Huano Caramel Latte vs. TTC Silent Red

Overview

When it comes to choosing mechanical keyboard switches, the Huano Caramel Latte and the TTC Silent Red both offer unique benefits tailored to different user preferences. The Caramel Latte, with its medium weight of 50g and bright, clacky sound profile, provides a super smooth typing experience that brings life to every keystroke, making it an excellent choice for typists who enjoy audible feedback and a lively soundscape. In contrast, the TTC Silent Red is designed for those who prefer a more subdued environment; its muted sound profile allows for discreet typing in office or shared living spaces, while still maintaining a smooth and consistent feel throughout every press. While the Caramel Latte offers a high-pitched and clacky experience that some may find excessively fun, the Silent Red emphasizes a polished and mild interaction that prioritizes comfort and quietness. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the right switch for you.

By the numbers

Huano Caramel Latte Linear

TTC Silent Red Linear

$3.00

$2.75 per 10

$5.28

$4.38 per 10

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Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the Huano Caramel Latte and the TTC Silent Red, notable differences emerge primarily in their top housings. The Caramel Latte features a POK top housing, which is renowned for its exceptional smoothness and durability. With a coefficient of friction at 0.04, it ensures a slick feel during typing, slightly surpassing the properties of LY. Furthermore, POK is strikingly more wear-resistant than standard POM and offers superior shock resistance compared to both Nylon and POM. In contrast, the Silent Red employs a polycarbonate top housing, which is notably stiffer and contributes to a sharper, crisper sound profile. This distinct resonance from the polycarbonate housing lends itself well to users who prioritize sound clarity, especially in RGB environments due to its translucency. Thus, while the Caramel Latte aims for a smooth and durable tactile experience, the Silent Red focuses on delivering a high-pitched and clear auditory output.

Looking at the bottom housings, both the Huano Caramel Latte and TTC Silent Red utilize nylon, which brings a uniformity in sound dampening characteristics. Nylon is well-known for its ability to absorb sound effectively, which results in a deeper and fuller acoustic profile when typing. This similarity in bottom housing material ensures that regardless of the top housings’ distinctions, the user experiences a rich and rounded sound that is characteristic of nylon. As both switches utilize this classic material for their lower sections, users can expect a consistent bottoming-out feel, complementing the varying tonal qualities of their respective top housings. Thus, while the auditory experiences might differ initially due to the differences in top materials, the substantial bottom housing via nylon helps to standardize the overall sound profile to some degree.

The interaction between the different materials in these switches exemplifies how the characteristics of the top and bottom components contribute to the tactile and auditory experience. The POK and polycarbonate top housings impart distinctive sound qualities when keys are released, while the nylon bottoms converge on a common auditory theme, enhancing the overall typing experience. For those looking for a balance between a smooth operation and pronounced sound, the Caramel Latte presents itself as an ideal choice, whereas users preferring a higher-pitched and resonant typing experience might gravitate towards the Silent Red. Regardless of choice, the blend of materials in each switch ultimately offers a unique yet familiar typing experience, aligning with the personal preferences of the users.

Weight

When comparing the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch and the TTC Silent Red linear switch, we find that they share the same actuation force of 45 grams, which contributes to a relatively similar typing experience at the initial notch. This means that both switches can provide a lightweight feel that may be ideal for extended typing sessions or gaming marathons. However, the bottom out forces diverge between the two; the Caramel Latte has a bottom out force of 55 grams, while the Silent Red requires a heftier 63.5 grams to reach the bottom. This difference indicates that while both switches initiate at the same force, the TTC Silent Red offers a more substantial resistance when fully pressed down, appealing to those who prefer a heavier typing experience. Thus, we can conclude that the Huano Caramel Latte is the lighter option overall, while the TTC Silent Red is the heavier choice, making it important for users to select based on their preferred typing feel.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch and the TTC Silent Red linear switch, the Caramel Latte has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Silent Red measures slightly longer at 3.7 mm. This means that those who prefer a quicker response time might find the Caramel Latte more appealing due to its shorter travel distance, which can facilitate faster actuation. Conversely, the Silent Red, with its longer travel distance, may provide a more pronounced feel when pressing down, which some users might prefer for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on individual preferences for responsiveness versus a deeper keystroke feel.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Huano Caramel Latte switch delivers a bright and clacky auditory experience. The high-pitched and crisp sound it produces creates an engaging and lively typing atmosphere, making each keystroke feel dynamic and quick. In contrast, the TTC Silent Red switch is designed for those who prioritize a quieter environment, delivering a muted sound profile that significantly reduces noise. This makes it a superb choice for office settings or shared spaces where sound can be an issue. Therefore, while the Caramel Latte provides an engaging, percussive soundtrack to your typing, the Silent Red focuses on maintaining a serene and discreet sound environment.

In terms of tactile feel, the Caramel Latte switch is characterized by its silky smoothness, allowing for an exceptionally seamless and satisfying typing experience. This minimization of resistance enhances the overall enjoyment of typing, making it feel effortless. On the other hand, the Silent Red offers a mild and polished feel, providing a gentle and refined touch that appeals to a broader audience. It balances smooth operation with a comfortable bottom-out experience, supported by its padded design to reduce fatigue during extended sessions. Thus, while both switches are designed for smooth performance, the Caramel Latte leans more towards a vibrant typing sensation, whereas the Silent Red emphasizes an approachable and gentle touch.

In summary, both switches cater to specific user preferences with distinct sound and feel characteristics. The Huano Caramel Latte excels with its clacky sound and silky smooth action, perfect for those who enjoy an engaging and lively experience, while the TTC Silent Red prioritizes a quiet and thoughtful typing atmosphere alongside a comforting, mild tactile experience. Ultimately, your choice between these switches will depend on whether you prefer an exciting auditory experience or a peaceful and serene typing environment.

Conclusion

To conclude, when deciding between the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch and the TTC Silent Red linear switch, consider your specific typing environment and personal preferences. If you thrive in a lively and expressive typing experience, the Caramel Latte is an excellent choice. With its medium-light actuation force, bright, clacky sound profile, and silky smooth feel, it offers a delightful experience for those who enjoy audible feedback when typing, making it ideal for gaming or casual use where ambience isn't a concern. On the other hand, if you find yourself in quieter environments—such as an office or shared living spaces—the TTC Silent Red is more suited to your needs. With a medium-heavy actuation force and a muted sound profile, these switches allow you to type in peace without disturbing those around you, while still delivering a polished, smooth typing experience. Ultimately, your choice should reflect how you balance the desire for expressiveness with the need for noise control.

Mentioned in this article

Huano Caramel Latte Linear

$3.00

$2.75 per 10

Learn more

TTC Silent Red Linear

$5.28

$4.38 per 10

Learn more