KTT Mannan Pipefish vs. Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile
An in-depth look at the KTT Mannan Pipefish and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options that offer distinct typing experiences are the KTT Mannan Pipefish and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile. The Mannan Pipefish is perfect for casual typists seeking a strain-free and enjoyable keyboarding journey. With its smooth linear action, lengthened spring, and light 45g actuation and bottom-out force, typing on this switch is comfortable and precise. On the other hand, the WS Silent Tactile switches strike a delicate balance between tactility and noise reduction, making them an ideal choice for office and work environments. These switches feature ingenious stem railings with small cutouts, delivering a satisfyingly crisp bottom-out and responsive return. Unlike most silent switches, the WS Silent Tactile switches forgo the use of silicone dampeners, resulting in a typing experience devoid of the usual padded feel. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities, so you can best decide on the perfect switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
37g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm spring
Spring
15mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
The KTT Mannan Pipefish and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile differ in their choice of housing materials, which greatly affects the sound profile of the switches. The Mannan Pipefish utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, while the WS Silent Tactile opts for a nylon top housing. Polycarbonate, being a stiffer plastic, creates a sharper and higher-pitched sound profile. In contrast, nylon, being a softer plastic, elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. Therefore, the Mannan Pipefish will produce a crisper sound when the keys are released, while the WS Silent Tactile will have a rounder and more subdued sound in the same scenario.
When it comes to the bottom housing materials, both the Mannan Pipefish and the WS Silent Tactile utilize nylon. This classic switch housing material offers similar characteristics for both switches, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon's ability to absorb sound better than harder plastics contributes to the duller and rounder sound produced by these switches when pressed down. Therefore, users can expect a similar typing experience in terms of the sound and feel when pushing the keys on both the Mannan Pipefish and the WS Silent Tactile.
The difference in housing materials between the top and bottom of a switch means that the qualities associated with each material are divided. When pressing down on the switch, the impact on the bottom-out sound and feel is mainly influenced by the bottom housing. As both switches utilize nylon for the bottom housing, users will experience a similar depth and fullness in the sound when typing. However, when releasing a key, the top housing's material becomes more prominent in shaping the sound. The polycarbonate top housing of the Mannan Pipefish will contribute to a sharper and crisper sound upon key release, while the nylon top housing of the WS Silent Tactile will result in a rounder and less pronounced sound in the same situation.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Mannan Pipefish linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile tactile switch, it is clear that they offer different experiences for typists. The Mannan Pipefish has a relatively light actuation force of 37 grams, meaning that it requires a gentle touch to trigger a keystroke. In contrast, the WS Silent Tactile's actuation force is not specified, making it difficult to directly compare. However, the bottom out force of the Mannan Pipefish is 45 grams, indicating that it provides a slightly heavier typing experience when fully pressed down. In contrast, the WS Silent Tactile boasts a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, which falls into the medium-heavy category.
Considering weight is important when choosing a switch, as it can impact the typing experience. Some may prefer a lighter switch, like the Mannan Pipefish, as it allows for longer typing periods without fatigue. This makes it an ideal choice for work or extended gaming sessions. On the other hand, others may desire a more substantial typing feel and opt for a switch with a heavier actuation force. In this case, the WS Silent Tactile's medium-heavy bottom out force would provide the desired feedback.
While the specific actuation force for the WS Silent Tactile switch is unavailable, it is safe to say that the Mannan Pipefish offers a lighter typing experience, while the WS Silent Tactile leans towards medium-heavy. Depending on personal preferences, typists can choose between these switches to achieve their desired typing feel.
Travel distance
The KTT Mannan Pipefish linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. In terms of travel distance, the Mannan Pipefish has a slightly longer distance compared to the WS Silent Tactile. The Mannan Pipefish's 4 mm travel distance is more traditional, providing users with a deeper key press experience. On the other hand, the WS Silent Tactile's shorter 3.5 mm travel distance offers a more responsive and quicker key press, which is preferred by gamers looking for faster response times. Depending on personal preference and desired typing experience, one can choose between the longer travel distance of the Mannan Pipefish for a deeper feel, or the shorter travel distance of the WS Silent Tactile for a more responsive touch.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The KTT Mannan Pipefish has an MSRP of $3.53 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Mannan Pipefish for $3.05.
The Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile comes in at $4.20 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
When it comes to sound, both the Mannan Pipefish and the WS Silent Tactile switches fall under the neutral category. This means that their sound profiles are moderate, making them suitable for various use cases, whether you are a beginner or advanced user, and whether you plan to use them at home or in a work environment. However, it is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen.
In terms of feel, the Mannan Pipefish offers an easy-to-press experience. These switches have a light actuation force requirement, making typing effortless and comfortable. They provide a low-impact feel that reduces finger fatigue, making them perfect for extended typing sessions. Additionally, the Mannan Pipefish switches are described as polished, which means they have a smooth and refined finish, resulting in sleek and friction-free key travel.
On the other hand, the WS Silent Tactile switches offer a different typing experience. They are described as accented, meaning they provide a medium level of tactility that is neither overwhelming nor subtle. This provides a pronounced amount of feedback without being too intense. They also offer an invigorating feel with moderate to firm actuation force, creating a snappy and reactive typing sensation. Additionally, the WS Silent Tactile switches are classified as mild, which means they offer a gentle typing experience that is approachable to most users.
In conclusion, the Mannan Pipefish and WS Silent Tactile switches have their own unique qualities. The Mannan Pipefish switches provide a smooth and comfortable typing experience with a polished and easy-to-press feel. On the other hand, the WS Silent Tactile switches strike a balance between tactility and noise reduction, offering a satisfyingly crisp bottom-out and responsive return. While they have their differences, both switches fall within the neutral category for sound and offer enjoyable typing experiences. Depending on personal preferences and specific use cases, both switches have the potential to deliver similar results in terms of sound and feel.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are a casual typist seeking a strain-free and enjoyable typing experience, the Mannan Pipefish linear switch would be a great choice for you. With its light actuation and bottom-out force of 45 grams, this switch offers effortless key presses and reduces finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. Additionally, the Mannan Pipefish switch is described as both neutral in sound and polished in feel, providing a smooth and refined typing experience. On the other hand, if you are looking for a switch that strikes a balance between tactility and noise reduction, the WS Silent Tactile tactile switch by Wuque Studio would be a great fit. With a medium-heavy bottom-out force of 63.5 grams, this switch offers a satisfyingly crisp bottom-out and responsive return. It is also described as neutral in sound, minimizing the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards. In terms of feel, the WS Silent Tactile switch is described as accented, providing a medium amount of tactility that is neither overwhelming nor subtle. Ultimately, the choice between the Mannan Pipefish linear switch and the WS Silent Tactile tactile switch depends on your preference for a strain-free typing experience or a balanced combination of tactility and noise reduction.
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