Huano Grape Orange vs. HMX Poro

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the choice can significantly affect your typing and gaming experience. The Huano Grape Orange switches stand out for their exceptionally light 40g actuation force, offering an effortlessly smooth typing experience that is perfect for those who spend long hours at the keyboard. This light touch allows for rapid key presses, making it a favorite among typists and gamers seeking speed and comfort. In contrast, the HMX Poro switches are known for their silky smooth keystrokes and meticulous lubrication, which ensures an ultra-glide feel with each press. Additionally, they provide a more satisfying poppy and clacky sound profile that can enhance the tactile experience. Both switches cater to different preferences, with the Grape Orange prioritizing ultra-light action for less fatigue, while the Poro emphasizes a delightful sound and feel. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the right switch for you.

By the numbers

Huano Grape Orange Linear

HMX Poro Linear

$3.00

$2.79 per 10

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The Huano Grape Orange and HMX Poro switches differ significantly in their top housing materials. The Grape Orange utilizes polycarbonate for its top housing, which is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This enhanced clarity is attributed to the stiffness of polycarbonate, which contributes to a more resonant sound. Additionally, polycarbonate’s translucency makes it an ideal choice for RGB illumination, allowing light to shine through and enhance its aesthetic appeal. In contrast, the HMX Poro employs nylon as its top housing material, which tends to produce a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its relatively softer composition. Nylon's ability to absorb sound makes the output duller and rounder compared to polycarbonate, offering a different auditory experience while typing.

When examining the bottom housings, both the Grape Orange and Poro switches utilize nylon. This shared material means that both switches will share some qualities when it comes to the sound profile they generate at the bottom of the keypress. Nylon, being a classic switch housing material, produces a deeper and richer sound with each keystroke. Since the bottom housing contributes significantly to the sound and feel when bottoming out, both switches should exhibit a similar auditory character in this regard. Users dealing with the bottom-out sound of both switches will experience the soft, absorbent qualities of nylon, resulting in a more muted and rounded sound.

In summary, while the top housing materials of the Huano Grape Orange and HMX Poro switches provide contrasting audio experiences—with polycarbonate delivering crispness and nylon offering softness—the shared nylon bottom housings ensure that both switches maintain a consistent, full sound profile during key presses. This combination ultimately leads to a unique interplay of sound characteristics; while the top housing dictates the crispness or roundness upon release, the bottom housing governs the deep, full sound felt when the key is pressed down. Therefore, regardless of the top housing differences, the nylon bottom serves as a common ground that yields somewhat similar results in the auditory experience, particularly during the bottoming out stage of typing.

Weight

The Huano Grape Orange and HMX Poro linear switches present interesting comparisons in terms of actuation and bottom out forces. The Grape Orange has a lighter actuation force of 40 grams compared to the Poro's 45 grams, making it the preferable choice for those who enjoy extended typing sessions or gaming without fatigue. Both switches have the same bottom out force of 50 grams, meaning that users will experience a similar resistance when fully pressing down on either switch. Therefore, while the Grape Orange provides an easier press for the initial actuation, both switches will feel consistent at full depression, allowing typists who prefer distinct feedback and a stronger push feel at the bottom to have a similar experience between the two. Overall, the Grape Orange is lighter in actuation, while both are equal in bottom out force.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Huano Grape Orange linear switch and the HMX Poro linear switch, the Grape Orange offers a shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Poro has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.7 mm. This difference of 0.1 mm highlights the Grape Orange's edge for those seeking quicker response times, making it particularly appealing for gamers who favor a more immediate feedback when pressing keys. Conversely, the Poro may be preferable for users who enjoy a more pronounced depth in their keystrokes, given its longer travel distance. Ultimately, choosing between these two switches will depend on individual preferences for responsiveness versus depth.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Grape Orange switch is best known for providing a relatively quiet typing experience, typical of linear switches, allowing for a distraction-free environment during extended typing sessions. The HMX Poro, on the other hand, features a satisfyingly poppy and clacky sound profile, which adds a unique auditory character to your typing experience. However, it’s important to note that sound can also vary significantly based on your keyboard build, including the choice of board and keycaps, meaning that the overall acoustic performance can differ even between two similar switches.

Regarding feel, the Grape Orange switch is characterized by its exceptionally light and effortless typing experience due to its ultra-low 40g actuation force. This makes it particularly appealing for users who type extensively and seek a switch that minimizes finger fatigue. The HMX Poro linear switch, while also designed for smooth performance, emphasizes a silky smooth keystroke with its meticulous lubrication, enhancing the overall glide and ensuring a seamless typing experience. Although both switches prioritize comfort during use, the Grape Orange leans towards a lighter actuation, while the Poro focuses on a luxurious feel.

In conclusion, both the Huano Grape Orange and HMX Poro linear switches offer unique characteristics tailored to different preferences. The Grape Orange excels in providing a light and quiet typing experience, perfect for prolonged use, while the HMX Poro stands out with its engaging sound profile and smooth keystrokes. Depending on your priorities—whether you favor sound or feel—both switches can deliver enjoyable typing experiences, albeit in different ways.

Conclusion

To conclude, the choice between the Huano Grape Orange linear switch and the HMX Poro linear switch ultimately depends on your personal preferences and typing needs. If you find yourself engaging in extended typing sessions and prioritize a light and responsive feel, the Grape Orange switch is an excellent option with its 40g actuation force that minimizes finger fatigue and provides a remarkably effortless typing experience. This switch is ideal for those who value comfort and timely responses, such as writers and programmers. On the other hand, if you're drawn to a smoother, yet slightly more tactile experience paired with an engaging sound profile, the HMX Poro switch would serve you well. Its meticulously lubricated design ensures a buttery glide with a satisfying pop and clack, making it perfect for typists who enjoy an auditory feedback experience. Both switches feature a bottom out force of 50 grams, maintaining a light touch, but the Grape Orange leans towards comfort in long sessions while the Poro emphasizes a silkier feel with auditory enjoyment. Therefore, consider your typing habits and preferences when making your choice, as each switch offers unique benefits that cater to different styles.

Mentioned in this article

Huano Grape Orange Linear

$3.00

$2.79 per 10

Learn more

HMX Poro Linear

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

Learn more