KTT Cabbage Tofu vs. Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear
An in-depth look at the KTT Cabbage Tofu and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the KTT Cabbage Tofu and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear may both fall under the category of linear switches, but they offer unique features and benefits that set them apart. The Cabbage Tofu switch is best known for its improved tactility and responsiveness, thanks to its lengthened 22mm spring. Typists will appreciate the swift rebound after actuation, allowing for a quicker transition between keystrokes. Additionally, the sound profile of the Cabbage Tofu switch resembles the satisfying collision of Mahjong tiles. On the other hand, the WS Aurora Clear switch provides a smooth, high-pitched typing experience. Its transparent polycarbonate top housing and UHMWPE bottom housing allow for maximum RGB lighting customization, adding a touch of personalization to your keyboard setup. With a lightly lubed POM stem, the WS Aurora Clear switch ensures minimal friction and a satisfyingly smooth keystroke. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
53g
Bottom-out force
53g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
UHWMPE
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm spring
Spring
Double-staged stainless steel
Housing materials
The KTT Cabbage Tofu and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear both feature polycarbonate top housings, which contribute to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate plastic leads to a more clear and resonant sound, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a distinct sound experience. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate allows for RGB lighting to shine through, adding a visually appealing element to the switch. Similarly, the WS Aurora Clear also utilizes polycarbonate for its top housing, ensuring a similar sound profile and compatibility with RGB lighting.
While the top housings of both switches share the same material, their bottom housings differ significantly. The KTT Cabbage Tofu utilizes nylon, which creates a deep and fuller sound experience. Nylon's softer nature absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound profile. This can be desirable for those seeking a more subdued typing experience. On the other hand, the WS Aurora Clear features a newer material called UHWMPE for its bottom housing. This material produces a bright sound signature and offers resonant clacks when typing. The UHWMPE bottom housing provides a unique and energetic sound that sets the WS Aurora Clear apart.
When it comes to the overall impact on sound and feel, the qualities of the bottom housing are most noticeable during key press. The bottom housing has a significant influence on the bottom-out sound and feel, directly affecting the user's tactile experience. In contrast, the top housing plays a more prominent role in the sound produced when releasing a key. Understanding this distinction allows users to pinpoint their preferred sound characteristics and choose a switch that aligns with their preferences.
In summary, both the KTT Cabbage Tofu and the WS Aurora Clear incorporate polycarbonate top housings, which contribute to a sharper and crisper sound profile. However, their bottom housings differ, with the Cabbage Tofu utilizing nylon for a deep and full sound, while the WS Aurora Clear incorporates UHWMPE for a bright and resonant sound. By considering the influence of top and bottom housings on sound and feel, users can select a switch that caters to their desired typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the KTT Cabbage Tofu linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch, there is a noticeable difference in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Cabbage Tofu has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams, while the WS Aurora Clear requires a slightly heavier force of 53 grams to trigger a keystroke. This means that users who prefer a lighter touch when typing may find the Cabbage Tofu more suitable, as it requires less force to register a key press. On the other hand, those who enjoy a more substantial typing experience might lean towards the WS Aurora Clear, as its higher actuation force of 53 grams provides a stronger push feel. Moving on to the bottom out force, the Cabbage Tofu has a weight of 53 grams, while the WS Aurora Clear's bottom out force is 63.5 grams. This indicates that the WS Aurora Clear is relatively heavier when it comes to pressing all the way down. For users who prioritize lighter switches for extended typing sessions or gaming, the Cabbage Tofu offers a slightly lighter overall experience. However, for those seeking a more tactile and robust typing experience, the WS Aurora Clear's medium-heavy actuation and bottom out forces may be preferable. Overall, the choice between these two switches ultimately depends on individual preferences for typing feel and desired force levels.
Travel distance
The KTT Cabbage Tofu linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, which is the more traditional and deeper travel distance. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm. This makes the WS Aurora Clear the shorter option compared to the Cabbage Tofu. Gamers, who prioritize faster response times, may prefer the shorter travel distance of the WS Aurora Clear. Its shallow travel distance allows for quicker key presses. However, for those who prefer a more substantial and deeper feel when pressing down on a key, the Cabbage Tofu with its 4 mm travel distance would be the better choice. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches depends on personal preference and the desired level of responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The KTT Cabbage Tofu has an MSRP of $3.25 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Cabbage Tofu for $2.75.
The Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear comes in at $8.00 per 10 switches.
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, the KTT Cabbage Tofu linear switch is described as clacky, producing a sharp and snappy sound. This switch offers a crisp, bright, and percussive sound profile, reminiscent of Mahjong tiles colliding. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch is also described as high-pitched, producing a sharp and crisp sound when pressed. Both switches offer a similar sound experience, with the primary difference being the Cabbage Tofu's clacky sound compared to the WS Aurora Clear's more general high-pitched sound. It's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel, the KTT Cabbage Tofu switch provides a creamy, polished, silky, and snappy typing experience. These descriptors indicate that the switch offers a smooth and buttery feel, with reduced friction and enhanced smoothness of keystrokes. The longer 22mm spring of the Cabbage Tofu switch allows for a swift rebound after actuation, resulting in a more responsive and lively typing experience. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear switch is described as buttery, mild, and polished. The buttery feel implies a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, while the mild characteristic indicates a gentle typing experience. Similar to the Cabbage Tofu switch, the WS Aurora Clear switch offers a polished and refined finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. Overall, both switches provide a similar smooth and refined typing experience, with the Cabbage Tofu switch offering a slightly snappier feel due to its longer spring.
Considering all the available information, the KTT Cabbage Tofu linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch offer comparable subjective qualities. Both switches provide a high-pitched sound profile, with the Cabbage Tofu switch having a clacky sound and the WS Aurora Clear switch offering a more general high-pitched sound. In terms of feel, both switches offer a smooth and refined typing experience, with the Cabbage Tofu switch being slightly snappier due to its longer spring. It's important to consider personal preference and how these switches would complement other components in the keyboard setup, such as the board and keycaps.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a switch with improved tactility and responsiveness, the KTT Cabbage Tofu linear switch would be a great choice for you. With its lengthened 22mm spring, you can expect a swift rebound after actuation, allowing for quicker transitions between keystrokes. It also offers a clacky and high-pitched sound profile, which can be described as sharp, crisp, and percussive. In terms of feel, the Cabbage Tofu switch provides a creamy, polished, silky, and snappy typing experience. It's like gliding your fingers effortlessly across the keys, while also being super responsive.
On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth and high-pitched typing experience with maximum RGB lighting customization, the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch would be a suitable choice. Its transparent polycarbonate top housing and UHMWPE bottom housing allow for a visually appealing customization of RGB lighting. The POM stem is lightly lubed, ensuring minimal friction and a satisfyingly smooth keystroke. The WS Aurora Clear switch also produces a high-pitched sound when pressed, providing a sharp and crisp sound profile.
Ultimately, the choice between the KTT Cabbage Tofu and Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear switches depends on your preference for tactile responsiveness or smooth typing experience, as well as your preference for clacky or high-pitched sound profiles. Consider your typing style and sound preferences when making a decision. Overall, both switches offer unique features and advantages, catering to different preferences in mechanical keyboard switches.