Gateron Mini i vs. Huano Strawberry Latte

Overview

When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options are the Gateron Mini i, a tactile switch, and the Huano Strawberry Latte, a linear switch. The Gateron Mini i is celebrated for its subtle tactility, offering gentle feedback with each keystroke while maintaining a fairly muted sound profile. This makes it an excellent choice for office environments where quiet professionalism is essential, enabling long typing sessions without the distracting clack often associated with other switches. On the other hand, the Huano Strawberry Latte is recognized for its smooth, uninterrupted keystrokes, providing a satisfying typing experience that balances smoothness and sound. While the Strawberry Latte's sound is neither overwhelmingly quiet nor excessively resonant, it caters to those who prefer a consistent and fluid typing feel. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches hinges on personal preferences for tactile feedback and sound, with the Gateron Mini i leaning towards a more nuanced experience and the Strawberry Latte offering an uninterrupted touch. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for you.

By the numbers

Gateron Mini i Tactile

Huano Strawberry Latte Linear

$6.00 per 10

$3.50

$3.29 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the Gateron Mini i and the Huano Strawberry Latte, distinct characteristics emerge for their top housings. The Mini i utilizes a nylon top housing, which is known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic composition. This material's properties allow it to absorb sound more effectively than harder plastics, resulting in a rounder and less sharp auditory experience. In contrast, the Strawberry Latte features a POK top housing, renowned for its smoothness and durability. POK has a higher coefficient of friction than nylon, contributing to a crisper sound and a more positive tactile feedback during typing. Therefore, while both switches aim to deliver satisfying auditory experiences, the Mini i's nylon housing leans towards a warmer, more muted sound, whereas the Strawberry Latte's POK material offers a brighter, clackier sound signature.

Interestingly, both the Gateron Mini i and the Huano Strawberry Latte share nylon as their bottom housing material. This commonality provides a crucial point of comparison, as both switches will exhibit similar sound profiles when bottoming out. The nylon construction in both switches absorbs sound effectively, enabling a consistent deep and full sound when a key is pressed down. Thus, despite the differing top housings—where nylon's warmth contrasts with POK's clarity—the bottom nylon housing ensures that both switches will deliver a dull yet robust auditory feedback during the actuation, allowing users to appreciate a familiar sound across these two distinct models.

Ultimately, the differences between the Gateron Mini i and Huano Strawberry Latte manifest primarily in their top housings, while the shared nylon bottom housing guarantees a comparable sound experience when keys are pressed. This duality underscores an important aspect of switch design: the interplay between the top and bottom materials influences the overall performance of the switch. While the Mini i provides a more subdued and rounded sound with its nylon top, the Strawberry Latte achieves a sharper and more dynamic feel with its POK top, demonstrating how varied materials can shape user experience in nuanced ways. Thus, users’ preferences in sound and tactile feedback will likely dictate their choice between these two unique switches.

Weight

When comparing the Gateron Mini i tactile switch and the Huano Strawberry Latte linear switch, both options are relatively light in terms of actuation and bottom out forces, making them suitable for prolonged typing sessions without causing fatigue. The Mini i has an actuation force of 40 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, while the Strawberry Latte features a slightly lighter actuation force of 35 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams. This means that the Strawberry Latte is the lighter option overall. Users who prefer a softer touch and lighter switches might gravitate towards the Strawberry Latte for a more comfortable typing experience. However, those who enjoy a bit more resistance during keystrokes may find the Mini i's heavier actuation and bottom out forces more appealing. Ultimately, while both switches facilitate a light typing experience, the Strawberry Latte offers a lighter feel compared to the Mini i.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Gateron Mini i tactile switch and the Huano Strawberry Latte linear switch, we find that the Mini i features a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Strawberry Latte offers a slightly longer distance of 3.6 mm. This indicates that the Strawberry Latte, with its greater travel distance, may provide a more traditional and pronounced feel when pressed, which could appeal to those who prefer a hearty depth in their keystrokes. On the other hand, the shorter travel distance of the Mini i might cater to gamers and users looking for quick responsiveness in their typing experience. Ultimately, your choice between the two will depend on your personal preference for either a more immediate response or a deeper, more substantial key press.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Gateron Mini i switch offers a nuanced and fairly muted auditory experience, making them well-suited for office environments where discretion is a priority. The neutral sound profile strikes a balance that is not overly intrusive, allowing for focused typing without irritating noise. On the other hand, the Huano Strawberry Latte switch has a balanced sound profile as well, sitting comfortably between quiet and overly loud. While both switches maintain a moderate sound level, the Mini i's softer auditory feedback may appeal more to those working in shared spaces, where noise can be disruptive.

In terms of feel, the Mini i stands out with a combination of various tactile characteristics that cater to comfort and responsiveness. These switches possess a bouncy and snappy quality, offering that delightful rebound after each key press, which enhances the overall typing experience. They also require minimal force to actuate, making them easy on the fingers during extended typing sessions. The subtleness in their tactile feedback further accommodates users who prefer a more gentle sensation, thus making these switches approachable for everyone. The specifics of the Strawberry Latte switch’s feel are currently unknown, leaving a gap in direct comparison.

In conclusion, both the Gateron Mini i and Huano Strawberry Latte switches boast sound profiles that are balanced, yet the Mini i tends toward a more muted quality which is particularly beneficial in quieter environments. The Mini i's tactile feedback enhances typing comfort with its bounciness and light actuation, while the feel characteristics of the Strawberry Latte remain unexplored. If you seek a typing experience with minimal noise and gentle feedback, the Mini i is a strong candidate. However, those looking for smoothness without the definition of the tactile response may find an appealing option in the Strawberry Latte, although its exact feel remains to be delineated.

Conclusion

To conclude, your choice between the Gateron Mini i tactile switch and the Huano Strawberry Latte linear switch largely hinges on your typing preferences and the environment in which you’ll be using them. If you prioritize a tactile feedback that’s gentle yet engaging, along with a sound profile that maintains a relatively quiet presence—making it ideal for office or shared workspaces—then the Mini i is a superb option. Its light actuation force and mild tactile response mean you can type for hours without fatigue, perfectly suited for concentrated tasks or long sessions of writing. On the other hand, if you prefer an ultra-smooth linear feel that allows for fast and fluid key presses, the Strawberry Latte is the way to go. With its very light actuation force and balanced sound, it excels in scenarios where you want to fly across the keyboard, making it great for gaming or creative tasks that require rapid typing. Ultimately, consider how each switch aligns with your typing style, your need for feedback, and the specific context in which you'll be using your keyboard, and you'll find the right fit for your needs.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron Mini i Tactile

$6.00 per 10

Learn more

Huano Strawberry Latte Linear

$3.50

$3.29 per 10

Learn more