Huano Strawberry Latte vs. Jwick Taro
An in-depth look at the Huano Strawberry Latte and the Jwick Taro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Huano Strawberry Latte and the Jwick Taro offer distinct typing experiences that cater to different preferences. The Strawberry Latte, a linear switch, is celebrated for its super smooth keystrokes, thanks to the latest molds from Huano, providing a balanced sound profile that strikes an ideal middle ground—not too quiet and not overly resonant. This makes it an excellent choice for users who crave a seamless and uninterrupted typing experience, perfect for both gaming and professional use. On the other hand, the Jwick Taro is a tactile switch, known for its subdued yet cozy appearance and a snappy level of tactility, delivering acute and crisp clacks with every keystroke. This switch suits users who enjoy a more engaging typing feel, making it ideal for those who appreciate feedback and a bit of personality in their keystrokes. Choosing between these two switches involves considering whether you prefer the smoothness of linear typing or the tactile feedback of a more pronounced key press. 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
POK
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
20mm single-stage spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Huano Strawberry Latte and the Jwick Taro, we see a distinct contrast in their top housing compositions, while the bottom housings reveal an interesting similarity. The Strawberry Latte features a POK top housing, known for its exceptional durability and smooth feel. With a coefficient of friction of 0.04, it boasts a tactile experience that enhances the overall switch performance, and its shock resistance is significantly higher than that of materials like Nylon and POM. In contrast, the Jwick Taro utilizes polycarbonate as its top housing material, which is recognized for producing a sharper, more resonant sound profile due to its stiffness. While the two materials differ in their tactile and acoustic properties, both offer unique advantages that cater to different preferences in switch characteristics.
However, when examining the bottom housing, both switches employ Nylon, which fosters a consistent auditory experience. The use of Nylon in both the Strawberry Latte and the Jwick Taro provides a deeper and fuller sound profile, as this softer plastic effectively absorbs sound waves. This similarity ensures that regardless of the differing top housing materials, both switches will generate a duller and rounder sound due to the Nylon bottom housing. This consistent material choice harmonizes the sound experience in both switches, allowing typists to enjoy a cohesive auditory feedback, especially when bottoming out the keys.
Ultimately, even with the varied properties of the top housing materials, the shared reliance on Nylon at the base fosters a balanced overall performance for both the Huano Strawberry Latte and Jwick Taro. Each switch exhibits its unique feel and sound retention characteristics due to the top housing's inclusive design. Therefore, while the Strawberry Latte’s POK top provides a smooth and robust tactile experience, and the Taro’s polycarbonate contributes to a brighter sound signature, the use of Nylon at the bottom ensures that users will still achieve an enriched bottom-out experience across both switches. This interplay of different materials at the top and bottom highlights the complex yet harmonious nature of switch design that influences typing satisfaction in varying ways.
Weight
The Huano Strawberry Latte linear switch and the Jwick Taro tactile switch differ significantly in their actuation and bottom out forces, which can influence typing experience based on individual preferences. The Strawberry Latte has a light actuation force of 35 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, making it an ideal choice for those who favor longer typing sessions or gaming, as its lighter requirements alleviate finger fatigue. In contrast, the Jwick Taro lacks a specified actuation force, but it has a bottom out force of 67 grams, categorizing it as medium-heavy. This heavier bottom out force offers a more substantial typing experience, appealing to users who prefer a stronger tactile feedback. Consequently, one can expect that while the Strawberry Latte would provide a smoother and easier keystroke, the Taro would necessitate more force, delivering a different sensation when bottoming out. Thus, the Strawberry Latte is the lighter option, while the Jwick Taro is the heavier one, resulting in distinctly different typing experiences.
Travel distance
The Huano Strawberry Latte linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Jwick Taro tactile switch features a slightly longer travel distance of 3.7 mm. This indicates that the Strawberry Latte offers a marginally shorter travel distance compared to the Taro, catering more to those who prefer quicker responsiveness in their key presses, such as gamers. In contrast, the Taro, with its longer travel distance, may appeal to users who enjoy a more substantial key press feel, providing a deeper and potentially more satisfying typing experience. Therefore, if you value responsiveness, the Strawberry Latte could be the better choice, while those who favor a hearty depth might lean towards the Taro.
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 Jwick Taro has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Taro for $4.25.
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 Huano Strawberry Latte linear switch offers a balanced sound profile that strikes a middle ground; it is neither overly quiet nor excessively resonant, making it suitable for varied environments. Conversely, the Jwick Taro tactile switch delivers acute and crisp clacks, lending a more pronounced auditory experience. The Taro's sound characteristics can provide a more engaging feedback during typing, especially for users who enjoy a bit more auditory excitement. Overall, while the Strawberry Latte’s sound can be more neutral and adaptable, the Taro is designed to stand out in terms of clear and sharp sound output.
When it comes to feel, the Strawberry Latte is celebrated for its exceptional smoothness, which contributes to a seamless typing experience, ensuring effortless keystrokes. On the other hand, the Taro switch presents a unique tactile sensation characterized by its medium-level tactility that allows for a more pronounced typing feedback. The Taro's stepped design means users will experience a mild tactile bump during their keystrokes, adding a defined distinction in their typing journey. While the Strawberry Latte emphasizes a buttery, smooth keystroke, the Taro's design blends smoothness with a clear tactile response, catering to those who appreciate more feedback in their typing.
In conclusion, while both the Huano Strawberry Latte and Jwick Taro switches cater to different preferences, they each have their strengths that may appeal to various users. The Strawberry Latte’s smooth and neutral sound profile offers versatility, making it ideal for different settings, while the Taro’s acute auditory feedback and tactile experience add a layer of engagement that some typists may prefer. Ultimately, the choice between a smooth linear feel and a snappy tactile sensation will depend on what aspects of a keyboard's performance are most important to you, but each switch promises a quality experience tailored to different typing styles.
Conclusion
To conclude, the choice between the Huano Strawberry Latte linear switch and the Jwick Taro tactile switch ultimately depends on your personal preferences and typing style. If you prefer a smooth and light keystroke experience suitable for extended typing sessions or gaming, the Strawberry Latte is an excellent choice, especially with its lower actuation force of 45 grams, promoting quick and effortless key presses. Its balanced sound profile strikes a nice balance between audible feedback and subtlety, making it versatile for a variety of environments. On the other hand, if you're looking for a tactile feedback that enhances your typing experience with pronounced yet cozy interaction, the Taro switch stands out with its medium-heavy 67 grams of actuation force. Its pronounced tactility and crisp sound provide a satisfying feedback loop that can benefit typists who appreciate that tactile sensation to aid in accuracy. In summary, opt for the Strawberry Latte if you value smoothness and a lighter touch, while the Taro will be more to your liking if you desire that tactile bump and a richer acoustic experience. Your choice should reflect what feels most comfortable and enjoyable for your specific typing habits and needs.
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