Everglide Crystal Violet vs. Wuque Studio WS Onion
An in-depth look at the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Wuque Studio WS Onion switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Everglide Crystal Violet and the Wuque Studio WS Onion are two mechanical keyboard switches that offer distinct experiences for users. The Crystal Violet is a tactile switch designed for those who prefer a relaxed and stepped typing experience. With a light operating force of 45g, these switches provide a gentle and comfortable feel. Additionally, the sound profile of the Crystal Violet switches is pleasantly mellow and leans towards the lower-pitched spectrum, creating a subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience. On the other hand, the WS Onion is a linear switch that is characterized by its buttery smooth keystroke feel. Featuring a polycarbonate top housing and a nylon bottom housing, these switches offer a crisp and responsive feel when typing. The sound profile of the WS Onion switches is neutral, providing a satisfying auditory experience. Both switches have their unique advantages, 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
45g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
WS CL635 Gold Plated Stainless Spring
Housing materials
The Everglide Crystal Violet and the Wuque Studio WS Onion differ in their housing materials, which contribute to distinct sound profiles. The Crystal Violet features an ABS top housing, which is a relatively rare choice for switch housings. This ABS housing produces a relatively low-pitched sound when typing, creating a softer and more pleasing typing experience. In contrast, the WS Onion utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, known for its stiffness and translucency. The polycarbonate housing generates a sharper and higher-pitched sound, adding a crisp and resonant quality to typing. Though both switches offer unique acoustic experiences, they cater to different preferences in terms of sound.
Moving to the bottom housing, the Crystal Violet again employs ABS as a material of choice, resulting in a low-pitched sound profile that complements the ABS top housing. This combination provides a consistent and balanced typing experience with its mellow and smooth sound. Conversely, the WS Onion utilizes a nylon bottom housing, a classic option known for its ability to absorb sound. This nylon bottom housing enhances the sound profile by creating a deeper and fuller sound. The absorbing properties of nylon result in a duller and rounder sound, which can be particularly satisfying for typists seeking a more substantial and immersive typing experience.
When it comes to the overall performance of these switches, the top and bottom housings play a crucial role in determining the feel and sound. With different materials used for each housing, the switch's qualities get divided. The bottom housing influences the bottom-out sound and the tactile feedback experienced when pressing down on the key. Conversely, the top housing affects the sound produced when releasing a key. Thus, the combination of materials in each switch offers a unique and customized acoustic and haptic experience based on user preferences.
In summary, the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Wuque Studio WS Onion feature contrasting housing materials that result in distinct sound profiles. The Crystal Violet's ABS top and bottom housings contribute to a relatively low-pitched and mellow sound, creating a softer typing experience. In contrast, the WS Onion's polycarbonate top housing and nylon bottom housing produce a sharper and higher-pitched sound with a deeper and fuller resonance. Whether one prefers a more gentle and smooth typing experience or a crisper and more immersive one, each switch provides a distinct sound and tactile feedback that caters to different users' preferences.
Weight
When comparing the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Wuque Studio WS Onion linear switch, there are notable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Crystal Violet has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams, making it a medium-light switch. In contrast, the WS Onion's actuation force is unavailable, but its bottom out force is 63.5 grams, classifying it as a medium-heavy switch.
Weight is an important factor to consider when choosing a switch. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Crystal Violet would be a suitable choice as it allows for extended typing periods, making it ideal for work or long gaming sessions. On the other hand, individuals who enjoy a stronger push sensation for a more substantial typing experience may opt for the WS Onion, which provides a heavier force during the bottom out.
Although the actuation force for the WS Onion is unknown, the Crystal Violet's actuation force of 45 grams provides a baseline for comparison. If the actuation force of the WS Onion happens to be similar to or lighter than 45 grams, both switches would yield comparable results in terms of triggering keystrokes. However, without information on the exact actuation force of the WS Onion, it is difficult to draw a precise conclusion regarding the similarity or disparity between the two switches in this aspect.
Ultimately, the Crystal Violet is the lighter of the two switches, while the WS Onion is the heavier option. The choice between the two would depend on personal preference for typing experience and the desired weight of the switch.
Travel distance
The Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Wuque Studio WS Onion linear switch both have a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key equipped with either of these switches, you will experience the same distance of travel. Whether you prefer a tactile or linear switch, both the Crystal Violet and WS Onion will provide you with a consistent and satisfying typing experience. However, it is worth noting that the Crystal Violet is a tactile switch, which means it provides a slight feedback or "bump" when the key is pressed. On the other hand, the WS Onion is a linear switch, which means it offers smooth and consistent keystrokes without any tactile feedback. Ultimately, your choice between these two switches will depend on your personal preference for typing feel and sound.
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 Onion has an MSRP of $7.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the WS Onion for $5.53.
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 Crystal Violet switches have a pleasant mellow sound profile that leans towards the lower-pitched spectrum, creating a subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience. On the other hand, the WS Onion switches have a neutral sound profile. Both switches provide a moderate sound profile suitable for most intents and purposes.
When it comes to feel, the Crystal Violet switches offer a creamy and mild typing experience. They provide a smooth and buttery sensation with each keystroke, allowing your fingers to effortlessly glide across the keys. Additionally, these switches are categorized as stepped switches, meaning they have two stages of tactile feedback. This gives the user a mild tactile feel with some pre-travel and/or post-travel.
On the other hand, the WS Onion switches are described as buttery and polished. They offer a buttery smooth keystroke feel that is deeply satisfying. With a polished finish, these switches provide a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
In conclusion, the Crystal Violet switches have a mellow, low-pitched sound profile and offer a creamy, mild, and stepped typing experience. On the other hand, the WS Onion switches have a neutral sound profile and provide a buttery smooth and polished typing experience. Both switches have their own unique qualities, and the choice between them ultimately depends on personal preference. However, if you prefer a similar typing experience to the Crystal Violet switches, the WS Onion switches should provide a comparable feel while still offering their own distinct characteristics.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience with a gentle and comfortable feel, the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch is the way to go. With a medium-light bottom out force of 55 grams, it offers a creamy and mild typing experience that feels like effortlessly gliding your fingers across the keys. The sound profile of the Crystal Violet switches is pleasantly low-pitched, creating a subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a buttery smooth keystroke feel with a crisp and responsive response, the Wuque Studio WS Onion linear switch is the better choice. With a medium-heavy bottom out force of 63.5 grams, it provides a neutral sound profile and a polished finish for a sleek typing experience. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your preference for typing feel and sound, whether you prefer a relaxed and stepped tactile switch or a buttery smooth linear switch. Overall, both switches offer their unique advantages, so choose the one that best suits your typing style and preferences.
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