Cherry MX Brown vs. Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear
An in-depth look at the Cherry MX Brown and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, there are various factors to consider. Two popular options that stand out are the Cherry MX Brown, a tactile switch, and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear, a linear switch. The MX Brown switches are known for their subtlety, providing a light typing experience with gentle tactility and subdued audio feedback. On the other hand, the WS Aurora Clear switches offer a smooth, high-pitched typing experience. With their transparent polycarbonate top housing and UHMWPE bottom housing, they allow for maximum RGB lighting customization. The POM stem in the Aurora Clear switches is lightly lubed, ensuring minimal friction and a satisfyingly smooth keystroke. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your specific preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
53g
Bottom-out force
55g
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
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
UHWMPE
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Double-staged stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Cherry MX Brown and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear switches offer distinct characteristics and sound profiles. The MX Brown features a nylon top housing, which creates a deeper and fuller sound due to its softer plastic nature. This results in a duller and rounder sound when typing. Conversely, the WS Aurora Clear utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which produces a sharper and higher-pitched sound. Being a stiffer plastic, the polycarbonate creates a more clear and resonant sound profile. However, both top housings are transparent, making them suitable for RGB lighting.
In terms of bottom housing, the MX Brown and the WS Aurora Clear differ once again. The MX Brown employs a nylon bottom housing, which aligns with its top housing in terms of sound profile and absorption. The relatively softer nylon plastic contributes to a deeper and fuller sound, resulting in a duller and rounder typing experience. On the other hand, the WS Aurora Clear incorporates a UHWMPE bottom housing, a newer material that offers a very bright sound signature. This results in resonant clacks when typing on switches utilizing this housing material.
It is important to note that the top and bottom housings of a switch play different roles in determining the sound and feel. When you press down on a switch, you will primarily feel the qualities of the bottom housing, which impacts the bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, when you release a key, the top housing influences the sound. While the MX Brown and WS Aurora Clear have different housing materials for their top and bottom parts, their respective qualities will have distinct effects on these two aspects of the switch's operation.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch, it is evident that they both fall within the medium range. However, there are differences in their specific force measurements. The MX Brown has a slightly lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the WS Aurora Clear's 53 grams. Similarly, the MX Brown has a lighter bottom out force of 55 grams compared to the WS Aurora Clear's 63.5 grams.
For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the MX Brown may be more suitable as its lighter actuation and bottom out forces allow for smoother and easier keystrokes. This can be advantageous for individuals who type for extended periods or engage in long gaming sessions. In contrast, the WS Aurora Clear offers a stronger push feel with its heavier forces, providing a more substantial typing experience. This may appeal to those who prefer a more tactile and responsive keyboard.
Ultimately, the choice between the MX Brown and the WS Aurora Clear depends on personal preference. While the MX Brown offers a lighter touch, the WS Aurora Clear provides a heavier and more pronounced typing experience. Both switches have their own merits and will yield satisfactory results depending on the user's typing style and preferences.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch, it is evident that the MX Brown has a longer travel distance of 4 mm, while the WS Aurora Clear has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm. The MX Brown falls into the category of a more traditional travel distance, providing a familiar and comfortable feel when pressing down on a key. On the other hand, the WS Aurora Clear offers a slightly shallower travel distance, making it a popular choice among gamers who value faster response times. It is important to note that while shorter travel distances may provide greater responsiveness, some individuals may find them too abrupt. Therefore, those who prefer a deeper keystroke experience may opt for the MX Brown with its longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on personal preference and the desired level of key feedback.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Cherry MX Brown comes in at $4.00, whereas the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear comes in at $8.00.
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
The Cherry MX Brown tactile switch is best known for its subtlety. It offers a relatively light typing experience with gentle tactility and subdued audio feedback. The sound of the MX Brown switches can be characterized as bassy and low-pitched, offering a deeper and richer sound profile during key presses. The feel of MX Browns is described as textured, meaning they have noticeable friction when pressed. Some users prefer this subtle texture, while others prefer a smoother, friction-free typing experience.
On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch provides a smooth and high-pitched typing experience. These switches have a transparent polycarbonate top housing and UHMWPE bottom housing, allowing for maximum RGB lighting customization. The POM stem is lightly lubed, ensuring minimal friction and a satisfyingly smooth keystroke. The WS Aurora Clear switches produce a sharp and crisp sound when pressed, which is characteristic of high-pitched switches.
In conclusion, the Cherry MX Brown tactile switches offer a lighter typing experience with gentle tactility and a bassy, low-pitched sound. They provide a textured feel with noticeable friction. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switches offer a smooth and high-pitched typing experience with a seamless, effortless, and uniform feel. They produce a sharp and crisp sound when pressed. While the two switches have different subjective qualities, it is important to note that the actual sound and feel experienced will also depend on other factors such as the choice of board and keycaps. However, if you prefer a lighter and more tactile typing experience, the MX Browns will offer similar results to the WS Aurora Clear switches.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you value a light typing experience with gentle tactility and subdued audio feedback, the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch would be a great choice for you. These switches have a bottom out force of 55 grams, providing a medium-light feel. They are best known for their subtlety, offering a smooth and relatively quiet typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth and high-pitched typing experience with maximum RGB lighting customization, the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch would be a suitable option. These switches have a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, making them medium-heavy. With a transparent polycarbonate top housing and UHMWPE bottom housing, these switches allow for vibrant RGB lighting customization. The POM stem is lightly lubed, ensuring minimal friction and a satisfyingly smooth keystroke. In terms of sound, the MX Brown produces a bassy and low-pitched tone, while the WS Aurora Clear produces a sharp and crisp high-pitched sound. When it comes to feel, the MX Brown has a textured typing experience, while the WS Aurora Clear offers a buttery, mild, and polished typing sensation. Ultimately, the choice between these switches depends on your preferred typing experience, sound preferences, and RGB lighting customization.
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