KTT Mannan Pipefish vs. Huano Strawberry Latte

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, enthusiasts often find themselves torn between the KTT Mannan Pipefish and the Huano Strawberry Latte, both of which are celebrated linear options but cater to slightly different preferences. The Mannan Pipefish is designed for effortless typing, featuring a light 45g actuation force and a lengthened spring that creates a smooth, polished experience, making it ideal for casual typists who prioritize comfort and precision. In contrast, the Huano Strawberry Latte stands out with its emphasis on auditory balance, offering a delightful sound profile that strikes a chord between being too quiet and overly resonant, appealing to users who appreciate a more engaging auditory feedback while typing. Each switch presents unique advantages tailored to different typing styles and sensory experiences. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

KTT Mannan Pipefish Linear

Huano Strawberry Latte Linear

$3.53

$3.05 per 10

$3.50

$3.29 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The KTT Mannan Pipefish and the Huano Strawberry Latte exhibit noteworthy differences in their top housing materials, which significantly influence their sound profiles. The Mannan Pipefish utilizes polycarbonate for its top housing, a stiff plastic known for producing a sharper, higher-pitched sound. This plastic's resonant qualities make it ideal for scenarios where clarity and brightness are desired, especially when paired with RGB lighting, as its translucency enhances visual effects. In contrast, the Strawberry Latte features a POK top housing, made from polyketone. Although POK is smoother due to its low coefficient of friction, it does not convey the same level of crispness that polycarbonate provides. Instead, POK contributes to a smoother and clackier sound, varying the auditory experience quite considerably between the two switches.

On the other hand, the choice of bottom housing material remains a commonality between the Mannan Pipefish and the Strawberry Latte. Both switches utilize nylon for their bottom housing, creating a deep and full sound profile. Nylon is celebrated in the switch industry for its sound-absorbing characteristics, which produce a rounder and warmer sound upon keypress. The shared use of nylon in this aspect of their design suggests that, despite the differences in their top housing materials, both switches will elicit a similar tactile and auditory feel upon bottoming out, as the properties of nylon dominate this part of the switch experience.

When considering the overall performance of these two switches, the juxtaposition of their top and bottom housing materials illustrates how sound profiles can be finely tuned through material selection. The Mannan Pipefish is likely to provide a brighter sound upon releasing keys due to its polycarbonate top, whereas the Huano Strawberry Latte will offer a smoother clack as the POK top moderates the pitch. However, both switches will merge their individual characteristics at the bottom housing level, leading to a consistently warm sound profile reinforced by nylon. This duality of experience in both switches showcases the importance of material selection in creating a tailored typing experience that caters to different auditory preferences.

Weight

The KTT Mannan Pipefish and Huano Strawberry Latte linear switches both exhibit light actuation forces, with the Mannan Pipefish requiring 37 grams to actuate compared to the slightly lighter 35 grams needed for the Strawberry Latte. Both switches have the same bottom out force of 45 grams, indicating a consistent level of resistance when fully pressed down. Those who prefer a lighter switch may gravitate towards the Strawberry Latte for its lower actuation force, making it potentially more suitable for extended typing or gaming sessions. Conversely, the Mannan Pipefish with a marginally heavier actuation force still maintains a comfortable typing experience while providing a more substantial feel. Overall, while both switches offer similar bottom out forces that create a uniform bottoming experience, the actuation forces vary slightly, catering to different preferences for typing feel and fatigue management.

Travel distance

The travel distance of the KTT Mannan Pipefish linear switch is 4 mm, while the Huano Strawberry Latte linear switch has a shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm. This means that the Mannan Pipefish switch offers a more substantial keypress experience, appealing to users who prefer a hearty depth in their keystrokes. On the other hand, the Strawberry Latte switch, with its shorter travel distance, caters to those looking for quicker response times, which can be especially advantageous for gamers. The difference in travel distances highlights the varying preferences among users: while those favoring deeper presses may gravitate towards the Mannan Pipefish, those who enjoy a more responsive feel might find the Strawberry Latte more suitable. As such, the Mannan Pipefish is the longer switch at 4 mm, and the Strawberry Latte is the shorter one at 3.6 mm.

Price comparison

Typing experience

The KTT Mannan Pipefish linear switch produces a neutral sound profile, striking a balance that makes it suitable for various environments, whether at home or the office. This neutrality allows for a moderate sound level during operation, making it a non-disruptive option that fits comfortably within most acoustic settings. In contrast, the Huano Strawberry Latte switch is noted for having a balanced sound profile as well, which is neither overly quiet nor excessively resonant. This suggests that both switches offer a satisfactory auditory experience without drawing too much attention, ensuring that users can type away without feeling distracted by intrusive noises.

In terms of feel, the Mannan Pipefish shines with its easy-to-press action, complemented by a light actuation force of 45g. This facilitates a typing experience that is enjoyable and strain-free, making it particularly appealing for casual users who may spend long hours typing. The polished nature of the Mannan Pipefish further enhances this experience, as the smooth finish minimizes friction and allows for effortless key travel. On the other hand, while specific attributes of the Strawberry Latte's feel aren't explicitly noted, the emphasis on smoothness suggests that it may be on par with the Pipefish in providing a responsive and comfortable typing experience. However, without explicit characteristics to describe its tactile feedback, the comparison remains generalized.

In conclusion, both the KTT Mannan Pipefish and Huano Strawberry Latte linear switches cater to users seeking a pleasant typing experience, each with their own nuances in sound and feel. The Mannan Pipefish offers a neutral sound profile and easy-to-press attributes alongside a polished feel. Meanwhile, the Strawberry Latte maintains a balanced sound profile, hinting at smoothness in feel. Overall, both switches promise a satisfying typing journey, with the likelihood of achieving similar results in comfort and pleasant acoustics for users.

Conclusion

To sum up, when deciding between the KTT Mannan Pipefish and the Huano Strawberry Latte linear switches, consider your typing preferences and environment. If you're a casual typist who values a light, smooth typing experience with minimal finger fatigue, the Mannan Pipefish is the ideal choice for you. Its effortless actuation, neutral sound profile, and polished feel provide a delightful and comfortable typing journey, making it great for extended use at home or work. On the other hand, if you're looking for a smooth, balanced switch with slightly more character in sound—though still not overly resonant—the Strawberry Latte may be the switch for you. It maintains the same light weight as the Pipefish but offers a unique auditory experience that may appeal to those who appreciate a bit of personality in their keystrokes. Ultimately, both switches cater to light force preferences, but your specific typing style and sound preferences will guide you toward the perfect choice.

Mentioned in this article

KTT Mannan Pipefish Linear

$3.53

$3.05 per 10

Learn more

Huano Strawberry Latte Linear

$3.50

$3.29 per 10

Learn more