Huano Caramel Latte vs. Wuque Studio WS Pearl
An in-depth look at the Huano Caramel Latte and the Wuque Studio WS Pearl switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Huano Caramel Latte and the Wuque Studio WS Pearl offer distinct yet appealing characteristics for typists and gamers alike. The Caramel Latte is celebrated for its medium weight of 50g bottom out and its bright, clacky sound profile, providing a delightfully smooth typing experience with every keystroke, making it an excellent choice for those who appreciate auditory feedback and a tactile feel during their use. In contrast, the WS Pearl switches stand out with their innovative use of ball-bearings to minimize friction, resulting in a remarkably smooth keystroke feel and a medium-high pitched sound signature. This makes the WS Pearls particularly suited for users who prioritize a seamless and quiet typing experience. Each switch caters to different preferences; while the Caramel Latte offers an engaging auditory feedback coupled with a satisfying feel, the WS Pearl aims for a frictionless experience with a unique design. 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
30g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
58g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
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
16mm single-staged spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Huano Caramel Latte and the Wuque Studio WS Pearl, a key distinction emerges in the choice of materials for their top housings. The Caramel Latte features a POK top housing, which is recognized for its smoothness and durability due to its low coefficient of friction and exceptional wear resistance. In contrast, the WS Pearl employs a nylon top housing, a classic choice that lends a softer, more muted sound profile to typing. While both materials contribute significantly to the overall performance of the switches, the POK's stronger durability and smoother surface provide a distinctly different tactile experience compared to the softer, sound-absorbing characteristics of nylon.
The bottom housings of both switches, however, share common ground, as they are both made of nylon. This similarity means that users will encounter the classic advantages of nylon in both switches when typing. The nylon material’s ability to absorb sound contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, delivering a dull and rounded auditory feedback upon key presses. This shared bottom housing material suggests that the two switches will produce similar auditory sensations, even though the top housings diverge significantly in their contributions to tactile feedback and sound profile during the actuation and release phases.
Ultimately, the combination of POK for the Caramel Latte’s top housing and nylon for the WS Pearl’s top housing results in contrasting experiences in terms of sound and feel during typing. The POK material offers a sharper and crisper auditory profile during release, coupled with increased durability, while nylon softens that experience with a rounder sound. However, since both switches utilize nylon for their bottom housings, they will exhibit similar deep sound profiles that enhance the overall tactile and auditory experience, bridging the gap between the two designs and creating a harmonious balance in performance despite the differences in their top housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the actuation and bottom out forces of the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Pearl linear switch, there are notable differences in their characteristics. The Caramel Latte features an actuation force of 45 grams, making it medium-light, whereas the WS Pearl has a significantly lighter actuation force of 30 grams, which is ideal for those who prefer a less strenuous typing experience. In terms of bottom out forces, the Caramel Latte's is 55 grams, while the WS Pearl's slightly exceeds this at 58 grams. This means that while the Pearl is easier to actuate, it requires a bit more force to fully bottom out than the Caramel Latte. Overall, the Huano Caramel Latte offers a heavier feel due to its higher actuation force, appealing to users who enjoy a more substantial typing experience. In contrast, the lighter WS Pearl is better suited for longer typing sessions, making it a favorable option for those who prioritize comfort.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Pearl linear switch, the Caramel Latte features a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the WS Pearl has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. This makes the Caramel Latte the longer option by 0.1 mm. For gamers and users who prioritize quick response times, the WS Pearl may be more appealing due to its shorter travel distance, enabling faster key presses. Conversely, those who prefer a more substantial feel in their keystrokes might gravitate towards the Caramel Latte's longer distance, which offers a bit more depth while typing or gaming. Thus, depending on individual preferences for responsiveness versus depth, one may choose accordingly between these two switches.
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 Wuque Studio WS Pearl comes in at $6.00 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 provides a bright, clacky sound profile that can be quite pronounced during typing, offering an engaging auditory experience that many users find satisfying. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Pearl linear switch delivers a medium-high pitched sound signature, characterized by a more refined and subtle tone that resonates differently than the Caramel Latte. While both switches offer a distinct auditory quality, the Caramel Latte leans more toward an overtly bright sound, while the WS Pearl presents a more measured high-frequency response. It's important to remember that the overall sound can also be influenced by the keyboard's construction and the keycap materials used.
When it comes to feel, the Caramel Latte shines with a medium weight of 50g at bottom out, creating a solid yet responsive typing experience that many find comfortable for extended use. The smoothness of the keystrokes adds to the overall enjoyment, allowing for fluid transitions between keys. Contrasting that, the WS Pearl takes smoothness to another level by incorporating ball-bearings, which significantly reduce friction and yield an incredibly silky-smooth feel during typing. This unique engineering feature leads to a sensation that many describe as almost surreal, setting it apart from standard linear switches. Both switches aim for a smooth experience, but the WS Pearl's innovative design enhances that quality further.
In conclusion, both the Huano Caramel Latte and the Wuque Studio WS Pearl linear switches offer their own unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Caramel Latte is characterized by a bright, clacky sound and a solid, medium-weight feel, making it a joyful choice for those who appreciate auditory feedback. Meanwhile, the WS Pearl stands out for its medium-high pitched sound and exceptionally smooth keystrokes facilitated by ball-bearing technology. Depending on personal preference, either switch can provide a satisfying typing experience, but the nuances in sound and feel will guide newcomers in finding the right fit for their mechanical keyboard journey.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Huano Caramel Latte linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Pearl linear switch should largely depend on your personal preferences in typing feel, sound, and the weight of the switches. If you prefer a lighter touch and a more pronounced, clacky sound that enhances your typing experience, the Caramel Latte with its 55g bottom out force is likely the better fit for you. It offers a super smooth keystroke that keeps the experience enjoyable over long typing sessions. On the other hand, if you gravitate towards a unique typing experience with an incredibly smooth feel delivered by ball-bearings, and you appreciate a medium overall weight with a medium-high pitched sound, then the WS Pearl would suit you well. Its design minimizes friction, thereby making every keystroke feel effortless. Ultimately, consider your typing habits and the auditory feedback you prefer; this will guide you in choosing the switch that best matches your style.
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