Huano Elf vs. PH Studio Jacaranda
An in-depth look at the Huano Elf and the PH Studio Jacaranda switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Huano Elf and the PH Studio Jacaranda offer two distinct yet captivating linear switch experiences that cater to different preferences and typing styles. The Elf is celebrated for its POK top housing, which enhances acoustics and delivers a deep sound profile combined with a medium-light feel, making it an excellent choice for those who appreciate a satisfying, balanced typing experience. In contrast, the Jacaranda, manufactured by KTT, stands out with its unique features such as a gentle bottom-out weight of 43.5g, ensuring a comfortable and fatigue-free writing session. Its sound signature leans towards the clacky side, providing clear and crisp auditory feedback that can enhance the typing experience. Furthermore, the extended 22mm spring offers a noticeable bounce, allowing for a dynamic interaction with the keyboard. While both switches have their merits—elegance and depth in the Elf versus the playful bounce and clarity of the Jacaranda—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
42g
Actuation force
39g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
45g
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
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
POK
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel spring
Spring
Single stage lengthened 22mm spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Huano Elf and the PH Studio Jacaranda reveal distinct characteristics that set them apart while also showcasing a commonality in their bottom housing composition. The Huano Elf utilizes a POK top housing, renowned for its remarkable durability and low coefficient of friction. With outstanding wear resistance and shock absorption, the POK material is designed to facilitate smoother keystrokes, resulting in a ‘clacky’ and tactile typing experience. In contrast, the Jacaranda employs polycarbonate as its top housing, which produces a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile due to its rigidity. This stiffer plastic ensures that the sound produced is resonant and clear, particularly effective when complemented by RGB lighting, which benefits from the translucency of the polycarbonate. Thus, while both switches approach sound and feel differently through their top housing materials, they cater to different preferences in the tactile feedback and acoustic experience.
Both the Huano Elf and the PH Studio Jacaranda feature nylon as their bottom housing material, which creates a familiar auditory signature that appeals to many typists. Nylon's inherently softer texture allows it to absorb sound to a greater extent than harder plastics, resulting in a deeper, fuller sound profile when typing. This shared commitment to nylon for the bottom housing ensures that despite the differing top housing materials, users will enjoy a consistent base sound signature with richness and depth. This connection between the two devices illustrates how the bottom housing’s softer properties influence the overall typing experience by contributing to the bottom-out sound irrespective of the differences in their top designs.
Consequently, the combined interaction of the top and bottom housing materials in both switches ultimately influences the user's overall typing experience. The Huano Elf’s POK top enhances smoothness and impact, while the nylon bottom housing deepens the sound signature, making it rich and full during use. Meanwhile, the Jacaranda, with its polycarbonate top, prioritizes clarity and resonance, juxtaposed with the same nylon bottom that softens the intensity of the sound. While the materials diverge in their upper constructions, both switches yield similar characteristics due to their shared nylon bottom housing, ensuring users experience a balance of sound depth and clarity no matter the choice of top material.
Weight
When comparing the actuation and bottom out forces of the Huano Elf linear switch and the PH Studio Jacaranda linear switch, notable differences emerge. The Elf switch features an actuation force of 42 grams, although its bottom out force is unspecified. In contrast, the Jacaranda switch has a lighter actuation force of 39 grams and a defined bottom out force of 45 grams. This establishes the Jacaranda as the lighter switch overall, while the Elf leans towards a heavier feel. For those who prefer a lighter switch to facilitate extended typing or gaming sessions, the Jacaranda is the clear choice, while the Elf may cater to those who enjoy a more substantial typing experience. If the bottom out force for the Elf were known and closely matched with the Jacaranda's, we could anticipate a similar typing feel; however, the absence of that information leaves the Elf's bottom out force undefined.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Huano Elf linear switch and the PH Studio Jacaranda linear switch, the Elf stands out with a measurement of 3.6 mm, while the Jacaranda offers a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. This difference, though minimal, highlights the Elf as the more accommodating option for users who prefer a bit more depth in their key presses, resulting in a more substantial tactile feedback. The Jacaranda, on the other hand, provides a quicker response due to its shorter travel distance, making it more appealing for gamers who prioritize speed and efficiency in their typing or gaming activities. Therefore, if you lean towards a preference for responsiveness, the Jacaranda would be the better choice due to its slightly shorter travel, while the Elf may suit those looking for a more robust typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Huano Elf has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Elf for $3.29.
The PH Studio Jacaranda has an MSRP of $3.90 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Jacaranda for $3.30.
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
In terms of sound, the Huano Elf switch produces a deep sound signature that resonates beautifully, enhancing the auditory experience when typing. It is crafted with a POK top housing specifically designed to improve acoustics, which results in a well-rounded and robust sound profile. Conversely, the PH Studio Jacaranda switch offers a distinctly clacky sound, characterized by sharp, crisp feedback with each keystroke. Its sound can be described as bright and percussive, making it more pronounced compared to the more subdued characteristics of the Elf switch. Both switches provide unique auditory experiences, but the Elf leans towards a richer, deeper sound, while the Jacaranda stands out with its high-pitched resonance and sharpness.
When considering feel, the Elf switch is recognized for delivering a medium-light typing experience that is satisfying without being overly tiring, although specific details about its feel remain sparse. The Jacaranda, on the other hand, gives a significantly smoother sensation thanks to its silky texture, which emphasizes smooth keystrokes and minimizes resistance during use. The Jacaranda's gentle bottom-out of 43.5g aids in this ease of use, making it notably easy on the fingers and setting it apart from the Elf switch. While both may provide a comfortable typing experience, the Jacaranda’s unique spring dynamics and silky feel offer a level of smoothness that enhances the overall typing experience.
In summary, while the Huano Elf switch excels in offering a deep sound profile with a medium-light feel, the PH Studio Jacaranda switch leans towards a clacky auditory signature with a distinctly silky typing sensation. Each switch caters to different preferences: if you appreciate richer sounds and a satisfying tactile experience, the Elf may be ideal for you. However, if you favor a bright auditory feedback combined with a buttery smooth feel, the Jacaranda would likely be your best choice. Ultimately, each switch provides unique qualities that can enhance your typing experience based on your personal preferences.
Conclusion
To conclude, choosing between the Huano Elf linear switch and the PH Studio Jacaranda linear switch ultimately depends on your typing preferences and the experience you seek. If you are looking for a keyboard switch that embraces a medium-light feel with a deeper auditory signature while providing an acoustically pleasing experience, the Elf switch may be your best bet. Its unique POK top housing contributes to an enhanced sound profile, perfect for those who appreciate a richer and potentially less audible typing sound. Conversely, if you prefer a more tactile and engaging experience with every keystroke, you might gravitate towards the Jacaranda switch. Its light and uniform bottom-out force, paired with the distinctively clacky and crisp sound, makes it ideal for users who favor an energetic and vibrant typing environment. Moreover, the Jacaranda's extended spring delivers a bouncy sensation that ensures a fatigue-free experience during extended typing sessions. Ultimately, your choice will hinge on your acoustic preference and desired tactile feedback, allowing you to enhance your mechanical keyboard experience according to your personal style and needs.
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