Huano Strawberry Latte vs. Everglide Sunset Yellow
An in-depth look at the Huano Strawberry Latte and the Everglide Sunset Yellow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboards, the choice of switch can make a significant difference in both typing experience and sound profile. The Huano Strawberry Latte, a linear switch known for its ultra-smooth feel and balanced sound, offers a delightful typing experience that is neither too loud nor too silent, making it an appealing choice for users who appreciate a refined yet enjoyable feedback. On the other hand, the Everglide Sunset Yellow is celebrated for its unique auditory characteristics, reminiscent of mahjong tiles clashing, delivering a rich and bassy sound that enhances the act of typing into a more tactile experience. Its medium weight caters to a diverse range of users, while the specialized Ly stem and proprietary lubrication ensure a frictionless, polished glide along with a highly responsive typing action. Each switch brings its own flavor to the table, with the Strawberry Latte focusing on smoothness and balance, and the Sunset Yellow offering an indulgent auditory experience. 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
40g
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
51g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.20 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
POK
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
20mm single-stage spring
Spring
Single-staged lengthened 20mm spring
Housing materials
The Huano Strawberry Latte and the Everglide Sunset Yellow switches feature distinct housing materials that significantly influence their overall sound and performance. The Strawberry Latte utilizes a POK material for its top housing, which is favored for its impressive durability and smoothness. With a coefficient of friction of 0.04, it provides a tactile experience that is slightly smoother than the Everglide's top housing made of POM, which has a coefficient of 0.03. This POK material not only excels in wear resistance, being 14 times stronger than POM, but it also offers greater shock resistance, enhancing the overall feel of the switch during use. In contrast, the POM material used in the Sunset Yellow switch contributes to a sound profile described as deep and muted, producing a sound that is distinctively different, even though it maintains a certain pleasing quality.
Looking at the bottom housings, there are parallels as well as contrasts. The Strawberry Latte employs nylon, a classic material known for its ability to absorb sound and provide a deeper, fuller sound profile. This contrasts with the Everglide Sunset Yellow, which uses POM for its bottom housing as well. Both materials promote a deeper sound, but the nylon is recognized for its softer nature and capacity to create a duller and rounder acoustic experience. Thus, while both the Strawberry Latte and Sunset Yellow bottoms aim to produce muted sound profiles, they achieve this through different material properties, with nylon providing additional emotional depth due to its softer texture relative to the harder POM.
When considering the overall performance and user experience of both switches, it becomes evident that the combination of top and bottom housings creates a unique acoustic signature for each. Because the bottom housing primarily influences the bottom-out sound and feel when pressed down, the nylon in the Strawberry Latte enhances the tactile experience with a rounder sound, while the POM in the Sunset Yellow offers a pleasing yet muted sound. On the other hand, the top housings play a more significant role in the sound produced while releasing the key, with the POK material in the Huano offering a crisp, smooth release compared to the muted sound characteristic of the Sunset Yellow's POM top. Essentially, even though both switches share similarities in their housing configurations, the unique properties of their materials generate differing interactions that appeal to users seeking specific auditory and tactile experiences.
Weight
The Huano Strawberry Latte linear switch and the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch differ in both actuation and bottom out forces, reflecting their unique typing experiences. The Strawberry Latte features a lighter actuation force of 35 grams, making it ideal for prolonged typing sessions or gaming marathons where ease of keystrokes is desired. In contrast, the Sunset Yellow has a slightly heavier actuation force of 43 grams, offering a more substantial feel that some users may prefer for a tactile typing experience. When it comes to bottom out forces, the Strawberry Latte also comes in lighter at 45 grams compared to the Sunset Yellow's 51 grams, further emphasizing its suitability for those seeking a softer touch. Overall, the Strawberry Latte is favored for its lighter weight, while the Sunset Yellow caters to those looking for a firmer push feel.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Huano Strawberry Latte linear switch and the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch, notable differences emerge. The Strawberry Latte features a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Sunset Yellow measures 3.2 mm. This means that the Huano Strawberry Latte offers a longer travel distance compared to the Everglide Sunset Yellow. A longer travel distance, like that of the Strawberry Latte, can provide a more tactile experience, appealing to users who prefer a hearty depth in their key presses. Conversely, the shorter 3.2 mm distance of the Sunset Yellow caters to those seeking faster response times, often favored by gamers. In summary, if you value responsiveness, the Everglide Sunset Yellow is the better choice, whereas the Huano Strawberry Latte is more suitable for users who appreciate a more substantial travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
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.
The Everglide Sunset Yellow comes in at $3.09 per 10 switches.
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 sound profile of the Huano Strawberry Latte is balanced, falling neither into the category of overly quiet nor excessively resonant. This makes it a versatile option for users seeking a modest auditory feedback without overwhelming their surroundings. In contrast, the Everglide Sunset Yellow stands out due to its deep, rich sound that resembles mahjong tiles colliding, characterized by a bassy and thocky tone. This switch offers a more indulgent auditory experience that many users might find satisfying, as the lower frequency sounds create a fulfilling and immersive typing atmosphere. While both switches provide unique experiences, the Strawberry Latte leans towards an understated approach while the Sunset Yellow flaunts a more pronounced sound.
When it comes to feel, the Strawberry Latte switches are noted for their exceptional smoothness, benefiting from the latest molding technologies. This smoothness is likely a result of precise manufacturing techniques that deliver a satisfying keystroke. On the other hand, the Everglide Sunset Yellow boasts a creamy, frictionless, and polished feel, largely attributed to its unique Ly stem and factory lube application. This combination allows for a silky typing sensation that enhances overall user satisfaction, providing a sharp and highly responsive feel. Thus, while both switches are engineered for a refined typing experience, the Sunset Yellow excels in providing a high degree of fluidity and tactile delight.
In conclusion, the Huano Strawberry Latte and Everglide Sunset Yellow switches appeal to different preferences in terms of sound and feel. If you prefer a balanced, understated sound profile and a super smooth keystroke, the Strawberry Latte might be your best bet. Conversely, if you seek a more immersive auditory experience coupled with a creamy and frictionless typing feel, the Sunset Yellow could be ideal for you. Ultimately, your choice will depend on which qualities you prioritize in your mechanical keyboard experience, but both switches promise to deliver high satisfaction based on their unique characteristics.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Huano Strawberry Latte linear switch and the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch, consider your personal typing preferences and the type of experience you seek. If you prefer a lighter switch with a smooth and balanced sound profile that is neither too quiet nor overwhelming, the Strawberry Latte is a great choice. Its lighter actuation force of 45 grams makes it particularly suitable for fast typists or gamers who value quick, effortless keystrokes. On the other hand, if you enjoy a richer tactile and auditory experience, the Sunset Yellow's medium-light resistance at 51 grams, combined with its creamy and polished feel, offers a more indulgent typing experience. The distinctive bassy sound and frictionless travel of the Sunset Yellow make it ideal for those who appreciate a deeper auditory feedback and an overall plush feel. Ultimately, your choice will depend on whether you prioritize a lightweight and smooth typing experience or a slightly heftier switch with a more luxurious sound and feel.
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