SP-Star Polaris Purple vs. Huano Strawberry Latte
An in-depth look at the SP-Star Polaris Purple and the Huano Strawberry Latte switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to the world of mechanical keyboards, the choice of switch can significantly influence your typing experience, and two noteworthy contenders are the SP-Star Polaris Purple and the Huano Strawberry Latte. The Polaris Purple, a tactile switch, is celebrated for its pronounced tactile bump that delivers an exhilarating typing experience; its snappy sound profile adds to the feedback, making every keystroke feel satisfying. In contrast, the Huano Strawberry Latte, a linear switch, offers a super smooth operation thanks to the latest molds from Huano, providing a seamless typing experience with its balanced sound profile that strikes the right chord—neither too quiet nor overly resonant. Whether you prefer the tactile feedback of the Polaris Purple that enhances your typing precision or the fluid, uninterrupted flow of the Strawberry Latte that caters to a more efficient and fast-paced typing style, both switches have their unique appeals. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on which switch is right for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
POK
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold plated
Spring
20mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the SP-Star Polaris Purple and the Huano Strawberry Latte, we can observe both similarities and noteworthy differences that affect their acoustic profiles. The Polaris Purple features a polycarbonate top housing, known for its ability to produce a sharper, higher-pitched sound that is clear and resonant. This stiffness allows for a crisper sound profile, making it particularly advantageous for users who enjoy a more defined auditory feedback during typing. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate enhances RGB lighting effects, ensuring a visually striking experience. In contrast, the Huano Strawberry Latte utilizes POK, or polyketone, for its top housing, which, while offering smoothness and clackiness due to its low friction coefficient, doesn't have the same degree of brightness in sound as polycarbonate. However, both materials contribute to an engaging sound experience, albeit in different ways.
Examining the bottom housings reveals a further contrast between the two switches. The Polaris Purple employs a polycarbonate bottom housing, which continues the trend of producing a sharper and more resonant sound profile. In this case, the stiffer nature of polycarbonate facilitates a clearer bottom-out sound when the key is fully pressed down. On the other hand, the Huano Strawberry Latte opts for a nylon bottom housing, which absorbs sound more due to its softer plastic composition. This results in a deeper and fuller sound when bottoming out, providing a more muted auditory feedback compared to the crisper output of the Polaris Purple. By utilizing different materials, the two switches offer distinct sound characteristics that cater to varied preferences among users.
In summary, although the Polaris Purple and Huano Strawberry Latte utilize differing materials for their respective top and bottom housings, each brings unique qualities that contribute to the overall typing experience. For the Polaris Purple, the use of polycarbonate in both housings yields a cohesive sound profile characterized by clarity and brightness. Conversely, the Strawberry Latte combines the smoothness of POK in the top with the deeper, more rounded sound signature from the nylon bottom, offering a different tactile sensation. Both designs successfully leverage their materials to create enjoyable and distinct auditory experiences, allowing users to choose based on their individual auditory preferences.
Weight
When comparing the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch and the Huano Strawberry Latte linear switch, there are notable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Polaris Purple features an actuation force that is unspecified but has a bottom out force of 67 grams, categorizing it as medium-heavy. In contrast, the 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 both lighter and easier to press compared to the Polaris Purple, making it potentially more comfortable for prolonged typing or gaming sessions. Meanwhile, the heavier bottom out force of the Polaris Purple provides a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a stronger key feel. Overall, users seeking a lighter touch might find the Strawberry Latte more suitable, while those who enjoy a firmer feedback may gravitate towards the Polaris Purple.
Travel distance
The SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch features a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Huano Strawberry Latte linear switch has a shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm. This means that when pressing the Polaris Purple, you experience a deeper feel as the key travels further down before registering, which caters to those who prefer a more substantial feedback and hearty depth in their keystrokes. In contrast, the Strawberry Latte's 3.6 mm travel distance offers a more responsive feel, appealing particularly to gamers who favor quicker key actuation for faster response times. Hence, while both switches serve different preferences, the Polaris Purple is the longer travel switch, providing a more traditional experience, whereas the Strawberry Latte is the shorter option, favoring a more rapid key press. If you are seeking enhanced responsiveness, the Strawberry Latte would be the better choice, but if you value the tactile sensation of deeper keystrokes, then the Polaris Purple is the way to go.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The SP-Star Polaris Purple has an MSRP of $5.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Polaris Purple for $5.00.
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 SP-Star Polaris Purple switch offers a snappy sound profile that provides auditory feedback and enhances the typing experience. Its sound is moderate, striking a balance that makes it suitable for various environments—whether you're at home or in a shared workspace, the noise levels are neither too loud nor too quiet. In contrast, the Huano Strawberry Latte switch boasts a balanced sound profile, which sits comfortably between being overly resonant and too muted. While the Polaris Purple might showcase a bit more character through its snappiness, the Strawberry Latte provides a more consistent, rounded auditory experience, making it an appealing option for users wanting a pleasing yet unobtrusive sound.
In terms of feel, the Polaris Purple switch offers an exhilarating tactile experience with a pronounced tactile bump that signifies actuation clearly. Users can expect a typing sensation that is both mildly engaging and polished—providing a smooth and refined finish that enhances key travel and reduces friction. This makes the typing experience approachable for most users. On the other hand, the feel of the Huano Strawberry Latte switch remains subjective, as its description does not provide specific tactile characteristics. However, with the emphasis on smoothness and the use of advanced molds from Huano, one can infer that the Strawberry Latte aims for a seamless typing experience that caters to those who prioritize fluidity over tactile feedback.
In conclusion, both the SP-Star Polaris Purple and Huano Strawberry Latte offer unique typing experiences with notable differences in sound and feel. The Polaris Purple leans towards a more tactile, engaging experience with a snappy sound, while the Strawberry Latte focuses on delivering a smooth and balanced auditory profile. Depending on your typing preferences—whether you seek tactile feedback or smooth key travel—both switches can serve effectively based on their characteristics, allowing users to find satisfaction in their keyboard choices. Ultimately, your final decision may rest on whether you appreciate the tactile response or the fluid transitions more in your mechanical keyboard experience.
Conclusion
To conclude, choosing between the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch and the Huano Strawberry Latte linear switch largely depends on your personal preferences and typing style. If you enjoy a tactile feedback with a pronounced bump, the Polaris Purple would be your go-to option. Its medium-heavy bottom out force of 67 grams provides an exhilarating typing experience, ideal for users who appreciate that satisfying tactile response, particularly during long typing sessions or gaming. The neutral sound profile adds to its versatility, making it suitable for both work and home environments without being overly intrusive. Conversely, if you prefer a smoother and lighter typing experience, the Strawberry Latte should be your choice. With a bottom out force of only 45 grams, it offers an effortless keypress, making it great for rapid gaming or extended typing, where comfort is key. Its balanced sound profile ensures it won't be distracting, while the refined feel allows for seamless key travel. In summary, your choice comes down to whether you favor tactile feedback and a heavier keystroke with the Polaris Purple or a smooth, light experience with the Strawberry Latte.
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