KTT Cream Yellow vs. Huano Matcha Latte V2

Overview

When choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switches, the KTT Cream Yellow and the Huano Matcha Latte V2 offer two distinct experiences despite both being linear switches. The Cream Yellow is celebrated for its clacky sound profile, attributed to its shortened bottom-out distance and long-pole stem, which together create a resonant auditory feedback that many users find satisfying. Additionally, its lengthened spring contributes to a lively, bouncy typing feel, making it an appealing choice for those who crave a more expressive tactile response. In contrast, the Huano Matcha Latte V2 emphasizes a smooth and subtle linear typing experience, providing a delicate balance between lightness and a solid bottom-out feel. With its generous factory lubrication and minimal stem wobble, this switch delivers a premium typing performance that’s accessible in both price and function. Both switches cater to different preferences, with the Cream Yellow ideal for users seeking auditory stimulation and a dynamic typing experience, while the Matcha Latte V2 appeals to those who prioritize smoothness and reliability. However, let’s dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

KTT Cream Yellow Linear

Huano Matcha Latte V2 Linear

$2.75

$2.55 per 10

$3.99 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The KTT Cream Yellow and Huano Matcha Latte V2 switches utilize contrasting materials in their top housings, influencing the overall sound profile of each switch. The Cream Yellow's top housing is made from polycarbonate, a material known for its stiffer and more resonant qualities. This composition allows for a sharper, crisper sound, particularly well-suited for those who prefer a clearer auditory feedback, especially when using RGB lighting due to its translucency. In comparison, the Matcha Latte V2 employs POK (polyketone) for its top housing, which offers a unique smoothness due to its slightly higher coefficient of friction. While both materials aim to provide a distinct auditory experience, the polycarbonate excels in providing clarity, while the POK focuses on delivering a silky smooth typing experience, leading to a sound that, while potentially softer than polycarbonate, remains pleasant and well-defined.

When examining the bottom housings of both switches, they share a commonality in their material composition, both utilizing nylon. This classic choice is notable for its ability to produce a deeper and fuller sound profile, thanks to nylon’s softer plastic composition that absorbs more sound than tougher materials. As such, both the KTT Cream Yellow and Huano Matcha Latte V2 benefit from this shared trait, resulting in the bottom-out feel being characterized by a more muted yet resonant auditory experience. Thus, while their approaches to the top housing differ, both switches leverage nylon in the lower housing, leading to a cohesive auditory sensation during the actuation of the switches.

In essence, the combination of materials in each switch creates distinctive sound qualities influenced by their individual designs. The Cream Yellow’s polycarbonate top housing delivers a sharper resonant sound, which combined with the nylon bottom housing enables a rounded sound profile overall. Conversely, the Matcha Latte V2 contrasts this with its smooth POK top housing that prioritizes tactile fluidity while maintaining the deeper sound quality through its nylon bottom. Ultimately, both switches can provide satisfying auditory feedback and performance, but they achieve it through different balances between the sharper clarity of polycarbonate and the smooth comfort of polyketone in their respective designs.

Weight

When comparing the KTT Cream Yellow linear switch and the Huano Matcha Latte V2 linear switch, we find notable differences in their actuation forces. The Cream Yellow requires a moderate actuation force of 50 grams, while the Matcha Latte V2 is lighter, needing just 45 grams to actuate a keystroke. This means that users who favor lighter switches for prolonged typing or gaming sessions might prefer the Matcha Latte V2 for its reduced effort. However, the bottom out force for the Matcha Latte V2 is not available, making it difficult to assess how it compares in that regard to the Cream Yellow's bottom out force of 58 grams. Consequently, the Cream Yellow offers a firmer push feel for those who enjoy a more substantial typing experience, while the Matcha Latte V2's lighter actuation force caters to users looking for less fatigue during extended use. Without the bottom out force data for the Matcha Latte V2, a direct comparison in terms of bottoming out remains uncertain.

Travel distance

The KTT Cream Yellow linear switch and the Huano Matcha Latte V2 linear switch differ slightly in their travel distances, with the Cream Yellow measuring 3.5 mm and the Matcha Latte V2 at 3.6 mm. This means that the Cream Yellow has a shorter travel distance compared to the Matcha Latte V2, making it potentially more responsive, which can be advantageous for gamers who prefer quicker actuation. On the other hand, the longer travel distance of the Matcha Latte V2 might provide a more substantial typing experience favored by those who appreciate deeper key presses. Therefore, selecting between these two switches will depend on personal preference for either responsiveness or a more hearty depth in keystrokes.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the KTT Cream Yellow switch is characterized by its distinctively clacky audio profile, offering a sharp and snappy sound with each keystroke. This crisp, bright, and percussive sound is accentuated by the switch's shorter bottom-out distance and long-pole stem, creating a resonant feedback that many users find appealing. In contrast, the Huano Matcha Latte V2's sound characteristics are not as distinctly defined here, but it is worth noting that the overall auditory experience can be influenced significantly by the choice of keyboard, keycaps, and even the individual typing style of the user. Therefore, while the Cream Yellow provides a more definitive clack, the Matcha Latte V2 may offer a quieter linear typing experience, depending on those external factors.

In terms of feel, the Cream Yellow switch stands out with its bouncy sensation, giving users a lively response due to its lengthened spring. This unique feel offers a spring-like, elastic feedback when the keys are pressed, which can be particularly enjoyable for those who appreciate an active typing experience. On the other hand, the Huano Matcha Latte V2 presents a smooth, subtle linear typing experience that balances lightness with a solid bottom-out feel. The generous factory lubrication and minimal stem wobble enhance its premium linear performance, creating a feeling of stability and ease during typing. While the Cream Yellow delivers an energetic vibe, the Matcha Latte V2 leans towards a more refined and consistent typing sensation.

In conclusion, when comparing the KTT Cream Yellow and Huano Matcha Latte V2 switches, the Cream Yellow offers a clacky sound and a bouncy feel that many typists appreciate for its liveliness. The Matcha Latte V2, while less defined in terms of sound, provides a smooth typing experience marked by its pleasing balance of lightness and solid feedback, bolstered by its factory lubrication. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference regarding sound and typing sensation; however, both switches promise a satisfactory typing experience tailored to different styles and preferences.

Conclusion

To conclude, when deciding between the KTT Cream Yellow and the Huano Matcha Latte V2 linear switches, consider your typing preferences and what you value most in a switch. If you enjoy a more auditory typing experience with a lively, bouncy feel, the Cream Yellow switches will likely appeal to you. Their distinct clacky sound and medium bottom-out force make them ideal for those who appreciate tactile feedback and a more engaging keypress. This makes them suitable for fast typists, gamers, or anyone who enjoys a bit of acoustic charm to their keyboard.

On the other hand, if you prioritize smoothness and a more subdued auditory profile, the Matcha Latte V2 switches would be the better choice. Their premium linear performance, along with generous factory lubrication and minimal stem wobble, ensures a seamless typing experience without distraction. This makes them excellent for long typing sessions or professional work environments where focus is essential. In short, choose the KTT Cream Yellow for an energetic and responsive experience, while the Huano Matcha Latte V2 is perfect for those seeking understated efficiency and smoothness in their keystrokes.

Mentioned in this article

KTT Cream Yellow Linear

$2.75

$2.55 per 10

Learn more

Huano Matcha Latte V2 Linear

$3.99 per 10

Learn more