Gateron Luciola vs. Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear

Overview

The world of mechanical keyboard switches is a vast and diverse one, filled with options to suit every typing preference. Two switches that stand out among the rest are the Gateron Luciola and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear. While both switches fall under the linear category, they offer unique characteristics that cater to different needs. The Gateron Luciola switches are famous for their mesmerizing glow-in-the-dark feature, catching your eye even in the darkest of rooms. With a medium heft, these switches provide a smooth and bouncy typing experience, accompanied by a distinctive "can of spray paint being shaken" sound profile. On the other hand, the WS Aurora Clear switches from Wuque Studio boast a transparent polycarbonate top housing and a UHMWPE bottom housing, allowing for maximum RGB lighting customization. With a lightly lubed POM stem, this switch ensures minimal friction and a satisfyingly smooth keystroke. Both switches offer their own set of advantages, making it a tough decision for any keyboard enthusiast. However, let's dive a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits you.

By the numbers

Gateron Luciola Linear

Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear Linear

$7.50

$6.50 per 10

$8.00 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The housing materials of the Gateron Luciola and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear differ in terms of the sound profile they produce. The Luciola's proprietary INK blend top housing creates a pointed and high-pitched sound that is described as clacky. In contrast, the WS Aurora Clear's polycarbonate top housing generates a sharper, crisper, and higher-pitched sound due to the stiffness of the material. While both materials result in a higher-pitched sound profile, the INK blend top housing of the Luciola is characterized as not overly sharp, offering a more balanced auditory experience. On the other hand, the polycarbonate top housing of the WS Aurora Clear emphasizes clarity and resonance, making it ideal for use with RGB lighting.

In terms of the bottom housing, the Gateron Luciola utilizes its proprietary INK blend, which also contributes to the pointed and high-pitched sound profile. Similarly, the WS Aurora Clear employs a UHWMPE bottom housing, a newer material known for its bright sound signature. Both bottom housings contribute to the resonant clacks experienced when typing on switches. However, as the bottom housing has a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, users will notice differences in the tactile experience of pressing down on the switches.

Overall, the housing materials of the Gateron Luciola and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear provide distinct sound profiles and tactile experiences. The Luciola's INK blend housing offers a satisfying, thin, and higher-pitched sound that is not overly sharp, while the polycarbonate housing of the WS Aurora Clear produces a sharper, crisper, and higher-pitched sound with enhanced clarity. However, if users are seeking a bright sound signature with resonant clacks, both switches deliver similar results through their respective bottom housings. Whether it is the top or bottom housing, each switch's housing material contributes to different aspects of the sound and tactile feedback, offering users a varied typing experience.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Luciola linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch, there are a few notable differences. The Gateron Luciola has a slightly heavier actuation force of 55 grams, while the WS Aurora Clear requires a slightly lighter force of 53 grams to trigger a keystroke. Both switches have a medium level of actuation force.

Moving on to the bottom out force, the Gateron Luciola has a bottom out force of 60 grams, whereas the WS Aurora Clear requires a slightly heavier force of 63.5 grams. This categorizes the Gateron Luciola as having a medium bottom out force, while the WS Aurora Clear falls into the medium-heavy range.

Considering the weight of the switches, it's important to note that those seeking a lighter typing experience might prefer the WS Aurora Clear with its lower actuation and bottom out forces. This lighter weight can be advantageous for longer typing or gaming sessions, as it reduces fatigue. However, for users who prefer a stronger push feel and a more substantial typing experience, the Gateron Luciola's slightly heavier actuation and bottom out forces may be more suitable.

Overall, the Gateron Luciola is the heavier switch in terms of actuation and bottom out forces compared to the WS Aurora Clear. However, both switches fall within the same general range, ensuring that users can achieve similar results regardless of their preference for a lighter or heavier typing experience.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Gateron Luciola linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch, it is clear that the Luciola has a shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Aurora Clear has a longer travel distance of 3.8 mm. Both of these distances fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which have become popular in recent times. Gamers, in particular, tend to prefer shorter travel distances as they offer faster response times. If responsiveness is a priority for you, then the Luciola switch would be the better option. However, it is worth noting that some individuals may find shorter travel distances to be too sudden or abrupt. In such cases, the Aurora Clear switch with its slightly longer travel distance may be preferred as it provides a more satisfying depth to the keystrokes. Overall, the choice between these two switches depends on personal preference for either a shorter, snappier feel or a longer, more deliberate keystroke.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Gateron Luciola linear switch has a unique "can of spray paint being shaken" sound profile. This means that when pressed, the Luciola switch produces a hollow and percussive sound, similar to the sound of shaking a can of spray paint. Additionally, the Luciola switch has been described as clacky, chirpy, marbly, and high-pitched. These descriptors indicate that the switch produces sharp, crisp, and bright sounds, with some switches having a slight squeak or resonant quality to them. On the other hand, the WS Aurora Clear linear switch is primarily described as high-pitched in terms of sound. This means that it produces a sharp and crisp sound when pressed, without the additional descriptors that the Luciola switch has. However, it is important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by factors such as the choice of keyboard board and keycaps. In summary, both the Luciola and WS Aurora Clear switches offer a high-pitched sound profile, but the Luciola switch provides a more diverse range of sound descriptors.

When it comes to the feel of the switches, the Gateron Luciola linear switch has been described as snappy, buttery, and polished. A snappy switch is highly responsive, providing a more lively typing experience, often due to longer or dual-staged springs. The buttery descriptor indicates that the switch offers a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, resulting in a seamless and effortless typing sensation. Additionally, the polished feature suggests that the Luciola switch has a refined finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the WS Aurora Clear linear switch is described as buttery, mild, and polished. This means that it also offers a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, with a seamless and uniform typing sensation. The mild descriptor suggests that the switch provides a gentler typing experience compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. Overall, both switches offer a buttery and polished feel, providing smooth and refined typing experiences, while the Luciola switch offers an additional snappy characteristic.

In conclusion, the Gateron Luciola linear switch and the WS Aurora Clear linear switch share some similarities in sound and feel. Both switches have a high-pitched sound profile, producing sharp and crisp sounds when pressed. Additionally, both switches offer a buttery and polished feel, providing smooth and refined keystrokes. However, the Luciola switch offers a more diverse range of sound descriptors, including clacky, chirpy, and marbly. Moreover, the Luciola switch also has a snappy characteristic in terms of feel, making it highly responsive and lively. Overall, newcomers can expect a smooth and high-pitched typing experience from both switches, with the Luciola switch offering additional unique sound and feel characteristics.

Conclusion

To conclude, if you are looking for a medium-heft switch that provides a smooth and bouncy typing feel, the Gateron Luciola linear switch is a great choice. It is also visually appealing as it glows in the dark. This switch has a clacky, chirpy, marbly, and high-pitched sound profile. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth, high-pitched typing experience with maximum RGB lighting customization, the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch is the way to go. It has a bottom out force that is slightly heavier than the Luciola and features a transparent polycarbonate top housing and UHMWPE bottom housing. Its sound profile is high-pitched, aligning with those who prefer sharp and crisp sound when typing. In terms of feel, both switches offer a buttery and polished typing experience, but the WS Aurora Clear is also described as mild, providing a gentle typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the Luciola and WS Aurora Clear comes down to your preference in sound and visual customization. Overall, both switches offer their own unique features and characteristics to enhance your typing experience.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron Luciola Linear

$7.50

$6.50 per 10

Learn more

Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear Linear

$8.00 per 10

Learn more