Outemu Blue Jade vs. Wuque Studio WS Light Tactile
An in-depth look at the Outemu Blue Jade and the Wuque Studio WS Light Tactile switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Mechanical keyboard enthusiasts looking for the perfect balance between tactile feedback and audible satisfaction may find themselves torn between the Outemu Blue Jade clicky switch and the Wuque Studio WS Light Tactile switch. The Blue Jade switch is known for its crisp click sound that provides a satisfying typing experience, while the WS Light Tactile switch offers a smooth and snappy tactile bump with a neutral sound signature. The Blue Jade switch falls under the clicky category, while the WS Light Tactile switch is considered a stepped, neutral, and easy-to-press switch. Both switches have their unique advantages and characteristics that cater to different preferences and typing styles. 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
45g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.20 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
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
15.4mm single-staged spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Outemu Blue Jade and the Wuque Studio WS Light Tactile switches exhibit both similarities and differences. Both switches use nylon for their bottom housing, which results in a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the softer nature of the material. This creates a duller and rounder sound when typing on the switches. However, the top housing materials differ, with the Blue Jade utilizing nylon for its top housing and the WS Light Tactile using polycarbonate. Polycarbonate is a stiffer plastic that leads to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile compared to the nylon top housing of the Blue Jade.
While the bottom housing materials of the Blue Jade and the WS Light Tactile switches are both nylon, which contributes to the deeper and fuller sound profile, the top housing materials differ. The Blue Jade features a nylon top housing, which absorbs more sound and creates a duller and rounder sound when typing. In contrast, the WS Light Tactile uses a polycarbonate top housing, resulting in a more clear and resonant sound profile. Additionally, the polycarbonate material is especially useful for switches with RGB lighting due to its translucency, providing a visually appealing aesthetic when the lighting is activated.
The impact of the housing materials on the sound and feel of the switches is split between the top and bottom housings. When pressing down on a switch, the qualities of the bottom housing, such as the deeper sound profile from the nylon material, are more prominent. Conversely, the top housing has a greater impact on the sound when releasing a key, with the polycarbonate material of the WS Light Tactile resulting in a sharper and crisper sound compared to the duller sound produced by the nylon top housing of the Blue Jade. Despite these differences, both switches offer unique sound profiles based on their housing materials.
Weight
The Outemu Blue Jade clicky switch and the Wuque Studio WS Light Tactile tactile switch have notable differences in their actuation force and bottom out force. The Blue Jade has an actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams, making it medium-heavy. In contrast, the WS Light Tactile has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams. The lighter actuation force of the WS Light Tactile may appeal to those who prefer a lighter touch for longer typing sessions or gaming, while the heavier actuation force of the Blue Jade offers a more substantial typing experience for users who prefer a stronger push feel. Both switches offer distinct typing experiences based on their force requirements, with the WS Light Tactile being lighter and the Blue Jade being heavier.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Outemu Blue Jade clicky switch and the Wuque Studio WS Light Tactile tactile switch are both 4 mm, making them equal in this aspect. This means that when pressing down on a key with either switch, users will experience the same distance traveled from the top to the bottom. Despite both switches having the same travel distance, they offer different typing experiences due to their distinct characteristics. The Blue Jade is known for its clicky feedback, providing a satisfying tactile bump and audible click when pressed, while the WS Light Tactile offers a lighter tactile feedback without the audible click. Therefore, while the travel distance remains the same, the typing experience with each switch will feel different based on their unique design features.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Outemu Blue Jade comes in at $3.10, whereas the Wuque Studio WS Light Tactile comes in at $4.20.
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 Outemu Blue Jade clicky switch provides a sharp and audible click with each key press, making it a satisfying choice for those who enjoy a more pronounced typing experience. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Light Tactile tactile switch offers a more neutral sound profile, which is ideal for users looking for a quieter typing experience without sacrificing the tactile feedback. Both switches can produce satisfactory sound levels depending on the keyboard and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Outemu Blue Jade switch offers a tactile bump with a clicky response, providing a tactile and audible typing experience. In contrast, the Wuque Studio WS Light Tactile switch offers a stepped tactile feel, allowing users to feel a moderate bump in their keystrokes without the overwhelming sensation of a full tactility throughout the entire key press. Additionally, the WS Light Tactile switch is known for being easy-to-press, requiring minimal force to activate the keys, making it a comfortable choice for extended typing sessions.
In conclusion, both the Outemu Blue Jade clicky switch and the Wuque Studio WS Light Tactile tactile switch have their own unique qualities that cater to different preferences. The Blue Jade excels in providing a loud and tactile typing experience, while the WS Light Tactile offers a more subdued tactile feedback with a focus on ease of use. Depending on your personal preferences for sound, feel, and typing comfort, you can achieve satisfying results with either switch. Ultimately, it is important to consider all factors, such as keycaps and keyboard build, to fully optimize your mechanical keyboard experience.
Conclusion
In closing, when considering whether to choose the Outemu Blue Jade clicky switch or the Wuque Studio WS Light Tactile tactile switch, you should take into account your preference for bottom out force and sound profile. If you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force and are looking for a switch with a neutral sound signature, the Blue Jade may be the better option for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force and enjoy a switch with a snappy and perceptible tactile bump, as well as a neutral sound profile, the WS Light Tactile could be the more suitable choice. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal typing preferences and the type of typing experience you are looking to achieve.
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