Huano Strawberry Latte vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue
An in-depth look at the Huano Strawberry Latte and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, the Huano Strawberry Latte and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switches stand out for their unique characteristics. The Strawberry Latte is celebrated for its super smooth keystrokes, utilizing the latest molds from Huano to create a balanced sound profile that strikes a satisfying equilibrium—neither too quiet nor excessively resonant. This makes it an appealing option for those seeking a fluid typing experience without overwhelming noise. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue enchants users with its deep, thocky sound profile, immersing typists in a rich audio landscape. With a lengthened single-stage spring that contributes a bouncy feel, the Tourmaline Blue caters to users who appreciate a dynamic keystroke experience, making it a versatile choice for a broad audience thanks to its neutral and mild characteristics. Both switches have their distinctive merits, making them suitable for different typing preferences. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
40g
Actuation force
59g
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
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
POK
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
20mm single-stage spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The Huano Strawberry Latte and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches showcase distinct housing materials that contribute uniquely to their sound profiles and tactile experiences. The Strawberry Latte utilizes POK (polyketone) for its top housing, which is known for its smoothness and durability. With a coefficient of friction slightly higher than that of LY, it promotes a gliding feeling during keystrokes. This material's exceptional wear resistance—14 times stronger than POM—and superior shock absorption, which is 2.3 times greater than Nylon, facilitate a reliable and long-lasting performance. In contrast, the Tourmaline Blue employs polycarbonate for both its top and bottom housings, resulting in a sound profile that is sharper and more resonant. This stiffer material enhances the clarity of each keystroke and allows light to shine through if RGB lighting is used, creating an aesthetically pleasing effect.
The bottom housings of the two switches present further differences, with the Strawberry Latte opting for nylon and the Tourmaline Blue using polycarbonate. Nylon is a classic choice for switch housings due to its ability to absorb sound effectively, yielding a deeper, fuller audio response when typing. This characteristic allows for a more muted acoustic experience, which can be favored by those who enjoy a softer typing sound. Conversely, the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Everglide Tourmaline Blue maintains the crisp and high-pitched attributes found in its top housing, leading to a bright and articulate typing experience. This contrast in materials demonstrates how the bottom housing influences the bottom-out sound and sensation, with nylon promoting warmth and polycarbonate enhancing clarity.
Ultimately, while the Huano Strawberry Latte and Everglide Tourmaline Blue vary significantly in their compositions, users can achieve similar results if they appreciate a combination of textured acoustic feedback and tactile sensation in their switches. For those who prioritize durability and smooth typing, the Strawberry Latte's POK top housing harmonizes wonderfully with the nylon bottom, producing a balanced auditory experience. On the other hand, the polycarbonate construction of the Tourmaline Blue enhances the overall brightness of sound, providing a vivid response that can be equally desirable. Both switches illustrate how the interplay of housing materials between the top and bottom can yield distinct yet effective typing experiences, catering to diverse preferences within the keyboard community.
Weight
The Huano Strawberry Latte linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch offer distinct experiences in terms of actuation and bottom out forces. The Strawberry Latte features a lighter actuation force of 35 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, making it suitable for users who prefer less resistance for extended typing or gaming sessions. In contrast, the Tourmaline Blue has a firmer actuation force of 59 grams and a bottom out force of 67 grams, appealing to those who enjoy a more substantial push feel in their typing experience. While both switches vary in their actuation and bottom out forces, the Strawberry Latte is the lighter option, whereas the Tourmaline Blue is the heavier alternative. These differences may influence a user’s choice depending on their preference for tactile feedback and typing endurance.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Huano Strawberry Latte linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, the differences are quite distinct. The Strawberry Latte features a travel distance of 3.6 mm, making it the shorter option, while the Tourmaline Blue has a travel distance of 4 mm, which is longer. This 0.4 mm difference can significantly influence the typing experience; the shorter travel distance of the Strawberry Latte may appeal to gamers looking for quicker response times, while the extended distance of the Tourmaline Blue might be favored by users who prefer a more pronounced keystroke feel. Thus, your choice will depend on whether you value responsiveness or depth in your key presses.
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 Tourmaline Blue has an MSRP of $6.86 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Tourmaline Blue for $3.89.
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 is neither overly quiet nor too resonant, making it suitable for diverse environments. This characteristic allows for a pleasant typing experience without becoming distracting to those nearby. Conversely, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue provides a deep, thocky sound profile that adds a layer of satisfaction to each keystroke. While both switches aim to provide a rewarding auditory experience, the Strawberry Latte leans toward moderation, while the Tourmaline Blue emphasizes a more pronounced acoustic feedback, enhancing the tactile enjoyment of the typing process.
When considering the feel of these switches, the Strawberry Latte is recognized for its super smooth operation due to the latest molds from Huano, resulting in a seamless typing experience that is likely enjoyable but does not have specific descriptors provided. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue is noted for its buttery feel, characterized by a smooth and fluid keystroke that allows for effortless typing. The bouncy nature of the Tourmaline Blue, aided by its lengthened single-stage spring, contributes to an easy-to-press sensation, requiring minimal force and providing a comfortable experience during extended use. Overall, the Strawberry Latte is set up for smoothness, but lacks detailed descriptors on its tactile characteristics.
In conclusion, while both the Huano Strawberry Latte and Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches excel in their own areas, they cater to slightly different preferences. The Strawberry Latte offers a balanced sound and smooth feel, making it versatile and approachable, while the Tourmaline Blue focuses on a more profound sound and a delightful typing experience with its buttery and easy-to-press characteristics. Users seeking a lively auditory experience may gravitate towards the Tourmaline Blue, while those looking for smooth performance without dominating sound will likely prefer the Strawberry Latte. Both may provide satisfying results depending on individual preferences and typing environments.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Huano Strawberry Latte linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch ultimately hinges on your personal preferences and typing habits. If you favor a lighter switch that enhances speed and reduces finger fatigue during long typing sessions, the Strawberry Latte—with its 45-gram bottom-out force, smooth keystrokes, and balanced sound profile—will serve you well. This switch is particularly suited for those who appreciate a more effortless typing experience and want to maintain a comfortable pace whether working or gaming. Conversely, if you are looking for a more engaging typing experience with a satisfying resistance and a deeper auditory feedback, the Tourmaline Blue is an excellent choice. Its 67-gram bottom-out force and thocky sound profile provide that satisfying bounce and stability that many typists enjoy. This switch appeals to those who prefer a more tactile sensation and a sound that complements a range of environments, making it versatile for both personal and professional use. Ultimately, understanding your typing style and comfort can guide you in selecting the best switch for your mechanical keyboard setup.
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