Huano Strawberry Latte vs. Gateron Weightlessness
An in-depth look at the Huano Strawberry Latte and the Gateron Weightlessness switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing mechanical keyboard switches, enthusiasts often find themselves torn between options that cater to different preferences and styles of typing. The Huano Strawberry Latte is a linear switch renowned for its super smooth actuation, benefiting from the latest molds from Huano, providing a balanced sound profile that is neither too quiet nor overly resonant. This makes it an excellent choice for gamers or typists who prioritize swift linear keystrokes and a less distracting auditory experience. In contrast, the Gateron Weightlessness is a tactile switch celebrated for its subtle to moderate tactile feedback, allowing users to enjoy the satisfaction of a distinct ‘bump’ during key presses without the loud clicking noise commonly associated with tactile switches. Its balanced sound profile further enhances the typing experience, making it ideal for those who enjoy a tactile sensation while maintaining a level of subtlety in their workspace. Each switch has unique characteristics that cater to different user preferences, and while this overview provides a general insight, let’s dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
40g
Actuation force
50g
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
3.40 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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
20mm single-stage spring
Spring
22mm double-staged spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Huano Strawberry Latte and the Gateron Weightlessness, notable differences can be observed, especially in their top housings. The Strawberry Latte utilizes POK material, which is recognized for its impressive durability and smooth action, characterized by a low coefficient of friction (0.04). This exceptional performance when compared to the Gateron Weightlessness's nylon top housing, which has a higher coefficient of friction (0.03), presents a contrast that suggests the Strawberry Latte may offer a slightly different tactile experience. POK’s significant strength and shock resistance, being far superior to traditional materials like Nylon and POM, may result in a more responsive feel when typing, making it better suited for users seeking a snappy and clacky typing experience.
In contrast, both the Strawberry Latte and Gateron Weightlessness utilize nylon for their bottom housings. This consistency in material choice means that both switches will share similar acoustic qualities when typing. Nylon's nature as a softer plastic ensures that both switches can produce a fuller and deeper sound profile, creating a significant impact on the overall auditory feedback experienced during use. Consequently, when bottoming out, users can expect a comparable muffled and rounded sound—an effect of nylon's sound absorption—in both switch types. This similarity reinforces the fact that the softer bottom housing plays a pivotal role in the sound and feel of the switches.
Ultimately, the combination of different top and bottom housing materials in the Strawberry Latte and Weightlessness results in distinct user experiences. While the nylon bottoms provide a shared foundational sound profile and tactile feedback, the use of POK in the Strawberry Latte’s top housing differentiates its performance significantly, delivering enhanced durability and a smoother feel. Users looking for the full range of sound properties would appreciate the deep tone from the nylon bottoms in both switches, while those seeking a more responsive feel may prefer the unique characteristics imparted by the POK top housing of the Strawberry Latte. Thus, users can achieve specific preferences not just through the type of material used, but also through the combination of housing materials across different switches.
Weight
When comparing the Huano Strawberry Latte linear switch and the Gateron Weightlessness tactile switch, we can observe some distinct differences in their actuation forces. The Strawberry Latte features a relatively light actuation force of 40 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, making it a great option for users who prefer lighter switches for extended typing or gaming sessions. In contrast, the Gateron Weightlessness has a heavier actuation force of 50 grams, which caters to those who enjoy a more substantial typing experience. However, the bottom out force for the Weightlessness switch remains unknown, meaning we cannot directly compare how it feels upon fully depressing the key. Given this information, the Strawberry Latte is the lighter switch, favoring those who prioritize comfort, while the Weightlessness offers a heavier touch for users seeking a more pronounced tactile response. If both switches had similar actuation and bottom out forces, one could expect a comparable typing experience; however, in this case, they present a noticeable contrast.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Huano Strawberry Latte linear switch and the Gateron Weightlessness tactile switch, the Strawberry Latte offers a greater distance of 3.6 mm, while the Weightlessness measures at 3.4 mm. This makes the Weightlessness the shorter option, providing slightly less travel for those who favor quicker key presses, an advantage often sought after by gamers. In contrast, the Strawberry Latte, with its longer travel distance, may appeal to users who prefer a more substantial keystroke feel, offering a deeper and potentially more satisfying typing experience. Therefore, if a user prioritizes rapid response times, the Weightlessness would be the more suitable choice, while those who enjoy a fuller key press would likely gravitate toward the Strawberry Latte.
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 Gateron Weightlessness has an MSRP of $6.10 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Weightlessness for $5.50.
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 delivers a balanced sound profile that strikes a middle ground: it's neither too quiet nor excessively loud, making it suitable for a variety of environments. The Gateron Weightlessness tactile switch shares a similar balanced sound profile, complementing its tactile nature without being overly resonant. This means that both switches are designed to avoid distracting sounds, making them great choices for shared workspaces or gaming setups where noise can be a concern.
When it comes to feel, the Strawberry Latte switches excel with their super smooth action, thanks to the latest molds from Huano, providing a seamless typing experience that can enhance speed and accuracy. On the other hand, the Gateron Weightlessness switches offer a subtle to moderate tactile feedback, giving users a gentle reminder of the actuation point without the harshness found in some tactile switches. While the Strawberry Latte focuses on a smooth linear experience, the Weightlessness provides a bit of tactile satisfaction for those who prefer some feedback.
Overall, the Huano Strawberry Latte and Gateron Weightlessness switches cater to slightly different preferences but both provide enjoyable experiences. The Strawberry Latte is ideal for those seeking a fluid typing motion with a balanced sound, while the Weightlessness will appeal to those who appreciate a tactile response with similarly subdued acoustics. Ultimately, both switches can deliver a satisfying experience depending on your specific needs for sound and feel, allowing users to make a choice based on their typing style.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Huano Strawberry Latte linear switch and the Gateron Weightlessness tactile switch, consider what typing experience best suits your needs and preferences. If you prefer a lighter switch that offers a super smooth keystroke and a balanced sound profile, the Strawberry Latte would be your go-to option. Its 45-gram bottom-out force makes it ideal for prolonged typing sessions where you seek speed and comfort without too much resistance. On the other hand, if you enjoy a tactile feedback that enhances your typing without being overly pronounced, the Weightlessness is likely the better choice. Its subtle to moderate tactile feel, combined with its balanced sound profile, creates an engaging typing experience that some users find more satisfying for both typing and gaming. Ultimately, your choice should reflect your specific preferences for actuation force, sound profile, and the tactile experience you desire when interacting with your keyboard.
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