HMX Caramel Pudding vs. TTC Flaming Purple
An in-depth look at the HMX Caramel Pudding and the TTC Flaming Purple 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, and two compelling options are the HMX Caramel Pudding and the TTC Flaming Purple, both linear switches. The Caramel Pudding switches are renowned for their resonant, clacky sound signature, offering an exquisitely smooth typing feel that many users appreciate for its tactile satisfaction. On the other hand, the TTC Flaming Purple stands out with its neutral yet bassy sound profile that features a poppy undertone, providing a delightful auditory engagement with each keystroke. Additionally, the Flaming Purple's feathery nature, with a bottom-out force of just 47g, ensures rapid and effortless typing, making it a favorite among both enthusiasts and daily typists. While both switches offer unique benefits that cater to different preferences, understanding their specific characteristics will help you make an informed decision. 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
42g
Bottom-out force
52g
Bottom-out force
47g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POK
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
23mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the HMX Caramel Pudding and the TTC Flaming Purple switches showcase both distinct contrasts and notable similarities, particularly in their bottom housings. The Caramel Pudding features a nylon top housing, which provides a deeper, fuller sound characteristic due to the material's soft and sound-absorbing properties. This means that when you type on these switches, the sound profile is more rounded and less harsh, creating an overall warmer typing experience. Conversely, the Flaming Purple's top housing is made of polycarbonate, a stiffer plastic that promotes a sharper, crisp sound upon key release. This material choice results in a brighter auditory experience, which can be particularly advantageous for users who enjoy an energetic and lively feedback from their typing.
However, when we turn to the bottom housings of both switches, we find a commonality that ties their performances together. Both the Caramel Pudding and the Flaming Purple utilize nylon for their bottom housings, which leads to similar characteristics: a deeper and fuller sound profile. Here, the softer properties of nylon ensure that the bottom-out feel remains consistent and pleasant across both switch types. This alignment in the bottom housing material indicates that while the overall sound experienced may differ when engaging with the switches, the foundational auditory experience remains cohesive during the bottoming out of keys, offering a familiar tactile sensation and sound depth.
In summary, the contrasting choices of top housing materials between the HMX Caramel Pudding and TTC Flaming Purple lead to differing auditory experiences, with nylon producing deeper sounds and polycarbonate contributing to a crisper profile. Nevertheless, the shared nylon bottom housing unifies their sound and touch feedback during key presses. As users type, they will enjoy the warmth and fullness from the nylon, while also experiencing the variance introduced by the top housings. This thoughtful material combination ensures that you can achieve a robust and aesthetically pleasing typing experience, regardless of your switch choice.
Weight
When comparing the HMX Caramel Pudding linear switch and the TTC Flaming Purple linear switch, there are notable differences in their actuation and bottom-out forces. The Caramel Pudding requires an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom-out force of 52 grams, making it a medium-light option. In contrast, the Flaming Purple boasts a lighter actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom-out force of 47 grams. This means that the Flaming Purple is generally easier to press down than the Caramel Pudding, making it potentially more suitable for those who favor a lighter typing experience during prolonged use. Conversely, the heavier actuation and bottom-out forces of the Caramel Pudding provide a more substantial feel, appealing to users who prefer a firmer tactile response when typing or gaming. Overall, while both switches have their unique benefits, the Flaming Purple is lighter, making it ideal for extended sessions, while the Caramel Pudding caters to those who appreciate a stronger push feel.
Travel distance
The HMX Caramel Pudding linear switch and the TTC Flaming Purple linear switch both feature a travel distance of 3.6 mm, making them equivalent in terms of the distance each switch travels from the top to the bottom when pressed. This similarity in travel distance means that users can expect a comparable feel and response when using either switch, resulting in a consistent typing or gaming experience. Since both switches have the same travel distance, there's no need to prioritize one over the other based on this specific metric.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Caramel Pudding has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Caramel Pudding for $2.99.
The TTC Flaming Purple has an MSRP of $8.30 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Flaming Purple for $4.30.
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 Caramel Pudding switch is known for its resonant and clacky sound signature, which provides an engaging auditory experience as you type. This quality creates a lively sound atmosphere that many users find pleasurable. Conversely, the TTC Flaming Purple switch has a more neutral sound profile that leans slightly towards the bassy end of the spectrum, showcasing a deeper, richer tone during key presses. Characterized as having a poppy undertone, it offers a unique auditory flair that can captivate typists who appreciate the nuances of sound during use. While both switches exhibit resonant qualities, the Caramel Pudding leans towards a higher-pitched clack, whereas the Flaming Purple offers a mellower, bass-influenced sound.
In terms of feel, the Caramel Pudding is celebrated for its exquisitely smooth typing experience. The overall tactile response allows for fluid keystrokes that make typing feel effortless and enjoyable. On the other hand, the Flaming Purple is described as having a feathery nature, featuring a bottom-out force of just 47g, which translates to very light, easy-to-press key actions. This significantly reduces finger fatigue over long typing sessions and enhances overall ergonomics. Additionally, the Flaming Purple switch is described as silky, contributing to a seamless and comfortable typing experience. While they might provide a different tactile sensation, both switches promise a satisfying ergonomic feel that caters to typists.
In conclusion, both the Caramel Pudding and TTC Flaming Purple switches deliver distinct auditory and tactile experiences, each with their own unique qualities. The Caramel Pudding offers a clacky, resonant sound and an exceptionally smooth feel, making it engaging for users who enjoy auditory feedback. Meanwhile, the Flaming Purple balances neutrality with subtle bassy undertones, coupled with a light and feathery actuation that minimizes fatigue for an effortless typing experience. Depending on your preferences, both switches can provide enjoyable results, whether you prioritize sound or feel in your mechanical keyboard journey.
Conclusion
To conclude, when deciding between the HMX Caramel Pudding linear switch and the TTC Flaming Purple linear switch, your choice will largely depend on your personal typing preferences and usage scenarios. The Caramel Pudding, with its medium-light bottom-out force of 52 grams, is ideal for those who enjoy a more tactile experience combined with a resonant, clacky sound that can add a lively character to your keystrokes. This switch excels in scenarios where auditory feedback enhances the typing experience—perfect for writers and typists who appreciate a bit of acoustic engagement while staying productive. On the other hand, if you lean towards a lighter touch and comfort in long typing sessions, the TTC Flaming Purple, at just 47 grams of bottom-out force, might be more appealing. Its feathery feel and bassy sound signature cater to gamers and daily typists seeking a seamless experience that minimizes finger fatigue. Ultimately, if you prioritize auditory flair with a smooth typing experience, go for the Caramel Pudding; however, if effortless typing and comfort are your main concerns, the TTC Flaming Purple is likely the better choice for you.
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