Dareu Firefly vs. Wuque Studio WS Pearl
An in-depth look at the Dareu Firefly and the Wuque Studio WS Pearl switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch, the Dareu Firefly and the Wuque Studio WS Pearl each offer unique experiences tailored to different typing preferences. The Firefly is a tactile switch that stands out for its soft actuation and a hint of clickiness, delivering a typing experience that's both satisfying and discreet, perfect for those who prefer a quieter environment without sacrificing tactile feedback. In contrast, the WS Pearl is a linear switch that utilizes innovative ball-bearings, significantly reducing friction and creating an exceptionally smooth keystroke. This switch is ideal for gamers or typists who enjoy swift, uninterrupted transitions between keys. While the Firefly caters to a more tactile, yet calm typing experience, the WS Pearl emphasizes smoothness and speed, appealing to those who prioritize fluidity in their keystrokes. 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
40g
Actuation force
30g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
58g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
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
Stainless steel
Spring
16mm single-staged spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Dareu Firefly and the Wuque Studio WS Pearl, we see a pronounced distinction in their top housing materials. The Firefly utilizes polycarbonate for its top housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile. This sharper sound is attributed to the stiffer nature of polycarbonate, which enhances resonance and clarity, particularly notable when using RGB lighting due to its translucency. In contrast, the WS Pearl features a nylon top housing, which provides a deeper, fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound, leading to a rounder and more subdued auditory experience. Therefore, users seeking clarity and brightness will likely prefer the Firefly, while those looking for warmth and resonance may gravitate towards the WS Pearl.
Both the Firefly and WS Pearl employ nylon for their bottom housing, which yields a consistent sound profile characteristic of nylon materials. Nylon's inherent softness contributes to deeper tones and acts to absorb sound, delivering a duller, rounder acoustic experience. As such, while the top housings diverge significantly—affecting the key release sound and initial impact—the bottom housing materials of both switches are aligned, providing an auditory foundation that emphasizes richness and fullness. This uniformity in the bottom housing design accentuates the strengths of both switches while maintaining a level of competition in terms of overall sound profile.
The differing top housing materials between the two switches suggest that each will offer distinctive auditory experiences, but the shared nylon bottom housing serves to unify their fundamental sound characteristics. In practical terms, users can anticipate a pronounced bottom-out sound that remains consistent across both switches due to the nylon's sound-absorbing qualities. Meanwhile, the top housings will dictate how the switch performs during the release phase. Therefore, if a user is seeking to balance the ergonomic feel of key presses with a personalized auditory feedback experience, the choice between the Firefly and the WS Pearl will hinge significantly on their preference for the top housing's material properties.
Weight
The Dareu Firefly tactile switch and the Wuque Studio WS Pearl linear switch differ notably in their actuation forces, with the Firefly requiring a slightly heavier actuation force of 40 grams compared to the lighter 30 grams of the WS Pearl. This means that the Firefly may provide a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a heavier push, making it suitable for users looking for tactile feedback. In contrast, the WS Pearl's lower actuation force can contribute to a more comfortable typing experience for extended gaming sessions or work, as it requires less effort to register keystrokes. However, the bottom-out force for the Firefly is unavailable, making it difficult to draw a direct comparison for that metric. The WS Pearl’s bottom-out force of 58 grams indicates that it provides a firm resistance when fully pressed down. Overall, those who favor lighter switches may lean towards the WS Pearl, while users seeking a stronger push feel might prefer the Firefly.
Travel distance
The Dareu Firefly tactile switch and the Wuque Studio WS Pearl linear switch exhibit notable differences in their travel distances, with the Firefly measuring 4 mm and the WS Pearl at 3.5 mm. This makes the WS Pearl the shorter switch, which may appeal to gamers seeking faster response times due to the reduced distance their fingers need to travel when actuating the key. Conversely, the Firefly's longer travel distance could be preferred by users who enjoy a more pronounced tactile experience, as it provides a heartier depth that some might find more satisfying. Therefore, if you're inclined towards a quicker, more responsive feel, the WS Pearl would be the better choice, whereas the Firefly might cater to those who appreciate a more deliberate keystroke.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Dareu Firefly has an MSRP of $6.59 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Firefly for $3.76.
The Wuque Studio WS Pearl comes in at $6.00 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
When it comes to sound, the Dareu Firefly tactile switch produces a unique chirpy acoustic signature, which offers a light, somewhat squeaky tone that sets it apart from more traditional clicky switches. This relatively quiet sound profile provides a softer auditory experience, which may be appealing for those who want a less intrusive typing environment. In contrast, the Wuque Studio WS Pearl linear switch is characterized by a medium-high pitched sound signature, which, while not closely defined, suggests a clean and refined audio output typical of linear switches. The overall sound experience with both switches is influenced by factors like the choice of keyboard and keycaps, meaning users might achieve similar results in acoustics depending on their specific setup.
In terms of feel, the Firefly switch delivers an easy-to-press experience, requiring minimal force to actuate, which significantly enhances comfort during prolonged typing sessions. This gentle resistance allows for a responsive touch without inducing finger fatigue, making it particularly suitable for typists who favor a light actuation. The WS Pearl, with its innovative use of ball-bearings, offers a remarkably smooth keystroke experience. This reduction in friction contributes to a fluid and effortless typing sensation, which many users find uniquely enjoyable. While the Firefly leans toward an easy tactile feedback, the WS Pearl emphasizes a seamless linear experience, creating two distinct yet appealing sensations.
Overall, the Dareu Firefly and Wuque Studio WS Pearl switches each offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences in both sound and feel. The Firefly provides a chirpy, quiet typing experience with a focus on minimal actuation force, while the WS Pearl excels with its smooth keystrokes and medium-high sound profile. Depending on your typing style and sound preferences, both switches can deliver satisfying results, whether you prioritize a quiet, easy-to-press experience or a more fluid, linear touch.
Conclusion
To conclude, the choice between the Dareu Firefly tactile switch and the Wuque Studio WS Pearl linear switch largely depends on your typing preferences and the specific use cases you envision. If you favor a light actuation and a tactile experience without the traditional clicky sound, the Firefly is an excellent option. It’s particularly suitable for environments where noise is a concern, offering a soft, chirpy sound profile and an overall easy-to-press feel that minimizes finger fatigue during long typing sessions. On the other hand, if you seek a smoother and more consistent keystroke experience, the WS Pearl linear switch is the way to go. With its medium bottom out force and unique ball-bearing design, it delivers an exceptionally fluid typing experience, ideal for those who enjoy rapid key presses without the tactile feedback of other switches. Ultimately, your decision should be guided by whether you prefer a lighter, tactile switch for a quieter ambiance or a heavier, smooth linear switch that provides a satisfying and quick response.
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