Gateron Ink Yellow vs. Wuque Studio WS Red

Overview

When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, there are several options available, each offering a unique typing experience. Two popular linear switches, the Gateron Ink Yellow and the Wuque Studio WS Red, have their own distinct qualities to consider. The Ink Yellow is best known for its shorter travel and is recommended for those who want a typing experience between that on a laptop and a standard mechanical keyboard. This switch showcases a pleasant smoothness and clackiness, making it a great choice for those who enjoy a balanced and polished feel while typing. On the other hand, the WS Red stands out with its 22mm double-stage spring, providing a bouncy and responsive typing experience. The classic material blend of the WS Red ensures a familiar sound signature, and its heavier actuation force adds a touch of weight to each keystroke, delivering a satisfying and substantial 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

Gateron Ink Yellow Linear

Wuque Studio WS Red Linear

$7.50

$7.35 per 10

$3.50 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The housing materials of the Gateron Ink Yellow and the Wuque Studio WS Red switches show distinct characteristics and differences. The Ink Yellow features a proprietary INK blend top and bottom housing, while the WS Red utilizes nylon for both the top and bottom housings. In terms of sound profile, the Ink Yellow's INK blend top housing offers a pointed and high-pitched sound that is clacky but not overly sharp. In contrast, the WS Red's nylon top housing creates a deeper and fuller sound due to the softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound.

Regarding the bottom housing, the Ink Yellow's INK blend provides a similar pointed and high-pitched sound profile, contributing to the clacky feel when typing. On the other hand, the WS Red's nylon bottom housing also adds depth and fullness to the overall sound profile, thanks to its ability to absorb more sound. This implies that the bottom-out sound and feel of both switches will showcase similarities in terms of higher pitches and satisfying clackiness.

Moreover, the impact of the top and bottom housings is divided between the Gateron Ink Yellow and the Wuque Studio WS Red switches. While the bottom housing has a more significant influence on the bottom-out sound and feel, the top housing primarily affects the sound when releasing a key. Therefore, with the unique properties of each switch's housing materials, it can be expected that these differences will be evident in both the actuation and release sounds of the switches, providing distinct typing experiences for users.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Red linear switch, there are some similarities and differences to consider. In terms of weight, the lighter option is the Gateron Ink Yellow. With an actuation force of 60 grams and a bottom out force of 67 grams, it offers a medium-heavy typing experience. On the other hand, the actuation force of the Wuque Studio WS Red is unavailable, making it difficult to compare directly. However, both switches have the same bottom out force of 67 grams, indicating a similar level of resistance when pressing the keys all the way down.

For those who prefer a lighter typing experience for extended periods of use, the Gateron Ink Yellow would be a suitable choice. Its lower actuation force allows for smoother and faster keystrokes, making it ideal for work or long gaming sessions. However, if one desires a more substantial typing feel with a stronger push, they may lean towards options with heavier forces. While the actuation force of the Wuque Studio WS Red is unknown, its shared bottom out force with the Gateron Ink Yellow suggests a comparable level of resistance when fully pressing the keys. This means that, despite the lack of precise actuation force information, users can expect similar results in terms of the overall typing experience provided by both switches.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distance of the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Red linear switch, it is clear that there is a difference between the two. The Ink Yellow has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the WS Red has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.8 mm. This means that if you were to press down on a key with the Ink Yellow switch, you would feel a slightly shorter distance compared to the WS Red switch. 4.0mm is considered the most traditional travel distance, while 3.0mm is the most shallow. However, in recent times, shorter travel distances have become popular, especially among gamers who seek faster response times. Therefore, if you prefer a more responsive keyboard, opting for the Ink Yellow switch with its shorter travel distance might be the better choice. On the other hand, some individuals find shorter travel distances to feel too abrupt, and may prefer the WS Red switch with its longer travel distance for a more satisfying key press experience. In the end, it comes down to personal preference and whether you prioritize a shorter or longer travel distance.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Gateron Ink Yellow is known for having a neutral and clacky profile. The neutral profile means that it has a moderate actuation force requirement and a moderate sound level, making it suitable for most purposes. The clacky characteristic of the switch produces a sharp and snappy sound when pressed, giving it a crisp, bright, and percussive sound. On the other hand, the sound profile of the Wuque Studio WS Red is unknown. It is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.

When it comes to feel, the Gateron Ink Yellow is described as mild and polished. The mild characteristic offers a more gentle typing experience compared to switches with more pronounced traits. It falls within a safe, middle-ground zone that most users will find approachable. The polished attribute indicates that the switch has a smooth and refined finish, resulting in a sleek typing experience. This smoothness can be attributed to the materials used or factory lubing, reducing friction and providing smooth key travel. Information about the feel of the Wuque Studio WS Red is unknown.

Taking all the available information into consideration, the Gateron Ink Yellow is best suited for those who desire a typing experience that falls between that of a laptop and a standard mechanical keyboard. It offers a smoother and clackier sound profile with a shorter travel. Additionally, it provides a mild and polished feel, delivering a gentle and polished typing experience. On the other hand, details about the sound and feel of the Wuque Studio WS Red are unknown, making it difficult to provide a direct comparison. However, based on the information provided, it is safe to assume that the WS Red may offer a bouncy and responsive typing experience with a familiar sound signature and a heavier actuation force for a satisfying and substantial feel. It is important to note that individual preferences for sound and feel may vary, and other factors such as keycaps and keyboard boards used can also impact the overall experience.

Conclusion

To sum up, if you're looking for a typing experience that falls between that of a laptop and a standard mechanical keyboard, the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch would be a great choice for you. This switch offers a shorter travel distance and showcases a pleasant smoothness and clackiness. It has a medium-heavy bottom out force of 67 grams, providing a substantial typing feel. In terms of sound, the Ink Yellow has a neutral sound profile with a moderate actuation force requirement. It also has a clacky sound when pressed, producing a crisp and percussive sound. In terms of feel, the Ink Yellow offers a mild typing experience that is approachable to most users. Additionally, it has a polished finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel.

On the other hand, if you prefer a bouncy and responsive typing experience with a heavier actuation force, the Wuque Studio WS Red linear switch would be a better fit for you. With its 22mm double-stage spring, this switch provides a familiar sound signature while adding a touch of weight to each keystroke. However, specific information regarding the sound and feel of the WS Red is not provided in the given information.

Ultimately, the choice between the Gateron Ink Yellow and the Wuque Studio WS Red would depend on your personal preferences and typing style. Consider factors such as travel distance, bottom out force, sound profile, and feel to make an informed decision.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron Ink Yellow Linear

$7.50

$7.35 per 10

Learn more

Wuque Studio WS Red Linear

$3.50 per 10

Learn more