Outemu Lime (V3) vs. Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear

Overview

The Outemu Lime and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear are two mechanical keyboard switches that offer distinct experiences for users. The Lime switch is renowned for its lightweight design, approachable tactility, and silencing capability, making it an ideal choice for tactile enthusiasts who desire a feathery light typing experience with a touch of tactility. On the other hand, the WS Aurora Clear switch is known for its smooth and high-pitched typing experience. With a transparent polycarbonate top housing and UHMWPE bottom housing, these switches allow for maximum RGB lighting customization. The POM stem's light lubrication ensures minimal friction and a satisfyingly smooth keystroke. However, let's delve deeper into the specifics of each switch to help you make the best decision based on your preferences.

By the numbers

Outemu Lime (V3) Tactile

Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear Linear

$3.40 per 10

$8.00 per 10

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Housing materials

The Outemu Lime and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear have contrasting materials for their top housing. The Lime's nylon top housing creates a deeper and fuller sound profile, thanks to its relatively softer plastic that absorbs more sound. On the other hand, the WS Aurora Clear's polycarbonate top housing produces a sharper and crisper sound profile due to its stiffer plastic composition. The polycarbonate's clear nature also makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting. While they differ in sound characteristics, both materials offer their unique qualities to enhance the overall typing experience.

Both the Lime and the WS Aurora Clear feature different materials for their bottom housing. The Lime's nylon bottom housing contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, once again due to its softer plastic that absorbs more sound. In contrast, the WS Aurora Clear utilizes UHWMPE as its bottom housing material, resulting in a very bright sound signature and resonant clacks when typing. These materials affect the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch, providing distinct experiences for users depending on their preferences.

It is worth noting that the top and bottom housings of a switch have specific roles in determining the overall sound and feel. The Lime and the WS Aurora Clear showcase this distinction, as the qualities of the housing materials are split between the top and bottom of the switch. Pressing down on the switch allows users to feel the impact of the bottom housing, while the release of a key emphasizes the sound influenced by the top housing. Despite the differences in housing materials, both switches contribute to the overall typing experience by offering their unique characteristics in sound and feel.

Weight

When comparing the Outemu Lime tactile switch and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch, there are significant differences in their actuation force and bottom out force. The Lime switch has a relatively light actuation force of 35 grams, which means it requires a gentle push to trigger a keystroke. In contrast, the WS Aurora Clear switch has a heavier actuation force of 53 grams, providing a slightly stronger push feel.

Moving on to the bottom out force, the Lime switch registers at 45 grams. This means that once pressed all the way down, there is a slightly heavier resistance compared to its actuation force. On the other hand, the WS Aurora Clear switch has a slightly higher bottom out force of 63.5 grams, offering a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel.

Considering the weight aspect, the Lime switch is relatively lighter overall, making it a suitable choice for extended typing sessions and long gaming sessions. Its lighter actuation and bottom out force allow for effortless key presses, reducing strain on the fingers. On the contrary, the WS Aurora Clear switch is slightly heavier, making it more suitable for individuals who prefer a stronger and more tactile typing experience.

In summary, the Outemu Lime tactile switch has a lighter actuation force and bottom out force compared to the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch. The Lime switch's lighter force makes it ideal for prolonged usage, while the WS Aurora Clear switch's slightly heavier force offers a more robust and tactile feel. However, both switches provide satisfying results for their respective force levels.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distance of the Outemu Lime tactile switch and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch, we can see that the Lime has a shorter travel distance of 3.3 mm, while the WS Aurora Clear has a longer travel distance of 3.8 mm. Generally, a traditional travel distance falls around 4.0mm, while a shallower distance is around 3.0mm. In recent times, shorter travel distances have become popular, particularly among gamers who value quick response times. In this case, the Outemu Lime switch with its shorter travel distance would be suitable. However, some individuals may find shorter distances too abrupt and prefer a more robust feel. In such cases, the WS Aurora Clear switch with its longer travel distance would be a better choice. Ultimately, the decision depends on personal preference and the desired level of responsiveness or depth. Nonetheless, it is worth mentioning that both switches offer a slightly different experience, ensuring that users will achieve their desired results regardless of the distance.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Outemu Lime tactile switch is known for its neutral sound profile and muted characteristics. It produces a moderate and softer sound compared to regular mechanical switches, making it suitable for various purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced user, or if you plan to use it at home or work. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch has a high-pitched sound profile. When pressed, it produces a sharp and crisp sound. So, if you prefer a more rich and bassy sound, the WS Aurora Clear switch would be a better choice.

In terms of feel, the Outemu Lime tactile switch offers a mild and feathery typing experience. It provides a gentle resistance and a light actuation force, resulting in a comfortable and fatigue-free typing session. This switch falls in a safe, middle-ground zone, making it approachable to most users. Additionally, it is described as subtle and polished, meaning it has a refined finish and offers smooth key travel. Similarly, the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch is also described as mild and polished. It provides a buttery and uniform typing sensation, with a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. Like the Lime switch, it also offers reduced friction and a sleek typing experience.

Based on the available information, the Outemu Lime tactile switch and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch have distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Lime switch offers a lightweight and approachable tactility, with a neutral and muted sound profile. It provides a feathery typing experience with subtle resistance and polished finish. On the other hand, the WS Aurora Clear switch offers a smooth and high-pitched typing experience. It has a transparent polycarbonate top housing, UHMWPE bottom housing, and a lightly lubed POM stem. It allows for maximum RGB lighting customization and offers a buttery and uniform typing sensation.

If you prefer a softer and quieter typing experience, the Lime switch would be the best choice, while if you prefer a sharper and crisper sound, the WS Aurora Clear switch would be more suitable. Both switches offer a polished finish, reduced friction, and smooth key travel. Overall, while they have different qualities, they both provide a unique and satisfying typing experience depending on personal preferences.

Conclusion

In closing, when considering the choice between the Outemu Lime tactile switch and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch, it ultimately comes down to personal preference and typing needs. If you are someone who prefers a lightweight typing experience with just a touch of tactility and wants a switch that is silenced, then the Lime switch is the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you desire a smooth and high-pitched typing experience with maximum RGB lighting customization, then the WS Aurora Clear switch is the better option. When it comes to sound, the Lime offers a neutral and muted profile, making it suitable for most intents and purposes, while the WS Aurora Clear produces a sharp and crisp high-pitched sound. In terms of feel, the Lime switch offers a mild, feathery, subtle, and polished typing experience, while the WS Aurora Clear switch provides a buttery, mild, and polished sensation. Consider your preferences for actuation force, sound, and feel to ultimately determine which switch aligns best with your typing needs and preferences.

Mentioned in this article

Outemu Lime (V3) Tactile

$3.40 per 10

Learn more

Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear Linear

$8.00 per 10

Learn more