KTT Orange vs. Huano Strawberry Latte

Overview

When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch, the KTT Orange and Huano Strawberry Latte offer distinct yet appealing qualities for different typing preferences. The KTT Orange is celebrated for its bouncy feel, characterized by a 22mm long spring that delivers a lively typing experience. Its polycarbonate milky top housing, combined with a long pole POM stem and vivid orange nylon bottom, ensures a frictionless keypress and a satisfying low-pitched sound profile. This switch is ideal for those who favor a smooth, responsive typing experience without distraction. On the other hand, the Huano Strawberry Latte presents a perfect balance of sound—neither too quiet nor overly resonant—making it an excellent choice for users who enjoy a slight auditory feedback without being overwhelming. Both switches excel in providing smooth operation and comfort, but they cater to different tastes in typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits you best.

By the numbers

KTT Orange Linear

Huano Strawberry Latte Linear

$5.55

$4.15 per 10

$3.50

$3.29 per 10

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Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the KTT Orange and the Huano Strawberry Latte, distinct differences emerge between their top housings, which greatly influence sound profiles and overall user experience. The KTT Orange features a polycarbonate top housing that provides a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. Being relatively stiff, polycarbonate ensures a clear and resonant sound profile, especially beneficial for those who enjoy RGB lighting, as its translucency enhances visual aesthetics. In contrast, the Huano Strawberry Latte utilizes a POK top housing, which, while also a high-quality material, offers a smoother actuation with a coefficient of friction slightly higher than some alternatives. The POK's composition contributes to a clacky sound, favored for its tactile feedback, so while both materials boast their unique advantages, they cater to different auditory preferences and tactile responses.

The bottom housings further differentiate the two switches. The KTT Orange's bottom housing, also made from polycarbonate, maintains the consistency of a clear and resonant sound throughout the switch. Its stiffness ensures that the auditory experience matches the top housing's characteristics, creating a harmonious sound profile that enhances the overall sharpness. In contrast, the Huano Strawberry Latte employs nylon for its bottom housing, which contributes a deeper and fuller sound due to its softer nature. This combination leads to a more subdued bottom-out feel and sound, creating a notable contrast to the KTT Orange's sharper tones. Thus, while the KTT Orange offers a consistent, crisp acoustic signature throughout the switch, the Strawberry Latte achieves a mellower response through its nylon bottom housing.

It's essential to note that different combinations of materials result in distinctive sound and feel profiles for each switch. The KTT Orange’s polycarbonate top and bottom ensure a coherent sharp sound, whereas, for the Huano Strawberry Latte, the use of a softer nylon base in conjunction with the POK top provides an engaging blend of tactile diversity and varied acoustics. Ultimately, while both switches employ high-quality plastics, their varied housing designs result in differing sound characteristics and tactile sensations. Users will find that the Orange leans towards clarity and brightness, while the Strawberry Latte offers depth and smoothness, showcasing how the marriage of materials can yield unique experiences tailored to user preferences.

Weight

When comparing the KTT Orange linear switch and the Huano Strawberry Latte linear switch, the differences in actuation and bottom-out forces highlight their distinct characteristics. The KTT Orange features an actuation force of 46 grams and a bottom-out force of 53 grams, placing it in the medium-light category. In contrast, the Huano Strawberry Latte has a lighter actuation force of 35 grams and a bottom-out force of 45 grams. This means that the Strawberry Latte is not only lighter in terms of required force to actuate but also bottoms out with less resistance than the KTT Orange. For users who prefer a softer, more effortless typing experience for extended gaming sessions or work, the Strawberry Latte is the better option. Conversely, the KTT Orange provides a more substantial typing feel due to its heavier forces, making it preferable for those who enjoy a stronger push sensation while typing.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the KTT Orange linear switch and the Huano Strawberry Latte linear switch, the Orange offers a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Strawberry Latte features a slightly longer travel distance of 3.6 mm. This makes the KTT Orange the shorter option, which may appeal to gamers or users seeking faster response times due to its reduced travel distance. In contrast, the Strawberry Latte, with its 3.6 mm travel, provides a bit more depth, potentially making it more suitable for those who prefer a more substantial feel when pressing down on a key. Ultimately, while both switches have closely related travel distances, the choice between them hinges on personal preference for either a more responsive or a deeper typing experience.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the KTT Orange switch produces a low-pitched tone that delivers a bass-heavy and mellow auditory experience. This characteristic contributes to a more muted yet pleasant sound profile, making it a suitable choice for users seeking a quieter typing environment. On the other hand, the Huano Strawberry Latte switch offers a balanced sound profile; while specifics on its pitch are not provided, it is mentioned that it falls somewhere between quiet and overly resonant, indicating that it strikes a good balance without being overly intrusive. The sound of both switches can still be influenced by external factors like the type of keyboard and keycaps used, so users may experience variations based on their setups.

In terms of feel, the KTT Orange switch is notable for its bouncy and frictionless properties. The 22mm long spring provides a lively, elastic feedback that creates a dynamic typing experience, offering a satisfying rebounded feel upon pressing the keys. This combination allows for a very smooth and effortless key travel, enhancing the overall typing experience. Conversely, details on the feel of the Strawberry Latte switch are not provided, making it difficult to compare directly. However, it stands to reason that any smoothness and overall typing sensation would likely be of good quality given Huano's reputation and recent advancements in their molds.

In conclusion, the KTT Orange and Huano Strawberry Latte switches both possess unique qualities that cater to different preferences. The Orange excels in delivering a low-pitched sound and a bouncy, frictionless feel, making it an excellent choice for a smooth typing experience. The Strawberry Latte, while lacking specific details on sound and feel, promises a balanced auditory profile and a smooth typing experience thanks to the latest molds from Huano. Ultimately, users can expect a satisfying experience from either switch, but personal preference, styling, and specific keyboard setups will ultimately dictate which switch proves to be the better fit.

Conclusion

To conclude, choosing between the KTT Orange and the Huano Strawberry Latte linear switches ultimately depends on your personal preferences and typing style. If you favor a bouncy, lively typing experience with a medium-light feel, the KTT Orange might be your ideal pick. Its 53-gram bottom-out force provides a satisfying rebound and a smooth, frictionless travel that’s perfect for both typing and gaming. The low-pitched sound profile can also enhance your typing enjoyment, especially if you prefer a more subdued auditory experience. On the other hand, if you lean towards a lighter touch and prioritize effortless keystrokes, the Huano Strawberry Latte could be the better option with its 45-gram bottom-out force. While it may not offer the same bounciness as the KTT Orange, the Strawberry Latte provides a smooth, balanced sound profile that strikes a nice middle ground without being overly resonant. Therefore, consider what you value more—whether it’s the energetic rebound of the Orange or the light, smooth feel of the Strawberry Latte—to make an informed choice that aligns with your typing or gaming habits.

Mentioned in this article

KTT Orange Linear

$5.55

$4.15 per 10

Learn more

Huano Strawberry Latte Linear

$3.50

$3.29 per 10

Learn more