HMX Caramel Pudding vs. Jwick Taro
An in-depth look at the HMX Caramel Pudding and the Jwick Taro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch to enhance your typing experience, the HMX Caramel Pudding and Jwick Taro switches present two distinct options worth considering. The Caramel Pudding stands out with its resonant and clacky sound signature, providing an exquisitely smooth typing feel that many typists and gamers appreciate for its satisfying feedback and responsiveness. As a linear switch, it delivers a seamless keystroke without tactile bumps, making it ideal for those who prefer uninterrupted flow. On the other hand, the Jwick Taro switches offer a cozy typing experience, complemented by their neutral yet buttery tactile feedback. With their snappy medium-level tactility and crisp clacks, they cater to users who appreciate a bit of resistance while typing, allowing for a more tactile interface as you engage with your keyboard. While both switches cater to different preferences—smoothness versus tactility—there’s much more to each switch than these general traits. 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
52g
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
Nylon
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 housing materials of the HMX Caramel Pudding and the Jwick Taro exhibit a marked contrast in their top housing compositions, leading to distinct sonic profiles. The Caramel Pudding utilizes nylon for its top housing, which results in a deeper and rounder sound profile. This is attributed to the softer nature of nylon, which absorbs sound more effectively than harder plastics, creating a dulled auditory experience. In contrast, the Jwick Taro employs polycarbonate in its top housing, producing a sharper, higher-pitched sound that is more resonant and clear. The inherent stiffness of polycarbonate allows it to amplify sound more efficiently, ideal for a crisp auditory experience. Therefore, while both switches deliver unique audio characteristics, the contrasting materials highlight the significance of housing choices in shaping acoustic perception.
However, in a noteworthy similarity, both the HMX Caramel Pudding and the Jwick Taro feature nylon for their bottom housing. This commonality means that regardless of the differences observed in their top housing, both switches will share a deep and full sound profile when pressed down. The nylon bottom housing dampens the sound when the key is bottomed out, allowing for a consistent auditory experience across both products. The plush feel of the nylon material serves to absorb sound, ensuring that the bottom-out impact feels soft and rounded. As a result, the tactile and acoustic experiences while pressing each switch are comparable, even with the differing materials in the top housing.
When examining the overall impact of these materials, it becomes clear that the combination of distinct top housing materials with common bottom housing elements creates a layered auditory experience. The Jwick Taro may excel in producing sharper sounds due to its polycarbonate top, while the Caramel Pudding delivers a more subdued auditory profile from its nylon top. However, both switches retain a sense of cohesion through their nylon bottoms, ensuring that the tactile feedback during key presses remains consistent. This interplay between differing top and common bottom materials illustrates how the qualities of each housing contribute to the overall experience, allowing for various sound profiles while grounding the user’s experience through the shared characteristics of nylon.
Weight
When comparing the HMX Caramel Pudding linear switch and the Jwick Taro tactile switch, the differences in actuation and bottom out forces illustrate their distinct typing experiences. The Caramel Pudding features a relatively light actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 52 grams, making it suitable for those who prefer a comfortable typing experience for extended periods, like work or long gaming sessions. In contrast, the Taro switch has a significantly heavier bottom out force of 67 grams; however, its actuation force is unspecified. This ambiguity suggests a heavier push feel, which may appeal to users who appreciate a more substantial typing experience. Given this information, it's clear that the Caramel Pudding is the lighter switch overall, while the Taro is the heavier option. Thus, users looking for a more relaxed typing experience with light pressure should lean towards the Caramel Pudding, whereas those who enjoy a firmer, more resistant feel might prefer the Jwick Taro.
Travel distance
The HMX Caramel Pudding linear switch and the Jwick Taro tactile switch exhibit a slight difference in travel distance, with the Caramel Pudding measuring 3.6 mm and the Taro at 3.7 mm. This makes the Caramel Pudding the shorter option, while the Taro offers a longer travel distance. For users seeking more responsiveness, the Caramel Pudding may be more appealing due to its shorter travel distance, which can enhance speed and efficiency in gaming scenarios. Conversely, the Taro, with its slightly greater travel distance, may provide a more substantial tactile experience for those who enjoy a deeper keypress. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for response time versus the feeling of depth during typing.
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 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 HMX Caramel Pudding switches produce a resonant, clacky sound signature that resonates well with those who appreciate an audible typing experience. This sound can provide a satisfying auditory feedback that many typists enjoy. On the other hand, the Jwick Taro switches are characterized by their acute and crisp clacks, which, while providing a tactile sound signature, also maintain a relatively neutral profile. This moderate sound level makes the Taro suitable for various environments, whether at home or in a more professional setting. However, it's essential to remember that sound can be influenced by factors such as the keyboard build and keycap choice, so individual experiences may vary.
In terms of feel, the Caramel Pudding switches excel in providing an exquisitely smooth typing experience. This seamless glide of the keystroke fosters a fluid typing sensation that can enhance productivity and comfort during long typing sessions. In contrast, the Taro switches offer a more complex tactile feedback profile. They provide a snappy, medium-level tactility that gives typists a more pronounced feeling of engagement with the switch action, along with a buttery smoothness that emphasizes comfort. The stepped tactile nature of the Taro switches means they have two distinct stages in their keystroke, providing a mild tactile bump that can enhance touch feedback without being overly harsh.
In conclusion, both the HMX Caramel Pudding linear switch and the Jwick Taro tactile switch offer unique qualities that cater to different typing preferences. While the Caramel Pudding is celebrated for its smooth feel and clacky sound, the Taro switches provide a cozy typing experience with their snappy tactility and crisp acoustics. Depending on individual preferences for sound and tactile feedback, one might gravitate toward either switch. Since both switches offer their distinctive experiences, it ultimately comes down to personal preference in terms of sound signature and feel.
Conclusion
To conclude, choosing between the HMX Caramel Pudding linear switch and the Jwick Taro tactile switch ultimately hinges on your personal typing preferences and typical usage scenarios. If you favor a smooth and lightweight typing experience with a sound profile that resonates with clacky feedback, the Caramel Pudding is your go-to option. Its 52-gram bottom-out force makes it ideal for gaming or long typing sessions where rapid key presses are desirable without fatigue. On the other hand, if you appreciate a more tactile and deliberate typing experience, the Jwick Taro, with its 67-gram bottom-out force, is likely to be more satisfying. Its medium tactile feedback provides a comfortable, if not slightly more robust, keystroke that can enhance your precision while typing or coding, especially considering its acute, crisp sound. In essence, choose the Caramel Pudding for a fluid, engaging experience where speed is key, and opt for the Taro for a cozy, tactile feel that prioritizes the satisfaction of each keystroke.
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