Cherry MX Silent Red vs. Huano Strawberry Latte
An in-depth look at the Cherry MX Silent Red and the Huano Strawberry Latte switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the differences in feel, sound, and typing experience can significantly affect your overall satisfaction. The Cherry MX Silent Red and the Huano Strawberry Latte are both linear switches, offering smooth keystrokes that can enhance your typing comfort. The MX Silent Red stands out for its silent operation, making it an ideal choice for noise-sensitive environments such as shared workspaces or homes where quiet is valued. It combines a satisfying 'thocky' feel with a muted sound profile, allowing for a comfortable and discreet typing experience. In contrast, the Huano Strawberry Latte boasts an exceptionally smooth performance, utilizing the latest molds from Huano for an enjoyable keystroke that strikes a balance in sound—not excessively quiet, yet not overly resonant. This makes it appealing for users who appreciate a bit of auditory feedback without the loudness of traditional switches. Each switch has its distinct advantages, catering to different preferences and environments. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
pom
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
POK
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
20mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Cherry MX Silent Red switches and the Huano Strawberry Latte switches, one can observe distinct differences in their top housings. The Cherry MX Silent Red employs a nylon top housing, which is known for its softer properties. This results in a deeper and fuller sound profile, with the material’s ability to absorb sound waves contributing to a duller and rounder auditory experience. In contrast, the Strawberry Latte utilizes a POK (polyketone) top housing, which is designed for a smooth and clacky feedback due to its unique low coefficient of friction and outstanding durability. While both materials yield enjoyable typing experiences, the qualities of their compositions lead to variations in sound characteristics—nylon produces a softer sound while POK leans towards a more pronounced acoustic feedback.
Moving to the bottom housings, both the Cherry MX Silent Red and Huano Strawberry Latte utilize nylon, bringing consistency in sound characteristics and tactile feedback. The nylon bottom housing in both switches provides a cushioned bottom-out sound, cultivating a deeper and fuller auditory experience during typing. As nylon is a classic choice known for its inherent ability to absorb sound, both switches benefit from this characteristic, ensuring a similar level of sound dampening. This shared bottom housing material contributes to the overall feel during typing, regardless of the differences in top housing materials.
The combined effects of both the top and bottom housings in each switch showcase how material selection influences the overall typing experience. For the Cherry MX Silent Red, the softer nylon top is complemented by the nylon bottom, resulting in a cohesive and muted sound profile. Meanwhile, for the Huano Strawberry Latte, the POK top enhances the typing experience with a more pronounced sound and feel, while the nylon bottom still ensures that aspect of sound absorption is maintained. Thus, despite the differences in their top housings, both switches achieve a balance through their common nylon bottom, reinforcing the richness of the typing experience and demonstrating how the interplay of housing materials can create distinct yet complementary outcomes.
Weight
When comparing the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch and the Huano Strawberry Latte linear switch, there are notable differences in their actuation forces as well as their bottom out forces. The Cherry MX Silent Red requires an actuation force of 45 grams, whereas the Huano Strawberry Latte has a lighter actuation force of 35 grams, making the latter easier to press down. This lighter feel may be more suitable for users who prefer longer typing sessions without fatigue. However, while the Silent Red's bottom out force is unknown, the Strawberry Latte has a definitive bottom out force of 45 grams, which indicates that both switches bottom out at the same force, providing a similar tactile feedback upon fully pressing the key. Overall, if you're looking for a lighter switch, the Huano Strawberry Latte is the better choice. Conversely, if you prefer a heavier switch that delivers a more substantial typing experience, the Cherry MX Silent Red is more appropriate, though its bottom-out force remains unspecified.
Travel distance
The Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the Huano Strawberry Latte linear switch features a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm. This minor difference means that if you're seeking a more responsive keystroke, the Huano Strawberry Latte might be the better option due to its shorter travel distance. However, the Cherry MX Silent Red provides a bit more depth, which can offer a more cushioned feel when typing or gaming. For those who prefer the traditional feel of a more substantial key press, the MX Silent Red would likely be the more favorable choice. Ultimately, both switches offer relatively close travel distances that cater to different preferences, allowing users to achieve similar results depending on their tactile appreciation—whether that’s a preference for speedy response times or a more pronounced keystroke experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Cherry MX Silent Red has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the MX Silent Red for $4.15.
The Huano Strawberry Latte has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Strawberry Latte for $3.29.
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 Cherry MX Silent Red switch stands out with its muted and thocky characteristics. This means it produces a softer, quieter typing sound while also offering a deep, rich thud when keys are pressed and released. The low-pitched output adds to the overall experience, making it a solid choice for noise-sensitive environments or shared spaces. In contrast, while the descriptive information for the Huano Strawberry Latte doesn't specify its auditory qualities, it has been noted that it delivers a balanced sound profile—neither overly quiet nor overly resonant. This suggests that the Strawberry Latte may provide a more pronounced typing sound than the MX Silent Red, catering to users who prefer a bit more acoustic feedback without the harshness.
In terms of feel, the Cherry MX Silent Red is described as having a textured experience, which brings a noticeable friction when keys are pressed. This texture can enhance tactile feedback for users who appreciate a bit of resistance during their typing, adding to the overall engagement with the keyboard. The Huano Strawberry Latte, on the other hand, has no specific descriptors regarding its tactile feel. Thus, while it’s unclear how the Strawberry Latte compares in terms of smoothness or texture, users might find it could still deliver a satisfactory experience depending on its construction and design.
In conclusion, while the Cherry MX Silent Red provides a muted, deep sound profile along with a textured feel, the Huano Strawberry Latte offers a balanced auditory experience that may be geared towards those who favor a moderately pronounced typing sound. The textured feel of the Silent Red may appeal to those who enjoy tactile feedback, while the unknown characteristics of the Strawberry Latte leave room for exploration in terms of the typing experience it provides. Overall, both switches cater to different preferences, with the MX Silent Red being ideal for quieter environments and the Strawberry Latte potentially appealing to those who appreciate a more balanced acoustic profile.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Cherry MX Silent Red and the Huano Strawberry Latte linear switches should be guided by your specific typing environment and preferences. If you find yourself in a noise-sensitive area, whether it be a shared workspace or a quiet home office, the Cherry MX Silent Red is your best bet. Its muted, thocky profile ensures a satisfying typing experience without the disruption caused by audible key presses. With its smooth operation and lower sound output, you'll maintain focus without disturbing those around you. On the other hand, if you value tactile feedback and enjoy a slightly more pronounced sound while still avoiding harsh noise, the Huano Strawberry Latte might be more suitable for you. With its light 45-gram bottom-out force and a balanced sound profile that sits comfortably between quiet and noisy, it offers a delightful typing experience that many users find enjoyable. Ultimately, your decision should revolve around whether you prioritize silence or a bit more character in sound and feel during your typing sessions.
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