Dareu Mahjong vs. Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear
An in-depth look at the Dareu Mahjong and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Dareu Mahjong and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear both offer unique characteristics worth exploring. The Dareu Mahjong boasts distinctive green and white switches that provide a lively, poppy sound signature and an effortless typing experience. Categorized as 'Bouncy', 'Mild', 'Neutral', and 'Polished', the Mahjong switches are perfect for those seeking a comfortable and polished feel while typing. On the other hand, the WS Aurora Clear linear switches from Wuque Studio stand out for their smooth, high-pitched typing experience. Featuring a transparent polycarbonate top housing and UHMWPE bottom housing, these switches allow for maximum RGB lighting customization. Categorized as 'Buttery', 'Mild', 'High-pitched', and 'Polished', the WS Aurora Clear switches are ideal for users who prefer a silky smooth keystroke. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
53g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
POK
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
UHWMPE
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Spring
Double-staged stainless steel
Housing materials
The Dareu Mahjong and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear each have unique housing materials that contribute to their overall performance. The Mahjong's POK top housing is known for its smoothness and durability, while the WS Aurora Clear's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper and crisper sound profile. Both materials have their own advantages when it comes to switch performance, with POK contributing to a clacky feel and polycarbonate enhancing sound clarity.
In terms of bottom housing materials, the Mahjong utilizes nylon which produces a deeper and fuller sound profile, while the WS Aurora Clear features UHWMPE for a bright and resonant sound signature. Nylon's softer composition absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller sound compared to the brighter sound produced by UHWMPE. These differences in bottom housing materials impact the overall sound and feel of the switches, showcasing the importance of housing material selection in switch design.
While the Dareu Mahjong and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear have unique housing materials, the qualities each material brings to the switches are split between the top and bottom housings. The bottom housing material has a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing material influences the sound when releasing a key. Understanding the qualities of different housing materials can help keyboard enthusiasts choose switches that best suit their preferences for sound and feel.
Weight
When comparing the Dareu Mahjong linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch, it is evident that they differ in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Mahjong has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the WS Aurora Clear's 53 grams, making it easier to trigger keystrokes. However, the bottom out force for the Mahjong is unknown, while the WS Aurora Clear has a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, indicating a heavier typing experience when fully pressed down. Those who prefer a lighter touch may lean towards the Mahjong, as it allows for longer typing sessions with less fatigue. In contrast, individuals looking for a more robust and substantial typing feel may opt for the WS Aurora Clear due to its heavier bottom out force. Overall, the choice between these two switches ultimately depends on personal preference and typing style.
Travel distance
The Dareu Mahjong linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.8 mm. Both of these switches fall in the middle range of traditional travel distances, with the Mahjong being slightly shorter than the Aurora Clear. Gamers who prioritize faster response times may prefer the Mahjong with its shorter travel distance, while those who enjoy a more substantial key press may opt for the Aurora Clear with its longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preference and typing style.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Dareu Mahjong has an MSRP of $8.89 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Mahjong for $5.79.
The Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear comes in at $8.00 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
In terms of sound, the Dareu Mahjong linear switch offers a neutral sound profile, suitable for various typing environments and experience levels. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch provides a high-pitched, sharp sound when pressed, which is preferred by those who enjoy a more crisp sound profile. Both switches offer unique auditory experiences that can be further enhanced by the keyboard and keycaps used.
When it comes to the feel of the switches, the Dareu Mahjong linear switch is praised for its bouncy and lively sensation, providing users with a spring-like feedback upon keypress. It also offers a mild and polished typing experience, ensuring smooth and refined keystrokes. Similarly, the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch offers a buttery and mild typing experience, giving users a smooth and fluid keystroke sensation. Like the Mahjong, the WS Aurora Clear switch is also described as polished, providing reduced friction and effortless key travel.
Overall, both the Dareu Mahjong and Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switches offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Mahjong provides a neutral sound with a bouncy and mild feel, the WS Aurora Clear switch delivers a high-pitched sound with a buttery and polished typing experience. In either case, users can expect a satisfying typing experience with minimal friction and smooth key travel thanks to the attention to detail in the switch design and materials used in both options. Ultimately, choosing between the two would depend on personal preference for sound and typing feel, as both switches offer quality performance in their respective categories.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Dareu Mahjong linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch, consider your preference for bottom out force, sound profile, and typing feel. If you prefer a switch with no specific bottom out force and a lively, poppy sound signature, the Mahjong may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force and a smooth, high-pitched typing experience with maximum RGB lighting customization, the WS Aurora Clear could be more suitable. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences and typing style.
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