Huano Caramel Latte vs. HMX Twilight
An in-depth look at the Huano Caramel Latte and the HMX Twilight switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When exploring the world of mechanical keyboards, the choice of switches can significantly influence your typing experience. The Huano Caramel Latte switch is celebrated for its 50g bottom-out weight and its distinctively bright, clacky sound, offering a smooth and enjoyable typing sensation. This switch is ideal for users who appreciate a lively auditory feedback while engaging in long typing sessions or gaming marathons. On the other hand, the HMX Twilight switch stands out with its extended 3.85mm travel distance, providing a slightly quieter experience without sacrificing the clackiness that HMX switches are known for. This makes the Twilight an excellent choice for those who desire a balance between tactile feedback and a more subdued audio profile. Both switches cater to different preferences, making them worthy contenders for your keyboard, but let’s dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
42g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.85 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
POK
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
20mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Huano Caramel Latte and the HMX Twilight, a noticeable distinction is evident in their top housings. The Caramel Latte utilizes POK (polyketone) for its top housing, which boasts excellent durability, shock resistance, and a low coefficient of friction that contributes to a smooth typing experience. This choice of material ensures that the switches maintain a vibrant and clacky sound profile. In contrast, the Twilight employs nylon as its top housing material, an established classic known for its ability to absorb sound effectively. The nylon top adds a deeper, rounder tonality to the keystrokes, resulting in a sound profile that differs significantly from the brightness produced by POK. Thus, while both switches aim for aesthetic and auditory appeal, they achieve this through different material properties and sound characteristics.
The bottom housings of both switches present an interesting case of material consistency, as they both utilize nylon. This shared material functionally unites the two switches at the foundational level. Nylon is designed to provide consistent sound dampening, resulting in a fuller and deeper auditory feedback when the keys are pressed down. This similarity guarantees that, irrespective of the contrast in their top housings, both the Caramel Latte and the Twilight will ultimately provide a better bottom-out sound and feel due to the effective sound absorption properties of nylon in the bottom housing. Consequently, both switches will offer a rich acoustic experience when bottomed out, making them favorable for users who prioritize that aspect in their typing experience.
When evaluating the overall performance of the Huano Caramel Latte and the HMX Twilight, the differences in their top housing materials (POK vs. nylon) lead to distinct tactile experiences during use. The Caramel Latte, with its POK top, delivers a snappy feel and a bright auditory feedback upon release, while the Twilight’s nylon top evokes a softer, more rounded sound upon key disengagement. However, the commonality in their nylon bottom housings means that both switches can deliver a satisfying typing experience marked by deep, full sounds at the bottom-out point. Therefore, while users may prefer one over the other for their top housing characteristics, they can expect a similar tactile sensation and acoustic quality from the bottom housing due to the equivalent material choice.
Weight
When comparing the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch and the HMX Twilight linear 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, categorizing it as medium-light, while the Twilight is lighter with an actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams. This means that users who prefer a lighter touch will find the HMX Twilight more appealing, as it requires less force to actuate and bottom out. In contrast, the Caramel Latte offers a slightly heavier feel, which some may favor for a more substantial typing experience. Overall, while both switches provide different tactile responses, the Twilight demonstrates a lighter touch compared to the Caramel Latte, making it more suitable for extended typing or gaming sessions when ease of effort is prioritized.
Travel distance
The Huano Caramel Latte linear switch features a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the HMX Twilight linear switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.85 mm. This difference indicates that the Caramel Latte is the shorter option, which caters to those seeking quicker response times, often favored by gamers for its more rapid actuation. In contrast, the Twilight's travel distance may appeal to those who prefer a more substantial feel when pressing down on a key, providing a heartier depth that some users might find more comfortable. Thus, if one is seeking a switch that feels more responsive, the Caramel Latte would be the better choice, whereas the Twilight would suit those who appreciate a deeper keystroke.
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 HMX Twilight has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Twilight for $3.29.
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
In terms of sound, the Huano Caramel Latte switch features a bright, clacky sound profile that resonates with a lively vibrancy, creating an engaging auditory feedback with each keystroke. This clackiness can be particularly satisfying for users who enjoy the acoustic aspects of their typing experience. On the other hand, the HMX Twilight switch is slightly quieter due to its extended travel distance of 3.85mm, which softens the impact noise while still retaining some of the notable clacky characteristics typical of HMX switches. Although quieter, this switch offers a nuanced sound that is pleasant for those in shared spaces or who simply prefer a less aggressive auditory presence.
Regarding feel, the Caramel Latte switch is characterized by a medium weight of 50g at bottom out, providing a balanced resistance that strikes a sweet spot for many typists. This contributes to a super smooth typing experience that enhances the overall pleasure of each keystroke. Meanwhile, the HMX Twilight’s specific feel might not be detailed here, but its extended travel distance implies that it could offer a different tactile sensation, likely adding a more deliberate, slower response to each press. This could cater to users who enjoy a more pronounced and deliberate press before the switch actuates.
In conclusion, while both the Huano Caramel Latte and HMX Twilight linear switches offer unique auditory and tactile experiences, they each cater to different preferences in sound and feel. The Caramel Latte excels with its bright clackiness and smooth typing experience, while the Twilight maintains a quieter sound profile with a potentially different tactile feedback due to its extended travel. Users can therefore choose based on their personal preferences for sound and feel, ultimately achieving satisfying results with either switch depending on their typing style and environment.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when deciding between the Huano Caramel Latte and the HMX Twilight linear switches, it ultimately boils down to your typing preferences and needs. If you prefer a medium-light key feel combined with a bright, clacky sound, the Caramel Latte switch would be the ideal choice for you; it provides a satisfying tactile feedback that enhances the typing experience, making it great for both typing and gaming. On the other hand, if you lean towards a lighter switch with a quieter operation while still enjoying the signature clackiness, the HMX Twilight switch would suit you better. Its extended travel distance offers a unique feel that may appeal to users who appreciate a smooth and subtle operation. Therefore, consider how each switch fits into your daily usage, whether you're typing for long hours or diving into gaming sessions, to ensure you choose the option that maximizes your comfort and enjoyment.
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