Gateron CAP Anniversary vs. Wuque Studio WS Red
An in-depth look at the Gateron CAP Anniversary and the Wuque Studio WS Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When looking at the Gateron CAP Anniversary linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Red linear switch, you will find that they both offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The CAP Anniversary stands out for its exceptionally smooth keystrokes thanks to its novel CAP structure, while the WS Red boasts a bouncy and responsive typing experience with a heavier actuation force for added weight to each keystroke. The CAP Anniversary is known for being 'Snappy', 'Creamy', and 'Polished', while the WS Red offers a classic material blend for a satisfying and substantial typing feel. 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
50g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated 20mm spring
Spring
22mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Gateron CAP Anniversary and the Wuque Studio WS Red, one can see a clear difference in the top housing material used. The CAP Anniversary features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile due to its relatively stiffer plastic composition. This results in a more resonant and clear sound, especially when paired with RGB lighting. On the other hand, the WS Red utilizes a nylon top housing, which leads to a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound, resulting in a rounder and duller sound compared to polycarbonate.
Moving on to the bottom housing material, both the CAP Anniversary and the WS Red make use of nylon for this component. Nylon is known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic composition that absorbs more sound. Therefore, despite the differences in the top housing material, both switches will elicit a similar sound and feel when pressed down, emphasizing the impact of the bottom housing on the overall typing experience.
Overall, the choice of housing material plays a significant role in determining the sound profile and typing experience of a switch. While the Gateron CAP Anniversary's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper and crisper sound, the Wuque Studio WS Red's nylon top housing produces a deeper and fuller sound. However, with both switches utilizing nylon for the bottom housing, users can expect a similar typing experience in terms of sound and feel when pressing down on the keys. Ultimately, the differences in housing materials highlight the importance of material selection in customizing the sound and feel of mechanical keyboards.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron CAP Anniversary linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Red linear switch, it is clear that there are noticeable differences. The CAP Anniversary has an actuation force of 50 grams, while the WS Red's actuation force is unknown. However, both switches have a bottom out force of 65 grams for the CAP Anniversary and 67 grams for the WS Red, making them both fall into the medium-heavy category. The weight of a switch is crucial for personal preference, with lighter switches being favored for extended typing sessions or gaming, while heavier switches offer a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on whether one prefers a slightly lighter actuation force with the CAP Anniversary or a slightly heavier bottom out force with the WS Red.
Travel distance
The Gateron CAP Anniversary linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, making it a more traditional option compared to the Wuque Studio WS Red linear switch, which has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm. For those looking for a switch with a quicker response time, the WS Red may be the preferred choice due to its shorter travel distance. On the other hand, individuals who prefer a more robust feel when typing or gaming may opt for the Gateron CAP Anniversary switch with its slightly longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of responsiveness and feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron CAP Anniversary has an MSRP of $4.90 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the CAP Anniversary for $4.10.
The Wuque Studio WS Red comes in at $3.50 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 CAP Anniversary and WS Red switches have their own unique characteristics. The CAP Anniversary switches are known for their smooth and quiet typing experience, thanks to the aerodynamic stem design that reduces excess air and wobble. On the other hand, the WS Red switches offer a more classic sound signature with a bit of weight to each keystroke due to the heavier actuation force and the 22mm double-stage spring. Ultimately, the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors like the keyboard and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the CAP Anniversary switches are known for their snappy and polished typing experience, providing a super responsive and refined feel to each keystroke. The WS Red switches, on the other hand, offer a bouncy and responsive typing experience with a touch of weight, giving users a satisfying and substantial feel. The WS Red switches do not have a specific descriptor for the typing feel, so it may offer a unique typing experience compared to the CAP Anniversary's snappy and polished feel.
Overall, both the Gateron CAP Anniversary linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Red linear switch offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. The CAP Anniversary excels in providing a smooth and quiet typing experience with its unique aerodynamic stem design, while the WS Red offers a more responsive and bouncy feel with a heavier actuation force. Depending on personal preferences for sound and feel, both switches can deliver satisfying typing experiences that cater to different typing styles. Ultimately, trying out both switches on a personal keyboard setup will give a clearer understanding of which switch would be the best fit for individual preferences.
Conclusion
In summary, when choosing between the Gateron CAP Anniversary linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Red linear switch, consider your preference for typing experience. If you value exceptionally smooth keystrokes with minimal wobble and stability, the CAP Anniversary may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a bouncy and responsive typing experience with a heavier actuation force and a satisfying typing feel, the WS Red could be the better option. Ultimately, your decision should be based on whether you prioritize smoothness and stability or a bouncy and responsive typing feel in your mechanical keyboard switches.
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