HMX Lotus vs. Wuque Studio WS Dash

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the choice can significantly impact your typing experience, and two standout options on the market today are the HMX Lotus, a linear switch, and the Wuque Studio WS Dash, a hall effect switch. The Lotus switch is celebrated for its medium weight of 50g bottom-out, delivering a super bouncy sensation that results in a delightful feedback for every keystroke. This switch is characterized by a bright, resonant sound and an overall clacky feeling, making it an appealing choice for those who enjoy a more tactile response during typist activities. On the other hand, the WS Dash offers a captivating touch with its hall effect technology, featuring a silky smooth keystroke and an equally bright and clacky sound signature. This polished switch creates a refined experience, ideal for users who prioritize smoothness alongside auditory feedback. Ultimately, the decision between the Lotus and WS Dash hinges on personal preference—whether you lean toward a bouncy, resonant feel or a silky, smooth experience. However, let’s dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

HMX Lotus Linear

Wuque Studio WS Dash Hall Effect

$3.49

$2.99 per 10

$8.00

$7.49 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The HMX Lotus and the Wuque Studio WS Dash offer intriguing contrasts in their top housing materials, showcasing the distinct auditory experiences they produce. The Lotus employs a nylon top housing, known for its ability to absorb sound, resulting in a deeper, fuller sound profile. This softer material generates a sound that is both duller and rounder, enhancing the user's experience with a muted yet comfortable auditory feedback. In contrast, the WS Dash utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, characterized by its sharper and more resonant sound profile. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate allows for clearer sound articulation, making it likely that users will perceive a heightened pitch when typing on these switches. This fundamental difference in materials between the two switches creates varied sound qualities that cater to different preferences.

When examining the bottom housing of each switch, both the HMX Lotus and the WS Dash utilize nylon. This commonality in material results in a similar auditory experience, displaying the classic traits associated with nylon. As a softer plastic, the nylon bottom housing contributes to a deep and full bottom-out sound, which is consistent across both switches. This shared feature ensures that while their top housings provide contrasting results in terms of sound quality, the bottom housings bring a level of uniformity, offering users a reassuringly familiar auditory experience when they actuate the keys.

While the differences between the top housing materials lead to distinct sound profiles during the typing experience, the interaction of both housings ultimately influences the overall feel of the switch. The WS Dash’s crisp sound from its polycarbonate top contrasts with the Lotus’s muted tones, primarily influenced by their respective top materials. However, since both switches feature nylon bottom housings, users will find that this aspect diminishes the impact of the top housing differences during the bottom-out stage. Therefore, users can expect a consistent feel and sound quality from the keypresses of both the HMX Lotus and the WS Dash, albeit with varied tonal characteristics during actuation and release.

Weight

The HMX Lotus linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Dash hall effect switch exhibit differing actuation and bottom out forces, catering to distinct typing preferences. The Lotus features a relatively light actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, making it suitable for prolonged typing sessions without excessive strain. In contrast, the WS Dash has a lighter actuation force of 30 grams, which can provide a softer feel, yet it has a heavier bottom out force of 55 grams, resulting in a more noticeable resistance when fully pressed down. This contrast in bottom out forces indicates that while the WS Dash may be easier to activate initially, it requires more effort to fully depress compared to the Lotus. Therefore, users looking for a lighter overall feel might lean towards the WS Dash, while those who prefer a greater tactile feedback during bottoming out could opt for the Lotus. Overall, while both switches offer unique advantages based on their force characteristics, the WS Dash would be considered lighter in terms of actuation, while the Lotus has a more balanced approach for overall comfort.

Travel distance

Both the HMX Lotus linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Dash hall effect switch feature an identical travel distance of 3.5 mm. This means that users can expect a similar feel and responsiveness when pressing down on keys equipped with either switch. With both switches having the same travel distance, users will achieve comparable results in terms of key actuation, making either option suitable for those who prefer a consistent typing experience.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, both the HMX Lotus and Wuque Studio WS Dash switches boast a bright and clacky signature, producing sharp, crisp sounds with each keystroke. This percussive quality enhances the auditory experience while typing or gaming, making it enjoyable for users who appreciate auditory feedback from their mechanical keyboards. Given this similarity, users can expect a satisfying sound profile from either switch, although the final acoustics will ultimately depend on the keyboard's construction and keycap materials.

In terms of feel, the HMX Lotus switch offers a unique combination of bouncy, feathery, and silky characteristics. The 50g bottom-out weight provides a lively response, making each keypress feel elastic and responsive while minimizing finger fatigue for extended sessions. On the other hand, the WS Dash switch is recognized for its polished and silky feel, featuring a smooth and refined experience. While both switches share the silky quality that enhances the smoothness of typing, the Lotus offers a more pronounced bounciness, whereas the WS Dash emphasizes a sleek typing experience. Depending on personal preference, one might favor the energetic rebound of the Lotus or the refined smoothness of the Dash.

In conclusion, both the HMX Lotus and Wuque Studio WS Dash switches present compelling options for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. While they share similarities in sound with a bright, clacky tone, their feel diverges with the Lotus focusing on a lively bouncy sensation and the Dash offering a smooth, polished typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on your personal preferences regarding tactile feedback and the auditory experience you seek in your keyboard.

Conclusion

To sum up, your choice between the HMX Lotus linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Dash hall effect switch ultimately comes down to your specific preferences and use cases. If you prioritize a lighter actuation force and enjoy the bounce and feathery feedback that delivers a more dynamic typing experience, the Lotus will likely be your best fit. It's perfect for long typing sessions or gaming marathons, where comfort and reduced finger fatigue are crucial. Alternatively, if you seek a polished and refined typing experience with slightly more resistance, the WS Dash is an excellent option, offering a smooth yet vibrant keystroke that can elevate your gaming or typing experience. Both switches share a similarly clacky sound signature, but the Dash’s Hall Effect technology adds a unique aspect to its performance, setting it apart in durability and feel. In the end, consider how each switch's characteristics align with your typing style and preferences to make the best decision for your mechanical keyboard.

Mentioned in this article

HMX Lotus Linear

$3.49

$2.99 per 10

Learn more

Wuque Studio WS Dash Hall Effect

$8.00

$7.49 per 10

Learn more