Huano Caramel Latte vs. KTT Wine Red
An in-depth look at the Huano Caramel Latte and the KTT Wine Red 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 the KTT Wine Red are two compelling options, both of which belong to the linear category yet offer distinct tactile experiences. The Caramel Latte switch is celebrated for its medium weight of 50g bottom out, delivering a bright and clacky sound profile that enhances the pleasure of every keystroke, making it ideal for those who enjoy a lively auditory feedback as they type. In contrast, the KTT Wine Red switch is characterized by a pillowy light feel coupled with a satisfyingly deep and rich bassy sound, making it an excellent choice for users who prefer a softer touch and a more subdued auditory experience. While both switches cater to linear enthusiasts, their unique sound profiles and tactile sensations can significantly influence your typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
44g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
55g
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
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
Progressive spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Huano Caramel Latte and KTT Wine Red switches, a clear differentiation emerges between their respective top housings, which significantly impacts their acoustic characteristics and performance. The Caramel Latte features a POK (polyketone) top housing renowned for its exceptional strength and durability, exceeding the wear resistance of POM by 14 times. With a coefficient of friction of 0.04, POK contributes to a smooth and clacky typing experience. In contrast, the Wine Red utilizes polycarbonate for its top housing, a material known for producing a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its stiffer composition. The translucence of polycarbonate also enhances the aesthetic appeal, particularly for setups with RGB lighting, providing a striking visual performance alongside its acoustic features.
In terms of bottom housing, the differences between the two switches are similarly pronounced. The Caramel Latte employs nylon, a classic material favored for its softer properties that produce a deeper, fuller sound profile. This absorption characteristic results in a more muted auditory experience, capturing a round sound that contrasts with the crispness of polycarbonate. Conversely, the Wine Red opts for polycarbonate as well for its bottom housing, amplifying the sharpness and clarity of the sound profile. This cohesiveness in the use of polycarbonate across both the top and bottom housings in the Wine Red emphasizes its resonant qualities, while the Caramel Latte’s nylon bottom serves to balance the sharper top sound effect produced by its POK material.
Ultimately, the combination of materials in each switch results in distinct acoustic profiles and tactile sensations. While the Huano Caramel Latte offers a harmonious blend of smooth tactile feedback with a deeper sound, the KTT Wine Red presents a bright and resonant experience shaped by its polycarbonate construction. In switches where the top and bottom housings differ in material, the characteristics of each housing neatly combine, resulting in a unique typing experience where the nylon bottom muffles and enriches the sound emitted from the stiffer POK top, contrasting vividly with the sharper and clearer projection offered by the matching polycarbonate in the Wine Red. These distinctions highlight how material choices affect both the sound dynamics and the overall aesthetic of each switch.
Weight
When comparing the actuation and bottom out forces of the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch and the KTT Wine Red linear switch, both options display similarities and slight differences. The Caramel Latte features an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams, while the Wine Red boasts a slightly lighter actuation force of 44 grams, though it shares the same bottom out force of 55 grams as the Caramel Latte. This makes the KTT Wine Red a marginally lighter switch in terms of actuation force, which may appeal to users looking for less fatigue during extended typing or gaming sessions. Both switches provide a consistent bottoming out experience, as they share the same bottom out force. Overall, while both switches fall within the medium-light category, the Wine Red offers a minimal advantage in lightness, making it a suitable choice for those who prefer a lighter touch without sacrificing bottoming out feedback.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch and the KTT Wine Red linear switch, it is evident that the former has a shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the latter measures at 4 mm. This difference highlights the Caramel Latte switch as the more responsive option, catering to gamers and those who favor quicker key presses. In contrast, the Wine Red switch, with its longer travel distance, may appeal to users who prefer a fuller tactile experience and greater key depth, possibly enhancing typing satisfaction. Therefore, if you're seeking speed and responsiveness, the Huano Caramel Latte would be the better choice, whereas the KTT Wine Red offers a more traditional and deeper typing feel.
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 Wine Red comes in at $2.71 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
In terms of sound, the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch produces a bright and clacky sound profile, creating an engaging auditory experience with each keystroke. Its sound is designed to be more vibrant, allowing for a lively typing atmosphere. On the other hand, the KTT Wine Red linear switch features a deeper, bassy sound that is low-pitched and rich. This provides a more subdued auditory experience, leaning towards a harmonious resonance during use. The differing sound profiles highlight the unique character of each switch, with the Caramel Latte offering a more energetic tone and the Wine Red delivering a warm, velvety sound that may evoke a more sophisticated environment when typing.
When it comes to feel, the Huano Caramel Latte switch is characterized by a super smooth typing experience, where each keystroke is fluid and satisfying. The weightiness of 50g at bottom out contributes to a balanced keystroke that many users find enjoyable. Conversely, the KTT Wine Red switch is described as having a pillowy light feel, which brings a softer tactile sensation to every press. While the Caramel Latte leans towards a smooth and slightly heavier experience, the Wine Red offers a gentler touch that may be preferred by those who enjoy a softer typing experience. This makes the feel of each switch distinct, with the Caramel Latte emphasizing smoothness and the Wine Red highlighting a plush tactile quality.
Overall, both the Huano Caramel Latte and KTT Wine Red switches present unique qualities that cater to different preferences. If you enjoy a brighter sound with a smooth feel, the Caramel Latte is a great choice. In contrast, if you're leaning towards a deeper sound profile with a softer tactile feedback, the Wine Red would be more suitable. Each switch provides a different typing experience, and your choice will ultimately depend on whether you prefer a lively auditory accompaniment or a subdued bassy sound while typing. Both can deliver smooth keystrokes; however, the accompanying auditory experience and feel will differ significantly, offering distinct typing pleasures.
Conclusion
To conclude, when selecting between the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch and the KTT Wine Red linear switch, consider the typing experience you desire. The Caramel Latte, with its smoothness and lighter touch, is ideal if you prioritize a responsive feel that enhances your typing speed and agility, perfect for fast-paced gaming or touch typing. Its bright, clacky sound profile adds an enjoyable auditory element, making it a great choice for those who appreciate an engaging keystroke experience. On the other hand, if you're drawn to a deeper and richer auditory landscape, the Wine Red switch could be your go-to. Its pillowy, light feel offers comfort during long typing sessions and pairs beautifully with its bassy sound that creates a satisfying resonance with each key press. In essence, choose the Caramel Latte for a lively, high-energy feel and sound, while opting for the Wine Red if you prefer a mellower, more enriched typing experience. Ultimately, your choice should reflect both your tactile preferences and the aesthetics of sound that resonate with you.
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