KTT Grapefruit vs. Wuque Studio WS Yellow
An in-depth look at the KTT Grapefruit and the Wuque Studio WS Yellow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Introducing two exceptional mechanical keyboard switches, the KTT Grapefruit and the Wuque Studio WS Yellow. The KTT Grapefruit is a linear switch that is best known for its soft and light feel, accompanied by a unique "baritone" sound profile. With a low-pitched and neutral categorization, this switch offers a polished typing experience. On the other hand, the WS Yellow from Wuque Studio is also a linear switch, known for its timeless fusion of classic materials and cutting-edge engineering. Featuring a 22mm double-stage spring, these switches provide a delightful bounce and a satisfying typing experience. With a creamy and mild categorization, the WS Yellow offers a polished feel. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your typing preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
53g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 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
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
22mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the KTT Grapefruit and the Wuque Studio WS Yellow differ in terms of their composition and resulting sound profiles. The Grapefruit utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which leads to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate allows for a more clear and resonant sound profile. Additionally, its translucency makes it suitable for RGB lighting. On the other hand, the WS Yellow features a nylon top housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound profile. Therefore, in terms of sound characteristics, the Grapefruit with its polycarbonate top housing offers a sharper tone, while the WS Yellow with its nylon top housing provides a deeper and fuller sound.
In terms of the bottom housing, both the Grapefruit and the WS Yellow incorporate nylon. As a result, they both elicit a similar deep and full sound profile when pressed. The softer nature of nylon material allows for a greater absorption of sound, leading to a duller and rounder sound. Therefore, whether using the Grapefruit or the WS Yellow, the typing experience and resulting sound when pressing down on the switch will be quite similar.
When it comes to the impact on sound and feel during key release, the top housing plays a more significant role. The Grapefruit's polycarbonate top housing will have a noticeable impact on the sound when a key is released, potentially resulting in a sharper and crisper sound. On the other hand, the WS Yellow's nylon top housing will contribute to a deeper and fuller sound upon key release. Thus, the choice between these switches will depend on whether one prefers a sharper or a deeper sound when releasing a key. Overall, the differences in the top and bottom housing materials of the Grapefruit and WS Yellow provide distinct sound profiles and typing experiences, catering to individual preferences in keyboard usage.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Grapefruit linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Yellow linear switch, we can observe some similarities and differences. The actuation force of the Grapefruit is 45 grams, while the actuation force of the WS Yellow is unknown. However, both switches have a bottom out force of 53 grams, which classifies them as medium-light in terms of force required. This means that the typing experience provided by both switches will be relatively similar in terms of bottoming out, as they require the same amount of force to fully press down.
Considering weight, some individuals may prefer a lighter switch to enable longer typing sessions, making it ideal for work or extended gaming purposes. For these individuals, the Grapefruit switch would be a favorable choice due to its relatively lower actuation force. On the other hand, some users may desire a stronger resistance for a more substantial typing experience. In this case, they would prefer switches with heavier forces. Unfortunately, based on the available information, we are unable to determine the actuation force of the WS Yellow switch. Therefore, if someone desires a heavier actuation force, they would have a clearer option with the Grapefruit switch. Ultimately, the actuation and bottom out forces play a significant role in determining the typing experience and user preference between these two switches.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the KTT Grapefruit linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Yellow linear switch, we can see that the Grapefruit has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the WS Yellow has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm. Both of these switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with the Grapefruit being slightly longer and the WS Yellow being slightly shorter. Gamers, who prefer faster response times, tend to opt for switches with shorter travel distances like the WS Yellow. On the other hand, those who prefer a deeper and more substantial feel when pressing down on a key may prefer the Grapefruit with its slightly longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on personal preference and the desired level of responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the KTT Grapefruit comes in at $3.41, whereas the Wuque Studio WS Yellow comes in at $3.50.
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 KTT Grapefruit linear switch has a low-pitched sound profile that provides a bass-heavy and mellow tone. This creates a deep and resonant sound that many users find pleasing. On the other hand, the sound profile of the Wuque Studio WS Yellow linear switch is unknown, so we cannot provide a direct comparison. However, it's worth noting that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the KTT Grapefruit linear switch is described as polished, which means it has a smooth and refined finish. This results in a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Yellow linear switch is described as creamy, offering a smooth and buttery typing experience. This can be attributed to either factory lubrication or specific materials used in the switch. Additionally, the WS Yellow switch is also categorized as mild, providing a gentle typing experience that most users will find approachable. Both switches boast a polished finish, ensuring a sleek and friction-free typing experience.
In conclusion, the KTT Grapefruit and Wuque Studio WS Yellow switches have distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Grapefruit switch offers a low-pitched sound profile with a deep and mellow tone, the sound profile of the WS Yellow switch remains unknown. However, both switches provide a polished finish, resulting in smooth and refined typing experiences. With the Grapefruit switch, users can expect a soft and light feel, while the WS Yellow switch offers a delightful typing experience with a satisfying bounce. Therefore, if you're looking for a similar sound and feel to the Grapefruit switch, the WS Yellow switch may provide similar results due to its creamy and polished characteristics.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a soft and light typing experience with a unique sound profile, the KTT Grapefruit linear switch would be a great choice for you. These switches offer a medium-light bottom out force of 53 grams and are best known for their tarty linear feel and "baritone" sound. On the other hand, if you prefer a delightful typing experience with a satisfying bounce and a familiar sound signature, the Wuque Studio WS Yellow linear switch would be more suitable. These switches also have a bottom out force of 53 grams and are crafted to be lightweight, providing effortless keystrokes. The WS Yellow switches are described as creamy, mild, and polished, offering a smooth and fluid typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches comes down to personal preference in terms of sound and feel.