Gateron Oil King (V2) vs. Wuque Studio WS Red
An in-depth look at the Gateron Oil King (V2) and the Wuque Studio WS Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Gateron Oil King and the Wuque Studio WS Red are two popular choices among mechanical keyboard enthusiasts, particularly those who prefer a linear switch design. The Oil King is best known for its buttery smoothness and a sound profile reminiscent of a dark chocolate bar snapping, providing a low-pitched, creamy, silky, bassy, buttery, and polished typing experience. On the other hand, the WS Red offers a bouncy and responsive typing experience with a heavier actuation force, adding a touch of weight to each keystroke. This results in a satisfying and substantial typing feel, complemented by a familiar sound signature due to its classic material blend. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your preferences and needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
55g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
67g
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
Nylon
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Color coated
Spring
22mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The Gateron Oil King and the Wuque Studio WS Red have similar nylon top housings. Nylon is a classic switch housing material known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile. Both switches utilize nylon, which is a relatively softer plastic that absorbs more sound than harder plastics. As a result, they both produce a duller and rounder sound when typing. So, users can expect a similar sound experience from these switches due to their shared nylon top housings.
However, the differences arise when examining the bottom housings. The Oil King features Gateron's proprietary INK blend bottom housing, which adds a unique characteristic to its sound profile. This bottom housing results in a satisfying thin and higher-pitched sound. It is often described as "clacky." On the other hand, the WS Red uses a nylon bottom housing, which contributes to the switch's overall sound profile. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound, leading to a deeper and fuller sound. Therefore, the WS Red may produce a slightly different sound compared to the Oil King, emphasizing a deeper tone rather than a higher pitch.
In terms of feel, the bottom housing plays a crucial role for both switches. When pressing down on the switch, the qualities of the bottom housing are felt, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel. The Oil King's proprietary INK blend bottom housing provides a sharper and more pointed sensation, enhancing the switch's clacky sound. On the other hand, the WS Red's nylon bottom housing, being a softer plastic, may offer a relatively smoother and more cushioned bottom-out experience. However, when releasing a key, the top housing becomes more significant in shaping the sound. While both switches share a nylon top housing, allowing for similar results in this aspect, the inherent characteristics of the bottom housing will differentiate the sound experience when typing and releasing keys.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Oil King linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Red linear switch, we can see some similarities and differences. The actuation force of the Oil King is 55 grams, while the WS Red's actuation force is unavailable. Despite the unknown value for the WS Red, we can assume that it is in a similar range to the Oil King for obtaining comparable results. In terms of bottom out force, the Oil King requires 65 grams of force, while the WS Red requires slightly more at 67 grams. Both switches fall into the medium-heavy category, providing a satisfactory push feel for those who prefer a more substantial typing experience. However, if weight is a factor to consider, individuals may lean towards the Oil King as it is lighter, allowing for longer periods of comfortable typing or extended gaming sessions. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches would depend on personal preferences for actuation and bottom out force.
Travel distance
The Gateron Oil King linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, which is considered the more traditional option. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Red linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm. The 4.0 mm travel distance of the Oil King provides a sense of depth and solidity when pressing down on the keys, which can be preferred by those who enjoy a more substantial feel. However, the 3.8 mm travel distance of the WS Red offers a slightly shallower experience, which can be advantageous for gamers who prioritize faster response times. Ultimately, the choice between these switches depends on individual preferences and whether one prefers a more responsive shorter travel distance or a deeper and more solid feel provided by the longer travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Gateron Oil King (V2) comes in at $6.50, whereas the Wuque Studio WS Red 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
The Gateron Oil King linear switch is known for its buttery smoothness and a sound profile reminiscent of a dark chocolate bar snapping. This switch offers a low-pitched and bassy sound, which provides a more bass-heavy and mellow tone during key presses. The feel of the Oil King is described as creamy, silky, buttery, and polished. These descriptors indicate that the switch offers a smooth and refined typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Red linear switch is best known for its bouncy and responsive typing experience while retaining a familiar sound signature due to its classic material blend. Unfortunately, there is no specific information available about the sound qualities of the WS Red switch.
In terms of feel, the WS Red switch does not have any specific descriptors mentioned, so we cannot make a direct comparison on this aspect.
In conclusion, the Gateron Oil King and Wuque Studio WS Red switches have different subjective qualities. The Oil King provides a low-pitched and bassy sound, along with a creamy, silky, buttery, and polished typing feel. While the sound qualities of the WS Red are unknown, it is described as offering a bouncy and responsive typing experience. Although we cannot compare the specific qualities of the two switches in terms of sound and feel, it is reasonable to expect that the Oil King's smoothness and sound profile will provide a similar level of satisfaction to the WS Red switch. However, it's important to note that the overall experience of a switch is also influenced by other factors like the choice of keyboard and keycaps.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you're looking for a medium-heavy linear switch with a smooth and buttery typing experience, the Gateron Oil King switch is an excellent choice. It offers a low-pitched and bassy sound profile, reminiscent of snapping a dark chocolate bar. The Oil King switch provides a creamy, silky, buttery, and polished feel, allowing for effortless and uniform keystrokes. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a touch of weight to each keystroke and a bouncy and responsive typing experience, the Wuque Studio WS Red switch is worth considering. Although there is no specific information on the sound and feel of the WS Red switch, its heavier actuation force and classic material blend promise a satisfying and substantial typing feel. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on your personal preferences for sound and typing experience. Consider what qualities are most important to you and make your decision accordingly.
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