Huano Caramel Latte vs. Jwick Taro
An in-depth look at the Huano Caramel Latte and the Jwick Taro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options that exemplify different typing experiences are the Huano Caramel Latte and the Jwick Taro. The Caramel Latte, with its medium actuation force of 50g, is celebrated for providing a silky smooth feel and a bright, clacky sound profile, which makes typing a joyful and engaging experience—ideal for those who prefer a responsive and quiet environment. On the other hand, the Jwick Taro boasts a buttery tactile sensation with a subtle yet satisfying snappiness, alongside acute, crisp clacks that provide auditory feedback, making it a great choice for typists who enjoy a bit more texture in their keystrokes. Each switch caters to distinct preferences: the Caramel Latte for a smooth and streamlined approach, while the Taro offers a cozy and nuanced typing experience. 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
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
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Huano Caramel Latte and Jwick Taro switches primarily differ in their top housing materials, which significantly influence their sound profiles and tactile performance. The Caramel Latte utilizes POK, or polyketone, renowned for its smooth operation due to its low coefficient of friction of 0.04. This material not only enhances the switching experience by providing a clacky feel but is also exceptionally durable, with a wear resistance that surpasses traditional options like POM by 14 times. On the other hand, the Jwick Taro is equipped with a polycarbonate top housing, known for producing a sharper, higher-pitched sound that resonates more clearly due to its stiffness. This distinction in top housing materials results in noticeable variations, as the Caramel Latte's POK allows for a smoother actuation while the Taro’s polycarbonate contributes to a bright, crystal sound profile.
Despite the differences in their top housings, both the Caramel Latte and Jwick Taro share a nylon bottom housing. This commonality ensures that both switches provide a deeper, fuller sound profile characteristic of nylon's softer properties. When typing, the nylon absorbs more sound, leading to a sound that is more muted and rounded in contrast to the sharper tones produced by polycarbonate. Thus, while the top housings influence the sharpness and clarity of the sound upon release, the nylon bottom housing contributes to the overall experience, lending a deeper resonance to both switches. Consequently, users familiar with the sound and feel of nylon will find a consistent experience in that aspect across both models.
Ultimately, the unique combination of these materials in the respective switches impacts the overall tactile as well as auditory experience when using them. The Caramel Latte’s POK top enhances smoothness and durability, while the Taro's polycarbonate top offers bright clarity, creating a juxtaposition between smooth actuation and crisp release sounds. Meanwhile, the shared nylon bottom serves to unify the deeper sound profile, ensuring that whether one opts for the Caramel Latte or the Taro, a satisfying typing experience awaits. In this way, despite their differences, both switches can achieve compelling auditory results by effectively balancing the characteristics provided by their unique top housings with the foundational qualities of their common nylon bottom housing.
Weight
The Huano Caramel Latte linear switch and the Jwick Taro tactile switch differ notably in both their actuation force and bottom out force. The Caramel Latte has a light actuation force of 45 grams, allowing for effortless typing and ideal for lengthy use, making it suitable for users who prefer lighter switches, particularly during extended work or gaming sessions. In contrast, the Taro’s actuation force is unknown; however, its bottom out force of 67 grams suggests a heavier overall feel, providing a more substantial typing experience that some users may prefer. While the Caramel Latte's bottom out force is 55 grams, which is still lighter than the Taro's, this reinforces its medium-light classification compared to the medium-heavy feel of the Taro. Overall, users seeking a lighter typing experience should opt for the Caramel Latte, while those who favor a firmer key response may gravitate toward the Taro switch.
Travel distance
The Huano Caramel Latte linear switch features a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Jwick Taro tactile switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.7 mm. This makes the Caramel Latte the shorter option, appealing to those who prefer a more responsive feel, which is often favored by gamers for quicker response times. On the other hand, the Taro, with its longer travel distance, may provide a more satisfying depth that some users find preferable if they enjoy a more robust typing experience. Both switches fall within the modern trend of shorter travel distances, but the Taro's additional 0.1 mm may cater better to those who appreciate a more substantial tactile sensation.
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 Jwick Taro has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Taro for $4.25.
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 delivers a bright and clacky auditory experience characterized by its high-pitched, crisp notes. These switches are designed to produce a sharp and percussive sound, creating an engaging typing atmosphere for users who prefer a more vibrant audio feedback with their keystrokes. In contrast, while the Jwick Taro switches do not have an explicitly defined sound profile, they produce acute and crisp clacks, which suggest a similarly sharp auditory response but possibly with a different tonal quality. Overall, both switches offer a sound signature that appeals to those who prefer a lively keypress feedback, although the exact sound might vary based on the keyboard build and keycap material.
In terms of feel, the Huano Caramel Latte switches provide a silky typing experience, ensuring exceptional smoothness and minimal resistance throughout the keystroke. This silky texture enhances comfort during extended typing sessions, making each press effortless. On the other hand, the Jwick Taro switches introduce a tactile element to the experience with a buttery consistency, which combines a fluid keystroke with a medium-level of tactility. The stepped tactile nature of the Taro adds some complexity to the typing feel, presenting users with noticeable feedback at specific points during the keystroke while still maintaining a fluid motion. While these two switches differ in tactile feedback, both can provide a satisfying typing experience tailored to varying preferences for smoothness or tactility.
In conclusion, both the Huano Caramel Latte and Jwick Taro switches cater to distinct preferences, with the Caramel Latte focusing on a silky smoothness and bright, clacky sound, while the Taro offers a tactile yet buttery feel accompanied by acute sound feedback. Ultimately, your choice may depend on whether you prioritize a smooth, uninterrupted keystroke or a more tactile typing experience, as both switches promise an enjoyable experience tailored to different sensibilities.
Conclusion
To conclude, the choice between the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch and the Jwick Taro tactile switch ultimately depends on your personal preferences and typing style. If you're someone who enjoys a smooth, effortless typing experience with a light and clacky sound, the Caramel Latte is an excellent option for you. Its 55g bottom-out force and silky feel make it perfect for users who want quick, efficient keystrokes without much resistance. This switch is a great fit for those who work long hours at the keyboard or prefer a responsive switch that offers less fatigue during extended typing sessions. On the other hand, if you appreciate a tactile response that provides a satisfying bump during each keystroke, combined with a medium-heavy actuation force and a crisp sound, the Jwick Taro will likely suit your needs better. With its 67g bottom-out force and buttery feel, you can enjoy the rewarding feedback of each press, adding an element of typing pleasure and precision that can enhance your overall experience. Ultimately, your decision should reflect your typing habits and whether you prioritize a smooth linear action or a textured tactile response.
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