Huano Caramel Latte vs. KTT Sea Salt Lemon
An in-depth look at the Huano Caramel Latte and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Huano Caramel Latte and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon stand out as two excellent linear options, each offering a unique typing experience tailored to different preferences. The Caramel Latte is celebrated for its medium weight of 50g bottom out, along with a bright, clacky sound profile that delivers a joyful and satisfying auditory feedback with every keystroke. Its silky, high-pitched sound can enhance your typing experience, especially for those who enjoy a more expressive and resonant feel. On the other hand, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon embodies a different appeal with its progressive spring and dry-lube design, providing a buttery smooth, neutral sound that is perfect for typists seeking a more understated acoustic experience. While both switches cater to lovers of linear feedback, the Caramel Latte leans towards a more spirited interaction, whereas the Sea Salt Lemon is all about smoothness and subtlety. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
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
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
13mm progressive spring
Housing materials
The housing materials used in the switches of the Huano Caramel Latte and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon provide distinct sound profiles and tactile experiences, stemming from their unique compositions. The Caramel Latte features a POK top housing, which is recognized for its smoothness and durability. With a coefficient of friction of 0.04, it allows for a seamless keystroke experience, while its strength and shock resistance ensure longevity. In contrast, the Sea Salt Lemon employs a polycarbonate top housing. This material contributes a higher-pitched, crisper sound profile, attributed to its stiffer nature. Thus, while the Caramel Latte aims for a more smooth and clacky response, the Sea Salt Lemon focuses on a clear and resonant auditory experience—both delivering distinctive user experiences influenced by their respective top housing materials.
When examining the bottom housings of the two switches, we find a notable similarity: both utilize nylon, a classic choice in the mechanical switch industry. Nylon's characteristics impart a deeper, fuller sound profile, attributed to its softer plastic nature, which absorbs more sound than harder materials. This shared bottom housing material means that in terms of sound dampening and feel, both switches will produce a similar auditory signature when bottomed out. Consequently, while the top housings manifest very different sound qualities, the use of nylon for the bottom housing means that both switches can offer an appealing low-end sound that enhances the overall typing experience.
Ultimately, the combination of distinct top housing materials alongside a common bottom housing contributes to the unique yet complementary characteristics of the Huano Caramel Latte and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switches. The crispness of polycarbonate in the Sea Salt Lemon contrasts with the smoothness of POK in the Caramel Latte, leading to distinctive sound profiles when a key is pressed down or released. However, both switches will share a fuller sound experience when pressed down due to the nylon bottom housing. This blend of properties highlights how differing top materials can create unique typing experiences while maintaining a cohesive auditory foundation that users can appreciate across both models.
Weight
When comparing the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch, both have an identical actuation force of 45 grams, meaning that users will experience a similar effort required to trigger a keystroke with either switch. This similarity suggests that both switches are suitable for those who appreciate a lighter typing experience for extended use, whether during long work sessions or gaming marathons. However, the bottom out forces differ slightly, with the Caramel Latte at 55 grams and the Sea Salt Lemon at 53 grams. This means that while both switches fall into the medium-light category, the Caramel Latte provides a slightly heavier feel upon bottoming out. Therefore, users seeking a more substantial typing experience may lean toward the Caramel Latte due to its marginally stronger bottom out force. Ultimately, both switches are designed for comfort, but the Caramel Latte offers a touch more resistance at the end of the keystroke.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch, the differences are quite notable. The Caramel Latte has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Sea Salt Lemon measures 4 mm, making it the longer of the two switches. This means that for those who prefer a more tactile and pronounced feel when pressing a key, the Sea Salt Lemon might be the better choice, offering the depth that some users find more satisfying. On the other hand, if quick responsiveness is your priority, the Caramel Latte's shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm could provide a swifter actuation, ideal for gamers seeking faster response times. Ultimately, the difference in travel distances indicates not only contrasting user experiences but also highlights individual preferences in key feel and responsiveness.
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 Sea Salt Lemon comes in at $2.80 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
When it comes to sound, the Huano Caramel Latte switch stands out with its bright and clacky profile, creating a high-pitched, crisp, and snappy noise during typing. This sound can feel invigorating and satisfying, especially for those who enjoy a more percussive auditory feedback. In contrast, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon presents a low-pitched and neutral sound profile that tends to be more mellow and bass-heavy. This makes it more versatile and suitable for diverse environments, whether at home or in an office. The contrasting sound characteristics of these two switches cater to different preferences: the Caramel Latte for those seeking a lively acoustic feedback, and the Sea Salt Lemon for users desiring a subtler, less intrusive sound.
In terms of feel, the Caramel Latte switch offers a silky tactile experience, allowing for an incredibly smooth typing journey with minimal resistance as keys are pressed and released. The smoothness enhances user enjoyment, making each keystroke pleasurable. While the Sea Salt Lemon lacks a specific feel description, it is noted for its superior design, incorporating a progressive spring and dry-lube system that contributes to an overall buttery smooth typing sensation. Despite the absence of explicit feedback traits, one can expect a pleasant experience similar to the Caramel Latte, thanks to the careful engineering of KTT's linear design.
Overall, both the Huano Caramel Latte and KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switches offer distinct auditory and tactile experiences that cater to different user preferences. The Caramel Latte is ideal for enthusiasts who appreciate a bright, clacky sound and silky feel, while the Sea Salt Lemon tends towards a more subdued auditory profile with a smooth operation. Although the feel of the Sea Salt Lemon is less defined, the combination of its progressive spring and unique lubrication promises a delightful typing experience akin to the Caramel Latte. Ultimately, both switches can deliver an enjoyable typing experience, but your choice will hinge on whether you prioritize sound or prefer a more balanced and versatile experience.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Huano Caramel Latte and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switches ultimately depends on your preferences for typing feel and sound profile. If you enjoy a bright, clacky sound with a silky smooth typing experience, the Caramel Latte is likely the better fit for you. Its 55-gram bottom-out force provides a balanced feel that’s engaging, making it a perfect option for typists who relish every keystroke and prefer a crisp auditory feedback while they type. On the other hand, if you lean towards a more buttery smooth feel with a mellow sound, the Sea Salt Lemon will likely serve you well. With its slightly lower bottom-out force of 53 grams and a more neutral, low-pitched sound profile, it caters to users looking for a quieter, less aggressive typing experience that still delivers reliability and comfort. Ultimately, assess how each switch aligns with your typing style and environment—whether you prioritize a lively and engaging feedback or a calmer, more subdued experience will guide your final choice.
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