Aflion Carrot vs. Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear
An in-depth look at the Aflion Carrot and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, there are endless options to choose from. Two switches that stand out are the Aflion Carrot, a tactile switch, and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear, a linear switch. Both switches offer distinct advantages and can enhance your typing experience in different ways. The Carrot switch is best known for its uniquely bouncy tactile experience, thanks to its long, two-stage spring. Along with that, it provides a mid-pitched and firm sound profile, giving users an enjoyable and responsive typing feel. On the other hand, the WS Aurora Clear linear switches excel in offering a smooth and high-pitched typing experience. With a transparent polycarbonate top housing and UHMWPE bottom housing, these switches allow maximum customization for RGB lighting enthusiasts. Additionally, the POM stem is lightly lubed, reducing friction and resulting in satisfyingly smooth keystrokes. While both switches have their own perks, 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
37g
Actuation force
53g
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
No
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
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
20mm two-stage spring
Spring
Double-staged stainless steel
Housing materials
The Aflion Carrot and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear both utilize polycarbonate as their top housing material. This choice provides several benefits, including a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The relatively stiffer nature of polycarbonate contributes to a more clear and resonant sound experience. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it the ideal material when incorporating RGB lighting. Therefore, both the Carrot and the WS Aurora Clear offer similar sound profiles and visual aesthetics due to their shared use of polycarbonate for the top housing.
On the other hand, there is a difference in the bottom housing materials of the two switches. The Carrot features a nylon bottom housing which elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon allows it to absorb more sound compared to harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound experience. In contrast, the WS Aurora Clear incorporates UHWMPE as its bottom housing material. This newer material offers a very bright sound signature, providing resonant clacks when typing on switches with such housings. Therefore, the Carrot and the WS Aurora Clear differ in terms of their bottom-out sound and feel due to the distinct properties of nylon and UHWMPE.
When considering the overall sound experience of the switches, it is essential to acknowledge the impact of both the top and bottom housings. The qualities brought by each housing material will be divided between the top and bottom of the switch. The bottom housing primarily influences the bottom-out sound and feel, meaning that the choice of nylon in the Carrot and UHWMPE in the WS Aurora Clear will greatly differentiate their typing experiences. Conversely, the top housing material plays a more significant role in the sound produced when releasing a key. Therefore, the housing materials chosen for the Carrot and the WS Aurora Clear will contribute to distinct sound profiles upon key release.
Weight
When comparing the Aflion Carrot tactile switch and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch, there are noticeable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Carrot has a lighter touch, with an actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams. On the other hand, the WS Aurora Clear requires a slightly heavier push, with an actuation force of 53 grams and a bottom out force of 63.5 grams. These variances in force can greatly impact the typing experience. Some users may prefer the Carrot switch for its lighter actuation force, as it allows for longer periods of typing without fatigue. This lighter touch is especially beneficial for those who use their keyboard extensively for work or gaming sessions. On the contrary, the WS Aurora Clear switch provides a more substantial typing experience with its heavier forces. This can be preferred by users who enjoy a stronger push feel and desire a more tactile response when typing. It is important to consider personal preference when choosing a switch, as the actuation and bottom out forces greatly impact the overall typing experience. Both switches have their own advantages, and individuals can achieve similar results by selecting the switch that aligns with their desired force preference.
Travel distance
The Aflion Carrot tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm. Both switches fall into the category of traditional travel distances, with the Carrot being slightly longer. However, it is worth noting that shorter travel distances have become more popular, especially among gamers who value faster response times. If you are looking for a switch that provides a more responsive feel, the WS Aurora Clear with its shorter travel distance may be the better option. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a deeper key press feeling, the Carrot's longer travel distance might be more suitable. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference and the desired typing or gaming experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Aflion Carrot has an MSRP of $4.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Carrot for $3.57.
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 Aflion Carrot tactile switch is known for its clacky and marbly qualities. These switches produce a sharp and snappy sound when pressed, similar to tapping on a rock-solid piece of marble or the sound of two billiard balls colliding. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch is described as having a high-pitched sound profile. It produces a sharp and crisp sound when pressed, without the rich and bassy tones that some switches may have. It's important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used. Therefore, while the Carrot and WS Aurora Clear switches have different sound descriptions, the final sound experience may still vary depending on the setup.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Aflion Carrot offers a bouncy and snappy tactile experience. The long, two-stage spring in these switches gives them a uniquely lively feel, providing rebound when pressed. Additionally, the Carrot switches are described as stepped, which means they have a mild tactile feedback with noticeable pre-travel and/or post-travel. They also offer a feathery feel, requiring minimal exertion and reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. In contrast, the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch is characterized as buttery, offering a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. These switches provide a seamless and effortless typing sensation, with uniform key travel. They are also described as mild, providing a gentle typing experience without pronounced characteristics. The WS Aurora Clear switches are polished, resulting in smooth and refined key travel with reduced friction. Overall, the Carrot and WS Aurora Clear switches offer different tactile feels, catering to various preferences and typing styles.
Taking into account all the available information, the Aflion Carrot tactile switch and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch offer distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Carrot switch has a clacky and marbly sound profile, providing a sharp and snappy sound, while the WS Aurora Clear switch has a high-pitched sound with a more crisp tone. In terms of feel, the Carrot switch is best characterized as bouncy, snappy, stepped, feathery, and subtle, offering a lively and elastic typing experience. On the other hand, the WS Aurora Clear switch is buttery, mild, and polished, providing a smooth, gentle, and refined typing sensation. Although the switches offer different qualities, it's worth mentioning that the subjective experience may vary depending on factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used. Therefore, while the Carrot and WS Aurora Clear switches have their unique characteristics, it's possible to achieve similar results in terms of sound and feel by carefully selecting the supporting components in your mechanical keyboard setup.
Conclusion
In summary, to guide your decision between the Aflion Carrot tactile switch and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch, consider the following factors. The Carrot is a light switch with a bottom out force of 45 grams, while the WS Aurora Clear is slightly heavier with a bottom out force of 63.5 grams.
The Carrot is best known for its uniquely bouncy tactile experience, thanks to its long, two-stage spring. It also offers a mid-pitched and firm sound profile, described as clacky, marbly, and high-pitched.
On the other hand, the WS Aurora Clear provides a smooth and high-pitched typing experience. It features a transparent polycarbonate top housing and UHMWPE bottom housing, allowing for extensive RGB lighting customization. The switch stem is lightly lubed, ensuring minimal friction and a satisfyingly smooth keystroke. The sound profile of the WS Aurora Clear is described as high-pitched.
Considering these characteristics, if you prefer a light and bouncy typing experience with a firm sound profile, the Carrot switch would be a suitable choice for you. However, if you prioritize smoothness, high-pitched sound, and customization options such as RGB lighting, the WS Aurora Clear switch would be more suitable. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches depends on your personal preference for switch weight, tactile feedback, sound profile, and customization options.
In conclusion, the Aflion Carrot and Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear switches offer distinct experiences and cater to different user preferences. By considering their characteristics and your specific needs, you can make an informed decision to find the perfect mechanical keyboard switch for your typing style.
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