Gateron Baby Raccoon (V2) vs. Wuque Studio WS Jade
An in-depth look at the Gateron Baby Raccoon (V2) and the Wuque Studio WS Jade switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, choosing the right option can greatly affect your typing experience, and two notable linear switches that have captured enthusiasts' attention are the Gateron Baby Raccoon (V2) and the Wuque Studio WS Jade. The Baby Raccoon (V2) is celebrated for its bright sound signature and a refreshingly crisp typing feel, attributed to its longer stem length that provides a marbley sensation. This switch caters well to those who appreciate a resonant and invigorating typing experience, making it an excellent choice for users who crave tactile feedback with a polished sound. On the other hand, the WS Jade offers a distinctive twist with its metallic insert that augments its bright and clacky sound profile, as well as a unique RGB diffusing feature that enhances aesthetics. The creamy and smooth experience it provides, paired with a solid bottom-out feel, makes it particularly appealing for gamers and typists alike who value a consistent and visually dynamic setup. 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
55g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
63g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
UPE
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
20mm long spring
Spring
18mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The Gateron Baby Raccoon (V2) and the Wuque Studio WS Jade differ significantly in their choice of housing materials, which plays a crucial role in shaping their respective sound profiles and overall performance. The Baby Raccoon (V2) employs a polycarbonate top housing, known for producing a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its rigidity. This material's stiffness enhances resonance, making it particularly compatible with RGB lighting applications as its translucency showcases lighting effects beautifully. In contrast, the WS Jade opts for a POM top housing, which elicits a deeper and more muted sound. POM's unique properties contribute to a softer auditory experience, resulting in a sound that feels rich yet subtle, diverging from the clarity brought by polycarbonate.
When examining the bottom housings, both switches feature different yet complementary materials that contribute to their sound characteristics. The Baby Raccoon (V2) utilizes nylon, a softer plastic that absorbs sound and yields a fuller, rounder sound profile, enhancing the depth of the keypress experience. Conversely, the WS Jade employs a POM bottom housing, which, similar to its top housing, offers a pleasant and subdued auditory signature. POM's characteristics provide a depth to the sound, albeit in a different way from nylon. While the nylon’s absorbing properties give it a fuller tone, POM’s design results in a more balanced sound experience that leans toward muteness, making the two bottoms distinct in their auditory outputs.
In terms of overall sound quality and feel, users may find that while the top and bottom housings of the Baby Raccoon (V2) and WS Jade differ in material, they each contribute unique attributes to the switches' performance. The polycarbonate of the Baby Raccoon enhances the acoustic clarity when releasing a key, while the nylon provides a depth in the sound when the key bottoms out. For the WS Jade, the POM top and bottom housings collaborate to create a smooth and muted sound experience throughout the keypress. Despite these variations, both switches deliver satisfying typing experiences based on the harmony of their materials, meaning users can enjoy satisfying key action whether they gravitate towards the sharper clarity of polycarbonate and nylon or the muted resonance of POM.
Weight
When comparing the Gateron Baby Raccoon (V2) linear switch to the Wuque Studio WS Jade linear switch, one can observe that the actuation and bottom out forces provide distinct typing experiences. The Baby Raccoon (V2) has an actuation force of 55 grams and a bottom out force of 63 grams, while the WS Jade features a lighter actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams. This means that the WS Jade is the lighter option overall, making it more suitable for those who prefer a switch that requires less force to activate, thus allowing for longer periods of typing and gaming without fatigue. Conversely, the Baby Raccoon (V2) offers a heftier feel, which might appeal to users who enjoy a more substantial typing experience. Although the actuation and bottom out forces are both classified as medium, the differences in weight indicate that users will have differing preferences based on their typing style and comfort.
Travel distance
The Gateron Baby Raccoon (V2) linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Jade linear switch both feature a travel distance of 3.6 mm, making them identical in this regard. This means that users will experience the same distance when pressing down on a key with either switch, leading to a similar tactile experience regardless of choice. With both switches having the same travel distance, users can expect comparable results in terms of key feel and performance throughout their typing or gaming sessions.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Gateron Baby Raccoon (V2) comes in at $5.50, whereas the Wuque Studio WS Jade comes in at $4.30.
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
When it comes to sound, both the Gateron Baby Raccoon (V2) and Wuque Studio WS Jade linear switches share a high-pitched and resonant profile, creating an engaging auditory experience. The Baby Raccoons are characterized by a bright sound signature, described as crisp and marbly, which evokes the sharp clink of billiard balls. In contrast, the WS Jades boast a clacky quality enhanced by a metallic insert that adds brightness and resonance to their sound, making them highly percussive. Both switch types, while having their unique characteristics, are designed to produce clean and sharp sounds, ultimately providing a satisfying acoustic feedback that listeners can appreciate.
In terms of feel, both switches excel with their creamy characteristics, offering smooth and buttery typing experiences. The Baby Raccoon (V2) is noted for its bouncy, invigorating feedback that creates a lively and responsive typing sensation, while also featuring a polished finish that minimizes friction. On the other hand, the WS Jade is described as silky in addition to being creamy, enhancing the smoothness during keystroke operations, which also contributes to an effortless typing feel. While both switches deliver high-quality tactile sensations, the Baby Raccoon emphasizes a more dynamic feedback experience, while the WS Jade leans towards an exceptionally smooth feel.
In conclusion, while the Gateron Baby Raccoon (V2) and Wuque Studio WS Jade linear switches showcase differences in their sound and feel qualities, they both deliver an outstanding typing experience rooted in a high-pitched auditory profile and a creamy tactile sensation. The tonal nuances and firmer feedback of the Baby Raccoon contrast with the richer and silky characteristics of the WS Jade, allowing users to select based on their personal preferences. Regardless of the choice, either switch is poised to provide an engaging blend of auditory and tactile satisfaction, making them excellent options for newcomers exploring the world of mechanical keyboards.
Conclusion
To conclude, when deciding between the Gateron Baby Raccoon (V2) and the Wuque Studio WS Jade linear switches, you'll want to consider your preferred typing experience and sound profile. If you enjoy a typing feel that is not only smooth but also invigorating with a bit of bounce, the Baby Raccoon (V2) may be the better choice for you. Its longer switch stems contribute to a uniquely marbly sensation and a bright, crisp sound that can make typing feel lively and engaging. On the other hand, if you're looking for a switch that combines a silky smoothness with a rock-solid bottom-out feedback, the WS Jade is likely to suit you better. Its bright metallic sound and enchanting RGB compatibility, paired with its creamy feel, can create a visually and acoustically pleasing typing experience. Ultimately, your choice should reflect what feels best for your typing style, whether it’s the unique bounciness of the Baby Raccoon or the silky smoothness of the WS Jade.
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