Outemu Dustproof Blue vs. Huano Strawberry Latte

Overview

When choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, enthusiasts often find themselves contemplating between the clicky Outemu Dustproof Blue and the smooth Huano Strawberry Latte. The Dustproof Blue, celebrated for its distinct auditory feedback, offers a classic typing experience that many users find satisfying, making it an ideal choice for those who enjoy a tactile response while typing. Its clicky nature can enhance the joy of typing and provide reassurance with each keystroke. In contrast, the Huano Strawberry Latte, a linear switch, presents a different allure: its super smooth operation, facilitated by the latest mold technology from Huano, results in a seamless keypress experience that prioritizes speed and fluidity, perfect for gamers and fast typists who prefer minimal friction and noise. While one switch provides a resonant satisfaction and a tactile sensation, the other excels in quiet performance and smoothness. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Outemu Dustproof Blue Clicky

Huano Strawberry Latte Linear

$3.10 per 10

$3.50

$3.29 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The Outemu Dustproof Blue and the Huano Strawberry Latte utilize different top housing materials, which significantly influences their sound profiles. The Dustproof Blue features a polycarbonate top housing, known for its rigidity and translucence. This stiffer plastic produces a higher-pitched, crisper sound, making it particularly effective for vibrant RGB lighting applications. It creates a clear and resonant tone, as polycarbonate's stiffness enhances the sound clarity when the switch is actuated. In contrast, the Strawberry Latte employs a POK (polyketone) top housing, which although smooth and durable, does not achieve the same sharpness in sound. The lower coefficient of friction of POK contributes to a different tactile experience, potentially resulting in a more muted acoustic response compared to the Dustproof Blue’s crisper characteristics.

Both switches share nylon as their bottom housing material, which contributes to their sound profiles in similar ways. Nylon is celebrated for its ability to absorb sound and provide a deeper and fuller tone, due to its softer nature. This shared material ensures that both the Dustproof Blue and Strawberry Latte will evoke that characteristic roundness in sound upon bottoming out, regardless of their differing top housings. As a classic choice for switches, nylon’s resonance creates a consistent underlying acoustic quality in both models, leading to a cohesive typing experience when considering the sound produced from beneath each key.

Overall, the contrasting top materials (polycarbonate for the Dustproof Blue and POK for the Strawberry Latte) will result in distinct auditory experiences during actuation and release. However, their shared nylon bottom housing ensures that both switches produce a similar fuller sound when bottomed out. Thus, while the two switches present different acoustic profiles in their tops, they maintain a comparable tonal depth due to the influence of the nylon bottom housing. Users can expect a rich sound quality from both options, though they will experience the nuances of their specific top material choices.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Outemu Dustproof Blue clicky switch and the Huano Strawberry Latte linear switch, notable differences emerge. The Dustproof Blue switch has an actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams, categorizing it as medium-heavy. In contrast, the Strawberry Latte features a lighter actuation force of 35 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, making it a more lightweight option overall. For users who prefer a softer feel and longer typing sessions, the Strawberry Latte would be ideal, while those who enjoy a more robust typing experience may favor the heavier Dustproof Blue switch. Essentially, the Dustproof Blue requires more effort to activate and bottom out compared to the Strawberry Latte, reflecting a significant contrast in typing experiences provided by these two switches.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Outemu Dustproof Blue clicky switch and the Huano Strawberry Latte linear switch, the Dustproof Blue offers a longer travel distance of 4 mm, while the Strawberry Latte has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm. This difference of 0.4 mm may appear minimal, but it can significantly affect the typing experience. The Dustproof Blue, with its longer travel distance, provides a more substantial tactile feedback that some users may find satisfying, especially those who prefer a more pronounced keystroke. In contrast, the Strawberry Latte's shorter travel distance caters to those who favor quicker responses, ideal for gamers who seek an advantage through faster actuation. Therefore, if you favor a more traditional feel with deeper actuation, the Outemu Dustproof Blue would be the preferable choice, whereas the Huano Strawberry Latte might be better suited for those who prioritize speedy inputs.

Price comparison

Typing experience

The Outemu Dustproof Blue switch produces a sound profile that is distinctively clicky, characterized by sharp, audible clicks that provide tactile feedback. This sound, while not specified in detail, is typically pleasing to those who enjoy pronounced feedback with every keystroke. In contrast, the Huano Strawberry Latte switch offers a more balanced sound profile; it is described as not quiet, yet it avoids excessive resonance. This makes the Strawberry Latte suitable for users looking for a more subdued auditory experience, while still retaining enough sound to convey key presses effectively.

In terms of feel, the Outemu Dustproof Blue switch is known for its tactile bump at the actuation point, which can give a satisfying sensation as you type; however, specific descriptions of its feel are not detailed in the provided information. On the other hand, the Strawberry Latte switch is celebrated for its super smooth operation, thanks to improved molding techniques from Huano. This smoothness enhances the typing experience, making each key press feel fluid and effortless, which can be particularly appealing to users who prioritize a seamless input experience.

In summary, if you prefer a more clicky and tactile typing experience, the Outemu Dustproof Blue switch might align with your needs, though specific details on its sound and feel are lacking. Conversely, the Huano Strawberry Latte switch caters to those who enjoy a linear and smooth action with a balanced auditory output. While the subjective qualities differ significantly between the two switches, the choice ultimately hinges on personal preference regarding sound and feel.

Conclusion

To conclude, your choice between the Outemu Dustproof Blue clicky switch and the Huano Strawberry Latte linear switch ultimately depends on your typing preferences and intended use. If you enjoy a tactile and audible feedback while typing—an experience often favored by typists and gamers looking for a satisfying click with each keystroke—the Dustproof Blue may be the ideal option for you. Its medium-heavy bottom-out force of 65 grams can provide a satisfying level of resistance that many users appreciate, particularly for those who spend long hours typing or gaming. On the other hand, if you prefer a quieter, smoother experience, the Huano Strawberry Latte is tailor-made for you. With a lighter 45-gram actuation force, its linear feel ensures quick and effortless keystrokes, making it a great choice for fast-paced gameplay or marathon typing sessions where minimizing fatigue is a priority. To wrap up, evaluate how you enjoy the key feels and sounds, and select the switch that perfectly aligns with your keyboard experience.

Mentioned in this article

Outemu Dustproof Blue Clicky

$3.10 per 10

Learn more

Huano Strawberry Latte Linear

$3.50

$3.29 per 10

Learn more