Everglide Sakura Pink vs. Huano Strawberry Latte
An in-depth look at the Everglide Sakura Pink and the Huano Strawberry Latte switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, enthusiasts often debate the merits of various options, and two notable contenders are the Everglide Sakura Pink and the Huano Strawberry Latte, both of which are linear switches. The Sakura Pink is celebrated for its exceptionally light 35g actuation force, catering to delicate typists who appreciate a feather-light touch. With a gliding type feel and frictionless operation, these switches make typing feel effortless, offering a satisfying tactile experience characterized by a delightfully poppy sound—akin to popping bubble wrap. On the other hand, the Huano Strawberry Latte presents a more balanced auditory profile, striking a harmony between loudness and silence, making it suitable for users who desire a smooth yet audible typing experience without overwhelming resonance. While the Sakura Pinks might appeal to those seeking a uniquely playful feel, the Strawberry Lattes appeal to those who prefer a more balanced sound as they type. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
35g
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
45g
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
Stainless steel
Spring
20mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Everglide Sakura Pink and the Huano Strawberry Latte, we see a distinct contrast between the polycarbonate used in the Sakura Pink and the polyketone (POK) utilized in the Strawberry Latte for the top housing. The polycarbonate in the Sakura Pink is known for producing a sharper and crisper sound profile, largely due to its rigidity, which allows for a clearer resonance when a key is pressed. This characteristic is especially enhanced when paired with RGB lighting, as the translucency of the polycarbonate allows for vibrant light diffusion, making it aesthetically appealing. In contrast, the POK material of the Strawberry Latte has a high coefficient of friction, providing a notably smooth keypress experience, which contributes to its clackier sound signature. While both materials aim to enhance sound quality, they do so through differing acoustic properties: polycarbonate leans towards high-pitched clarity, while POK offers a balance between smoothness and a pronounced sound.
The bottom housings of the two switches further illustrate the contrast in their sound profiles. The Sakura Pink employs a polycarbonate bottom housing, which, similar to the top housing, works to create a clear, resonant sound that is bright and energetic. This is particularly effective for typists who enjoy a keyboard with a lively auditory feedback. On the other hand, the Strawberry Latte features a nylon bottom housing, a classic choice that contrasts sharply with the characteristics of polycarbonate by delivering a deeper and fuller sound. Nylon's softer material composition allows it to absorb sound better than polycarbonate does, resulting in a sound that is rounder and more subdued. Therefore, when bottoming out a key on the Strawberry Latte, a user may experience a softer yet rich auditory experience compared to the crisper feedback of the Sakura Pink.
Ultimately, the combination of different housing materials in both switches leads to unique typing experiences. For the Sakura Pink, the harmonious pairing of polycarbonate in both the top and bottom housings results in a uniform sound profile that is bright and resonant, ideal for those who prefer a lively feel. Conversely, the hybrid of POK and nylon in the Strawberry Latte produces a blended experience: the top offers a smooth and clacky sensation, while the bottom delivers a softer, fuller feel that contrasts with its higher-pitched counterpart. Thus, while users of both switches can achieve satisfying results in terms of performance and aesthetic appeal, the distinct characteristics of the materials will cater to different preferences, whether one favors clarity and crispness or smoothness and warmth.
Weight
When comparing the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch and the Huano Strawberry Latte linear switch, it is notable that both switches exhibit the same actuation and bottom out forces. Both switches require an actuation force of 35 grams, meaning they have a light push feel that can facilitate longer typing sessions and is ideal for use in both office environments and during extended gaming. Additionally, both switches share a bottom out force of 45 grams, ensuring that they provide a consistent and comfortable typing experience with a slightly noticeable feedback when fully pressed down. Since both the actuation and bottom out forces are identical between the two models, users can expect similar performance characteristics regardless of their choice. Therefore, those who prefer a lighter switch would find both the Everglide Sakura Pink and the Huano Strawberry Latte satisfactory options.
Travel distance
The Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch features a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Huano Strawberry Latte linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm. This difference of 0.4 mm highlights that the Sakura Pink offers a more substantial feel when pressing down on a key, which may appeal to users who prefer a deeper, more tactile experience. In contrast, the Strawberry Latte’s shorter travel distance caters to gamers and those seeking quicker response times, resulting in a more immediate and potentially more responsive typing experience. Ultimately, the longer travel distance of the Sakura Pink may provide a hearty depth that some users prefer, while the shorter Strawberry Latte excels in speed, making the choice dependent on individual preferences and typing styles.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Sakura Pink has an MSRP of $6.86 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sakura Pink for $3.89.
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 Everglide Sakura Pink switches produce a delightfully poppy sound akin to bubble wrap being popped, providing an engaging auditory experience that adds a playful layer to each keystroke. This contrasts with the Huano Strawberry Latte switches, which have a balanced sound profile that isn't overly resonant but still maintains a noticeable presence. Though the precise description of the Strawberry Latte's sound may be less vivid than that of the Sakura Pink, both switches engage the typist in unique acoustic ways, with the former offering a more pronounced acoustic character while the latter strikes a moderate balance.
In terms of feel, the Sakura Pink linear switches are celebrated for their buttery, creamy texture and a frictionless operation. This makes for a remarkably smooth typing experience where keystrokes flow effortlessly, requiring only minimal force thanks to their ultralight 35g actuation. The Sakura Pink switches promote a fluidity that enhances comfort, making them ideal for extended typing sessions. In contrast, the Huano Strawberry Latte switches, while also smooth thanks to their advanced molding process, do not have specific descriptors to indicate their tactile or pressure responses. Therefore, while the experience of typing on both switches is likely pleasant, the detailed tactile qualities of the Strawberry Latte switches remain somewhat undefined.
In conclusion, both the Everglide Sakura Pink and Huano Strawberry Latte switches cater to distinct auditory and tactile preferences for mechanical keyboard users. The Sakura Pink shines with its playful sound profile and exceptionally smooth feel, making it particularly alluring for those seeking a light and engaging typing experience. Conversely, the Strawberry Latte offers a more subdued sound and potentially reliable smoothness, although its exact characteristics may vary. Ultimately, both switches can deliver enjoyable results for enthusiasts; your final choice will depend on whether you favor a more expressive auditory experience or a balanced one with an emphasis on a smooth feel.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Everglide Sakura Pink and the Huano Strawberry Latte linear switches will largely depend on your typing preferences and the experience you're seeking. If you prioritize a lightweight feel and enjoy a truly effortless typing experience, the Sakura Pink with its 35g actuation force will be ideal for you, especially if you often engage in delicate tasks or lengthy typing sessions that demand minimal finger fatigue. Its distinctive poppy sound adds a playful element to your keystrokes, making it an excellent fit for those who appreciate a fun typing atmosphere. On the other hand, if you're looking for a more balanced sound profile and desire a smooth, but not overly muted experience with a touch more depth, then the Strawberry Latte would be your go-to option. While both switches offer a similar bottom-out force, the Strawberry Latte provides a classic typing feel that might appeal to users who enjoy a bit more feedback without overwhelming noise. Thus, your personal typing style and auditory preferences should guide your ultimate decision between these two delightful switches.
Mentioned in this article
