Huano Strawberry Latte vs. Jerrzi Violet
An in-depth look at the Huano Strawberry Latte and the Jerrzi Violet switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to selecting the right mechanical keyboard switch for your typing style, two popular options stand out: the Huano Strawberry Latte, a linear switch, and the Jerrzi Violet, a tactile switch. The Strawberry Latte is celebrated for its super smooth actuation and balanced sound profile, making it an ideal choice for those who prefer a quiet yet responsive feel while typing or gaming. In contrast, the Jerrzi Violet offers a gentle tactile feedback that is both satisfying and engaging, providing a delightful "pop" with each keystroke, which can enhance the overall typing experience for users who appreciate a more pronounced response. While the Strawberry Latte leans towards a seamless and fluid typing experience suited for rapid key presses, the Violet’s tactile bump can provide greater accuracy and satisfaction for typists who enjoy feeling that tactile engagement. 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
45g
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
N/A
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
Yes
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 Jerrzi Violet, there are notable differences between their top housings while their bottom housings are identical. The Strawberry Latte features a POK (polyketone) top housing, which is lauded for its smoothness, durability, and shock resistance. With a coefficient of friction at 0.04, it provides a slick keypress experience, enhancing the overall typing feel and sound. This material’s impressive wear resistance—14 times stronger than POM—and its shock resistance, which outperforms Nylon and POM, result in a switch that maintains its integrity and performance over time. In contrast, the Jerrzi Violet's top housing is made of polycarbonate, known for its stiffer nature and translucency, which creates a sharper and higher-pitched sound profile. The choice of polycarbonate allows for a more resonant auditory experience, particularly beneficial when RGB lighting is involved, as the clear housing accentuates light effects.
On the other hand, both switches utilize nylon for their bottom housings, which is significant as it creates uniformity in sound profiles and typing experiences. Nylon is recognized for yielding a deeper and fuller sound due to its softer texture that absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics like POK or polycarbonate. This shared bottom housing allows both the Strawberry Latte and the Jerrzi Violet to provide a deep typing experience, highlighting the importance of this material in defining the sound and feel of the bottom-out phase of the keystroke. Therefore, despite the differences in their top housings, users can expect a similar auditory depth when pressing either switch down.
Overall, while the Huano Strawberry Latte and Jerrzi Violet switches exhibit differences in their top housing materials—one prioritizing smoothness and durability with POK, and the other focusing on sound clarity and aesthetic qualities with polycarbonate—their identical nylon bottom housings allow for a cohesive auditory experience. When typing, the characteristics of the nylon bottom will dominate, leading to a sound profile that shares common depths between the two switches. Thus, while there are noticeable differences in the top housings that affect sound when releasing keys, both switches ensure a satisfying and enjoyable typing experience due to their common bottom housing material.
Weight
When comparing the Huano Strawberry Latte linear switch and the Jerrzi Violet tactile switch, notable differences emerge in their actuation forces. The Strawberry Latte features a light actuation force of 35 grams, making it easier to press and suitable for prolonged typing sessions or gaming, where fatigue can be a concern. In contrast, the Violet switch has a heavier actuation force of 45 grams, which may provide a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel. However, the bottom out force for the Violet switch is unknown, leaving us without a complete picture for that metric. Overall, the Strawberry Latte is the lighter option, while the Violet is the heavier choice, catering to different preferences in typing experience. If both switches had similar actuation and bottom out forces, users could expect comparable performance, though their respective weights clearly suggest different target audiences.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Huano Strawberry Latte linear switch and the Jerrzi Violet tactile switch, we find that the Strawberry Latte has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Violet measures slightly longer at 3.7 mm. This gives the Strawberry Latte an edge for those seeking responsive keystrokes, making it a better choice for gamers who favor quicker actuation times. On the other hand, the Violet, with its longer 3.7 mm travel distance, may appeal to users who prefer a more substantial feel when typing, offering a more pronounced depth that some may find more satisfying. Ultimately, if you're looking for faster response and a more abrupt action, the Strawberry Latte is the shorter option, while the Violet caters to those who appreciate a more traditional and hearty typing experience.
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 Jerrzi Violet has an MSRP of $2.79 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Violet for $2.30.
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 switch falls within a balanced range, making it neither overly quiet nor excessively resonant. This characteristic lends itself well to various typing environments, striking a harmonious blend that can suit both casual and professional settings. On the other hand, the Jerrzi Violet switch features a neutral sound signature that offers a moderate actuation sound. This makes the Violet suitable for a wide array of applications, appealing to both newcomers and seasoned typists alike. Both switches provide a sound experience that is comfortable for everyday use, though the Strawberry Latte may present a slightly more pronounced audio presence in certain contexts.
When it comes to feel, the Strawberry Latte is renowned for its exceptionally smooth actuation, providing a seamless typing experience that many users appreciate. Meanwhile, the Jerrzi Violet switch is characterized as a gentle tactile option, featuring a stepped tactile response. This means that while users will feel a distinct tactile bump upon actuation, it is more subdued compared to hypertactile switches. The Violet’s design allows for a pleasant typing experience, as it balances pre-travel and post-travel resistance gently. Thus, while both switches offer enjoyable tactile sensations, the Strawberry Latte emphasizes smoothness, while the Violet provides a more pronounced yet mild tactile feedback.
In summary, both the Huano Strawberry Latte and Jerrzi Violet switches offer balanced sound profiles and enjoyable typing experiences, albeit with different tactile characteristics. The Strawberry Latte stands out for its smoothness, appealing to those who value seamless keystrokes, while the Violet caters to users who appreciate a gentle tactile feedback. Ultimately, both switches suit a range of preferences, making them excellent choices for anyone looking to enhance their typing experience.
Conclusion
To conclude, choosing between the Huano Strawberry Latte linear switch and the Jerrzi Violet tactile switch ultimately depends on your typing preferences and intended use. If you favor a lighter touch and a smooth, uninterrupted keystroke experience, the Strawberry Latte is an excellent choice; its 45-gram bottom-out force makes it easy on the fingers and ideal for fast typists or gamers who appreciate a fluid feel without any tactile feedback. Additionally, the balanced sound profile offers a good compromise for those who seek a pleasant auditory experience without being overly distracting, making it suitable for both home and office environments. On the other hand, if you enjoy tactile feedback while typing, the Violet switch is likely to resonate more with you. Its gentle tactile bump provides a satisfying typing sensation that enhances your communication with the keyboard, while its neutral sound profile ensures it’s versatile enough for various settings. The stepped nature of its action means you’ll appreciate a bit of resistance, which can make typing feel more deliberate and enjoyable, particularly for writers or those engaged in long typing sessions. Therefore, weigh your preferences for tactility versus smoothness to decide which of these switches best fits your style and usage needs.