Durock Daybreak vs. Huano Strawberry Latte
An in-depth look at the Durock Daybreak and the Huano Strawberry Latte switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When selecting the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, it’s essential to weigh your preferences carefully, and two compelling options to consider are the Durock Daybreak and the Huano Strawberry Latte, both of which are linear switches. The Durock Daybreak features a robust actuation force of 67g, delivering a substantial feel that appeals to typists who appreciate a more tactile and secure typing experience. Its quiet operation further enhances its suitability for shared workspaces or environments where noise control is paramount. In contrast, the Huano Strawberry Latte is prized for its super smooth keystrokes, thanks to the latest mold technology from Huano, offering a balanced sound profile that isn’t too quiet, nor overly resonant—ideal for users who enjoy a fluid typing experience without excessive noise. Both switches cater to distinct preferences in terms of feel and sound, making the choice a matter of individual typing style. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the right switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
POK
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Spring
20mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
The Durock Daybreak and the Huano Strawberry Latte switches stand out primarily due to their unique top housing materials. The Daybreak employs polycarbonate, a material known for its rigidity and translucency, which delivers a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile. This robust plastic maintains clarity and resonance, making it ideal for RGB lighting applications, as it allows for vibrant light transmission through the switch. In contrast, the Strawberry Latte utilizes POK (polyketone), which is renowned for its low friction and exceptional durability. Although POK does not possess the same level of translucency as polycarbonate, it excels in providing a smooth typing experience, characterized by a clackier sound. Therefore, while both top housing materials enhance the auditory feedback of their respective switches, they achieve this through different properties—polycarbonate via clarity and resonance, and POK through smoothness.
While the top housings of the Daybreak and Strawberry Latte differ significantly, their bottom housings share a common material: nylon. This longstanding classic in switch design contributes to a deeper, fuller sound profile due to its softer, sound-absorbing qualities. The nylon bottom housing is crucial for how the switches feel upon actuation, creating rounded feedback that contrasts with the sharper qualities of the Daybreak's polycarbonate top and the clackiness of the Strawberry Latte's POK top. Since both switches employ nylon in the bottom housing, they will yield similar auditory experiences at the bottom-out stage, reinforcing the notion that the switch's overall sound is a confluence of both top and bottom materials.
Ultimately, while the Durock Daybreak and Huano Strawberry Latte switches demonstrate different characteristics through their respective top housings—with polycarbonate providing a clearer, more resonant sound and POK offering a smoother typing experience—their common use of nylon for the bottom housing ensures a consistent sound foundation. As a result, users can expect that the deeper, fuller sound signature originating from the nylon will complement the distinct sound profiles created by the top housing materials. This integration of materials results in a dynamic typing experience that highlights both the individuality of each switch and the shared acoustic qualities derived from their nylon bottoms.
Weight
The Durock Daybreak linear switch and the Huano Strawberry Latte linear switch present a notable contrast in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Daybreak has an unspecified actuation force but features a bottom out force of 67 grams, categorized as medium-heavy. In contrast, the Strawberry Latte boasts a light actuation force of 40 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams. This difference is significant; while those who prefer a lighter touch will favor the Strawberry Latte for its ease of actuation and overall softer key feel, typers who enjoy a more robust tactile feedback may gravitate towards the Daybreak despite the unknown force needed to engage the switch initially. Ultimately, the Strawberry Latte is the lighter option, making it well-suited for extended typing sessions, whereas the Daybreak, with its heavier bottoming out force, may cater to those seeking a more substantial typing experience.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Durock Daybreak linear switch and the Huano Strawberry Latte linear switch, the Daybreak measures at 3.8 mm, while the Strawberry Latte has a shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm. This means that the Daybreak provides a deeper feel, which may appeal to users who prefer a more substantial key press, offering more tactile feedback. On the other hand, the shorter travel distance of the Strawberry Latte caters to gamers and others looking for quicker response times, making it a much more responsive option. Consequently, if you favor a rapid key actuation and a lighter touch, the Strawberry Latte would be the ideal choice. Ultimately, the contrast here lies in the depth of the actuation, with the Daybreak offering a lengthier key travel for those who appreciate a more pronounced action, whereas the Strawberry Latte allows for swifter presses suited for high-speed tasks.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Daybreak has an MSRP of $6.87 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Daybreak for $5.41.
The Huano Strawberry Latte has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Strawberry Latte for $3.29.
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 discussing the sound qualities of the Durock Daybreak and the Huano Strawberry Latte, the Daybreak stands out with its low-pitched tone, delivering a bass-heavy and mellow audio profile. This makes it a great option for users who prefer a quieter typing experience without sacrificing satisfaction. On the other hand, the Strawberry Latte has a balanced sound profile—it's neither particularly quiet nor excessively resonant, offering a more neutral auditory experience that can be appealing for users who enjoy a subtle yet engaging sound while typing. While both switches provide enjoyable sound signatures, the Daybreak leans towards a more muted bass experience, whereas the Strawberry Latte offers a middle ground in sound presence.
In terms of feel, the Durock Daybreak impresses with its polished finish, yielding an exceptionally smooth typing experience. This smoothness is attributed to both the materials used and the likelihood of factory lubing, resulting in reduced friction and refined key travel. The Daybreak is tailored for those who appreciate a sleek and upscale tactile sensation. In contrast, while the feel of the Strawberry Latte is not explicitly detailed, its reputation for being super smooth suggests that it likely delivers a satisfying tactile experience as well. However, without specific descriptors, the nuances of its tactile feedback remain unknown.
In conclusion, while both the Durock Daybreak and Huano Strawberry Latte linear switches cater to different sound preferences and sensations, they can both provide a pleasurable typing experience. The Daybreak is characterized by its low-pitched, quiet operation and polished feel, making it ideal for environments where maintaining noise levels is crucial. Meanwhile, the Strawberry Latte offers a balanced sound and a generally smooth experience, though without further specifics on its tactile qualities. For newcomers, both switches present worthy options, making it easy to achieve a satisfying typing experience based on individual preferences.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Durock Daybreak linear switch and the Huano Strawberry Latte linear switch ultimately hinges on your personal preferences regarding actuation force, sound profile, and typing experience. If you favor a more tactile and substantial feel, the Daybreak switches, with their heavier 67-gram actuation force and low-pitched, polished finish, make them an ideal option. They are particularly suitable for work environments or when you seek a quieter typing experience without sacrificing feedback. On the other hand, if you prefer a light and smooth typing experience, the Strawberry Latte is the way to go. At just 45 grams, they offer effortless key presses, making them perfect for long typing sessions or gaming. Their balanced sound profile ensures that while they are not excessively loud, they also do not fall into the overly quiet category, striking a nice balance for casual and competitive scenarios alike. In essence, your decision should reflect both your typing habits and the settings in which you plan to use your keyboard.
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