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Gateron Melodic vs. Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear

An in-depth look at the Gateron Melodic and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear switches—which one is the best fit for you?

Overview

When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Melodic clicky switch and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch stand out as popular options with distinct characteristics. The Gateron Melodic offers a classic clicky sound and tactile feedback, thanks to advancements like smooth factory lubing and dual-railed stems. On the other hand, the WS Aurora Clear provides a smooth and high-pitched typing experience with its transparent polycarbonate and UHMWPE housing. Both switches are categorized as 'Buttery', but the Melodic is described as 'Resonant', 'Invigorating', and 'Crunchy', while the WS Aurora Clear is labeled as 'Mild', 'High-pitched', and 'Polished'. Each switch has its unique features that appeal to different preferences, but diving deeper into the specifics can help you make the best choice for your individual needs and typing style.

By the numbers

Technical specifications

Actuation force

N/A

Actuation force

53g

Bottom-out force

60g

Bottom-out force

63.5g

Pre-travel

2.00 mm

Pre-travel

1.90 mm

Total travel

4.00 mm

Total travel

3.80 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

Polycarbonate

Bottom housing material

Nylon

Bottom housing material

UHWMPE

Mount type

PCB (5-pin)

Mount type

PCB (5-pin)

Spring

Stainless steel

Spring

Double-staged stainless steel

Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the Gateron Melodic and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear, both switches feature a polycarbonate top housing that creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, which leads to a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate is useful for RGB lighting effects. However, the Melodic incorporates a nylon bottom housing that produces a deeper and fuller sound, as nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound. In contrast, the WS Aurora Clear uses a UHWMPE bottom housing, which offers a bright sound signature and resonant clacks when typing.

While both switches share the benefits of a polycarbonate top housing for a clear sound profile and RGB lighting compatibility, the differences in their bottom housing materials result in distinct typing experiences. The Melodic's nylon bottom housing provides a deeper sound and a softer feel when typing, as nylon absorbs more sound than harder plastics. On the other hand, the WS Aurora Clear's UHWMPE bottom housing offers a brighter sound signature and resonant clacks, creating a unique typing experience that may appeal to those looking for a more distinct auditory feedback while typing.

Overall, the choice between the Gateron Melodic and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear will come down to personal preference regarding sound profile and typing feel. The Melodic's combination of polycarbonate and nylon housing materials results in a deeper, fuller sound experience, while the WS Aurora Clear's polycarbonate and UHWMPE housing materials offer a brighter sound signature with resonant clacks. Both switches provide unique typing experiences based on the materials used in their housing construction, allowing users to choose the one that best suits their preferences for sound and tactile feedback.

Weight

When comparing the Gateron Melodic clicky switch to the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch, there are some key differences in actuation force and bottom out force. The Melodic switch has an actuation force of None grams, making it very light in terms of initial keystroke activation, while the WS Aurora Clear has an actuation force of 53 grams, providing a slightly heavier initial feel. In terms of bottom out force, the Melodic requires 60 grams to fully press down, while the WS Aurora Clear needs 63.5 grams, making it slightly heavier when fully depressed. Both switches fall within the medium to medium-heavy range, providing a decent balance between comfort and feedback. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for a lighter or heavier typing experience.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Gateron Melodic clicky switch and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch, we can see that the Melodic has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the WS Aurora Clear has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm. Both switches fall within the traditional range of travel distances, with the Melodic being slightly longer than the Aurora Clear. Gamers may prefer the WS Aurora Clear for its slightly shorter travel distance, which can result in faster response times. On the other hand, those who prefer a more tactile and deliberate keystroke may lean towards the Gateron Melodic. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and the type of typing experience one is looking for.

Price comparison

Which switch is more bang for your buck?

The Gateron Melodic has an MSRP of $6.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Melodic for $6.00.

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

When it comes to sound, the Gateron Melodic clicky switch is known for its resonant and crunchy characteristics, providing a clean and sharp auditory experience reminiscent of stepping on crisp autumn leaves. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch offers a high-pitched sound profile, producing a sharp and crisp tone when pressed. Both switches cater to different preferences in sound, with the Melodic offering a more immersive auditory experience, while the WS Aurora Clear focuses on a smoother and high-pitched sound. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal sound preferences and the overall setup of your keyboard.

Moving on to feel, the Gateron Melodic clicky switch is described as buttery and invigorating, providing a smooth and fluid keystroke experience with pronounced feedback and a snappy feel. In contrast, the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch also offers a buttery feel, with a mild and polished sensation that ensures a gentle typing experience. While the Melodic switch excels in providing a more tactile and invigorating feel, the WS Aurora Clear focuses on delivering a polished and smooth typing experience. Again, the decision between the two switches will ultimately depend on the individual's preference for tactile feedback and key feel.

In conclusion, the Gateron Melodic clicky switch and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch offer distinct sound and feel qualities that cater to different preferences in the mechanical keyboard community. While the Melodic switch provides a more resonant and crunchy sound with a buttery and invigorating feel, the WS Aurora Clear switch focuses on a high-pitched sound profile and a buttery, mild, and polished typing experience. Ultimately, choosing between the two will depend on whether you prefer a clicky switch with pronounced feedback or a linear switch with a smoother, high-pitched sound. Both options offer quality features that enhance the typing experience, ensuring satisfying results for newcomers to the world of mechanical keyboard switches.

Conclusion

To sum up, when considering whether to choose the Gateron Melodic clicky switch or the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preference. If you enjoy a resonant and crunchy sound profile with a buttery and invigorating feel, the Melodic switch may be the perfect fit for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a high-pitched sound with a smooth and mild typing experience that is polished, the WS Aurora Clear switch could be more suited to your preferences. Consider the bottom out force, sound, and feel characteristics of each switch before making your decision to ensure that you select the switch that best aligns with your typing style and preferences.

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