Huano Caramel Latte vs. Huano Sakura
An in-depth look at the Huano Caramel Latte and the Huano Sakura switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, the Huano Caramel Latte and Huano Sakura are two compelling linear options that cater to different preferences and typing styles. The Caramel Latte switch, with its medium weight of 50g at bottom out and a bright, clacky sound profile, delivers an enjoyable and smooth typing experience that resonates with users who appreciate tactile feedback and lively acoustics. On the other hand, the Huano Sakura offers a feather-light touch, making it an excellent choice for those who prioritize comfort during extended typing sessions and prefer medium acoustics. While the Caramel Latte excites with its engaging sound and substantial feel, the Sakura excels in providing a more effortless typing experience. 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
35g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.60 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
POK
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
23mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Huano Caramel Latte and the Huano Sakura switches share notable similarities, particularly with their top housing which is made from POK, or polyketone. This material is widely recognized for its impressive properties, including a low coefficient of friction of 0.04, making both switches incredibly smooth during operation. The durability of POK is exceptional, with wear resistance fourteen times greater than POM, and shock resistance that exceeds Nylon and POM by significant margins (2.3 times and 1.4 times, respectively). These qualities contribute to a smooth, clacky, and highly durable typist experience across both switches, ensuring that users can enjoy consistent performance regardless of the specific model they choose.
In contrast, the bottom housings of both the Caramel Latte and Sakura switches are made from nylon, known for its classic, robust properties. The use of nylon facilitates a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing, as it is a softer plastic that absorbs sound effectively. This characteristic leads to a more muted and rounded sound when compared to harder materials, thus enhancing the auditory experience of the switches. Since both switches utilize nylon for their bottom housing, users can expect a similar sound and tactile feel during use, which balances out the unique characteristics provided by their respective POK top housings.
Ultimately, the overall performance of both the Huano Caramel Latte and Huano Sakura switches showcases how their material choices harmonize to deliver pleasing results. While the top housing enhances the smoothness and durability critical for longevity, the nylon bottom housing focuses on providing richer sound quality. Although the top materials differ in their properties, the identical bottom housings ensure a consistent auditory experience, allowing enthusiasts to enjoy characteristics such as smoothness and a pleasant sound profile across both switch types. This cohesive design between top and bottom housings illustrates how the thoughtful selection of materials can contribute to an enjoyable and versatile switching experience.
Weight
The Huano Caramel Latte and Huano Sakura linear switches exhibit distinct characteristics in terms of 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 option ideal for users who appreciate a balance between responsiveness and feedback. In contrast, the Sakura is lighter, with a significantly lower actuation force of 35 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, catering to those who prefer a more effortless typing experience. As a result, the Sakura is better suited for prolonged typing sessions or gaming, where less force can help reduce finger fatigue. Ultimately, while both switches provide a satisfactory typing experience, the Caramel Latte offers a heavier response that some users may find more substantial, while the Sakura is ideal for those who favor a lighter touch.
Travel distance
The Huano Caramel Latte linear switch and the Huano Sakura linear switch both share an identical travel distance of 3.6 mm, which means that when pressing down on either switch, users will experience the same amount of key travel from the top to the bottom. This similarity in travel distance ensures that users will have a consistent pressing experience, making both switches equally responsive during use. As such, whether you prefer the Caramel Latte or the Sakura, you can expect to get similar results in terms of key feel and distance traveled with each press.
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 Huano Sakura comes in at $3.50 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 sound profile of the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch is bright and clacky, creating a lively auditory experience with each keystroke. This distinct sound can make typing feel more engaging and dynamic, which some users may enjoy, especially in a lively setting. On the other hand, the Sakura linear switch offers a medium acoustic quality, resulting in a more subdued sound that can be beneficial for users looking for a quieter typing experience during extended sessions. However, it’s essential to remember that the final sound of any switch can be influenced by factors such as the keyboard housing and keycap material.
When it comes to the feel of the switches, the Caramel Latte linear switch features a medium weight of 50g at bottom out, contributing to a smooth and satisfying typing experience that many find pleasurable. The transition of each keystroke feels deliberate and tactile without being overly resistant. In contrast, the Sakura switch is designed with a feather-light touch, allowing for an effortless and comfortable typing experience. This can be particularly advantageous for long typing sessions, as it reduces strain on the fingers over time.
In summary, the Huano Caramel Latte and Sakura linear switches provide distinct auditory and tactile experiences to cater to different user preferences. While the Caramel Latte excites with its bright, clacky sound and medium weight feel, the Sakura appeals to those seeking a quieter environment with its medium acoustics and feather-light touch. Each switch has its unique strengths, allowing users to choose based on their typing style and ambient preferences.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch and the Huano Sakura linear switch ultimately hinges on your typing preferences and needs. If you gravitate towards a medium-light switch that offers a super smooth typing experience paired with a bright, clacky sound profile, the Caramel Latte will likely be your best bet. Its 55-gram bottom out force allows for a satisfying tactile feedback, making it suitable for both gaming and typing, especially if you prefer a bit of auditory feedback with each keystroke. On the other hand, if you find yourself engaged in long typing sessions and desire a feather-light touch, the Sakura switch, with its lower 45-gram bottom out force and medium acoustics, would be a better choice. The Sakura's lighter actuation makes rapid typing feel effortless and less fatiguing, perfect for writers or students who spend hours working at their keyboards. Ultimately, both switches provide distinct advantages, so consider your typing style and the environment in which you'll be using them to make the best decision for your mechanical keyboard setup.
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