Gateron Luciola vs. Jwick Semi-Silent Linear
An in-depth look at the Gateron Luciola and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Luciola and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear are two popular options that offer distinct features and typing experiences. The Gateron Luciola stands out with its eye-catching glow-in-the-dark design, providing a unique visual appeal. This switch offers a medium heft, delivering a smooth and bouncy typing feel. Additionally, it produces a distinctive "can of spray paint being shaken" sound profile, which adds to the overall experience. On the other hand, the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear is known for its innovation. Despite being a linear switch, it manages to maintain a whisper-quiet topping-out sound while still providing a clacky bottom-out sound. The type feel of this switch is silky smooth, striking a balance between comfort and precision. Both switches offer their own advantages and appeal, however, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities to help you make the best decision based on your preferences and needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
55g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm double-staged long spring; black-plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Gateron Luciola and Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switches offer distinct differences in their housing materials. The Luciola features a proprietary INK blend top and bottom housing, while the Semi-Silent Linear utilizes a polycarbonate top housing and a nylon bottom housing. These variations result in contrasting sound profiles and tactile experiences.
In terms of sound, the Luciola's INK blend top and bottom housing create a thinner and higher-pitched clacky sound. This sound profile is characterized by a pointed yet not overly sharp tone. On the other hand, the Semi-Silent Linear's polycarbonate top housing contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. The stiffness of polycarbonate amplifies the clarity and resonance of the sound produced. While both switches offer a higher-pitched sound, the Luciola's INK blend provides a more rounded and satisfying clack, whereas the polycarbonate in the Semi-Silent Linear emphasizes a sharper and crisper tone.
Moving onto the tactile experience, the Luciola's INK blend bottom housing complements its thin and higher-pitched sound profile. The bottom housing influences the bottom-out sound and feel when a key is pressed. In contrast, the Semi-Silent Linear incorporates a nylon bottom housing. Due to the softer nature of nylon, typing on switches with this material elicits a deeper and fuller sound. The nylon absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound profile. Therefore, the Semi-Silent Linear offers a more subdued and cushioned feel when bottoming out a key.
While there are distinctions between the housing materials of the Luciola and Semi-Silent Linear switches, they both contribute to their respective sound profiles. The similarities lie in their higher-pitched tones, although the Luciola's INK blend offers a more clacky and rounded sound, while the Semi-Silent Linear's polycarbonate accentuates a sharper and crisper tone. Additionally, both switches provide a tactile experience, with the bottom housing influencing the bottom-out sound and feel. Overall, these switches offer unique sound and tactile characteristics based on their housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Luciola linear switch and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear linear switch, we find some similarities and differences. The Luciola has an actuation force of 55 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams, which falls under the medium category. On the other hand, the actuation force of the Semi-Silent Linear is not specified. However, it has a bottom out force of 62 grams, also classified as medium.
In terms of weight, both switches provide a similar experience as they have comparable bottom out forces. However, the Luciola might be slightly lighter considering its lower actuation force. This lighter weight can be beneficial for individuals who prefer extended typing sessions or long gaming sessions, offering greater comfort and reduced fatigue. The Semi-Silent Linear, on the other hand, might provide a slightly stronger push feel due to its higher bottom out force, which can enhance the typing experience for those who prefer a more substantial feel.
In conclusion, while the actuation force of the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear is unknown, both switches have medium bottom out forces. The Luciola switch offers a lighter actuation force, making it suitable for prolonged typing or gaming sessions, while the Semi-Silent Linear may provide a stronger push feel for those seeking a more substantial typing experience.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Gateron Luciola linear switch is 3.6 mm, while the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear linear switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.7 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which have become more popular in recent times, particularly among gamers who prioritize faster response times. If you prefer a more responsive feel, the Gateron Luciola switch with its shorter travel distance may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a deeper and more substantial feel when pressing down on a key, the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switch with its slightly longer travel distance might be more suitable. It is important to note that both switches offer similar results in terms of travel distance, making them viable options for users seeking a shorter travel distance experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Luciola has an MSRP of $7.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Luciola for $6.50.
The Jwick Semi-Silent Linear has an MSRP of $6.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Semi-Silent Linear for $5.27.
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
The Gateron Luciola linear switch is known for its medium heft, smooth and bouncy typing feel, and a hollow "can of spray paint being shaken" sound profile. It has a clacky sound when pressed, which produces a sharp and snappy sound that can be described as crisp, bright, and percussive. Additionally, it has a chirpy and marbly acoustic signature, setting it apart from other switches. In terms of feel, the Luciola switch is described as snappy, buttery, and polished, offering a super responsive typing experience with a smooth and refined finish.
On the other hand, the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear linear switch is considered one of the most innovative releases in a long time. It has a whisper-quiet topping-out sound while maintaining a clacky bottom-out sound. This means that it produces a subdued and dampened sound when pressed, offering a more subtle sound signature compared to most switches. Its type feel is silky smooth but not over-polished. The Semi-Silent Linear switch also shares some similarities with the Luciola switch in terms of feel, being described as mild, snappy, buttery, and polished. It offers a gentle typing experience with a smooth and fluid keystroke sensation.
Overall, both the Gateron Luciola linear switch and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear linear switch have their unique subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Luciola switch has a more clacky sound profile, while the Semi-Silent Linear switch produces a more subdued sound. In terms of feel, both switches offer a snappy, buttery, and polished typing experience, although the Semi-Silent Linear switch is described as mild, providing a gentler typing sensation. Depending on personal preference for sound and feel, either switch can provide a satisfying keyboard experience. With the available information, it is clear that the Luciola and Semi-Silent Linear switches offer distinct characteristics, allowing users to choose based on their desired typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you prioritize a unique and eye-catching aesthetic along with a bouncy typing feel and a distinctive sound profile, the Gateron Luciola linear switch would be an excellent choice for you. With its medium bottom out force of 60 grams, it offers a smooth and medium-weight typing experience. The Luciola switches are known for their glow-in-the-dark feature, making them visually appealing. The sound profile of Luciola switches can be described as clacky, chirpy, marbly, or high-pitched, providing a sharp and percussive sound when pressed.
On the other hand, if you prefer a more subdued and whisper-quiet typing experience with a smooth and silky feel, the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear linear switch is the ideal choice. It features a slightly higher bottom out force of 62 grams, still within the medium range. The Semi-Silent Linear switches offer a semi-silent topping-out sound while maintaining a clacky bottom-out sound, creating a unique acoustic signature. The typing experience with these switches is described as snappy, buttery, mild, or polished, providing a gentle and responsive feel.
Ultimately, your decision between the Gateron Luciola and Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switches depends on your personal preferences and priorities. Whether you prioritize an eye-catching aesthetic with a bouncy typing feel and distinctive sound or a subdued and whisper-quiet typing experience with a smooth and silky feel, both switches offer their own unique advantages. Consider your typing style, preferred sound profile, and desired level of noise when making your choice.
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