Zuoce Lavender vs. Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile
An in-depth look at the Zuoce Lavender and the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to compare and contrast are the Zuoce Lavender and the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile. The Lavender switch is praised for its exceptional smoothness right out of the box, thanks to its proprietary Ly blend, and offers a crisp and clacky sound signature, providing a satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, the WS Heavy Tactile switch stands out for its profound tactile experience, featuring a 70g bump, immersive resistance, and a captivating "thocky" sound from nylon housings. While the Lavender switch is categorized as 'Easy-to-press' and 'Clacky', the WS Heavy Tactile switch offers a wide range of features including being 'Accented', 'Bouncy', 'High-pitched', 'Invigorating', and more. Both switches have their unique qualities that cater to different preferences, but diving deeper into their specifics will help you determine the best switch for your individual typing needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
48g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
53g
Bottom-out force
70g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
3.20 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
Z1 (Ly blend)
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
21mm double-staged spring
Spring
22mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
The Zuoce Lavender and the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile both have unique housing materials that contribute to their sound profiles. The Lavender features a POM top and bottom housing, which creates a deeper and more muted sound profile. In contrast, the WS Heavy Tactile utilizes nylon for both the top and bottom housing, resulting in a fuller and rounder sound. While both materials absorb sound to some extent, the POM of the Lavender may offer a slightly different typing experience compared to the nylon of the WS Heavy Tactile.
One key difference between the two switches lies in their top housing materials. The Lavender's POM top housing creates a distinctive sound when keys are released, contributing to a unique typing experience. Conversely, the WS Heavy Tactile's nylon top housing may offer a deeper and fuller sound profile upon key release. This difference in top housing materials can significantly impact the overall sound and feel of the switches, catering to different preferences among keyboard enthusiasts.
Despite their differences, the Zuoce Lavender and the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile share similarities in their bottom housing materials. Both switches utilize POM for the bottom housing, resulting in a similar deep and muted sound profile during bottom-out keystrokes. This commonality in bottom housing materials may provide a consistent typing experience in terms of sound and feel across the two switches, highlighting the importance of the bottom housing in shaping the overall characteristics of a mechanical switch.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Zuoce Lavender linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile tactile switch, it is evident that the Lavender requires a slightly lighter actuation force of 48 grams compared to the WS Heavy Tactile's 45 grams. However, when it comes to bottoming out, the Lavender also has a lighter force of 53 grams compared to the WS Heavy Tactile's heavier 70 grams. This means that the Lavender switch provides a lighter typing experience overall, making it more suitable for those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing sessions. On the other hand, the WS Heavy Tactile switch offers a more substantial typing experience with its heavier bottom out force, appealing to users who prefer a stronger push feel. In situations where the actuation force is similar, such as in this case, both switches may deliver similar results in terms of responsiveness and key feel.
Travel distance
The Zuoce Lavender linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.2 mm. Both switches fall within the shorter end of the spectrum in terms of travel distance, with the Lavender being slightly longer than the WS Heavy Tactile. Gamers may appreciate the shorter travel distance of both switches for faster response times, but some users may find the shorter distance to feel too abrupt. Those who prefer a more hearty depth may lean towards the switch with the longer travel distance, although the difference between the two is minimal. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference for travel distance and responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Zuoce Lavender has an MSRP of $2.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Lavender for $1.99.
The Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile comes in at $3.50 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, both the Zuoce Lavender linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile tactile switch are described as clacky, producing sharp and snappy sounds when pressed. However, the WS Heavy Tactile offers additional high-pitched and resonant qualities, providing a more immersive auditory experience. The sound of each switch will also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used, so individual preferences may vary.
In terms of feel, the Zuoce Lavender switch is described as easy-to-press, offering gentle resistance during key presses and requiring minimal force to activate. This results in a low-impact and comfortable typing experience that reduces finger fatigue. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile switch is characterized by its accented, bouncy, invigorating, sharp, and snappy qualities, providing a responsive and lively typing sensation that is both tactile and engaging.
Overall, while both switches have some similarities in their sound characteristics being described as clacky, the Zuoce Lavender linear switch is best suited for those who prefer an exceptionally smooth typing experience with a crisp and satisfying sound. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile tactile switch is ideal for individuals seeking a profound tactile experience with a more immersive and engaging sound profile. Depending on your personal preferences for sound and feel, both switches offer unique qualities that can enhance your typing experience.
Conclusion
In closing, when choosing between the Zuoce Lavender linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile tactile switch, consider the unique characteristics of each. If you prioritize smoothness and a crisp, clacky sound signature, the Lavender switch with a lighter bottom out force of 53 grams may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a more immersive tactile experience with a 70g bump, captivating "thocky" sound, and a variety of tactile sensations like bouncy, sharp, and snappy feedback, the WS Heavy Tactile switch could be the perfect fit for you. Ultimately, the decision should be based on your personal preference for typing feel, sound profile, and actuation force.
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