Everglide Rice Pudding vs. Huano Strawberry Latte
An in-depth look at the Everglide Rice Pudding and the Huano Strawberry Latte switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, enthusiasts often find themselves weighing the unique qualities of each option. The Everglide Rice Pudding switches, renowned for their smooth operation and deep sound, provide a satisfying and precise typing experience that is further enhanced by their full compatibility with Wooting's innovative keyboards, making them an exceptional choice for those seeking performance and versatility. In contrast, the Huano Strawberry Latte switches boast a super smooth actuation, utilizing the latest molds from Huano to achieve a balanced sound profile that strikes a harmony between being audible without overwhelming resonance. While the Rice Pudding switches excel in delivering a rich auditory experience, the Strawberry Latte focuses on seamless fluidity in keystrokes. Each switch presents distinct advantages suited to different typing preferences, but 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
38g
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
48g
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Custom stainless steel
Spring
20mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Everglide Rice Pudding and the Huano Strawberry Latte switches exhibit both similarities and differences that significantly influence their sound profiles and overall performance. The Rice Pudding features a polycarbonate top housing, known for producing a sharper and crisper sound due to its stiffer nature. This makes it an excellent choice for RGB lighting applications, as the translucency of polycarbonate enhances the visual effects of the lighting underneath. In contrast, the Huano Strawberry Latte employs a POK top housing, which is valued for its smoothness and durability rather than sound enhancement. While it lacks the same sharpness characteristic of polycarbonate, POK delivers a clacky and pleasant typing experience, providing a distinct auditory sensation that diverges from the clear sound produced by the Rice Pudding.
Both switches incorporate nylon as their bottom housing material, making this aspect of their design a shared feature. The use of nylon contributes to a deeper, fuller sound profile for both switches, as this softer plastic absorbs sound better than harder alternatives. This commonality allows for a more rounded typing experience in both cases, where the bottom-out feel is enriched by the sound-dampening properties of nylon. This quintessence of a rich tactile experience is significant as it adds depth to the overall performance of both switches, creating a pleasing acoustic environment for users regardless of the top housing difference.
Ultimately, the combination of materials results in switches that each offer a unique auditory and tactile experience. The differing top housings lead to distinctions in sound clarity and resonance, while the nylon bottoms unify their acoustic identity in the lower sound range. If users are looking for a switch that provides a sharper top sound with a resonant finish, the Rice Pudding would be suitable. In contrast, for a smoother and clackier experience, the Strawberry Latte would be preferable. The complementary nature of the nylon bottom in both switches ensures that users can enjoy aspects of fullness in sound without sacrificing the unique features brought by the top materials, leading to satisfying results in both cases.
Weight
When comparing the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch and the Huano Strawberry Latte linear switch, we observe that both switches exhibit light actuation and bottom out forces, making them suitable for users who prefer a softer typing experience. The Rice Pudding switch has an actuation force of 38 grams and a bottom out force of 48 grams, while the Strawberry Latte requires a slightly higher actuation force of 40 grams and has a bottom out force of 45 grams. Although they are close in specifications, the Rice Pudding is the lighter option when it comes to the actuation force, which may benefit users who typists for extended periods, such as during work or long gaming sessions. In contrast, the Strawberry Latte offers a slightly weightier feel, which some users may prefer for a more substantial typing experience. Overall, while both switches provide light and responsive feedback, the Rice Pudding will feel marginally softer upon actuation compared to the Strawberry Latte, making it the better choice for those seeking minimal resistance.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch and the Huano Strawberry Latte linear switch, the Rice Pudding measures 3.5 mm, while the Strawberry Latte has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.6 mm. This means that the Rice Pudding switch is the shorter option, providing a more responsive feel that some gamers may prefer for quicker key presses. In contrast, the Strawberry Latte offers a tad more depth, which might appeal to those who favor a more substantial key engagement. While the differences are minimal, those seeking rapid response times would lean towards the Rice Pudding, whereas others who enjoy a bit more travel might opt for the Strawberry Latte.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Rice Pudding has an MSRP of $8.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Rice Pudding for $6.79.
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
The Everglide Rice Pudding switches produce a deep sound that gives a satisfying auditory feedback during typing, characterized by a balanced profile that is neither jarring nor overly muted. In contrast, the Huano Strawberry Latte switches also deliver a balanced sound, striking a middle ground that isn’t too quiet or excessively resonant. While both switches provide enjoyable soundscapes, the Rice Pudding’s deeper tones may lend themselves to a richer auditory experience, particularly in quiet environments, whereas the Strawberry Latte's sound is versatile enough to fit in a variety of settings without causing disruption.
When it comes to the feel of these switches, the Rice Pudding is celebrated for its smooth operation, perfectly blending tactile feedback with a precision that enhances the typing experience. Similarly, the Strawberry Latte switches are also known for their super-smooth action, which is a result of the latest mold technologies from Huano. This shared emphasis on smoothness makes both switches appealing to those who prioritize effortless keystrokes, although the Rice Pudding may offer a slightly more refined tactile sensation due to its focus on precision.
Overall, while both the Everglide Rice Pudding and Huano Strawberry Latte switches provide unique auditory and tactile experiences, they share common traits that cater to enthusiasts looking for quality in mechanical keyboards. The Rice Pudding offers a deep sound and precise feel, making it ideal for those who enjoy a more profound auditory feedback, while the Strawberry Latte provides a balanced sound and effortless smoothness that might suit a broader range of preferences. Ultimately, both switches can deliver satisfying and enjoyable experiences, allowing users to find their ideal match based on their personal choice or typing style.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch and the Huano Strawberry Latte linear switch ultimately depends on your personal preferences and intended use. If you prioritize a smooth and precise typing experience with a satisfying sound profile, the Rice Pudding switch may be the better option for you. Its compatibility with Wooting keyboards also adds versatility, especially if you're interested in exploring advanced features like analog input. On the other hand, if you lean toward a very smooth keystroke and appreciate a balanced sound that's neither too quiet nor overly resonant, the Strawberry Latte may be more up your alley. With a slightly lighter bottom out force, it could provide a cushier typing experience for longer typing sessions. Overall, both switches are excellent choices within the realm of mechanical keyboards, and your final decision will hinge on whether you value sound depth and versatility or smoothness and a balanced acoustic profile.