HMX Caramel Pudding vs. Wuque Studio WS Yellow
An in-depth look at the HMX Caramel Pudding and the Wuque Studio WS Yellow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to selecting the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, enthusiasts often find themselves torn between distinctive options that cater to different preferences. The HMX Caramel Pudding switches are celebrated for their resonant, clacky sound signature, delivering an exquisitely smooth typing feel that appeals to those who enjoy an auditory and tactile experience in their keystrokes. In contrast, the Wuque Studio WS Yellow switches excel in marrying classic materials with innovative design, featuring a 22mm double-stage spring that provides a bouncy yet lightweight typing experience, ensuring that each press is effortless and fluid. While the Caramel Pudding offers a playful auditory feedback, the WS Yellow caters to those who appreciate a more familiar sound profile alongside a polished feel. Both switches have their unique charm, making them attractive choices for different types of users. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
52g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 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
Nylon
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
22mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The HMX Caramel Pudding and the Wuque Studio WS Yellow are both equipped with housing made from nylon, a material recognized in the mechanical keyboard community for its unique acoustic properties. Specifically, both switches feature nylon in both the top and bottom housings, which allows for a distinctively deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. This similarity ensures that users will experience a rounded and subdued auditory feedback, as nylon’s softer consistency helps absorb sound more effectively than harder plastics. As a result, both the Caramel Pudding and WS Yellow deliver a pleasant and muted experience when it comes to typing noises.
Notably, the nylon housing in both the Caramel Pudding and WS Yellow not only contributes to sound absorption but also plays a significant role in the tactile feel of each switch. Since both models share the same material, the interaction between the top and bottom housings will exhibit similar results. With both switches, the nylon materials lead to a more cushioned bottom-out experience, which may enhance user comfort during prolonged use. The tactile feedback felt when bottoming out a key will be gentle and soft, promoting a smoother typing experience that can be appealing to those who favor a serene keyboard environment.
However, it's worth noting that while the materials and their resultant experiences in terms of sound and feel are the same, the design and engineering nuances of the switches may yield distinctive performances in other areas, such as actuation force or travel distance. In this comparison, the sensation when releasing a key is largely influenced by the top housing, while the bottom housing affects the bottom-out feel. Thus, users might not only appreciate the saturated acoustic qualities that come from the nylon material in each switch, but they may also notice subtle differences in performance due to other design factors unique to each switch despite sharing the same housing material.
Weight
When comparing the HMX Caramel Pudding linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Yellow linear switch, there are notable differences in their actuation forces and similarities in their bottom out forces. The Caramel Pudding switch features an actuation force of 45 grams, which provides a lightweight typing experience that many users find suitable for extended typing or gaming sessions. In contrast, the WS Yellow switch does not have a specified actuation force available, making it difficult to draw a direct comparison in this area. However, both switches have a bottom out force that is quite similar; the Caramel Pudding's bottom out force is 52 grams, while the WS Yellow's is slightly heavier at 53 grams. This similarity in bottom out force could result in comparable tactile feedback when pressing the keys all the way down. Overall, the Caramel Pudding is the lighter option due to its known actuation force, while the WS Yellow's overall characteristics remain somewhat ambiguous.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the HMX Caramel Pudding linear switch measures 3.6 mm, while the Wuque Studio WS Yellow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm. This makes the Caramel Pudding the shorter switch and the WS Yellow the longer one. For gamers seeking faster response times, the shorter travel distance of the Caramel Pudding may be more appealing, as it can facilitate quicker key presses. Conversely, those who prefer a more substantial feel under their fingers might gravitate towards the WS Yellow, with its greater depth providing a more pronounced tactile experience. Ultimately, your choice between these two switches will depend on your personal preference for responsiveness versus a more traditional, hearty key press.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Caramel Pudding has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Caramel Pudding for $2.99.
The Wuque Studio WS Yellow 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
The sound profile of the HMX Caramel Pudding linear switch is characterized by its resonant and clacky signature, which tends to stand out with a lively auditory feedback that can appeal to users who enjoy a more pronounced noise during typing. In contrast, the WS Yellow linear switches boast a more familiar sound signature appreciated by enthusiasts, likely due to their classic materials and innovative engineering, although specifics about their audibility are not provided. Ultimately, both switches may produce pleasant sounds, but the Caramel Pudding is likely to be more prominent, while the WS Yellow offers a balanced, mellow tone. It’s important to keep in mind that the actual sound can also vary significantly depending on the keyboard's design and the choice of keycaps.
When it comes to feel, the Caramel Pudding switches provide an exquisitely smooth typing experience that can be pleasing for users seeking a seamless keystroke experience. On the other hand, the WS Yellow switches present a delightful typing experience characterized by a creamy, mild, and polished sensation. They are designed to glide effortlessly under the fingers, embodying a silky touch and offering a gentle approachability that makes them suitable for a wide range of typists. Both switches prioritize a smooth operation, but the WS Yellow excels in providing a nuanced, textured feel due to its specific material blend and double-stage spring design.
In conclusion, both the HMX Caramel Pudding and Wuque Studio WS Yellow linear switches cater to distinct preferences regarding sound and feel. The Caramel Pudding captivates with its resonant sound while ensuring a highly smooth experience, aligning it with users who favor auditory feedback. In contrast, the WS Yellow appeals to those desiring a rich tactile feel that combines smoothness with a mild auditory presence. Each switch offers unique characteristics that could suit a variety of typing styles, and selecting between them will largely depend on individual preferences for auditory feedback and touch sensations during use.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the HMX Caramel Pudding linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Yellow linear switch ultimately hinges on your personal preferences for sound and feel. If you're someone who enjoys a resonant, clacky sound signature along with an exquisitely smooth typing experience, then the Caramel Pudding would be the ideal choice for you. Its medium-light force of 52 grams provides a pleasant tactile feedback that feels just right for daily typing and gaming alike. On the other hand, if you prefer a typing experience that combines a creamy feel with a forgiving bounce, you might lean toward the WS Yellow. This switch not only offers a delightful typing experience with its unique double-stage spring but also gives off a familiar sound signature that’s beloved by keyboard enthusiasts. The slight difference in bottom-out force—53 grams for the WS Yellow—means you may perceive it as a touch stiffer, but both switches still fall under the medium-light category, ensuring that either choice will remain comfortable for extended use. Ultimately, it comes down to whether you value the distinct auditory feedback of the Caramel Pudding or the slick, polished smoothness of the WS Yellow; each has its own charm that can significantly enhance your typing enjoyment.