Huano Grape Orange vs. Gateron Mars

Overview

When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch for your typing experience, both the Huano Grape Orange and Gateron Mars switches present compelling options, each with distinct characteristics. The Huano Grape Orange is celebrated for its exceptionally light 40g actuation force, providing an effortless typing experience that makes it ideal for extended typing sessions; it allows for quick and smooth keystrokes that cater to those who prioritize speed and comfort. In contrast, the Gateron Mars switches boast an innovative design with a POK stem and a housing constructed from a blend of Nylon and POM, offering a unique tactile feedback that strikes a balance between responsiveness and durability. While the Grape Orange is perfect for typists seeking minimal resistance, the Mars is designed for users who appreciate a distinctive feel and enhanced longevity. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Huano Grape Orange Linear

Gateron Mars Linear

$3.00

$2.79 per 10

$6.10

$5.50 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the Huano Grape Orange and the Gateron Mars switches, we immediately see a contrast in the properties and sounds associated with their top housings. The Grape Orange features a polycarbonate top housing, which contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile characterized by its clarity and resonance. This stiffer material ensures that the sound produced is more vibrant, making it especially suitable for RGB lighting installations due to its translucency. On the other hand, the Gateron Mars switch incorporates a nylon top housing that lends itself to a deeper, fuller sound. The softness of nylon helps to absorb sound, resulting in a rounder and less crisp auditory experience. This fundamental difference in sound characteristics illustrates how the choice of material can influence the overall aural output of a switch.

While both switches utilize nylon for their bottom housings, their sound profiles remain distinct due to the different materials employed in their top housings. The Grape Orange’s nylon bottom housing provides a fuller, more resonant sound experience, effectively complementing the sharper sound of its polycarbonate top. In contrast, the Mars switch utilizes a POM bottom housing known for creating a uniquely muted and pleasing sound. This means that the results when typing on the two switches can vary significantly due to the differing impact of their top and bottom materials. The Grape Orange's combination of a bright top with a soft bottom creates a dynamic interplay of sound, while the Mars maintains a more consistent and rounded auditory profile.

Ultimately, the interaction between the housing materials in each switch dictates the quality and nature of the sound produced. If you were to try both switches, you would notice that the Grape Orange’s distinct clarity from its polycarbonate top could lead to a sharper bottom-out sound, while the Mars offers a more subdued experience attributable to its nylon top and POM bottom. The split qualities of different housing materials illustrate how they can work together to create diverse sound profiles, ultimately allowing enthusiasts to select a switch that aligns with their personal preferences for typing experiences. Even with these distinctions, it is clear that mutual attributes like softness and material density play a significant role in how each switch feels and sounds during use.

Weight

When comparing the Huano Grape Orange linear switch and the Gateron Mars linear switch, notable differences in their actuation forces highlight their usability for different preferences. The Grape Orange features a relatively light actuation force of 40 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, making it a great choice for users seeking a comfortable experience for extended typing or gaming sessions. In contrast, the Mars has a slightly heavier actuation force of 45 grams; however, its bottom out force is not specified, leaving that aspect unknown. This means that while the Grape Orange is the lighter option, potentially allowing for longer periods of use without fatigue, the Mars will feel heavier during initial key presses, appealing to those who enjoy a more substantial key feel. Thus, if you prefer a lighter touch, the Grape Orange is the clear choice, while the Mars may suit those looking for a firmer response.

Travel distance

The Huano Grape Orange linear switch and the Gateron Mars linear switch share the same travel distance of 3.6 mm, indicating that both switches will provide a similar typing experience in terms of key actuation depth. This equality in travel distance means that users can expect a consistent feel and response when pressing down on the keys for both switches. Therefore, whether using the Grape Orange or the Mars, the tactile experience remains unchanged, as both switches require the same amount of travel to register a key press.

Price comparison

Typing experience

The sound profile of the Huano Grape Orange linear switch is often considered to be relatively quiet, which makes it suitable for both work and gaming environments where noise levels need to be kept in check. In contrast, the Gateron Mars linear switch is also designed to be quiet, thanks to its unique construction and materials, but it may produce a slightly different acoustic quality due to the combination of the POK stem and the Nylon-POM housing. Both switches can produce a muted and soft sound signature, contributing to a peaceful typing atmosphere.

Regarding the feel, the Grape Orange offers an exceptionally light and smooth typing experience, characterized by its ultra-low 40g actuation force. This low resistance allows for quick key presses and a nearly effortless typing experience, making it ideal for extended use without fatigue. On the other hand, the Gateron Mars linear switch, while also delivering a smooth experience, may feel different due to its unique design features and materials. The specific tactile feedback might vary slightly compared to the Grape Orange, but both switches should provide a linear feel without any tactile bump or click.

In summary, both the Huano Grape Orange and Gateron Mars linear switches are crafted for a quiet and smooth typing experience, though they differ in their construction and actuation force. If you prefer a lighter switch for long typing sessions, the Grape Orange leads with its ultra-low actuation force, while the Mars may provide a unique feel owing to its innovative design. Ultimately, choosing between these two switches may come down to personal preference regarding the slight differences in feel and sound, but both can deliver a satisfying performance for any typing task.

Conclusion

In conclusion, when choosing between the Huano Grape Orange and the Gateron Mars linear switches, your decision will largely depend on your typing style and preferences. If you value a light and effortless typing experience, especially during extended sessions, the Grape Orange’s ultra-low actuation force of 40 grams makes it an appealing choice. It's also likely that you'll enjoy its smooth feel and gentle sound, which can help reduce fatigue over long typing periods. On the other hand, if you're looking for something more innovative in terms of design and feel, the Gateron Mars switches might be more suited to your needs. Their unique POK stem and durable housing materials contribute to a different typing experience that some may find more satisfying, especially if you're interested in the latest technology in keyboard switches. Ultimately, your choice will reflect how you prioritize factors such as weight, sound, and overall feel in your typing journey.

Mentioned in this article

Huano Grape Orange Linear

$3.00

$2.79 per 10

Learn more

Gateron Mars Linear

$6.10

$5.50 per 10

Learn more