Durock Sea Glass vs. Huano Strawberry Latte
An in-depth look at the Durock Sea Glass and the Huano Strawberry Latte switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the choice between the Durock Sea Glass and the Huano Strawberry Latte linear switches offers distinct advantages that cater to different typing preferences. The Durock Sea Glass distinguishes itself with its captivating pastel color options and is celebrated for its unique typing experience, characterized by a distinct airiness and a smooth, frictionless feel despite its 62g bottom-out force. This gives it a mild and feathery touch, making it an enticing choice for users who appreciate a light and effortless keystroke, complemented by a uniquely hollow sound profile. In contrast, the Huano Strawberry Latte emphasizes a balanced sound signature, providing a satisfying auditory experience that sits comfortably between quiet and overly resonant. Known for its super smooth operation due to the latest mold technology from Huano, this switch is ideal for users seeking a seamless and reliable typing experience without overwhelming noise. Both switches have their own appeal, but they cater to slightly different tastes and needs. However, 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
45g
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
P3+
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Top housing material
POK
Bottom housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
20mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
The Durock Sea Glass and Huano Strawberry Latte switches utilize different materials for their top housings, reflecting distinct qualities in sound and feel. The Sea Glass incorporates a unique blend of polymer nylon and UHMWPE, noted for its pleasant sound profile, which is bright yet not harsh. This blend aims to create an enjoyable typing experience through its specific acoustic characteristics. In contrast, the Strawberry Latte's top housing is made from POK, or polyketone, which boasts a low coefficient of friction (0.04), making it one of the smoothest switch materials available. POK is distinguished by its strength and durability, with wear resistance far exceeding that of traditional materials like nylon and POM. Thus, while both materials offer unique advantages, the Sea Glass leans towards a brighter sound profile, whereas the Strawberry Latte promises a smoother keypress with substantial durability.
In terms of bottom housing materials, both switches feature nylon, but with slight contrasts in their implications for sound and feel. The Durock Sea Glass utilizes a polymer nylon blend that contributes to a brighter sound profile, while the Huano Strawberry Latte opts for traditional nylon, known for its deeper and fuller acoustic properties. The inherent softness of nylon allows it to absorb sound more effectively, resulting in a muted, rounded output, whereas the blend in the Sea Glass achieves a brighter yet still pleasant auditory experience. Thus, while both switches employ nylon as a foundational material, their combinations and formulations yield differing acoustic outputs, influencing the overall typing experience.
Overall, although the Durock Sea Glass and Huano Strawberry Latte switches feature different top housing materials that contribute to distinct auditory experiences, they do share similarities in their bottom housings. The presence of nylon in both switches indicates that the foundational sound and feel will share some commonalities. When typing, the bottom housing will significantly influence the bottom-out sound and sensation, while the top housing will affect the release sound and tactile feedback. This mixed-material effect allows users to experience a balance of traits that can lead to a satisfaction that is generally consistent between the two switches, regardless of the contrasting materials at play in the top housing.
Weight
When comparing the Durock Sea Glass linear switch and the Huano Strawberry Latte linear switch, notable differences in actuation and bottom out forces are evident. The Sea Glass has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 62 grams, providing a medium resistance that can cater to users who prefer a more substantial typing experience. In contrast, the Strawberry Latte boasts a lighter actuation force of 40 grams and a bottom out force of only 45 grams, making it a better choice for those seeking a softer, quicker response. As a result, typists and gamers who favor lighter switches may find the Strawberry Latte more comfortable for extended use, while those who enjoy a firmer feel might lean towards the Sea Glass. Ultimately, the Sea Glass is heavier overall, contributing to a heavier typing experience, while the Strawberry Latte offers a lighter touch ideal for long sessions.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Durock Sea Glass linear switch and the Huano Strawberry Latte linear switch, there is a distinct difference between the two. The Sea Glass features a travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the Strawberry Latte has a shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm. This means that if you prefer a more responsive feel, the Strawberry Latte may be the better choice, as its shorter travel distance can lead to quicker actuation and faster response times—ideal for gamers. On the other hand, the Sea Glass switch provides a slightly deeper travel distance, which might appeal to those who appreciate a fuller keystroke experience. Ultimately, your preference for switch depth will dictate which option suits you best, with the Sea Glass being the longer travel switch and the Strawberry Latte offering a more streamlined option.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Sea Glass has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sea Glass for $4.87.
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
In terms of sound, the Durock Sea Glass switch is characterized by a uniquely hollow sound signature that gives it an intriguing auditory quality. The typing experience presents a distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness, which contributes to the overall acoustic profile, making it feel somewhat ethereal. On the other hand, the Huano Strawberry Latte switch features a balanced sound profile. It doesn't lean towards being overly quiet or excessively resonant, providing a pleasant auditory experience that strikes a middle ground. Both switches will be influenced by the choice of keyboard and keycap materials, but the Sea Glass will definitely deliver a more specialized and distinctive sound, while the Strawberry Latte offers a more universally appealing acoustic experience.
When evaluating their tactile feel, the Durock Sea Glass switches are noted for their mild, feathery, and easy-to-press characteristics. This makes them exceptionally comfortable for extended typing or gaming sessions, as they require minimal exertion from your fingers and reduce the potential for fatigue. In contrast, the subjective qualities of the Strawberry Latte switches remain uncertain, which leaves some ambiguity in their feel. However, many switches from Huano are known for their smooth action, so there is a possibility that the Strawberry Lattes also provide a pleasant typing experience that is intuitive and comfortable.
In conclusion, both the Durock Sea Glass and Huano Strawberry Latte switches offer appealing qualities but cater to slightly different preferences. The Sea Glass is ideal for those who appreciate a unique sound profile and a notably lightweight feel, making it exceptionally suited for prolonged usage. Meanwhile, while the specifics of the Strawberry Latte's feel are less defined, its balanced sound profile could attract users who prefer a more conventional auditory experience. Ultimately, if you are considering either option for your mechanical keyboard, you can expect smooth operation with both, albeit with different auditory and tactile nuances that may sway your decision based on personal preference.
Conclusion
To conclude, when deciding between the Durock Sea Glass linear switch and the Huano Strawberry Latte linear switch, consider your personal typing preferences and the type of experience you seek. If you prefer a medium bottom-out force and enjoy a unique typing sensation characterized by a distinct dryness and wispiness, the Sea Glass switches may be your best bet. Their 62-gram actuation provides a satisfying resistance while still feeling weightless, making them suitable for a varied use case, whether that be casual typing, gaming, or even extended work sessions. On the other hand, if you lean towards a lighter touch, the lighter 45-gram bottom-out force of the Strawberry Latte can offer a more feathery and easy-to-press experience, ideal for long hours at the keyboard with minimal finger fatigue. They also provide a balanced sound profile that can be pleasant for a wide range of users. Ultimately, your choice should reflect what you prioritize in your typing experience: the Sea Glass for a more unique touch, or the Strawberry Latte for effortless, low-impact keystrokes.
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