Bsun Cliff vs. Wuque Studio WS Silent Linear
An in-depth look at the Bsun Cliff and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Linear switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the decision often boils down to tactile feedback versus smooth, silent operation. The Bsun Cliff tactile switch is celebrated for its medium tactility and crisp sound signature, providing users with a satisfying feedback that can enhance typing accuracy and enjoyment. It's ideal for those who appreciate a bit of resistance and auditory response while typing, making it a favorite among enthusiasts who enjoy a more interactive experience. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Silent Linear switches offer a different approach by significantly minimizing click noise, thanks to their ingeniously designed stem railings with discreet cutouts. These linear switches provide an ultra-smooth, responsive typing experience without the distractions of traditional switch sounds, making them perfect for office environments or shared spaces where noise is a concern. Ultimately, your choice will depend on whether you value tactile feedback or silent efficiency more in your typing experience. 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
37g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
2.30 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
Ly
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
Stainless steel
Spring
15mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
The Bsun Cliff and Wuque Studio WS Silent Linear switches exhibit a distinct difference in their top housing materials, which contributes to the overall acoustic profile of each switch. The Bsun Cliff features a polycarbonate top housing, known for its stiffness and translucency. This choice of material enhances the sharpness and clarity of the sound produced during typing, resulting in a higher-pitched, crisper auditory experience that is particularly accentuated when RGB lighting is utilized. Conversely, the WS Silent Linear opts for a nylon top housing, a classic switch material that is softer and designed to absorb sound more effectively. This results in a deeper and fuller sound profile, creating a rounder and more muted typing experience. Consequently, the differing materials will lead to contrasting acoustic characteristics, with the Cliff delivering a brighter sound while the WS Silent Linear provides a more subdued auditory feedback.
Despite the divergence in their top housing materials, both switches share a commonality in their bottom housing, made from nylon in both cases. This utilization of nylon for the bottom housing ensures that both switches can evoke a similar deeper and fuller sound profile when pressed. When typing, the bottom housing typically dominates the auditory feedback experienced during key presses, meaning both the Bsun Cliff and WS Silent Linear will likely offer a comparable sound quality during the act of bottoming out while maintaining their respective top housing sound profiles distinctly when the keys are released. This reflects how the softer nature of the nylon material effectively absorbs additional sound, creating a consistent sensory experience at the base of the switches.
Overall, the Bsun Cliff and WS Silent Linear each bring unique attributes to the table with their varied top housing materials, allowing users to select a switch that aligns with their preferred typing experience. While the polycarbonate top of the Cliff emphasizes clarity and sharpness, the WS Silent Linear's nylon top lends itself to a more muted and rounded sound. Their shared nylon bottom housing ensures that both switches offer a rich and full auditory response, aligning the overall typing experience in terms of depth and fullness, while highlighting their individuality based on the contributions of their different top housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the Bsun Cliff tactile switch to the Wuque Studio WS Silent Linear switch, there are notable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Cliff has a light actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, making it a suitable choice for users who prefer a lighter touch during extended typing or gaming sessions. In contrast, the WS Silent Linear switch features an unknown actuation force but has a significantly heavier bottom out force of 63.5 grams, indicating a medium-heavy resistance when pressed down fully. As a result, the Cliff is considered the lighter switch, promoting easier keystrokes, while the WS Silent Linear provides a more substantial typing experience for those who favor a stronger push feel. Although the actuation force of the WS Silent Linear is not specified, users can expect a firmer and slightly more demanding typing experience overall in comparison to the lightweight characteristics of the Cliff.
Travel distance
The Bsun Cliff tactile switch features a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Wuque Studio WS Silent Linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. This indicates that the Cliff switch provides a deeper actuation experience compared to the WS Silent Linear, which may appeal to users who prefer a more substantial feel when pressing keys. The shorter travel distance of the WS Silent Linear makes it potentially more responsive, catering to users like gamers who prioritize quicker reaction times in their typing or gaming sessions. However, some users may find the abruptness of the shorter travel distance less satisfying. Ultimately, if you're looking for a more grounded typing experience, the Bsun Cliff would be the better choice, while the Wuque Studio WS Silent Linear could be preferable for those seeking enhanced speed and responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Bsun Cliff has an MSRP of $2.75 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Cliff for $2.19.
The Wuque Studio WS Silent Linear comes in at $4.20 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 Bsun Cliff tactile switch is known for its crisp sound signature, which provides a satisfyingly audible feedback when typing. This sound can be characterized as pronounced, making it a suitable choice for those who appreciate the auditory cues that come with tactile feedback. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Silent Linear switch boasts a more subdued acoustic profile. It is designed to reduce noise significantly through its innovative stem railings and discreet cutouts, resulting in a sound that is neutral, muted, and subdued. This makes the WS Silent Linear ideal for quieter environments, such as offices, where minimizing distraction is crucial.
When it comes to feel, the Cliff tactile switch offers a medium level of tactility. This means that typists can expect a noticeable bump during actuation, which provides a clear point of feedback and can enhance typing accuracy. However, specifics about the feel of the Cliff have not been detailed. Conversely, the WS Silent Linear switch characterizes itself by providing a mild typing experience, striking a balance that makes it comfortable for most users. Its smooth linear action lacks the pronounced tactile feedback but ensures a responsive and pleasant typing experience without the harshness that can sometimes accompany tactile switches.
In conclusion, if you prefer a typing experience that combines clear auditory feedback with a defined tactile sensation, the Bsun Cliff switch would be a great choice. If, however, you seek a more muted and smooth typing experience that minimizes noise while maintaining responsiveness, the Wuque Studio WS Silent Linear switch excels in that space. While these switches cater to different preferences in both sound and feel, your selection will depend heavily on the environment in which you plan to use them. If you ultimately favor a combination of both attributes, you'll likely enjoy a satisfying typing experience with either switch, albeit in different ways.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Bsun Cliff tactile switch and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Linear switch ultimately depends on your typing preferences and environment. If you enjoy a light, tactile feedback while typing and appreciate a crisp sound signature, the Cliff is an excellent option for you. Its 45-gram bottom-out force makes it ideal for fast-paced typing, where you might prefer a switch that smoothly guides you through each keystroke. On the other hand, if you work in a quieter office environment or simply prefer a more muted typing experience with a medium-heavy feel, the WS Silent Linear switch would be more suitable. With its 63.5-gram bottom-out force and designed to minimize noise without the typical cushioned sensation, this switch strikes a balance between tranquility and responsiveness, making it perfect for both professional settings and home use. Ultimately, your decision should reflect not only your tactile and auditory preferences but also the context in which you will be using your mechanical keyboard.
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