Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar vs. Wuque Studio WS Silent Linear
An in-depth look at the Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Linear switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing mechanical keyboard switches like the Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Linear, users will find distinctive features catering to different preferences and environments. The Everfree (EF) Cedar, crafted by Gateron’s sub-brand, is celebrated for its smooth and reliable performance, offering a vibrant, poppy sound profile that many typists find satisfying. This switch delivers a snappy and polished feel that appeals to gamers and typists alike who appreciate tactile feedback in their keystrokes. On the other hand, the WS Silent Linear from Wuque Studio is tailored for those seeking a quieter typing experience, making it ideal for office settings where noise levels matter. Its innovative design minimizes sound without sacrificing responsiveness, providing a unique typing sensation devoid of cushioning, thanks to its absence of silicone dampeners. While the Everfree (EF) Cedar emphasizes an engaging auditory experience, the WS Silent Linear prioritizes discretion and precision. 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
55g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
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
Double-staged spring
Spring
15mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
The Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar and Wuque Studio WS Silent Linear switches utilize different materials for their top housings, which leads to distinct auditory experiences when typing. The EF Cedar employs a polycarbonate top housing, known for its stiffness and translucency, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This material enhances the clarity of the keystrokes, making it an ideal choice for users who prefer an articulate typing experience, especially when RGB lighting is involved, as the clear housing allows for vibrant illumination. In contrast, the WS Silent Linear uses a nylon top housing. Nylon's softer nature contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, absorbing more sound than harder plastics. This creates a more subdued and rounded auditory experience, appealing to users who may prefer a quieter typing environment.
Both switches, however, utilize nylon for their bottom housings, leading to similarities in the sound and feel associated with bottom-out transitions. Since nylon is a classic switch housing material, it creates a consistent and pleasant keystroke feedback, allowing for a deeper and richer sound profile in both switches. This commonality means that when typing, users will experience a notable degree of sound dampening and warmth from the nylon bottom housings, regardless of the differing top materials. Thus, while the EF Cedar provides brightness and clarity due to its polycarbonate top, the WS Silent Linear’s nylon top ensures a less pronounced, softer sound, demonstrating how the choices in housing materials influence the overall typing feel.
In essence, the combination of polycarbonate and nylon in the Everfree (EF) Cedar creates a unique juxtaposition of sound profiles, while the WS Silent Linear maintains a uniformity due to its all-nylon construction. The differing materials in the top housing significantly shape the auditory character—one being more resonant and piercing, the other warmer and muted. Consequently, users looking for a blend of clarity and richness may appreciate the Everfree's dual-material approach, whereas those prioritizing a more subdued and quieter typing experience may lean towards the WS Silent Linear. Nonetheless, the shared nylon bottom housing in both switches ensures that users experience a richness of sound and tactile feedback upon bottoming out, thereby connecting these two switches in their foundational typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Linear linear switch, we see distinct differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Everfree (EF) Cedar features an actuation force of 55 grams, making it suitable for users who prefer a slightly heavier feel when typing, which can enhance the tactile experience. However, the bottom out force for this switch remains unknown, which leaves a gap in understanding its total keypress feel. In contrast, the WS Silent Linear’s actuation force is also unknown, but it possesses a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, categorizing it as medium-heavy and indicating that it requires more force to fully press down compared to the Everfree (EF) Cedar’s known actuation force. Overall, the Everfree Cedar is lighter due to its known actuation force and potentially lower overall typing feedback, while the WS Silent Linear provides a more substantial tactile experience with its heavier bottom out force, appealing to those who enjoy a firmer push. However, variable forces can make it difficult to determine a definitive preference without more complete data.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Linear switch, we find that the EF Cedar has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the WS Silent Linear has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. This makes the WS Silent Linear the more responsive option, appealing particularly to gamers who favor quicker keystrokes for enhanced performance. However, the Everfree Cedar, with its longer travel distance, may provide a more satisfying depth for users who prefer a more substantial tactile feedback when typing. Ultimately, while both switches offer a linear feel, those who seek faster response times might gravitate towards the WS Silent Linear, while those valuing a fuller key press experience may opt for the Everfree Cedar.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar has an MSRP of $2.99 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Everfree (EF) Cedar for $2.75.
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
When comparing the sound profiles of the Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar switch and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Linear switch, distinct differences emerge. The Everfree Cedar offers a poppy sound profile, which can provide a satisfying auditory feedback during typing, enhancing the overall experience for users who appreciate a more pronounced acoustic signature. In contrast, the WS Silent Linear switch is engineered to minimize noise, boasting descriptors such as muted and subdued. Where the Everfree Cedar evokes a lively sound, the WS Silent Linear’s design focuses on achieving a quieter operation, making it especially suitable for office environments or shared spaces where noise reduction is a priority.
In terms of feel, the Everfree Cedar switches are characterized as snappy and polished. The snappy responsiveness typically stems from their construction, as they often feature longer springs that contribute to an exhilarating typing experience; this makes each keystroke feel quite reactive. Additionally, their polished nature ensures a smooth typing journey with minimal friction. Conversely, the WS Silent Linear switches are described as mild, providing a more gentle typing sensation. This makes them approachable for a wider range of users, though they may lack the dramatic responsiveness associated with the snappy feel of the Everfree Cedar. The WS Silent Linear's gentle touch is intended to promote a calming typing experience, appealing to those who prioritize a more subdued interaction.
In conclusion, while the Gateron Everfree Cedar and Wuque Studio WS Silent Linear switches cater to different preferences, they both present unique advantages. The Everfree Cedar is perfect for those who enjoy a lively and pronounced auditory feedback along with a responsive feel, while the WS Silent Linear provides a quieter, more subdued option that maintains a level of responsiveness without being overwhelming. Depending on your personal preferences for sound and feel, either switch can result in an enjoyable and satisfactory typing experience, suited to the environment and individual typing style.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the choice between the Gateron Everfree (EF) Cedar linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Linear switch largely depends on your specific typing preferences and environment. If you’re looking for an economical yet smooth and snappy typing experience, the Everfree Cedar is an excellent option. Its polished feel and satisfying sound profile make it a joy to type on, particularly for those who appreciate active feedback and an engaging experience while working or gaming. On the other hand, if your primary concern is minimizing noise, especially in a shared workspace or office setting, the WS Silent Linear switch is designed for you. Its muted and subdued sound profile ensures a quiet typing environment while still offering a responsive feel. The medium-heavy bottom-out force of the WS Silent Linear provides a distinct typing experience that balances tranquility with precision, appealing to those who prioritize a calm atmosphere. Ultimately, both switches have their advantages, so consider what aspects are most important to you—be it sound, feel, or responsiveness—as you make your final decision.
Mentioned in this article
