Everglide Crystal Violet vs. Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear
An in-depth look at the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
If you're in the market for a new mechanical keyboard switch, two options worth considering are the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear. The Crystal Violet is a tactile switch that offers a relaxed and stepped typing experience with a light operating force of 45g. It provides a gentle and comfortable feel, accompanied by a pleasantly mellow, low-pitched sound profile. Additionally, the Crystal Violet switches utilize ABS in their housings, adding to their unique qualities. On the other hand, the WS Aurora Clear is a linear switch that delivers a smooth and high-pitched typing experience. It features a transparent polycarbonate top housing and a UHMWPE bottom housing, allowing for maximum RGB lighting customization. With a lightly lubed POM stem, the Aurora Clear ensures minimal friction and a satisfyingly smooth keystroke. Both switches have their distinct advantages, but let's dive deeper beyond these generalities to help you make the best decision for your specific needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
53g
Bottom-out force
55g
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
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
ABS
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
ABS
Bottom housing material
UHWMPE
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Double-staged stainless steel
Housing materials
The Everglide Crystal Violet and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear differ in terms of their housing materials. The Crystal Violet features an ABS top housing, which is commonly used in keycaps but relatively rare in switch housings. This results in a relatively low-pitched sound profile when typing on switches with ABS housing. In contrast, the WS Aurora Clear has a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The stiffness of polycarbonate contributes to a clearer and more resonant sound. Additionally, the translucent nature of polycarbonate makes it particularly suitable for switches with RGB lighting.
Moving on to the bottom housing, the Crystal Violet utilizes ABS, similar to its top housing. This contributes to a low-pitched sound profile when typing on switches with ABS housing. On the other hand, the WS Aurora Clear features a newer material called UHWMPE for its bottom housing. This material provides a very bright sound signature, resulting in resonant clacks when typing on switches with such housings.
If a switch has different materials for its top and bottom housings, the qualities of each material will affect different aspects of the typing experience. Pressing down on the switch will primarily highlight the qualities of the bottom housing, which influences the bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, the top housing will have a greater impact on the sound that is produced when a key is released.
In summary, the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear differ in their choice of housing materials. The Crystal Violet uses ABS for both the top and bottom housings, resulting in a relatively low-pitched sound profile throughout. On the other hand, the WS Aurora Clear utilizes polycarbonate for the top housing, leading to a sharper and higher-pitched sound. Additionally, the WS Aurora Clear incorporates UHWMPE for its bottom housing, contributing to a very bright sound signature. Nonetheless, both switches share a similarity in that their ABS housing materials produce a low-pitched sound profile, while the polycarbonate top housing of the WS Aurora Clear allows for enhanced RGB lighting effects.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch, there are notable differences. The Crystal Violet has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams, which means that less pressure is needed to trigger a keystroke compared to the WS Aurora Clear's actuation force of 53 grams. On the other hand, when it comes to bottoming out, the Crystal Violet requires a force of 55 grams, whereas the WS Aurora Clear requires a heavier force of 63.5 grams.
Considering weight preferences, those who prefer a lighter typing experience might find the Crystal Violet more suitable, as its actuation force is lighter. This can be beneficial for longer typing sessions or extended gaming sessions. However, for individuals who prefer a more substantial typing feel and enjoy a stronger push, the WS Aurora Clear would be the preferable choice due to its heavier actuation force.
It is important to note that while the actuation and bottom out forces differ between these two switches, they both fall within the medium range. Therefore, if someone is seeking a comparable result in terms of force required, they could achieve similar outcomes with either switch. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preferences regarding typing experience and the desired amount of force applied.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch, it is clear that the Crystal Violet has a longer travel distance of 4 mm compared to the 3.8 mm of the WS Aurora Clear. The Crystal Violet falls into the more traditional range of travel distances, providing a slightly deeper feel when pressing down on the key. On the other hand, the WS Aurora Clear offers a slightly shorter travel distance, which is often favored by gamers for its faster response times. So, if you prefer a switch with a more responsive feel, the WS Aurora Clear would be the better choice. However, if you prefer a switch with a deeper, more substantial press, the Crystal Violet would be more suitable.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Crystal Violet has an MSRP of $7.08 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Crystal Violet for $4.19.
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
In terms of sound, the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch is best described as having a low-pitched and mellow tone. These switches produce a subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience, leaning towards the lower-pitched spectrum. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch has a high-pitched sound profile. These switches produce a sharp and crisp sound when pressed. If you prefer a more rich and bassy sound, the Crystal Violet would be a good choice, while the WS Aurora Clear is preferred for those who enjoy a higher-pitched typing experience.
When it comes to feel, both switches share some similar qualities. The Crystal Violet tactile switch is described as creamy, mild, and stepped. This means that the typing experience is smooth and buttery, with a gentle and approachable feel. The stepped nature of these switches provides a mild tactile bump, offering some pre-travel and/or post-travel. Similarly, the WS Aurora Clear linear switch is also described as mild, buttery, and polished. This implies a smooth and fluid keystroke experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. Both switches offer a comfortable and enjoyable typing sensation, although the Crystal Violet has a more stepped tactile feel while the WS Aurora Clear is linear without any tactile bump.
Based on the available information, the Everglide Crystal Violet offers a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience with a mellow sound profile. It is ideal for those who prefer a gentle and comfortable feel while typing. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear provides a smooth and high-pitched typing experience with maximum RGB lighting customization. Both switches offer their unique qualities, so the choice ultimately comes down to personal preference. However, if you are seeking a similar smooth and gentle typing experience, the WS Aurora Clear could be a suitable alternative to the Crystal Violet, although without the tactile feedback.
Conclusion
In closing, if you value a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience with a mellow sound profile, the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch is the way to go. With a bottom out force of 55 grams, these switches offer a gentle and comfortable feel. The Crystal Violet switches are also constructed with ABS housing, adding to their unique sound profile. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth and high-pitched typing experience with customizable RGB lighting, the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch is a great option. With a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, these switches provide a satisfyingly smooth keystroke. Additionally, the transparent polycarbonate top housing and UHMWPE bottom housing enable maximum RGB lighting customization. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on your preference for typing experience and sound profile.
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