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Aflion Carrot vs. Wuque Studio WS Red

An in-depth look at the Aflion Carrot and the Wuque Studio WS Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?

Overview

The Aflion Carrot and the Wuque Studio WS Red are two mechanical keyboard switches that offer distinct experiences for users. The Carrot is known for its fun and bouncy tactile switch, featuring a long two-stage spring that provides a uniquely satisfying tactile feel. In addition, this switch has a mid-pitched and firm sound profile, adding to the overall typing experience. On the other hand, the WS Red offers a bouncy and responsive typing experience with its 22mm double-stage spring, while maintaining a familiar sound signature due to its classic material blend. Furthermore, the WS Red has a heavier actuation force, giving each keystroke a satisfying weight and substantial feel. Both switches have their own unique characteristics, allowing users to choose based on their preferences. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so that you can make an informed decision on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Technical specifications

Actuation force

37g

Actuation force

N/A

Bottom-out force

45g

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

No

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

20mm two-stage spring

Spring

22mm double-stage spring

Housing materials

The Aflion Carrot and Wuque Studio WS Red differ in terms of their housing materials. The Carrot utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, while the WS Red incorporates a nylon top housing. Polycarbonate is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Its stiffness leads to a clear and resonant sound, making it ideal for switches with RGB lighting. In contrast, the nylon top housing of the WS Red produces a deeper and fuller sound. Being a softer plastic, nylon absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound profile. Despite these differences, both materials contribute to the overall sound experience when pressing down on the switch.

Moving on to the bottom housing, both the Carrot and WS Red share the same material: nylon. This classic switch housing material elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs sound more effectively than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Therefore, the sound experience when pressing down on the Carrot and WS Red switches, particularly during bottom-out, will be similar due to their common nylon bottom housing.

In terms of sound impact when releasing a key, the top housing material plays a more significant role. For the Carrot, the polycarbonate top housing leads to a distinct sound when letting go of a key, whereas the WS Red's nylon top housing contributes to a different sound when releasing a key. Therefore, the sound profile when unpressing keys on the Carrot and WS Red will differ due to the contrasting top housing materials.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Aflion Carrot tactile switch and the Wuque Studio WS Red linear switch, there are notable differences in their weight. The Carrot has a relatively lighter actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, which makes it ideal for those who prefer a lighter typing experience. This lighter weight allows for longer periods of comfortable typing, making it suitable for work or extended gaming sessions. On the other hand, the WS Red has an unknown actuation force, but a heavier bottom out force of 67 grams, providing a more substantial push feel. This heavier bottom out force can cater to individuals who desire a more solid and tactile typing experience. While the actuation force of the WS Red is unavailable, the contrasting bottom out force suggests that it may require a heavier initial push to trigger a keystroke compared to the Carrot. Overall, the Carrot offers a lighter typing experience, while the WS Red provides a medium-heavy feel.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distance of the Aflion Carrot tactile switch and the Wuque Studio WS Red linear switch, there is a slight difference between the two. The Carrot has a travel distance of 4 mm, which is a more traditional length, while the WS Red has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm. This small difference may not be noticeable to most users, but for those who value faster response times, the WS Red may be the preferred option. Gamers, in particular, tend to prefer shorter travel distances for quicker keystrokes. On the other hand, individuals who prefer a more substantial or robust feel when pressing down on a key may find the longer 4 mm travel distance of the Carrot more satisfying. Overall, both switches offer a satisfying typing experience, but the WS Red can provide a slightly faster response time, while the Carrot offers a slightly deeper and more substantial travel distance.

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 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

In terms of sound, the Aflion Carrot tactile switch is known for its clacky and marbly sound profile, producing a sharp and resonant sound when pressed. This gives it a crisp and percussive quality that some users may find satisfying. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Red linear switch does not have any specific sound descriptors mentioned, so it's unknown how it sounds. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch also depends on other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen, so it's possible to modify the sound to some extent.

Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Aflion Carrot tactile switch is described as bouncy, snappy, and stepped. It offers a spring-like or elastic feedback sensation, giving a lively feel to each keystroke. The longer and dual-staged spring enhances the responsiveness, making the typing experience feel more alive. Additionally, the stepped attribute means that there is some pre-travel and/or post-travel, providing a mild and tactile experience. However, the Carrot switch does not have any specific descriptors related to weight or actuation force.

The Wuque Studio WS Red linear switch does not have any mentioned descriptors for feel, so it's unclear how it compares to the Carrot switch in terms of bounce, snappiness, or perceived weight. However, it is mentioned that the WS Red has a heavier actuation force, adding a touch of weight to each keystroke. This suggests that the WS Red may offer a more substantial typing feel, which some users may prefer.

In conclusion, the Aflion Carrot tactile switch and the Wuque Studio WS Red linear switch have different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Carrot switch offers a clacky and marbly sound profile with a bouncy and snappy feel, while the WS Red switch has no specified sound and is expected to have a heavier actuation force for a more substantial typing feel. Both switches provide a unique experience, but it's important to note that individual preferences vary. If you enjoy the lively and bouncy tactile experience of the Carrot switch, you may find similar results with the WS Red switch due to its heavier actuation force, although the sound profile would likely differ. Ultimately, the choice between these switches would depend on personal preference and the specific typing experience desired.

Conclusion

To sum up, if you are looking for a fun and bouncy tactile experience with a light bottom out force, the Aflion Carrot would be a great choice for you. Its two-stage spring and mid-pitched sound profile provide a uniquely satisfying typing feel. On the other hand, if you prefer a heavier actuation force and a substantial typing feel, the Wuque Studio WS Red with its double-stage spring would suit you better. While we don't have specific information on the sound profile of the WS Red, it is important to consider that the Carrot is described as clacky, marbly, and high-pitched, which may or may not align with your personal sound preferences. In terms of feel, the Carrot offers a bouncy, snappy, stepped, feathery, and subtle experience, while the WS Red does not have specific descriptors mentioned. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on your personal preferences for tactile feel, bottom out force, and sound profile.

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