Gateron New North Pole V2 vs. Wuque Studio WS Onion
An in-depth look at the Gateron New North Pole V2 and the Wuque Studio WS Onion switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, there are a plethora of options available on the market. Two switches that stand out in their respective categories are the Gateron New North Pole V2 and the Wuque Studio WS Onion, both of which fall into the linear switch category. The New North Pole V2 is best known for its frictionless typing feel, providing users with a polished and creamy experience. With the removal of the rubber dampener, the typing experience becomes even crisper. On the other hand, the WS Onion offers a buttery smooth keystroke feel and a neutral sound profile. With its polycarbonate top housing and nylon bottom housing, this switch guarantees a deeply satisfying and responsive feel. 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
50g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
62.5g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
Ink Housing Material
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated 15.4mm
Spring
WS CL635 Gold Plated Stainless Spring
Housing materials
The Gateron New North Pole V2 and the Wuque Studio WS Onion both utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, resulting in a similar sound profile. Polycarbonate is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound, as it is a stiffer plastic that enhances clarity and resonance. Additionally, the transparency of polycarbonate allows for the use of RGB lighting, making it visually appealing for those who prefer illuminated switches. Therefore, both switches offer a similar sound experience and aesthetic when it comes to their polycarbonate top housing.
However, the bottom housing of the New North Pole V2 differs from that of the WS Onion. The New North Pole V2 incorporates a polycarbonate bottom housing, which contributes to the overall sound and feel when the key is bottomed-out. Due to its stiffer nature, polycarbonate amplifies the bottom-out sound, resulting in a more pronounced impact. On the other hand, the WS Onion utilizes a nylon bottom housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound. Nylon is a softer plastic, absorbing more sound and creating a rounder and duller tone. Therefore, the bottom housing of each switch offers a distinct typing experience, with the New North Pole V2 providing a sharper bottom-out sound and the WS Onion delivering a deeper and fuller tone.
It's important to note that while the top and bottom housing materials differ between the Gateron New North Pole V2 and the Wuque Studio WS Onion, each material contributes to specific aspects of the switch's performance. Pressing down on a switch will primarily showcase the qualities of the bottom housing, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel. In this regard, the New North Pole V2's polycarbonate bottom housing will provide a more impactful experience, while the WS Onion's nylon bottom housing will result in a softer and more rounded bottom-out sound. Conversely, the top housing material, whether it's polycarbonate in the New North Pole V2 or the WS Onion, will have a more significant impact on the sound when a key is released. Thus, while the switches may differ in terms of their housing materials, the overall typing experience is influenced by both the top and bottom housing components.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron New North Pole V2 linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Onion linear switch, we can see some similarities and differences. In terms of weight, the New North Pole V2 is slightly lighter as it has an actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 62.5 grams, which falls in the medium range. On the other hand, the WS Onion's actuation force is unavailable, making it difficult to directly compare. However, it does have a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, which is considered medium-heavy.
For those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions, the New North Pole V2 might be a suitable choice. Its actuation force allows for a smoother keystroke without requiring excessive force. Meanwhile, the WS Onion, with its medium-heavy bottom out force, could provide a more substantial and satisfying typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel.
Although we cannot directly compare the actuation forces due to the unavailability of information for the WS Onion, we can still expect similar results in terms of actuation force. However, it is important to note that the bottom out force of the WS Onion is slightly heavier than that of the New North Pole V2. Overall, the decision between the two switches would depend on personal preferences and the desired typing experience.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Gateron New North Pole V2 linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Onion linear switch, both switches have a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when pressing down on a key, the distance traveled by both switches is the same. Therefore, users can expect similar results in terms of the distance they feel when using either switch.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron New North Pole V2 has an MSRP of $6.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the New North Pole V2 for $5.70.
The Wuque Studio WS Onion has an MSRP of $7.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the WS Onion for $5.53.
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 subjective qualities of the Gateron New North Pole V2 linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Onion linear switch differ in terms of sound and feel.
In terms of sound, the New North Pole V2 is not specifically described, so it's unknown how it exactly sounds. On the other hand, the WS Onion is described as having a neutral sound profile. This means that it produces a moderate level of sound, suitable for most purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced user, or if you plan to use it at home or work. It's important to note that the sound of the switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard layout and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the New North Pole V2 is described as offering a frictionless typing feel, which is a hallmark feature of the North Pole lineup. This means that the switch provides a smooth and effortless typing experience, minimizing any sense of resistance or friction when pressing the keys. The switch offers a fluid travel, resulting in a polished and satisfying feel while typing. It may also have a creamy or polished sensation, indicating a smooth and refined finish.
The WS Onion, on the other hand, is described as having a buttery smooth keystroke feel. This implies that the switch provides a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation. It offers a polished typing experience, with reduced friction and smooth key travel. The use of materials and potentially factory lubing contribute to this silky sensation while typing.
In conclusion, the Gateron New North Pole V2 and the Wuque Studio WS Onion linear switches offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. However, both switches are known for providing smooth and refined typing experiences. The New North Pole V2 offers a frictionless and polished feel, while the WS Onion offers a buttery and polished feel. If you are looking for a switch with similar results, you may expect a similar smooth typing experience from both switches.
Conclusion
In closing, if you are looking for a switch with a medium bottom out force, both the Gateron New North Pole V2 and the Wuque Studio WS Onion are suitable options. However, there are some key differences to consider. The New North Pole V2 is known for its frictionless typing feel and retains a seamless glide and smoothness that users love. It provides a polished, creamy, and frictionless typing experience. On the other hand, the WS Onion offers a buttery smooth keystroke feel with a crisp and responsive sensation. It has a neutral sound profile and a polished, buttery typing experience. Ultimately, if you prioritize a more frictionless and creamy typing experience, the New North Pole V2 may be the better choice. However, if you prefer a buttery smooth keystroke and a neutral sound profile, the WS Onion could be the ideal option for you. It ultimately comes down to personal preference and the specific typing experience you are seeking.
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