TTC Gold Brown vs. Wuque Studio WS Light Tactile
An in-depth look at the TTC Gold Brown and the Wuque Studio WS Light Tactile switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the TTC Gold Brown and the Wuque Studio WS Light Tactile are two popular choices among enthusiasts. The Gold Brown switches are praised for their balanced feel, offering a slight tactile bump and a moderate weightiness. They produce a softer sound profile compared to many other switches, making them ideal for those who prefer a quieter typing experience. On the other hand, the WS Light Tactile switches are known for their smoothness and snappy tactile bump, along with a neutral sound signature. These switches are easy to press and provide a satisfying typing feel. 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
45g
Bottom-out force
63g
Bottom-out force
50g
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
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
15.4mm single-staged spring
Housing materials
The TTC Gold Brown and the Wuque Studio WS Light Tactile both feature polycarbonate top housings that create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate's stiffness, which results in a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting. While both switches share this common characteristic in their top housing material, their differences lie in the bottom housing. The Gold Brown uses a nylon bottom housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound profile by absorbing more sound than harder plastics. On the other hand, the WS Light Tactile also utilizes a nylon bottom housing, providing a similar sound experience to the Gold Brown.
Despite the similarities in their top housing materials, the Gold Brown and the WS Light Tactile differ in the impact of their bottom housings on the overall typing experience. The bottom housing material plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel of a switch, with the softer nylon in both switches creating a duller and rounder sound when compared to harder plastics. This difference in bottom housing material allows users to experience a slightly varied typing sensation between the Gold Brown and the WS Light Tactile, despite their shared polycarbonate top housing. While the top housing may have more of an impact on the sound when releasing a key, the bottom housing influences the overall bottom-out sensation.
In conclusion, both the TTC Gold Brown and the Wuque Studio WS Light Tactile offer a unique typing experience with their combination of polycarbonate top housing and nylon bottom housing. The stiffer polycarbonate top housing creates a sharp and clear sound profile, ideal for users looking for a more pronounced typing experience. On the other hand, the softer nylon bottom housing absorbs more sound, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. While their top housing materials may be similar, the difference in bottom housing material allows for a nuanced typing experience between the two switches.
Weight
The TTC Gold Brown tactile switch has a heavier actuation force of 55 grams compared to the Wuque Studio WS Light Tactile switch's lighter actuation force of 45 grams. Similarly, the Gold Brown also requires more force to bottom out at 63 grams, whereas the WS Light Tactile has a lower bottom out force of 50 grams. Those who prefer a more substantial typing experience may lean towards the Gold Brown for its higher actuation and bottom out forces, while those who prefer a lighter touch may find the WS Light Tactile more suitable. Both switches offer different levels of tactile feedback and typing experiences, allowing users to choose according to their preferred typing style.
Travel distance
The TTC Gold Brown tactile switch and the Wuque Studio WS Light Tactile switch both have a travel distance of 4 mm, making them equal in this aspect. This means that when pressing down on a key with either of these switches, you will experience a similar travel distance. Both switches offer a moderate distance for keypresses, which can provide a satisfying typing or gaming experience. Overall, the travel distance of these switches is a key factor to consider when choosing between them, and in this case, they offer the same level of keypress feedback.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Gold Brown has an MSRP of $5.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Gold Brown for $3.28.
The Wuque Studio WS Light 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, both the TTC Gold Brown and the WS Light Tactile switches are described as having a neutral sound profile. This means they have a moderate actuation force requirement and produce a moderate sound, making them suitable for a wide range of users and environments. The Gold Brown offers a slightly softer sound profile, while the WS Light Tactile features a more neutral sound signature. Ultimately, the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the TTC Gold Brown switch is characterized as having a mild, buttery, accented, and polished feel. These qualities combine to provide a gentle typing experience with a smooth and fluid keystroke, a moderate amount of tactility, and a refined finish for reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the WS Light Tactile switch is described as stepped and easy-to-press, offering a mild tactile bump with distinct pre-travel and post-travel stages, as well as a light actuation force for effortless typing. Both switches aim to provide a comfortable and approachable typing feel, with the Gold Brown leaning towards a more nuanced tactility and the WS Light Tactile focusing on ease of use.
In conclusion, while the TTC Gold Brown and WS Light Tactile switches offer slightly different sound and feel characteristics, both switches aim to provide a balanced and satisfying typing experience. Whether you prefer a softer sound profile with a weighty feel like the Gold Brown or a neutral sound signature with easy-to-press tactile feedback like the WS Light Tactile, you can expect comparable results in terms of overall performance and comfort. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on your personal preferences in sound, feel, and typing experience.
Conclusion
To wrap up, when deciding between the TTC Gold Brown tactile switch and the Wuque Studio WS Light Tactile tactile switch, consider your preference for bottom out force and typing experience. If you prefer a medium bottom out force and a balanced typing experience with a slight bump and rounded sound profile, then the Gold Brown switch would be a suitable choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force and a smooth, snappy tactile bump with a neutral sound signature, then the WS Light Tactile switch may be more to your liking. Ultimately, both switches offer a pleasant typing experience with their own unique characteristics, so it ultimately comes down to personal preference and typing style.