TTC Speed Silver vs. Huano Strawberry Latte
An in-depth look at the TTC Speed Silver and the Huano Strawberry Latte switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to selecting the ideal mechanical keyboard switches, the TTC Speed Silver and Huano Strawberry Latte both offer compelling options for enthusiasts seeking a linear experience. The Speed Silver is highly regarded for its rapid actuation and light-medium resistance, making it a top pick for those who prioritize a swift and precise typing experience, especially in fast-paced gaming or intensive typing scenarios. Its reduced travel distance not only enhances speed but also delivers a crisp sound profile, ideal for users who appreciate both efficiency and auditory feedback. On the other hand, the Huano Strawberry Latte stands out with its exquisite smoothness, utilizing the latest molds to create a balanced sound profile that avoids the extremes of being overly quiet or excessively resonant. For users who value a buttery typing feel, the Strawberry Latte may be the more attractive option. Ultimately, your choice between these two switches will depend on your specific preferences for speed and tactile feedback; 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
55g
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
1.08 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
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
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
20mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
The TTC Speed Silver and the Huano Strawberry Latte switches showcase distinct materials that influence their respective sound profiles and tactile feedback. The Speed Silver features a polycarbonate top housing, favored for its high stiffness and translucency. This material offers a sharper and crisper sound profile, making it particularly effective when used in conjunction with RGB lighting. With the clarity that polycarbonate imparts, each keystroke emits a bright and resonant sound, enhancing the overall typing experience. Conversely, the Strawberry Latte utilizes a POK polyketone top housing, which, despite being a different material, is notable for its smoothness and durability. While the POK material contributes to a different texture and feel, both housing materials aim to enhance the typing experience, albeit in different ways.
Both switches utilize nylon for their bottom housing, a choice that underscores their shared commitment to delivering a deeper and fuller sound profile. As a classic option in mechanical keyboard designs, nylon's softer characteristics allow it to absorb sounds effectively, resulting in a rounder, more subdued typing noise. This consistent bottom housing material ensures that both the Speed Silver and Strawberry Latte switches offer a satisfying tactile experience with similar low frequencies, engaging users with a more muted acoustic response when bottoming out. Consequently, while the top housings provide distinctive sound profiles—each with its own unique characteristics—the bottom housing remains uniform in its ability to create a fuller typing sound.
When considering the overall performance of both switches, it becomes clear that the combination of materials in each case offers a nuanced blend of auditory and tactile responses. The polycarbonate top housing of the Speed Silver provides a bright, resonant sound, while the POK top housing of the Strawberry Latte leads to a smooth and clacky feedback, diverging from the sharper tones of its counterpart. However, the nylon bottom housing inherently contributes a similar depth to both switches, ensuring that users can achieve a harmonious balance of sound and feel. By understanding how these materials interact, users can appreciate the differences while also recognizing the enjoyable typing experience each switch provides, ultimately forming a satisfying balance between the materials used in the design.
Weight
When comparing the TTC Speed Silver linear switch and the Huano Strawberry Latte linear switch, there are distinct differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Speed Silver requires an actuation force of 45 grams and bottoms out at 55 grams, classifying it as medium-light. In contrast, the Strawberry Latte has a lighter actuation force of 35 grams and a lower bottom out force of 45 grams, positioning it firmly in the light category. This difference in actuation force means that the Strawberry Latte will require less effort to trigger a keystroke, making it a more favorable option for those who type for extended periods or engage in long gaming sessions without fatigue. Conversely, the Speed Silver's heavier forces may appeal to users who prefer a more substantial tactile experience while typing. Ultimately, if you're looking for a lighter switch with less resistance, the Huano Strawberry Latte is the clear choice, while the TTC Speed Silver offers a slightly heavier feel for those who favor a firmer push.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the TTC Speed Silver and the Huano Strawberry Latte linear switches, there is a clear distinction. The TTC Speed Silver features a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Huano Strawberry Latte has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.6 mm. This difference indicates that, for those seeking a more responsive feel, the Speed Silver would be the better choice due to its shorter travel distance, which can facilitate faster keypress reactions that many gamers prefer. Conversely, the Strawberry Latte, with its longer travel distance, might appeal to users who appreciate a more pronounced keypress, offering a more traditional typing experience. Ultimately, your choice would depend on whether you favor quick responsiveness or a more substantial tactile feedback when pressing the keys.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Speed Silver has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Speed Silver for $4.58.
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 TTC Speed Silver linear switch boasts a neutral sound profile, making it versatile for both home and workplace environments. This balanced acoustics allows for a moderate auditory experience that doesn’t distract, regardless of whether you’re a beginner or an advanced user. Although the specific sound characteristics of the Huano Strawberry Latte linear switch aren't explicitly detailed, it is noted to have a balanced sound profile as well, which positions it similarly to the Speed Silver. While the Strawberry Latte isn't categorized as a quiet switch, its sound isn't overly resonant either, suggesting that both switches will deliver an agreeable auditory experience for most users.
When looking at the feel of these switches, the Speed Silver stands out with its mild actuation resistance and polished nature, offering a gentle and refined typing experience. This smooth feel can be attributed to the high-quality materials and possibly factory lubrication, resulting in reduced friction and effortless key travel. On the other hand, while the feel characteristics of the Strawberry Latte switch are not explicitly described, its reputation for being super smooth suggests that it could provide a similarly pleasant tactile experience. Thus, if you gravitate toward a switch that prioritizes smoothness and comfort under your fingers, both options might fulfill those requirements.
In conclusion, both the TTC Speed Silver and Huano Strawberry Latte linear switches offer distinct yet comparable qualities. While the Speed Silver is favored for its mild, polished feel and neutral sound, the Strawberry Latte appears to match in sound quality with a smooth typing experience likely indicative of high-quality manufacturing. If you prefer fast and precise typing with a refined sound, the Speed Silver is an excellent choice. Meanwhile, the Strawberry Latte might attract those in search of smooth keystrokes with a balanced acoustic presence. Depending on your preferences, either switch could serve as a strong foundation for your mechanical keyboard setup.
Conclusion
To conclude, choosing between the TTC Speed Silver and the Huano Strawberry Latte linear switches largely depends on your priorities in typing feel and performance. If you're seeking speed and precision in your typing, especially for gaming or fast-paced word processing, the Speed Silver switches are an excellent choice. Their medium-light tension of 55 grams, combined with their reduced travel distance, promotes quick actuation without sacrificing a comfortable typing experience. The neutral sound profile, along with a mild and polished feel, makes them versatile for both home and office settings. On the other hand, if you prefer a softer touch and an ultra-smooth keypress, the Strawberry Latte switches—with their lighter 45-gram bottom out force—may be more to your liking. These switches offer a gentle typing experience, suited for those who spend long hours at the keyboard and appreciate a balanced sound that’s neither too quiet nor excessively loud. Ultimately, your choice should reflect whether you value speed and precision or comfort and smoothness for prolonged use.
Mentioned in this article
