Huano Grape Orange vs. Cherry MX Brown
An in-depth look at the Huano Grape Orange and the Cherry MX Brown switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboards, the choice of switches can significantly affect your typing experience, and two popular options illustrate this diversity well: the Huano Grape Orange and the Cherry MX Brown. The Grape Orange switches are renowned for their exceptionally light and effortless typing experience, featuring an ultra-low actuation force of just 40g, which makes them a fantastic choice for extended typing sessions where fatigue is a concern. In contrast, the Cherry MX Brown switches are celebrated for their subtlety, offering a relatively light typing experience complemented by gentle tactility and subdued audio feedback, making them an ideal option for users seeking a moderate tactile response without overwhelming noise. While the Grape Orange caters to users who prioritize speed and ease, the MX Brown aligns with those who appreciate a satisfying tactile bump while typing. Both switches have their unique strengths, and your choice will depend on your specific preferences and needs. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
40g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
22mm single-stage spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Huano Grape Orange and Cherry MX Brown switches exhibit distinct differences in their top housing materials that contribute significantly to their sound profiles. The Grape Orange utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which is characterized by its stiffness and translucency. This material produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound when a key is released, making it particularly vibrant, especially when paired with RGB lighting. In contrast, the MX Brown employs a nylon top housing, a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. The inherent qualities of nylon allow the MX Brown to provide a more muted and rounded auditory experience during key presses, contrasting sharply with the crystalline clarity of the Grape Orange.
Despite the differences found in the top housing, both the Huano Grape Orange and Cherry MX Brown share a nylon bottom housing. This commonality means that both switches will deliver a similar auditory experience when it comes to the bottoming-out sound. The nylon material contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile because of its ability to absorb sound effectively. Thus, while the MX Brown's typing experience might be more subdued overall due to its nylon top housing, the bottom housing’s influence ensures both switches produce a certain coherent depth in sound as the keys are actuated. This shared characteristic in the bottom housing helps to balance the overall auditory experience of each switch, regardless of their differing top materials.
Ultimately, the contrasting top housings provide a unique experience in terms of sound and feel while the shared nylon bottom housing ties the two switches together in performance. Users who prefer a sharper, more resonant sound may gravitate towards the Grape Orange, while those who favor a rounder, deeper auditory feedback might opt for the MX Brown. Desiring similar results in response to bottoming out can be achieved due to the implementations of nylon in both switches’ lower sections, emphasizing how material choice impacts the tactile and auditory experience in mechanical switches.
Weight
When comparing the Huano Grape Orange linear switch and the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch, notable differences emerge in both actuation force and bottom out force. The Grape Orange features a lighter actuation force of 40 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, making it suitable for users who prefer a softer touch, especially beneficial for long typing and gaming sessions. In contrast, the MX Brown has a slightly higher actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams, categorizing it as a medium-light switch. This extra 5 grams gives the MX Brown a more substantial push feel, appealing to those who enjoy a firmer typing experience. Overall, if you prefer a lighter switch, the Huano Grape Orange is the better choice, while the Cherry MX Brown may be ideal for those seeking a bit more resistance during use.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Huano Grape Orange linear switch and the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch, the Grape Orange features a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the MX Brown has a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm. This means that the Grape Orange offers a shorter travel distance, which may appeal to gamers and those seeking quicker response times. In contrast, the Cherry MX Brown's longer travel distance provides a more pronounced tactile feedback, making it a better choice for users who favor a more substantial keystroke depth. Therefore, if responsiveness is your priority, the Grape Orange linear switch may be preferable, while the Cherry MX Brown could satisfy those who enjoy a deeper typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Huano Grape Orange has an MSRP of $3.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Grape Orange for $2.79.
The Cherry MX Brown comes in at $4.00 per 10 switches.
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 Huano Grape Orange linear switch is notably quiet, which makes it an excellent choice for environments where minimal noise is a priority. While specific sound characteristics of the Grape Orange switch are not detailed, it can be inferred that its linear design contributes to a subtle acoustic profile, contrasting with the more pronounced auditory qualities of the Cherry MX Brown switches. The MX Brown switches offer a unique audio experience that is both bassy and low-pitched; they produce a richer sound during key presses, with a deeper resonance that can be satisfying for many typists. This auditory feedback can enhance the overall typing experience by providing a sense of tactile confirmation with each keystroke.
In terms of feel, the Grape Orange switch stands out for its exceptionally light and smooth typing experience, with an ultra-low actuation force of just 40g. This allows for effortless key presses, making the switch ideal for extended typing sessions without fatigue. The Cherry MX Brown switch, on the other hand, presents a different tactile sensation. It features a subtle tactile bump, providing moderate feedback that can help typists gauge each key stroke without being overly pronounced. Additionally, the Brown switch is noted for its textured feel, which gives a bit of friction during key presses; this can either be a pleasing characteristic for some users or an undesirable one for those who prefer a smoother experience.
Combining the insights on sound and feel, the Huano Grape Orange and Cherry MX Brown switches cater to different preferences while serving different typing experiences. The Grape Orange offers an ultra-light and quiet operation, ideal for those seeking a serene working environment with effortless key presses. Conversely, the Cherry MX Brown brings a moderate tactile feedback complemented by deeper audio tones, which may appeal to users who enjoy a more assertive keystroke feel and sound. Ultimately, your ideal switch will depend on whether you prioritize a soft and serene typing experience or a subtly tactile and richer auditory feedback during use.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Huano Grape Orange linear switch and the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch, your choice should be influenced by your specific typing preferences and usage scenarios. If you prioritize a lightweight and effortless typing experience—ideal for long hours of work, gaming, or simply typing at speed—the Grape Orange, with its low actuation force of 40 grams and a bottom-out force of just 50 grams, will be the better fit for you. This switch allows you to glide through your keystrokes with minimal resistance, making it a great option if you often experience fatigue during extended use. On the other hand, if you appreciate the subtle feedback of tactile switches without the overwhelming clickiness, the Cherry MX Brown will likely serve you well. With its medium-light 55 grams bottom-out force and gentle tactile bump, it strikes a balance between tactile feel and smoothness, providing a satisfying typing experience without the harshness of higher resistance switches. Additionally, if you're working in a shared space where sound matters, the relatively bassy and subdued audio feedback of the MX Brown can be less distracting compared to the quieter Grape Orange. Therefore, consider your typing style, environment, and comfort needs when choosing between these two switches, ensuring you find the one that enhances your typing experience.
Mentioned in this article
