Gateron Melodic vs. Wuque Studio WS Yellow
An in-depth look at the Gateron Melodic and the Wuque Studio WS Yellow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When looking at mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options stand out: the Gateron Melodic, a clicky switch, and the Wuque Studio WS Yellow, a linear switch. The Gateron Melodic is known for reinvigorating the clicky switch category with its smooth factory lubing and dual-railed stems, providing users with a classic clicky sound and tactile feedback while maintaining smoothness. On the other hand, the WS Yellow linear switches by Wuque Studio boast a delightful typing experience with a 22mm double-stage spring, offering a satisfying bounce and familiar sound signature. While the Melodic switch is described as 'Buttery', 'Resonant', 'Invigorating', and 'Crunchy', the WS Yellow is categorized as 'Creamy', 'Mild', and 'Polished'. Both switches have their unique strengths and appeal, but diving deeper into their specific characteristics will help you determine the best choice for your typing preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
22mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Gateron Melodic and the Wuque Studio WS Yellow, one noticeable difference is that the Melodic features a polycarbonate top housing while the WS Yellow has a nylon top housing. The use of polycarbonate in the Melodic creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, ideal for those looking for a more transparent and resonant sound. On the other hand, the nylon top housing of the WS Yellow produces a deeper and fuller sound, thanks to its softer nature that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Despite the differences in material, both switches offer unique sound profiles that cater to different preferences.
Another point of comparison between the two switches is their nylon bottom housing. Both the Melodic and the WS Yellow feature a nylon bottom housing, known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile. The relatively softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound than harder plastics, contributing to a duller and rounder sound. This similarity in the bottom housing material ensures that users will experience a consistent sound profile when bottoming out keys, regardless of which switch they choose.
It's important to note that the qualities of the housing materials in a switch are divided between the top and bottom housings. The bottom housing has more of an impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing influences the sound when releasing a key. Despite this distinction, the Gateron Melodic and the Wuque Studio WS Yellow offer comparable sound profiles due to their similar use of nylon in the bottom housing. Both switches cater to different sound preferences, with the Melodic providing a more transparent and resonant sound from its polycarbonate top housing, while the WS Yellow offers a deeper and fuller sound profile from its nylon top housing.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Melodic clicky switch and the Wuque Studio WS Yellow linear switch, we see some key differences. The actuation force of both switches is not specified, but the bottom out force of the Melodic is 60 grams, whereas the WS Yellow is slightly lighter at 53 grams. This makes the WS Yellow the lighter of the two switches in terms of bottom out force. The Melodic offers a more substantial typing experience with its heavier bottom out force, while the WS Yellow provides a lighter touch that may be preferred for longer typing or gaming sessions. Both switches offer a medium actuation force, which means they will provide similar results in terms of triggering a keystroke. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for a lighter or heavier typing experience.
Travel distance
The Gateron Melodic clicky switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Wuque Studio WS Yellow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm. This means that the WS Yellow switch has a slightly shorter travel distance compared to the Melodic switch. Both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with the WS Yellow being on the shallower end. Gamers looking for faster response times may prefer the WS Yellow switch due to its shorter travel distance, while those who prefer a more substantial keypress may opt for the Melodic switch. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for travel distance and key feel.
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 Yellow comes in at $3.50 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 switch is known for its resonant and crunchy sound profile, providing users with a higher-pitched and immersive auditory experience that is clean and sharp, akin to stepping on piles of crisp autumn leaves. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Yellow switch offers a sound signature that is not specified but is known to be familiar to enthusiasts, likely due to its material blend that delivers a satisfying bounce without compromising on the typing experience. Both switches offer unique sound profiles that cater to different preferences and typing experiences.
Moving on to the feel of these switches, the Gateron Melodic is described as buttery and invigorating, offering a smooth and fluid keystroke experience with pronounced feedback and a reactive feel. This creates a seamless and immersive typing sensation that is both effortless and uniform. In contrast, the Wuque Studio WS Yellow switch provides a creamy, mild, and polished typing experience. The creamy texture offers a smooth and buttery sensation, while the mild characteristics make it approachable to most users. The polished finish ensures reduced friction and smooth key travel, contributing to a sleek typing experience. Overall, both switches offer unique tactile feedback and typing sensations that cater to different preferences.
In conclusion, the Gateron Melodic clicky switch boasts a resonant and crunchy sound profile, along with a buttery and invigorating typing experience. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Yellow linear switch provides a sound signature that is familiar to enthusiasts, a creamy and polished typing experience, and a satisfying bounce. While each switch offers distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel, both provide users with a delightful typing experience that is smooth, responsive, and enjoyable. It is important for newcomers to consider their preferences in sound and feel when selecting a mechanical keyboard switch to ensure an optimal typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Gateron Melodic clicky switch and the Wuque Studio WS Yellow linear switch, consider your preferences for bottom out force, sound, and feel. If you prefer a medium bottom out force and enjoy a resonant and crunchy sound profile with buttery and invigorating feel, then the Gateron Melodic switch may be the perfect choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force and appreciate a creamy, mild, and polished feel with a sound signature that offers a delightful bounce, then the Wuque Studio WS Yellow linear switch could be the ideal option for your typing needs. Ultimately, both switches have their unique strengths, so it's important to consider what aspects of typing experience matter most to you when making your decision.
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