Cherry MX Black vs. Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile
An in-depth look at the Cherry MX Black and the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options to consider are the Cherry MX Black and the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile. The MX Black stands out for its iconic smoothness and deep sound profile, thanks to Cherry's Hyperglide tooling. Categorized as having a low-pitched, textured, and stiff feel, it offers a familiar typing experience. On the other hand, the WS Heavy Tactile from Wuque Studio is known for its profound tactile bump and satisfying resistance. With a tactile force of 70g, each keystroke becomes an engaging and immersive journey. Additionally, the nylon housings in Wuque's switches contribute to a "thocky" resonance, providing satisfying auditory feedback. 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
60g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
80g
Bottom-out force
70g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.20 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
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 single-stage spring
Housing materials
The Cherry MX Black and the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile switches both utilize nylon as their housing material, resulting in similar characteristics for the sound profile. Typing on switches with nylon housing elicits a deeper and fuller sound due to the material's ability to absorb more sound than harder plastics. This absorption creates a duller and rounder sound, which can be observed in both the MX Black and the WS Heavy Tactile switches. Therefore, users can expect a similar sound experience when using either switch.
Although both switches share the same nylon housing material, they differ in terms of their top and bottom housings. The MX Black has a nylon top housing, while the WS Heavy Tactile has a nylon bottom housing. This means that the qualities brought by the housing material will be split between the top and bottom of the switch. When pressing down on the switch, users will feel the impact and experience the bottom-out sound and feel influenced by the bottom housing. On the contrary, the sound when letting go of a key will be more influenced by the top housing. Therefore, the two switches may offer slightly different sound profiles depending on the specific usage.
In summary, both the Cherry MX Black and the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile switches utilize nylon as their housing material, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. The nylon material absorbs sound more effectively than harder plastics, creating a duller and rounder sound experience. While the switches share this characteristic, they differ in terms of their top and bottom housings, which can affect the impact and sound when pressing down or releasing a key. Regardless, users can expect similar overall results in terms of sound when using these switches.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Cherry MX Black linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile tactile switch, it becomes evident that they have distinct characteristics. The Cherry MX Black has a relatively heavy actuation force of 60 grams, requiring a substantial push to trigger a keystroke. In contrast, the actuation force of the WS Heavy Tactile switch is unknown, which makes it difficult to directly compare. However, it is worth noting that the WS Heavy Tactile switch has a lighter bottom out force of 45 grams, resulting in a less forceful typing experience.
Considering the importance of weight in a switch selection, some individuals prefer lighter switches, as they allow for extended typing periods without fatigue, making them ideal for workplace or extended gaming sessions. On the other hand, there are users who prefer a greater actuation force, as it provides a more substantial and satisfying typing experience. For these users, switches with heavier forces are more suitable.
In terms of weight, the Cherry MX Black is on the heavier side, with an actuation force of 60 grams and a bottom out force of 80 grams. In contrast, the WS Heavy Tactile switch is comparatively lighter, with a bottom out force of 45 grams. However, since the actuation force of the WS Heavy Tactile switch is unknown, it is uncertain how it compares to the Cherry MX Black in this regard. Nevertheless, for those seeking a lighter typing experience, the WS Heavy Tactile switch offers a more suitable option.
Travel distance
The travel distances of the Cherry MX Black linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile tactile switch differ by 0.8 mm. The MX Black has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the WS Heavy Tactile has a shorter travel distance of 3.2 mm. The MX Black's 4 mm travel distance is considered more traditional, offering a standard depth for key presses. On the other hand, the WS Heavy Tactile's 3.2 mm travel distance falls on the shallower side, making it suitable for those seeking a faster response time, particularly favored by gamers. However, it is important to note that shorter travel distances can feel more abrupt to some individuals. Therefore, if a hearty depth is your preference, opting for the switch with the longer travel distance would be more suitable. Overall, both switches offer distinct travel distances, allowing users to choose based on their individual preferences for responsiveness and depth.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Cherry MX Black comes in at $4.00, whereas the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile comes in at $3.50.
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 MX Black linear switch offers a low-pitched profile. This means that it produces a more bass-heavy and mellower sound compared to higher-pitched switches. On the other hand, the WS Heavy Tactile tactile switch is described as clacky, high-pitched, and resonant. This means that it produces a sharp, crisp, and immersive sound profile when typing. The nylon housings used in the WS Heavy Tactile switches contribute to a "thocky" resonance, adding to the satisfying auditory feedback with each keystroke. However, it is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used. Overall, while the MX Black and WS Heavy Tactile switches offer different sound profiles, both can provide a satisfying auditory experience.
In terms of feel, the MX Black linear switch is described as textured and stiff. The textured aspect refers to noticeable friction when pressing the switch, which can be preferred by some users. Meanwhile, the WS Heavy Tactile switch offers an accented, bouncy, invigorating, sharp, and snappy feel. This means that it provides a medium amount of tactility without being overwhelming, accompanied by a lively and spring-like feedback sensation. The pronounced feedback, moderate to firm actuation force, and snappy feel of the WS Heavy Tactile switch create an immersive typing experience. The MX Black switch, on the other hand, requires a higher amount of force to actuate and bottom-out, adding to its stiffness. While the two switches offer different tactile experiences, both can provide an enjoyable typing feel.
Taking all the available information into account, the Cherry MX Black linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile tactile switch offer distinct subjective qualities. The MX Black switch offers a classic textured smoothness and a familiar deep sound profile when typing. On the other hand, the WS Heavy Tactile switch boasts a profound and pronounced tactile bump, a satisfying resistance, and a captivating sound profile. While the MX Black switch has a low-pitched sound, a textured feel, and stiffness, the WS Heavy Tactile switch has a clacky, high-pitched, and resonant sound profile, along with an accented, bouncy, invigorating, sharp, and snappy feel. Overall, both switches can provide a satisfying and engaging typing experience, but with different sound and feel characteristics.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you are someone who prefers a heavy and smooth typing experience with a low-pitched sound profile, the Cherry MX Black is the right choice for you. With its 80 grams bottom-out force, it offers a satisfying resistance and familiar deep sound profile. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter touch with a pronounced tactile feedback and a clacky, high-pitched sound profile, the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile switch is the way to go. With its 45 grams bottom-out force, it provides an immersive and invigorating typing sensation, along with a "thocky" resonance sound. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches depends on your personal preferences in terms of typing experience and auditory feedback.
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