable for both typing and gaming. On the other hand, the Polaris Purple stands out with its tactile design that features a pronounced bump, providing an exhilarating feedback sensation with each press. This not only enhances typing accuracy but also lends a snappy sound that many find satisfying. While the Caramel Latte is ideal for those who seek a sleek and fluid typing experience, the Polaris Purple caters to users who appreciate tactile feedback and a more engaging interaction with their keyboard. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Huano Caramel Latte Linear

SP-Star Polaris Purple Tactile

$3.00

$2.75 per 10

$5.60

$5.00 per 10

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Housing materials

When examining the housing materials of the Huano Caramel Latte and the SP-Star Polaris Purple, there are notable differences that impact both the acoustic profile and the tactile feel of each switch. The Caramel Latte utilizes POK (polyketone) for its top housing, which is renowned for its smoothness, exhibiting a coefficient of friction of 0.04. This makes it ideal for creating a clean and clacky typing experience, as the durable nature of POK—being 14 times more wear-resistant than POM and possessing superior shock resistance—ensures prolonged performance. Conversely, the Polaris Purple's top housing is crafted from polycarbonate. This material is stiffer, leading to a sharper and higher-pitched sound profile, catering to a different auditory preference. The translucence of polycarbonate also enhances RGB lighting, giving it a distinct aesthetic edge over the POK top housing.

In terms of bottom housing materials, the Caramel Latte employs nylon, a classic choice that tends to produce a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is due to nylon's softer properties, which allow it to absorb sound and create a more rounded auditory experience. The Polaris Purple, however, combines its polycarbonate bottom housing with its top, maintaining a coherent sound profile that is crisply resonant. This consistency between the top and bottom housings aligns well for typists who prefer a more pronounced auditory feedback with every keystroke, which stands in contrast to the Caramel Latte's emphasis on depth and richness.

Ultimately, the differences in housing materials culminate in distinct auditory experiences for users. The POK material of the Huano Caramel Latte creates a smooth and clacky feel, while the nylon bottom enhances the overall sound depth. In contrast, the polycarbonate materials in the SP-Star Polaris Purple allow for a sharper and clearer typing feedback throughout both housings. Despite these differences, an interesting similarity arises—in both cases, the top housing significantly influences the release sound when the keys are lifted. Therefore, achieving similar results in typing satisfaction can still be attainable when the preferences align with either switch’s characteristic sound profiles, allowing users to tailor their experience based on the combination of materials chosen.

Weight

When comparing the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch to the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch, there are notable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Caramel Latte features an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams, making it a medium-light switch. This lighter force can be beneficial for extended typing sessions or gaming marathons, as it requires less effort to engage. In contrast, the Polaris Purple switch has an unspecified actuation force but boasts a heavier bottom out force of 67 grams, categorizing it as medium-heavy. As a result, users who prefer a more substantial typing experience may find the Polaris Purple appealing despite its lack of a defined actuation force. Overall, the Caramel Latte is the lighter option, while the Polaris Purple leans towards a heavier feel, catering to different user preferences for typing dynamics.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch and the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch, we find that the Caramel Latte features a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Polaris Purple has a slightly longer travel distance of 4.0 mm. This means that the Caramel Latte is the shorter switch, offering a quicker response time that is often favored by gamers who prefer rapid keystrokes. On the other hand, the Polaris Purple, with its 4.0 mm travel distance, provides a more substantial feel that some users may find preferable for typing or gaming, as it allows for a more pronounced depth in each keypress. Ultimately, your choice between the two will depend on your preference for either a more responsive feel with the shorter Caramel Latte or the hearty depth provided by the longer Polaris Purple.

Price comparison

Typing experience

The sound profile of the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch produces a bright and clacky noise, making each keystroke feel lively and engaging. This characteristic resonates well in environments where audible feedback can enhance the typing experience. In contrast, the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch offers a snappier sound, complemented by a pronounced tactile bump that creates a distinct auditory feedback during typing. While both switches provide enjoyable sound experiences, the key difference lies in the Caramel Latte switch's brighter tone versus the Polaris Purple's snappier response, with the sound being influenced by factors such as the keyboard build and keycap choice.

When it comes to feel, the Caramel Latte switch is known for its super smooth performance, making each keystroke effortlessly pleasant. The 50g actuation force provides a balanced typing experience that many find enjoyable. On the other hand, the Polaris Purple switch delivers a mild mechanical feel with a pronounced tactile bump, offering an exhilarating typing experience that creates satisfaction with each press. Additionally, the Polaris switch is described as polished, indicating a refined and smooth key travel due to quality materials and factory lubing, allowing for reduced friction. The Caramel Latte’s smoothness contrasts with the tactile feedback of the Polaris Purple, catering to different typing preferences.

In conclusion, the Huano Caramel Latte and SP-Star Polaris Purple switches cater to varied typing experiences. The Caramel Latte stands out with its bright, clacky sound and exceptionally smooth feel, appealing to those who prioritize a seamless typing action. In contrast, the Polaris Purple offers a distinctive tactile experience complemented by a snappy sound, catering to users who enjoy feedback during typing. Your choice ultimately depends on personal preference—whether you lean towards a smooth and bright experience or a tactile and snappy one. Regardless of option, both switches promise an engaging typing experience tailored to your needs.

Conclusion

To conclude, the choice between the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch and the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch ultimately depends on your personal typing preferences and intended use. If you favor a smoother keystroke with a lighter actuation force, the Caramel Latte switches might be your best bet, especially for long typing sessions or gaming, where fast and effortless key presses are desirable. Additionally, if you appreciate a brighter, clackier sound profile, the Caramel Lattes will enhance your typing experience with an enjoyable acoustic feedback. On the other hand, if you're drawn to a more tactile typing experience with a noticeable bump that can improve typing accuracy, the Polaris Purple switches are the way to go. Their medium-heavy actuation may offer a more deliberate feel, which can be beneficial for typing tasks that require precision, while their snappy sound will appeal to those who prefer auditory feedback. Therefore, consider what aspects of typing you value most—whether it’s the smoothness and lightness of the Caramel Latte or the tactile feedback and sound of the Polaris Purple.

Mentioned in this article

Huano Caramel Latte Linear

$3.00

$2.75 per 10

Learn more

SP-Star Polaris Purple Tactile

$5.60

$5.00 per 10

Learn more