Aflion Foggy Shadow vs. Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile
An in-depth look at the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options to consider are the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile. The Aflion Foggy Shadow, known for its light tactile bump and 63.5g bottom-out force, promises a balanced performance with a medium weight that hits the sweet spot for many users. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile stands out for its superb noise reduction and medium tactility, making it a great choice for office environments. While the Foggy Shadow is categorized as 'Low-pitched' and 'Neutral', the WS Silent Tactile is described as 'Accented', 'Invigorating', 'Neutral', 'Mild', and 'Muted'. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 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
20mm double-stage spring
Spring
15mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile, it is evident that polycarbonate is utilized in the top housing of the Foggy Shadow while nylon is used in the top housing of the WS Silent Tactile. The polycarbonate top housing of the Foggy Shadow creates a sharper and crisper sound profile, ideal for those looking for a more defined typing experience. In contrast, the nylon top housing of the WS Silent Tactile generates a deeper and fuller sound profile, providing a more muffled and rounder typing experience. While both housing materials offer distinct sound profiles, the choice between them ultimately depends on the user's preference for sound and typing feel.
On the other hand, both the Foggy Shadow and the WS Silent Tactile feature nylon bottom housings. This commonality means that both switches will elicit a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the relatively softer plastic that absorbs more sound than harder plastics. The utilization of nylon in the bottom housing of both switches contributes to a more muffled and rounder typing experience, enhancing the overall typing feel for users who prefer a softer touch when pressing down on the keys.
Overall, the use of different materials in the top and bottom housings of the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile results in a unique typing experience for each switch. While the polycarbonate top housing of the Foggy Shadow offers a crisper sound profile, the nylon top housing of the WS Silent Tactile produces a fuller sound. Similarly, the nylon bottom housings in both switches contribute to a deeper sound profile, providing users with a more muted typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and overall typing experience.
Weight
The Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile tactile switch have identical actuation forces of None grams, meaning that both switches require the same amount of force to trigger a keystroke. However, when it comes to bottom out force, both switches have a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, resulting in a medium-heavy typing experience. In terms of weight, both switches offer a balance between a light touch for extended typing sessions and a more substantial push feel for those seeking a stronger typing experience. Ultimately, whether to choose the Aflion Foggy Shadow or the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile will depend on personal preference for the typing experience desired.
Travel distance
Both the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile tactile switch have the same travel distance of 3.5 mm. This means that when pressing down on a key with either of these switches, you will get a similar feeling of travel distance from the top to the bottom. Therefore, in terms of travel distance, you can expect to experience similar results with both switches.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Aflion Foggy Shadow has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Foggy Shadow for $3.91.
The Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile 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
In terms of sound, the Aflion Foggy Shadow switch offers a low-pitched and neutral tone, giving a more bass-heavy and mellow sound compared to higher-pitched switches. This sound profile makes it suitable for various environments, whether at home or in the office. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile switch provides a neutral and muted sound, offering a softer and quieter typing experience ideal for office settings where noise reduction is crucial. Both switches cater to different preferences in sound, with the Foggy Shadow being slightly more low-pitched while the WS Silent Tactile is more muted.
When it comes to feel, the Aflion Foggy Shadow switch does not have specific descriptors provided, leaving its tactile feel somewhat unclear. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile switch is described as accented, invigorating, and mild. This indicates that the WS Silent Tactile switch offers a medium tactile feedback that is not overpowering, providing a satisfying and reactive typing sensation that falls in a middle-ground zone of tactile feel. In contrast, the specific tactile feel of the Foggy Shadow switch remains unknown.
In conclusion, both the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile tactile switch offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Foggy Shadow switch provides a low-pitched sound profile and a light tactile bump with a medium weight, the WS Silent Tactile switch offers a muted sound and medium tactility with a balanced tactile feedback that is neither overwhelming nor subtle. Ultimately, choosing between these switches would depend on individual preferences for sound and feel, with the Foggy Shadow catering to those seeking a softer sound and light tactility, while the WS Silent Tactile appeals to users looking for a silent typing experience with medium tactile feedback.
Conclusion
Ultimately, when choosing between the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile tactile switch, consider your priorities. If you value a light tactile bump with a balanced medium weight, the Foggy Shadow is the way to go. On the other hand, if you prioritize silent operation with superior noise reduction and a medium tactility level, the WS Silent Tactile switch is the better option for you. Both switches offer unique features that cater to different preferences, so think about what matters most to you in a mechanical keyboard switch before making your decision.
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