Gateron Melodic vs. Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile
An in-depth look at the Gateron Melodic and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Melodic and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile offer distinct features that cater to different preferences. The Melodic clicky switch from Gateron is praised for its smooth factory lubing and dual-railed stems, providing users with a classic clicky sound and tactile feedback that is both smooth and satisfying. On the other hand, the WS Silent Tactile switch from Wuque Studio is designed for quiet environments, offering a medium tactility with superior noise reduction through precision-engineered stem railings. While the Melodic switch is described as 'Buttery', 'Resonant', 'Invigorating', and 'Crunchy', the WS Silent Tactile is categorized as 'Accented', 'Invigorating', 'Neutral', 'Mild', and 'Muted'. Both switches have their own unique advantages, making them suitable for different usage scenarios. 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
N/A
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 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
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
15mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Gateron Melodic and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile, it is evident that both switches utilize nylon for their bottom housing. Consequently, both switches should elicit a similar deep and full sound profile due to the nature of nylon being a softer plastic that absorbs sound effectively. This means that the typing experience on both switches, particularly when it comes to bottom-out sound and feel, should have a similar quality attributed to the shared housing material.
However, where the two switches differ is in their top housing material. The Melodic features a polycarbonate top housing which produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. In contrast, the WS Silent Tactile utilizes a nylon top housing which is known for creating a deeper and fuller sound due to its softer nature. Therefore, while both switches may offer a satisfying typing experience, the sound produced by the Melodic may be perceived as more clear and resonant compared to the WS Silent Tactile, which might have a duller and rounder sound.
Overall, the choice between the Gateron Melodic and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile may come down to personal preference in sound profile. If you prefer a switch with a sharper and crisper sound, the Melodic with its polycarbonate top housing may be the better option. On the other hand, if you prefer a deeper and fuller sound, the WS Silent Tactile with its nylon top housing could be more appealing. Both switches offer unique qualities attributed to their housing materials, providing users with different typing experiences to suit their individual preferences.
Weight
When comparing the Gateron Melodic clicky switch and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile switch, it is clear that they both have a similar actuation force, as it is listed as None grams for both. However, when it comes to the bottom out force, the Melodic requires 60 grams, making it a medium force switch, while the WS Silent Tactile needs 63.5 grams, leaning towards the medium-heavy category. The Melodic switch would be considered the lighter option between the two, making it a suitable choice for those who prefer a lighter typing experience for extended periods of time. On the other hand, the WS Silent Tactile switch offers a heavier bottom out force, providing a more substantial typing feel for those who prefer a stronger push when typing. Both switches have their advantages, with the Melodic being lighter and the WS Silent Tactile offering a heavier typing experience.
Travel distance
Comparing the travel distance of the Gateron Melodic clicky switch and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile tactile switch, it is evident that the Melodic has a longer travel distance of 4 mm compared to the WS Silent Tactile's 3.5 mm distance. The Melodic's 4.0mm distance falls on the more traditional end of travel distances, while the WS Silent Tactile's 3.5 mm distance is slightly shorter. Gamers may prefer the Melodic's longer distance for a more resilient keypress, while those looking for a faster response time may lean towards the WS Silent Tactile's shorter distance. Both switches have their advantages, with the Melodic offering a more traditional feel and the WS Silent Tactile providing a slightly quicker response. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance.
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 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
In terms of sound, the Gateron Melodic clicky switch is known for its resonant and crunchy sound profile, providing users with an immersive auditory experience that is clean and sharp, resembling the sound of stepping on crunchy autumn leaves. On the other hand, the WS Silent Tactile tactile switch offers a neutral and muted sound, ideal for environments where noise reduction is a priority without sacrificing tactile feedback. Both switches provide different auditory experiences, with the Melodic being more vibrant and lively, while the WS Silent Tactile is more unobtrusive and subtle.
When it comes to feel, both the Gateron Melodic and WS Silent Tactile switches offer an invigorating tactile experience with pronounced feedback and moderate to firm actuation force. The Melodic is described as buttery and invigorating, providing a smooth and fluid typing sensation, while the WS Silent Tactile switch is considered to be accented, offering a medium tactile feedback that is neither overwhelming nor subtle. Additionally, the WS Silent Tactile switch also has a mild feel option available, providing a more gentle typing experience for those who prefer a softer touch.
In conclusion, the Gateron Melodic clicky switch and the WS Silent Tactile tactile switch offer distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Melodic provides a resonant and crunchy sound with a buttery and invigorating feel, perfect for users who enjoy a vibrant typing experience. On the other hand, the WS Silent Tactile switch delivers a neutral and muted sound with an accented and mild tactile feel, ideal for those who prefer a quieter typing environment without compromising on tactile feedback. Ultimately, choosing between these switches will depend on personal preference for sound profile and typing sensation, but both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different user needs.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Gateron Melodic clicky switch and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile tactile switch, consider your priorities. If you value a classic clicky sound with smoothness and dual-railed stems, the Melodic would be a great choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a silent yet tactile typing experience for an office environment, the WS Silent Tactile switch with its precision-engineered stem railings and noise reduction capabilities would be more suitable. Both switches offer unique features that cater to different preferences, so ultimately, your decision should be based on what factors are most important to you in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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